7 Best Home Remedies For Sun Burn Skin

Spending time outdoors is a great way to stay physically active, reduce stress, and get vitamin D. However, without proper protection, as little as 15 minutes in the sun can cause sunburn. 

You can see sunlight and feel the heat (infrared radiation), but you cannot see or feel UV radiation. It can also damage your skin on cold, cloudy days. 

If you are wondering how to heal sunburn, keep reading below for seven home remedies that can provide natural sunburn relief.

7 Best Home Remedies for Sun Burn Skin

Overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays or other UV light sources can cause an inflammatory response to the outer layers of the skin.

It results in red and irritated skin. So, the most important thing when treating sunburn is to act quickly.

If you are outside, go indoors as soon as possible. Or, seek shelter in a shaded area, cover your skin with light clothing, and wear a hat. After moving in, consider trying one or more of the following home remedies.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera can help heal sunburns and minor burns while hydrating the skin to prevent peeling. Its high water content and presence of sugar molecules allow for protection and hydration of the skin. 

According to dermatologists, aloe vera also contains Alvin, which is helpful for inflammation.

Try it straight from the plant, aloe vera gel, or lotion form from your local pharmacy. If aloe vera is used to treat sunburn, apply it to the affected areas three to four times daily.

2. Cold Compress

Apply a cold compress to sunburned skin for 15 minutes 3 to 4 times a day. It can help reduce irritation.  To make a cold compress, soak a clean washcloth in cold water and place it on the affected area.

You can buy a reusable cold compress and store it in the freezer or cold water for cooling, but don't apply ice cubes directly to sunburned skin. Wrap the ice in a washcloth first.

3. A Soothing Moisturizer

Severe sunburns result in red, irritated, and dry skin. After sunburn, moisturize with emollients like butter, cocoa butter, or petroleum jelly to reduce irritation and prevent skin peeling. These are best moisturizer that will help give your skin soothing effect.

To help prevent further skin irritation, a Dermatologist recommends slathering on a layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor, which can help speed the healing process.

4. Oatmeal

You can find oatmeal as the main ingredient in many skin care products, from lotions and soaps to masks and scrubs.

According to research, colloidal oatmeal has antioxidant properties that can improve dryness and reduce the severity of itching for various skin conditions, including burns. 

Take an oatmeal bath by adding 1 cup of finely ground oats to cold or lukewarm bath water. Mix oats in water with your hand and soak the affected area for at least 15 minutes.

5. Green Tea

Sure, green tea tastes terrific when you drink it. But, the polyphenols it contains can also help soothe sunburned skin when applied topically.

Soak a few green tea bags in warm water and add the tea to the bath. You can also make a compress with a washcloth and cold tea to help repair the skin.

6. Baking Soda

A baking soda bath may not sound like the most relaxing experience, but this home remedy can help calm skin and reduce redness. Add 2 ounces of baking soda to cold or lukewarm bath water.

Soak in the tub for 15 minutes. Pat dry and apply a layer of moisturizer or lotion.

7. Essential Oils

Essential oils, such as lavender, can help relieve the sting of sunburn. Research on their effectiveness is limited, but moisturizing carrier oils, such as jojoba oil or coconut oil, can help hydrate the skin.

Just make sure the oil is for topical use before slathering on it.

Symptoms of Sunburn

Symptoms of sunburn appear gradually, approximately four to 36 hours after sun exposure.

The first sign of sunburn is reddened skin that may be tender or warm. Other symptoms may include:

1. Blistering
2. Fatigue
3. Fever
4. Headache
5. Nausea
6. Peeling
7. Red, dry, painful eyes
8. Swelling

What Causes of Sunburn?

Sunburn is caused by overexposure to UV radiation. Sunburn develops when UV exposure overwhelms melanin's ability to protect the skin.

If you have light skin, you may get sunburn within 15 minutes of sun exposure. People with fair skin can tolerate sunlight for 2 to 3 hours without getting sunburned.

Risk factors for developing sunburn:

1. Toddlers and infants
2. Between 10 am and 4 pm, as the sun's rays are at their peak at that time
3. Some medicines, for example, doxycycline
4. Specific health problems, for example, lupus, can make you more prone to sunburn.

Sunburns are divided into three categories depending on the severity of skin damage. Common types of sunburn include:

First-degree sunburn: Sunburn of the outermost layer of skin, which heals on its own over time.

Second-degree sunburn: It is sunburn that damages the inner layer of the skin. Second-degree sunburn can cause blisters on the skin. It requires medical treatment and may take 2 to 3 weeks to heal.

In rare cases, people can get third-degree sunburn. This type of damage can severely damage all layers of the skin and destroy nerves. It requires emergency medical care and treatment.

How to Treat Sunburn Symptoms

Apply a cold compress or moisturizer to the blisters. Do not break any blisters on purpose; it can lead to infection.

If a blister breaks open, clean the area with mild soap and water. Then apply any antibiotic ointment and cover the area.

1. Itchy: Try to avoid scratching the scab, as this will delay healing and lead to a skin infection. Take an antihistamine or try a one percent hydrocortisone cream.
2. Pain and stinging: Take aspirin or ibuprofen and avoid further sun damage to the skin.
3. Hot skin: If your skin is hot to the touch, take frequent cold showers and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
4. Peeling skin: Treat your skin gently and do not pick or pull at the peeling skin. Apply a moisturizer such as an aloe vera.

Conclusion

Sunburn damage the skin caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Depending on the severity of the sunburn, it may take a few days to a few weeks to heal completely. 

Frequent sunburns can increase your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn can treat at home. You can use some home remedies to relieve sunburn and its symptoms.

For example, ingredients like aloe vera and green tea can use to relieve sunburn. If your sunburn is minor, which is first-degree sunburn, it may heal on its own after some time.

In case of severe sunburn, you need to contact your healthcare provider and get timely treatment.

FAQs

What Are The Natural Home Remedies For Sunburn?

Herbal home remedies for sunburn relief include aloe vera gel, green tea, black tea, and tree oil.

Other home remedies for sunburn are moisturizing, avoiding dehydration, taking cool showers, and protecting the sunburned area from further damage. Minor sunburn can heal at home, but you need to seek medical help if it is severe.

How to Prevent Sunburn?

You can prevent yourself from getting sunburned if you:

1. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.  Cover the exposed skin completely with sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
2. Wear a lip balm that provides sun protection.
3. Wear sunglasses that provide UV protection.
4. Stay indoors between 10 am and 4 pm when solar radiation is most potent.
5. Wear a hat with a brim.
6. Wear protective clothing in light colors.

Can I Use Aloe Vera Gel To Treat Sunburn?

You can use Aloe Vera gel to get rid of sunburn. Aloe Vera gel can use directly on sunburned skin.

It helps in softening the skin and heals blisters. Aloe Vera gel is also beneficial to treat itching.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Sunburn?

Tea tree oil improves blood flow to the skin's blood vessels, which helps bring nutrients to the skin and helps heal sunburned skin.

Apply diluted oil on the skin to heal sunburned skin.

Can Sunburn Heal Quickly?

There is no quick cure for sunburn. The healing time of sunburn depends on the severity of the skin damage. It can take a few days to a few weeks for sunburned skin to heal.

First-degree sunburns, which are mild, can take a few days to weeks to heal completely. At the same time, second-degree sunburns take several weeks to heal.