We get it, wear sunscreen every day, rain or shine, no matter what. We’ve been warned countless times about the dangers of the sun; photo aging, sunburns, skin cancer, etc. Yet it still happens to so many of us every summer; we get sunburned. Whether it's just our shoulders, scalp, parts of our body missed by sunscreen or a full blown full body burn, roughly 1 out of 3 people will get sunburned this year. Some because we deliberately ignore the warnings or simply underestimate the power of the sun, but it happens, we get sunburned. So now what?
Surprisingly, most people don’t know exactly how to treat a sunburn.
Sonya Dakar shares her top five personal home remedies and tips for sunburn relief. These tips will help alleviate the pain, speed up the healing and minimize any long term damage
1. DIY Sunburn Yogurt Mask
“I’ve been using this DIY Yogurt Mask recipe on my children since they were little, and it's worked like a charm every time.” - Sonya Dakar
A few basic ingredients that you probably have in your fridge can give you sunburn relief without the chemicals and alcohol found in many store-bought aloe gels and post-sun products.
Sunburn Soother Yogurt Mask:
What you need:
2 tbsp strained plain greek yogurt
1 bag of chamomile tea
1 cucumber or fresh aloe leaf
5-6 drops of Organic Omega Oil
What you make:
Steep and cool 1 bag of chamomile tea
Mash up the cucumber pulp or aloe leaf
Add contents of cooled tea bag
Add the Greek yogurt and mix well in a bowl
Blend in the Organic Omega Oil
What you do:
Blend all ingredients in a bowl and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
On clean skin apply a thick layer liberally to the entire burn area. Once the mixture dries, apply a second layer, this can be done up to three times depending on severity of the burn. Leave on for 20-30 minutes or as long as you are able. The longer the mixture stays, the more it will help. Rinse with cool water and apply very gently pure Organic Omega Oil (this may be reapplied as needed). The mask may be performed twice daily until your burn goes away.
2. Anti-Inflammatory For Swelling
Sunburns are red, swollen and inflamed. Look for products that contain natural anti-inflammatory ingredients like Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, as well as natural terpenes like the Blue Butterfly Pea Flower or Hoya Flower. Terpenes can lower inflammation, protect against oxidative damage in the dermis, and improve your skin’s barrier function. Keep in mind the sooner you apply post sun products the quicker they will work. Depending on the severity of the burn, apply 3-4 times a day for 2-4 days.
Sonya’s Pick For the Face: Blue Butterfly Balm
Sonya's Pick For the Body: Hoya Body Oil
3. Take a chill pill
Don’t be timid about taking an ibuprofen to reduce the inflammation. It will help you rest better, which in turn allows your body to repair itself. And avoid more sun exposure while your skin heals from the sunburn.
4.Hold off on the Retinol and Acids
Stay away from any products with retinol, acid or Vitamin C on any area of your skin that is sunburned. These ingredients will only irritate skin and make the burn worse. Stick to “friendly” ingredients like milky cleansers, face oils and uber-rich moisturizers and face balms. Once your sunburn has healed you can return to your regular skincare routine.
Sonya’s Pick: Blue Butterfly Balm and Sensi Wash
5. Drink
Water, not wine. Burns draw water from the rest of your body, so keep sipping to avoid dehydration and even heat stroke. Waters with added electrolytes can be even more effective at preventing dehydration.