How to heal sun-damaged skin

You didn’t apply enough sunscreen and got burned? Ouch!

Regretfully, the damage is done, but what to do now?

Never say die! These home remedies are great sunburn healers. They prevent infection, reduce pain and help to recover your skin.

Aloe Vera

This plant is a proven wound-healer and anti-inflammatory. Therefore, it is awesome for sunburn! Get yourself a whole plant, so you can use it whenever you want. Break off a piece and apply the juice on your skin.

If you prefer a cosmetic product, avoid gel formulations or those containing alcohol (they will dry out your skin). But test a small area first, to make sure you’re not allergic.

Fat-free milk

A cool milk compress is one of the easiest ways to treat sunburned skin. The coolness of the milk will alley the pain, while it creates a layer of protein to protect your skin.

Mix 1 cup of fat-free milk with 3 cups of water, then add some ice cubes. Soak a soft towel, apply it for 10 minutes and repeat this as often as you like.

Yogurt

Organic yogurt contains an abundance of probiotics and enzymes that can help to recover your skin. Make sure it’s truly plain yogurt (no flavor) and that it has probiotics.

Apply cool yogurt to all sunburned areas. And after 10 Minutes rinse it off with a cool shower.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Vinegar has anti-bacterial effects and can help ease sunburn pain, itching, and inflammation. The vitamins and minerals help replenish lost nutrients in the skin to speed recovery.

After all, please note: it is an acid and can potentially burn. So make sure the vinegar is well diluted. You can use it in various ways:

1. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water, then spray it on your sunburned skin.
2. Soak a few sheets of soft towels in apple cider vinegar, and apply them on your skin. Leave them on until the towels are dry. Repeat it as often as you want.
3. Take a cool bath with diluted vinegar. Add two cups of vinegar to the water before you get in.

Please note:

It takes about 3 to 5 months for your skin to return to normal. You have to be careful, when the layer of your skin peels off, the newly exposed skin is extremely sensitive. Therefore:

1. Avoid any kind of soap

Soap is toxic for sunburns, because it can dry and irritate your skin.

Also, stay away from bubble baths and do not rub your skin with a towel.

2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

You’ve really damaged your skin and now you need sunburn relief. It’s time to repair and apply hydrating lotion at least twice a day.