Sunburn Remedies: Best At-Home Remedy & Treatment for the Face
Ah the sun... We all love to bask in it to acquire that golden shimmer similar to that of an Egyptian Goddess. And, while we need it for its health-inducing vitamin D, too much sun can have a hugely detrimental effect on our complexion.
While most of us know this, we're all partial to a little sunburn here and there. And, the best way to heal sunburned skin is always to go the natural route where possible. But, with so many bad sunburn remedies lurking on the internet, how do we tell the old wives tales apart from the true sunburn relief home remedy that can actually make you feel better?
Luckily for you, we've created a comprehensive list of our top at-home sunburn remedies so that you don't have to carry on trawling through millions of websites.
What are the top 10 skin care products that can help treat sun damaged skin? RenewSkin, Inc. explains here...
What Does Sunburned Skin Look Like?
Sunburned skin varies in appearance depending on the degree of burn you experience. Typically, people with sunburned skin experience skin irritation, redness, and in some cases, skin peeling and blisters.
Those with minor sunburn usually experience a stinging or burning sensation as well as redness. Moderate sunburns come with all of the above but can be treated with at-home remedies. However, more severe sunburns can lead to peeling skin, blisters, and in extreme cases, infections, and sun stroke which may require hospitalization depending on the symptoms you're experiencing.
More helpful reading: Face products for redness.
At-Home Remedies for Sunburn Relief After Too Much Sun Exposure
Whether you experience minor or severe sunburn, there are a number of at-home remedies that you can try before seeking medical treatment. That said, it's important to monitor your pain, temperature, and symptoms. If you experience a high fever, seizures, visual changes, or neurological symptoms, it's imperative that you call 911 as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, are you looking for the best sunburn remedy? Here are our top remedies to treat sunburn and address sunburn pain:
Take Frequent Baking Soda & Oatmeal Baths
Cool water in itself can have a positive impact on your pain levels and is a popular sunburn remedy. That said, for moderate sunburn, a cool bath may not be enough to really address sunburn pain. With that in mind, we highly recommend that you try a baking soda and oatmeal bath for its anti-inflammatory properties. This method can reduce irritation all while helping the skin heal by allowing it to retain its natural moisture.
If you are suffering from peeling skin, you may prefer to opt for a cold shower to reduce inflammation instead. As your sunburn heals, you can slowly make your way to the bath to boost your recovery. Adding essential oils for skin like lavender can also help soothe your skin.
Apply Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is not an old wives tail. This plant has incredible capabilities and is the best way to treat sunburn that is mild to moderate. Similarly to a cool bath, aloe vera can reduce skin irritation and soothe sunburned skin. It is one of our favorite natural home remedies for sunburn as it can help relieve pain and soothe damaged skin.
To reduce further irritation, we recommend you opt for the gel-like substance directly from the plant. However, if you do not have access to a plant, opt for a 100% aloe vera gel, which you can find in most local pharmacies.
Apply Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another great sunburn treatment solution because it helps cool and soothe the skin, relieving uncomfortable symptoms associated with nasty sunburn. Moreover, coconut oil is high in saturated fat and, therefore, acts as a fantastic moisturizer for your skin.
Despite there not being any concrete evidence that coconut oil helps in treating sunburn, some studies do show that applying high-lipid compounds to first degree burns can reduce dryness and speed up the healing process.1 With that in mind, applying coconut oil to the affected area may help sunburnt skin recover more quickly. Again, feel free to add a few drop of essential oils to boost your recovery.
More helpful reading: Best face moisturizer.
Fortify Your Dermis With Liquid Collagen
Sun exposure depletes our skin's natural collagen and elastin stores, leaving us with unwanted fine lines and wrinkles, and of course, various other early signs of aging. If you want to counteract the effects of sun damage, we highly recommend that you supplement with a high-quality liquid collagen supplement like our Advanced Liquid Collagen Formula.
Made with the highest quality marine collagen sourced from wild-caught Red Snapper from the Indian Ocean, our collagen liquid formula penetrates deep into the skin cells, rejuvenating your dermis from the inside out. And, we've coupled our potent dose of collagen peptides with six other skin-loving ingredients designed to target skin conditions and potentially help treat sunburn.
More helpful reading: Under eye wrinkles
Drink Plenty of Water
Whether you have mild or severe sunburn, one thing is for sure: You need to stay hydrated! And, drinking water is one of the best face sunburn remedies there is!
When we spend too much time in the sun, we get dehydrated, enhancing the effects of the sun's rays, and leaving us in a worse state than ever. Treating sunburn with a sunburn home remedy starts from the inside so make sure you drink plenty of water when you are out in the sun and when you get home.
