Although the sun is essential for our bodies to function properly, exposure to its rays for too long can lead to sunburn. And while home remedies do not cure damaged skin, they can certainly help ease the pain. Check out what natural products will bring you relief.
The first way to relieve burning skin, which may be the first thing that comes to mind for some, is a cold shower. Pouring cool water over yourself will help lower the temperature of your inflamed skin. However, the water should be lukewarm – too icy could cause thermal shock. Gently pour water over the burned areas. Gradually reduce the temperature gently. For a shower to bring you real relief, it should last about 10-15 minutes.
Although burned skin should not be lubricated with any heavy or greasy substances, there is one exception: honey. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, thus accelerating the healing of burned areas. For honey to bring immediate pain relief, make a poultice of it and apply it to the burned area.
This method for sunburn was still used by our great-grandmothers. It is worth knowing that during sunbathing, the normal acidic pH of our skin is violated, so it loses its protective barrier against microorganisms and loses proper hydration. Dairy products such as kefir, curdled milk and buttermilk help restore the skin’s normal acidic pH, as they contain huge amounts of live bacteria cultures. Cow’s milk protein also contains vitamins A, D and E, which regenerate damaged epidermis. Simply applying gauze soaked in kefir or curdled milk to reddened skin is enough to bring immediate relief.
Potatoes also have properties that can bring relief to irritated skin. This is all thanks to substances that exhibit atropine-like effects. A not insignificant role is also played by the starch contained in these vegetables, which protects the skin from irritation. To take advantage of all the valuable properties of the potato, just apply raw slices or ground puree to the skin. Potato flour mixed with water will also work well.
Aloe vera juice, when used to treat sunburn, has a similar effect to dairy products. Also, it helps restore the acid reaction of the skin, making it more resistant to irritation. Aloe vera contains enzymes that regenerate the epidermis and have an anti-inflammatory effect. It also speeds up the healing process. To bring relief to burned skin, simply apply gauze soaked in cool aloe vera juice for 15 minutes.
Thanks to its menthol content, peppermint oil cools and numbs sunburned skin. It also speeds up the healing process. Mix together two drops of oil and half a glass of water. Soak gauze in such a solution and apply it to the burned area.
main photo: unsplash.com/Romina Farías
