Ahh, Summer! Imagine your skin being warmed by the summer sun. Picture spending the whole day outside swimming in the ocean, lake or pool or working in your garden. You’re finally able to hike on a new trail or camp out without weather concerns. All of these activities bring summer to life.
They also can bring out major skin irritations. If your’e like me you have sensitive skin and are seeking the best natural solutions for treating summer skin issues.
The Best Natural Sunburned Skin Remedies
Aloe Vera – Initial research has shown that aloe vera aids the skin in healing from sunburns and mild burns. Aloe Vera should help the itching and stinging associated with sunburn. Apply a cool compress and aloe vera gel to help soothe the skin and make your rash go away faster. Healthline studied the benefits of applying aloe to sunburned skin and found a compound in aloe called aloin to be the key curing ingredient. Read more from Healthline
Apple Cider Vinegar – Make sure the vinegar is well diluted, as high concentrations can cause a burning sensation. You only need a 1-2 cap fulls to do the trick. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water to spray on sunburned skin. You can also dip a washcloth in vinegar, wring it out, and pat it gently on the affected areas. If you need all over relief; taking a cool bath with diluted apple cider vinegar will help relieve the burning discomfort.
Baking Soda – Make a baking soda liquid with 1 cup of water to 4 tbsp of baking soda. Apply this solution to the affected skin with a clean cloth. This mixture is thought to draw some of the heat out of the burn and when baking soda dissolves in water, the result is a “cooling” sensation on the skin
Green Tea – Green tea contains tannic acid and theobromine, which helps relieve pain and heal damaged skin when applied topically. Using a soft clean cloth or cotton swab apply the cooled tea to the affected skin and allow it to stay on the skin overnight if possible.
Greek Yogurt – Apply a thin layer of cold yogurt on your burn for about 10 minutes to help your sunburned skin heal. Plain greek yogurt contains a lot of probiotics that will help restore your skin’s natural barrier. More details: Peoples Pharmacy highlights
Oatmeal – Adding a cup of whole oats to a cool bath is recommended to help sunburn. Oats and oatmeal have been well known to reduce inflammation, and they’re in some commercial brands to treat things like eczema, because of its anti-inflammatory effects.
Witch Hazel – Witch Hazel is having a moment right now so people think it can cure just about anything. Many use it to sooth razor burns as well as to reduce general swelling & bruising. Some feel Witch Hazel is helpful with sunburn – it’s thought to lessen healing time and possibly prevent skin from peeling and flaking. Apply with a cotton ball to the clean affected area.
Want more ideas? Cosmopolitan highlights the top 14 hacks for treating sunburned skin.
Essential Oils with Calming ingredients – Amalie Beauty’s CALM Organic Soothing Oil is a handcrafted organic and natural remedy for reducing redness and irritation associated with eczema, dermatitis and other inflammation or redness. CALM is an anti-inflammatory, calming oil for anywhere and everywhere on the body where one is experiencing inflammation, redness, or general irritation—and it really works!
The Best Natural Mosquito Bite Treatment
It’s worth understanding what causes skin irritation. Mosquito bites itch and swell because of the body’s histamine response. When a mosquito bite breaks the skin, the body recognizes the mosquito’s saliva as a foreign substance and increases the histamine blood flow and white blood cell count around the affected area. This causes inflammation and/or swelling.
Ice Cubes – an ice cube or cold pack can be surprisingly effective. Cold temperatures and ice can reduce inflammation. The cold also numbs the skin, which can give you immediate but short-term relief. The Mayo Clinic recommends using a cold pack or a bag filled with crushed ice to relieve the itching caused by a mosquito bite.
Chamomile Tea Bags – Chamomile, which is a member of the daisy family, is a common natural remedy for many ailments. When Chamomile tea is applied to the skin it can reduce inflammation, ease irritation and speed up healing. Steep a tea bag in water in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Then squeeze any access water from the tea bag and apply to the bite. Healthline highlights the details here.
Tea Tree Essential Oil – Tea tree oil may help prevent bacteria and other microbes from growing in a bug bite. This can reduce the risk of infection, making it an excellent choice for those who can’t resist scratching. Research also shows that tea tree oil might act as a natural antihistamine.
Baking Soda Paste – Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to create a paste. Apply it to the bug bite, and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it away.
Apple Cider Vinegar – A swab of apple cider vinegar (or a few cupfuls diluted in a bath) can help balance the pH of an infected area. Apple cider vinegar is less acidic than other vinegars and a good choice for restoring skins natural pH.
Aloe Vera – The vitamins and minerals found in aloe vera will help to reduce the pain, swelling, and itching. You can use either fresh aloe vera or aloe vera gel.
Peppermint Oils – Peppermint oils are known to create a cooling sensation on the skin. This can help burning, stinging, and itching sensations caused by bites or stings. Research suggests peppermint oil may also act as an antimicrobial, reducing the risk of infection associated with some bites.
Want to keep the bugs away without chemicals?
Try making your own bug spray. Mix the following and place it in an 8 oz glass spray bottle. This homemade bug spray comes from Dr. Axe.
- 1/2 cup witch hazel
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 40 drops essential oils (eucalyptus, lemongrass, tea tree, citronella or rosemary)
So, enjoy the summer sun and long days outside knowing you have the remedies to help your skin stay protected, healthy and comfortable.
