Protecting Your Skin from Sunburn
By Sara Butler
Almost every person will experience sunburn at one point in their lives. Sun exposure is beneficial to you, but you need to learn how to enjoy the sun in moderation and to protect yourself from not only sunburn but some of the more serious side-effects of overexposure to the sun’s rays. Here’s how to avoid sunburn and how to treat it naturally if you get one.
Tips to Protect Your Skin
There are several things you can do if you know you’ll be out in the sun for long periods of time. You can:
- Protect your eyes and face by wearing a hat – Remember the skin on your face and around your eyes can be easily damaged by the sun since it’s thinner than on other parts of your body.
- Moisturize your skin – If you are going to be out in the sun, apply a moisturizer such as coconut oil to your skin. This helps to prevent it from being dry.
- Work your way up – Don’t go from no sun exposure to hours of it, or you’ll get burned. You have to work your way up slowly, especially if you’re light-skinned and burn easily. The more tanned you get, the longer you can stay in the sun safely.
- Wear sunblock – This is crucial for light-skinned folks and children. You don’t need more than SPF 15 probably, but make sure you protect your skin if you’re going to be out for a long time.
Treating Sunburn Naturally
No system is perfect, and even taking precautions when you’re out in the sun can lead to sunburn. It can be very painful, but relief may be found through:
- Aloe – This natural remedy helps your skin to heal and reduce the redness and sting associated with sunburn. Apply it directly from the plant five times per day until your skin heals.
- Potatoes – You can use potatoes to help soothe sunburn skin. Simply slice a raw potato and pat or rub it onto the burned skin to help soothe. You can also put the potato in the fridge to get cold first for some added relief.
- Honey – Honey has been used by many cultures as medicine, and you can use it topically to help soothe sunburn too. It has a natural antibiotic quality that can help reduce pain and chance of infection.
- Vinegar – Vinegar contains acetic acid, which helps reduce inflammation, itching, and pain. You can add a cup of cider vinegar to your bath and soak in it or you can dab your burned skin with white vinegar to help reduce pain.
Of course, avoiding sunburn is the best thing to do – but just in case, use these natural remedies to help you feel better fast!