Guest Author - Victoria Abreo

Ok, so you are feeling guilty about over doing the sun, and under doing the sunscreen. Now your skin is flaming red, and you are feeling the pain. Natural health practitioner recommend, essential oil, herbs, and folk remedies, to help you heal.

First, drink lots of water to counteract the drying effects from the sun. Then head for the fridge, get a cucumber, cut it into thin, flexible disks, wipe the cool slices over the sensitive areas, using circular motion. Also try applying sliced, or grated cucumbers to burned eyelids, cucumbers contains anti-swelling compounds.

Apple cider vinegar is a time tested remedy for sunburns, you can dilute with an equal part of water, mix, then pour into a spray bottle, mist your skin. This remedy can help prevent blistering, and peeling.

Aloe Vera can often be misused when it comes to treating sunburns. The problem is that applied by itself; aloe vera is an astringent and can be drying. Herbalists and Aroma therapist often advise sun burned patients to mix aloe vera with a vitamin E caps{simply pierce the vitamin E caps}then mix with aloe Vera gel and apply {often the store bought aloe vera cream with vitamin E mixed into it is such a small dose that it will not be as helpful.}

Aloe Vera sunburn spray:
20 drops lavender oil
20 drops tea tree oil
20 drops chamomile oil
4-ounce aloe Vera juice
Mix aloe vera and oils together, pour into a spray bottle. Shake well. Spray affected area several times a day.

Aloe Vera and Honey spray:
This spay helps relieve the heating effect of sunburns
¼ c. dried calendula flowers
¼ c. dried lavender buds
¼ c. peppermint
¼ c. honey
2 c. water
Place water in pan, bring to a boil, turn down the heat, add herbs heating them on low for 10-15 minutes, strain , add aloe vera juice and honey, mix well, pour mixture into a spray bottle, and spray affected area several times a day.

St John’s Wort
2-3 teaspoons of dried flowering tops
1c. of hot water
Steep dried flowering tops in hot water for 10-15 minute, the water will turn red, strain, cool, pour in spray bottle and mist your skin or apply to the skin with a clean cloth. St John’s Wort has wound-healing properties and is an anti-inflammatory; reduceing pain and speeding healing of minor burns.

We all would like that golden suntan, but the risks are just to high, we have all heard the warnings, and know the golden rules on protecting our skin. Practicing commonsense now can protect you later.

The alternatives: Sunless tanning lotion or salons tanning spray. Always scrub well before applying a self-tanner or before going to a salon tanning spray any dry patch will absorb too much color and your tan will look uneven.

Sunlight can be very good; all life forces and plants depend on the sunlight for energy. The sun gives life to the earth and gives us images of great beauty. There is no reason not to enjoy a bright summer day and have to pay for it later. Just put into action, the golden rules on protecting your skin.


The information provided is for informational purpose only.