There is so much to love about summer. From the glorious refreshing produce to the many outdoor activities, summer is a time of good vibes and tasty creations. The outdoor activities, though, can cause trouble for your skin. Spending time in direct sunlight is a recipe for sunburn and failure to take preventative measures can leave your skin red, sensitive, and itchy. Fortunately, there are many natural ingredients to soothe your sunburn.
For some people, just thinking about the sun makes their skin itch. Ideally, it would be nice to avoid sunburn altogether, but it is often an unavoidable result for many people who enjoy a little fun in the sun. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sunburn can cause long-term damage to the skin. The foundation encourages people to apply sunscreen prior to sun-exposure, and to take additional measures to keep the skin safe. Finding shade, wearing hats and sun-protective clothing, and regularly applying sunscreen are all things that can reduce the risk of sunburn. If you do happen to get sun-burnt this summer, the cream in this article may provide relief.
Aloe Vera
A fair amount of research shows that aloe vera has the ability to accelerate the healing process of a sunburn. The gel that fills the thick leaves of the aloe plant exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that work to both moisturize the skin and prevent the peel that happens. Researchers identified the compound aloin, which is responsible for aloe’s ability to remedy sunburn. Older peer-reviewed studies found that aloe may also aid the healing of first- to second-degree burns, including mild to moderate sunburns. If you have access to the plant, it is best to break off a leaf and get the gel from inside. If you don’t have access to a plant, try to get your hands on 100% aloe vera gel at a local pharmacy or health food store. These are better options than gels that contain alcohol, which can actually dry out the skin.
Coconut Oil
The research states that you should not apply coconut oil at the first sight of a sunburn. Instead, first apply a cool compress to the sunburnt area for about 15 minutes to help reduce inflammation. Once the skin cools down, coconut oil is a fine product to apply to the skin. Researchers found that the lauric acid, a saturated fat, in coconut oil exhibits antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Because of this, applying coconut oil to a sunburn may reduce the risk of infection. An earlier animal study found that coconut oil offers anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Coconut oil may also have the ability to reduce body temperature, which can be beneficial if you have a sunburn.
Homemade Sunburn Relief Cream
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup organic coconut oil
- 1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
- 4 drops lavender essential oil
- 4 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 (4-ounce) Mason jars
Instructions
- Add the coconut oil and aloe vera gel to a large mixing bowl.
- Using a hand mixer, whip the coconut oil and aloe vera gel until you achieve a fluffy consistency. This process should take about five minutes.
- Add the essential oils to the mixture and mix for another couple minutes. Spoon the mixture into two four-ounce Mason jars and screw on the lids. Store the mixture in a cool, dry place.
- To use, scoop some of the cream out of the jar and apply it to the sunburn. Just make sure that you allow the sunburn time to cool before application.
