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6 things you didn't know could heal your sunburn

Photo credit: Dougal Waters - Getty Images
Photo credit: Dougal Waters - Getty Images

From Prima

There’s nothing better than relaxing on a sun lounger on a hot summer’s day, right?

But pure relaxation doesn't come without it's perils and in this case, it's sunburn.

Unfortunately, we're so engrossed in our holiday read or our Pina Colada that we forget to take care of our skin properly. Whether that's neglecting to reapply suncream or being in such a rush to reserve our seat by the pool that we forget to put it on altogether.

For those who do find themselves suffering with sunburn, we caught up with Nutritionist Sarah Flower from Power Health who gives her expert advice on the things you never thought could heal your sunburn.

1. Castor Oil

'Castor Oil has a myriad of health benefits, which includes its fantastic calming and soothing effects on sunburn due to its anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, I recommend very gently applying Castor Oil directly onto your sunburn in order to cool it down and rehydrate the skin after the damage of sun overexposure. This is a great way to combat the pain and soreness that comes with sunburn, and can also help reduce the formation of burn-induced blisters. With so many types on the market, I would recommend trying Power Health’s Castor Oil BP, a high-quality, cold pressed oil.

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2. Lavender Oil

'Lavender is typically referred to as a natural sleep aid, and whilst that is true, the benefits of lavender on the skin cannot be disputed. Lavender oil is a great go-to for sunburnt skin, as it has the power to reduce the sting of burns and reduce redness. This is because of its antimicrobial properties, which make it a great way to speed up healing and allow skin to recover faster. The soothing properties also make lavender oil a great pain-reliever for sunburn.

3. Strawberries

'Strawberries are not only rich in Vitamin C, but they also contain tannins which soothe and reduce the sting of sunburnt skin. Try mashing up a few ripened strawberries and slathering on your sunburn as a form of natural relief. After a few minutes of this, rinse this off and see the results.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

4. Cucumber

'Just like strawberries, cucumbers can help cool affected areas, but they can also help ease the pain of sunburn. Place cucumbers in the fridge to ensure they are really cold and to maximise its cooling benefits. You could also try mashing or liquidising cucumbers to form a paste before covering the affected area and leave it on the skin until it stops feeling cold. You should then wash it off with cold water, but be careful not to rub it as this could irritate the burn.

5. Green Tea

Just like cold compresses which are soaked in water, tea bags also successfully mitigate the effects of sunburn, particularly Green Tea, as it contains Tannic acid which offers anti-inflammatory properties and drastically reduces the effects of sunburn. I would suggest preparing the tea as you normally would, letting it cool, and then dabbing your burn with the tea bag, which should soothe skin.

6. A Cool Bath

'Having a cool bath is another great choice if you are suffering from sunburn, but make sure it is not too cold. To maximise the effects of your bath on your sunburn, add a cup of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of camomile essential oil. The apple cider vinegar will help restore the natural ph. of the skin, aiding and promoting healing.

If you find that after trying a number of different sunburn remedies, your burn is still causing issues, you should seek medical attention immediately.

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