How to Soothe and Heal Irritated Skin

It’s that time of year again. With Colorado temperatures in summer hitting the mid 90s, the chances are you’ll be suffering the effects of the hot sun. It’s easy to forget to use sun lotion and even a few minutes spent outdoors can start to damage skin, especially if you’re very pale.

Yet, chemical sunburn relief can often contain oxybenzone and methylisothiazolinone, which can cause skin allergies. If you find lotion or spray to be irritating to your skin, try these four homemade and natural sunburn remedies.

Milk/Yogurt

Almost every household has some milk around and this food item is an effective way to heal sunburn. Whether it’s from a cow or made of soy, milk can effectively relieve the pain of sunburn. It does this by utilizing protein to create a film on the skin and protect it from the elements.

Either yogurt or milk works great for this, just make sure that it’s cool, but not cold. Soak a compress in the cool milk and gently apply it to the affected area. This should quickly bring the heat down and form a protective layer to speed up the healing process.

Potato Paste

Amazingly enough, potatoes act as a natural pain reliever for all kinds of minor scratches and skin damage. They may also help to fight inflammation.

Make sure to clean the potatoes thoroughly. Then simply grate slices and chunks into a bowl. Try and get as much juice out of the potato as possible as this is reportedly where the active pain reliever lies. If necessary, add a small amount of water to make the mixture more of a paste. You can also try using a blender for an even smoother finish.

You can then dip cotton balls into the mixture and apply it gently to the sunburnt skin. The coolness of the water should provide instant relief, while the potatoes themselves will begin to kill the pain.

Organic Tea

Tea is a miracle ingredient known to help relieve the pain of many different ailments, aches and pains. Mint is particularly good for cooling down sunburnt skin. Try combining mint leaves with green tea because the green tea contains tannic acid and theobromine, which are known to be natural pain killers. They can also help wounds to heal.

This is also incredibly simple to make. Pour boiling water into a pan with the organic mint and green tea, then let it sit for a few minutes so that the water can absorb all that goodness. Strain the liquid into another container then leave in the fridge for at least an hour so that it can completely chill. Finally, dip cotton balls or a compress into the liquid and gently rub into the skin.

Sunburn remedies sold in pharmacies are often full of chemicals that you might not want on your skin. Furthermore, you may simply have none lying around. If you happen to have milk, potatoes or tea, then use these for natural and effective pain relief.

Pure Cold-Pressed Oils

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba Oil contains vitamin E, vitamin B complex, and fatty acids that simultaneously soothe irritation, prompt healing, and moisturize the skin. Jojoba Oil is excellent for cleansing sunburned skin when soaps are too harsh for the skin. Massage 2-3 drops onto your skin and then rinse off with warm water or gently wipe off with a warm wet cloth.

Rosehip Seed Oil

Rosehip Seed Oil is high in antioxidants which will fight the free radicals that cause long term skin damage and age spots. Additionally, Rosehip Oil encourages tissue regeneration due to the fatty acid and high vitamin C content. Studies have even found that Rosehip Seed Oil can help heal scars faster. Smooth into skin as needed.

Emu Oil

If your skin is feeling very damaged, apply Emu Oil to naturally soothe the pain and inflammation. A powerful anti-inflammatory oil, Emu Oil is also well known for its ability to encourage healing of wounds and skin damage, minimizing the appearance of sun spots and scars. Smooth onto skin daily as needed.

Sunburn Remedy Recap

• Cool Milk/Yogurt applied with a cold compress will seal skin with a protein layer and prompt healing to start.
• Potato Paste gently smoothed onto sunburned skin will provide pain killing and inflammation-reducing properties.
• Use chilled mint & green Tea rubbed lightly onto skin to cool down the skin and reduce the pain of sunburns.
• To use Oils to deeply heal skin, soothe irritation, and intensely moisturize skin, apply Rosehip Seed Oil, Natural Jojoba Oil, and Pure Emu Oil as natural sunburn remedies.

Written by guest blogger Lucy Wyndham.

ABOUT LEVEN ROSE

Leven Rose is an all natural beauty company in Colorado Springs, CO making the best in chemical free skincare and hair care products that you can trust. Our bestselling items have been rated #1 on Amazon and featured in GQ and Glamour. Learn more about Leven Rose and our full line of organic beauty products at LevenRose.com.