Of course, you should be taking all the necessary steps to protect your skin from sun exposure but we understand that accidents can happen and sometimes, even the most cautious of us experience a bout of sunburn from time to time. But do not fear, there is help at hand and there are a number of natural, organic, eco-friendly fixes that can soothe your skin, reduce redness and ease the pain. Read on to find out more!
Oat So Simple!
Finely ground oatmeal, or even loose oats work wonders when added to a warm bath. Just pop your oats in a blender until they have a smooth consistency and add to a tepid bath to greatly reduce the discomfort of sunburn. You can also soak a towel or flannel in oat milk and gently apply it to the afflicted area to alleviate symptoms.
Witch Hazel!
Known for its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, witch hazel is great for soothing skin after sun exposure. Just soak a piece of muslin or a cloth in it and apply to skin two or three times a day for around 20 minutes, to stop redness and itching.
Cider Vinegar
You might not think that putting vinegar on your skin is going to make you feel better but you would be surprised. Cider vinegar contains acetic acid which is known for reducing itching, pain and inflammation. Just add a cup to a warm (not hot) bath, sit back, and soak.
Coconut Oil
So you might have been told never to put oil on sunburn but there are some exceptions. Coconut oil is wonderful at keeping sore skin moisturised and relieving symptoms such as peeling and itching. It also has soothing properties which are great for calming angry, overexposed skin.
Calendula
Calendula is wonderful for sunburn and is used in a range of products for soothing and treating damaged skin. It works by relieving inflammation and accelerating the healing of skin whilst keeping skin moisturised. This herbal healing salve from Little Green Soap contains a lot of Calendula along with shea butter, elderflower, yarrow, and St John’s Wort, making it a great salve for sunburn and other skin irritations.