Additionally, dousing your burnt skin under a cool shower or cool bath water can help reduce any pain and swelling. If you feel overly hot, you can also apply cold compresses to your skin.
More helpful reading: Water benefit for skin by RenewSkin, Inc.
Dab Your Skin With Cooled Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is touted for its anxiety-reducing properties but, it can also act as an effective homemade remedy for sunburn, reducing pain and swelling. To reap the benefits of this sunburn treatment, all you have to do is brew a big batch of chamomile tea and let it cool. Once cold enough, dunk a washcloth or compress in the tea. Then, use the cool compresses to gently pat your skin. In addition to this cold compress method, you can also add your cooled chamomile tea to your bath water and soak in it.
While this method is an effective sun burn remedy and can help treat sunburn, we highly recommend you avoid this if you have allergies to pollen. Chamomile tea can cause an allergic reaction, leaving you feeling worse than before.
Other natural home remedies include dabbing your skin with cold milk or applying cooled black or green tea as the tannic acid can pull heat from the burn.
More helpful reading: Herbs for skin.
Wear Loose Clothing
Wearing loose clothing will allow the affected area to breathe all while protecting it from any more exposure to UV rays. However, it's important to note that the bright light from the sun's ultraviolet rays can still pass through light fabrics. As a result, tightly woven fabrics work best to prevent exposed skin and further damage from the sun.
Hydrocortisone Cream
In more extreme cases where natural sun burn remedies at home don't work, one of the best ways to treat sunburn is to apply a hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. You can buy these without a prescription from your local pharmacy and they can act as a local pain reliever. Be sure to avoid -caine products as these can cause an allergic reaction and irritate the area more.
More helpful reading: Skin care ingredients to avoid.
How to Prevent Sunburn
If you ask any board-certified dermatologist, they'll tell you the same thing: Prevention is far better than treatment. Here are some simple ways to prevent sunburn:
Wear the Right SPF for Your Skin & Climate
Whether you're going out in the sun for one hour or seven, it's important that you wear adequate sun protection. We recommend you opt for factor 30, however, if you're in a particularly hot climate or have very fair skin, you may need to wear stronger sunscreen.
Protect Your Skin With Antioxidants
Too much exposure to sun leads to free radicals in the body. An antioxidant formula like Masquelier's French Pine Bark OPC contains anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and antiallergenic properties that can counteract some of the effects of the sun, leaving you with beautiful, wrinkle-free skin for longer. Plus, it can help improve the suppleness of your skin by protecting your body's collagen and elastin from the harmful effects of free radical damage.
Wear Protective Clothing
Protective clothing is a must, especially if you are in a hot climate, going out during the hottest time of the day, or already have sun damaged skin. As mentioned previously, be sure to wear tightly woven fabrics for the best protection.
Don't Use Tanning Beds
Tanning beds may boost your bronze, but they also increase your risk of sun damage, wrinkles, fine lines, free radical damage, and your chances of getting skin cancer. With this in mind, we highly recommend that you embrace your porcelain complexion as a sign of youth and health and avoid the tanning beds altogether!
More helpful reading: What are free radicals?
Stay Out of the Sun During the Hottest Times of the Day
If you do like spending time in the sun, pick your times wisely. Sunbathing at midday is a recipe for disaster so aim to go out in the morning or plan your beach days for the afternoon after 3 or even 4pm when the sun's ultraviolet rays are not as powerful.
More helpful reading: How to apply sunscreen
Lie in the Shade
Alternatively, if you want to spend the whole day out with your loved ones, find a spot in the shade to protect your skin further. Buying a sun umbrella is a great way to bring the shade with you wherever you go. You can also lie under a tree, although, be careful of the coconuts if you're on holiday or living in a tropical paradise!
More helpful reading: Sunrburn remedies
Repair Your Skin & Protect It From the Damaging Affects of the Sun With Taut
At Taut, we believe that prevention is always a better option that treatment and that's why we created our Taut Ultimate Transformation Program.
Combining our Advanced Liquid Collagen Formula with our Taut Collagen Masks and Taut Hydrate, you'll achieve deep hydration as well as a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.
Our Taut Collagen Masks infuse your skin with collagen peptides, squalene, and vitamin C, a co-factor of collagen to hydrate, heal, and repair any damage to your dermis, all while restoring your skin' natural oils.
Taut Hydrate harnesses the power of plant-based hyaluronic acid and grape seed extract to super plump your skin from within and dose it with antioxidants designed to reduce the damaging effects of free radicals.
Want to get a monthly supply of your favorite collagen products? Join our skincare subscription box today and you'll receive your staples straight to your front door each month!
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