Beaches. Water parks. The local pool. The kiddie pool in your backyard. Barbecues. Picnics. Hikes. Camping. Concerts in the park. What do all these have in common? They’re outside. And what else is outside? Oh, yes, that great big burning ball of gas in the sky, shooting its rays down on our heads and cheeks and unprotected arms.
We all know what comes next. Sunburn. The pain. The tightness. The red, red skin. If you’re reading this and grimacing in pain, now is not the time to tell you that prevention in the form of sunscreen is the best natural remedy out there… even though it is.
Assuming you goofed on the sunscreen application and now you just need help, here are some safe, non-toxic ideas:
- For all-over burn, or a big area like legs or back: Make a spot o’ tea. Apparently the tannic acid draws out the heat of the burn and relieves the pain. Run a bath of cool water, about half full. Steep (in your kettle, on the stove) some very, very strong tea, green or black or a blend, just not herbal. (Some herbs can be skin irritants and that’s the last thing you want when you’re sunburned. St. John’s Wort is an exception.) Get in when the water is just barely warm, and get as much of the sunburned area covered by water as you can. Soak until the water feels too cool. Alternately, you can brew a strong tea and soak an old towel in it. Once the towel has cooled to barely warm, lay it on the sunburned area for thirty minutes to an hour. If the soggy towel doesn’t appeal, fill a spray bottle with your cooled tea and spray directly on the burned skin. Drip dry so the tannic acid stays on the skin. You can put the used, cold tea bags over your eyes while you take a nap.
- For the face or other sensitive areas: Have a cow. Product, that is. Whole milk, yogurt, or sour cream will work. Dairy with a higher fat content is recommended (finally!). Spread the yogurt or sour cream in a light layer over the burned skin, or soak a rag in the milk and apply to the skin. Leave on for fifteen to twenty minutes, then rinse off with cool water. If you can’t handle the thought of milk on your face, then use cucumber slices.
- If you don’t mind smelling a bit pickled, fill a spray bottle with vinegar (apple cider or plain white) and spray on the burned skin. Let it dry. The smell eventually dissipates, but be sure to shower (in cool water, of course) before you venture into the world again. If you do mind smelling pickled, use aloe vera. You can get aloe vera gel at any pharmacy or major grocery store, but it’s best if you can get to a plant or get the unadulterated stuff from a natural health/food store.
And remember: Next time, wear the sunscreen.
Image Credits: Steve Phillips.
