The Habitat
Home
Share to Pinterest10 Simple Home Remedies to Soothe a Sunburn
LifeSelf Care

10 Simple Home Remedies to Soothe a Sunburn

By Staff Writer
Share to Pinterest10 Simple Home Remedies to Soothe a Sunburn
Advertisement

Summer sun brings summer fun—and also the potential for sunburns. You did your best to protect yourself, but if your skin is red and painful after a day at the beach, you're probably searching for quick relief. The good news is that most sunburns heal quickly and without complication, though they can be itchy and irritating for a few days.

Make your burn feel better while your body does its thing by reaching for one of these common household products to soothe the affected area.

01

Rub aloe vera gel over the burn

Share to PinterestAloe Vera gel close-up
mescioglu / Getty Images

If you don't already have an aloe vera plant on hand, consider getting one—they're useful for treating a whole host of minor ailments, including sunburns. The gel inside the leaves soothes and cools minor sunburns at home while also helping restore vital moisture lost.

Cut a leaf in half and scrape out the gel, then rub it over the burned skin. If you don't have a plant, buy pure aloe vera gel without any additives from the store and use that. Just remember to give it a test on a small patch of skin to test for allergies if you've never used it before.

Advertisement
02

Take a cider vinegar bath

Share to PinterestWoman reclining in bathtub
Asia Images / Getty Images

Though this may give some readers pause, cider vinegar can help relieve inflammation and itchiness from a sunburn. Draw a lukewarm bath and add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to the water. Soak in it for 15 to 20 minutes or until your bod feels better.

You can also opt to place a damp washcloth dipped in a vinegar-water mixture onto the burned area if you'd rather not soak in it. Just remember to dilute the vinegar, as it's acidic and can further irritate the burn if you use it in its usual concentration.

Advertisement
03

Apply witch hazel to the sunburn

Share to PinterestBlooming witch hazel twig (hamamelis), a bowl with skin care cream and dried bark on blue textile, medical plant for natural cosmetics, copy space, selected focus
fermate / Getty Images

Witch hazel is loaded with natural compounds such as tannins that can help soothe burns and skin irritation. Some studies show that lotion with 10% witch hazel can decrease the reddening in sunburns, while others reveal that it can also increase skin growth.

All you need to do to treat a sunburn is soak a cotton pad with witch hazel and gently pat it against the affected area. Just make sure that the witch hazel you choose is alcohol-free to avoid irritation.

Advertisement
04

Make an oatmeal salve

Share to PinterestNatural Ingredients for Homemade Body Face Scrub Oat
Jelena Irikova / Getty Images

Oatmeal is used in skin products for a reason: it's soothing. The antioxidants in oatmeal can alleviate dryness while also reducing itchiness in skin conditions, including sunburns. If you're a little red around the shoulders, fill a bath with lukewarm water and mix in 1 cup of powdered oats. Soak for at least 15 minutes for best results.

Advertisement
05

Try a cold compress

Share to PinterestWoman Applying Ice Bag On Her Shoulder
AndreyPopov / Getty Images

While you don't want to put ice directly onto a burn because it can further damage the skin, using a cold compress can help alleviate pain and swelling. Take an ice pack wrapped in a soft, lint-free towel and place it on the painful area for 10 to 15 minutes, as needed, for relief. If you don't have ice or an ice pack on hand, try using a bag of frozen veggies.

Advertisement
06

Drink water to hydrate your skin

Share to Pinterestwoman drinking water
urbazon / Getty Images

While remaining hydrated is important to daily skin health, it's especially important when you've got a sunburn because your body redirects moisture from other areas to help heal the affected area. That's where drinking plenty of water, a little more than usual, for a few days comes into play. Not only can it help prevent you from getting dehydrated, but it will also help your skin heal more quickly.

Advertisement
07

Lather on coconut oil

Share to Pinterestcoconut oil and coconuts, palm branches close up
White Bear Studio / Getty Images

Cold-pressed, organic coconut oil can be used as a sunburn remedy as long as you time it correctly. Thick oil can trap heat within the skin, making it more uncomfortable if you try to use it the first few days after burning.

Once any blistering is gone and the skin has cooled, coconut oil can soothe the dryness, itchiness, and irritation as the burn continues to heal. Just slather the partially healed area with coconut oil and allow it to moisturize your skin like lotion.

Advertisement
08

Apply honey over the burn

Share to PinterestYoung woman with honey on back in spa salon. Closeup
CentralITAlliance / Getty Images

Sticky honey is a well-known home remedy for all sorts of conditions. Dating back to use by ancient Egyptians, honey can improve the speed at which you heal and alleviate pain while also reducing the risk of infection. It can also help moisturize the burned skin, which goes a long way toward alleviating discomfort.

For best results, use medical grade or raw, unfiltered honey. Manuka honey, in particular, comes highly recommended. All you have to do is rub the honey onto sunburned skin—it even works on tender, burnt lips—and let it work its magic.

Advertisement
09

Take a baking soda bath

Share to PinterestYoung adult woman taking bath holding sponge in hand, washed shoulder
brizmaker / Getty Images

Like oatmeal, baking soda can provide some much-needed relief if you have a sunburn. This multipurpose powder balances the pH levels of your skin, which can soothe inflammation and redness. Mix 2 ounces of baking soda into a lukewarm bath and soak for at least 15 minutes to alleviate your discomfort.

Once you rinse off, be sure to add a layer of lotion or moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying.

Advertisement
10

Rub on yogurt and cucumber

Share to PinterestCut young cucumbers and yogurt
EKramar / Getty Images

Yogurt has all sorts of probiotics and enzymes that not only protect your skin when you eat it but also soothe a sunburn when applied directly. Before you reach for any old yogurt in your fridge to apply to a burn, make sure it's plain. For more of a soothing effect, chop up some cucumbers and mix them into the yogurt.

Then, place it over the burn and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it off using lukewarm water.

Advertisement

Share

Scroll Down

for the Next Article

Advertisement
Advertisement