HBD: Go For The Burn with Natural, At-Home Remedies
July 26 2010
It’s five o’clock, the sun is setting and your skin is redder than the Bloody Mary in your hand. Wish the hand prints on your back were from the pool boy and not your sloppy organic sunscreen application? We’re with you, sister. Tomorrow’s gonna hurt like a beach.
So, how does one turn into a hot, burning mess? It’s simple. Redness and soreness occurs when the capillaries in the epidermis are damaged and dilated from UV exposure, while the external layer of the skin gets thinner. Repeat sunburns can lead to allergies, wrinkles and even skin cancer. Ouch.
But despite what mainstream cosmetic companies might tell you, after a nasty sunburn, it’s mission-critical to avoid applying greasy or oily lotions, salves, ointments or butter because they obstruct the pores and keep heat and pain inside the epidermis. Try at-home natural remedies that you can find in your kitchen. They work just as well—or better—to get the red out!
First, take try taking a lukewarm bath with one cup of baking soda or apple vinegar to cool down your skin. Chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, rose hip and buckthorn essential oils are also beneficial for inflamed skin and can be added to the bath.
Then, try soothing with aloe vera, the most common home remedy against sunburns. Apply the gel from a broken leaf directly to the damaged area of the skin: The sterols in aloe vera are anti-inflammatory and will prevent skin from swelling, while the mineral zinc that’s also naturally occurring in aloe will help damaged tissue regenerate faster.
Sliced raw vegetable—like potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers and cold juice from lettuce leaves—can be applied to the burned area to help soothe your skin.
Finally comfort with comfrey, a natural compound that is an anti-inflammatory and aids in anti-aging and skin cell regeneration. Apply juice from comfrey leaves directly to the skin.
For more summer sun soothers, check out HBD’s Beauty & Style page.
Do you care about what you’re putting into your mouth and on your body? Would you prefer thighs that don’t touch? Are you a sucker for the environment? Get your daily snack for social change, and take a stand for what you believe in, damnit. From the co-author of New York Times Bestseller, Skinny Bitch, Healthy Bitch Daily is your online lifestyle resource that keeps it real, with fun topics on nutrition, health, fitness, beauty, style and staying eco-chic. Find something new to talk about at the dinner table.
