Sunburn Relief, Recipes for Cooling, Easing and Hydrating

Sunburn results from overexposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Depending on the amount of sun exposure and the type of skin pigment, the skin becomes red, tender, swollen, and painful anywhere from 1 to 24 hours after exposure. Blisters may form and the skin may peel. A severe sunburn might be accompanied by chills, fever, headache, and weakness.

Maybe you’re one of those people who, after even a brief amount of sun exposure, develops a golden tan and thinks nothing of it, but sorry, there are no safe tans. Eventually a suntan or sunburn fades, perhaps giving the impression that any damage that was done is gone forever. But skin records light exposure and stores it, just like camera film registers and saves light images. With the passage of time as the developer, the skin’s memory of that sunlight may emerge decades later in the form of hyperpigmentation (such as brown liver spots), wrinkles, hypopigmentation (white unpigmented spots), or other sun damage, such as cancer.

I’m not suggesting that we need to be sunphobic — all living things require some sunlight to live and thrive — but common sense and a daily application of natural, chemical-free sunscreen and/or protective clothing is your best bet for preventing sunburn and premature aging of the skin, plain and simple. Avoiding the sun during the peak “burning hours” — from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. or so, depending on the time of year and where you live — makes good sense, too.

Following are a couple of my favorite recipes for cooling the burn, easing the pain, and hydrating your dried-out hide if you do get sunburned, and for restoring the vitality and suppleness of your damaged skin as it strives to return to normal.

ALOE, CARROT, AND ROSEMARY HYDRATING SKIN RESCUE SPRAY

This remedy is a nonalcoholic liniment spray with energetically cooling, tissue-healing aloe vera juice as its base. When carrot seed and rosemary essential oils are added, the result is a rejuvenating, antiseptic, antiinflammatory herbal formulation designed especially to relieve pain, rehydrate, soothe, and revitalize damaged skin. You can also use fresh aloe vera gel directly from a plant (simply split open a leaf, scrape or squeeze out the gel, and apply it directly to the burn), but you may find that the spray is easier to apply and feels more soothing.

1 cup commercially prepared aloe vera juice
20 drops carrot seed essential oil
20 drops rosemary (chemotype verbenon) essential oil

EQUIPMENT: Glass or plastic spritzer bottle
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
YIELD: Approximately 1 cup
STORAGE: Refrigerate; use within 4 to 6 months
APPLICATION: As necessary or desired Combine the aloe vera juice, carrot seed essential oil, and rosemary essential oil in a spritzer bottle, and shake vigorously to blend. Label and refrigerate.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Shake well before use. Immediately or as soon as possible after experiencing sunburn, windburn, or other environmental skin damage, apply this aloe liniment, whether by pouring, spraying, or cold compress. Repeat as needed several times per day, even until the skin is completely healed. Follow with an application of Sea Buckthorn and Sesame Revitalizing Skin Treatment Oil (next recipe) or your favorite natural moisturizer or body oil. Bonus This remedy can be used to clean, cool, and soothe any type of mild to moderate burn, not just sunburn.

SEA BUCKTHORN AND SESAME REVITALIZING SKIN TREATMENT OIL

The combination of sea buckthorn and sesame seed oils yields an ultrarevitalizing, skin-rejuvenating blend rich in nourishing essential fatty acids, proteins, and antioxidants. This vibrant orange oil supports the natural functions of the skin, helping to restore its protective barrier, leaving it soft, supple, vital, and replenished.

Note: This blend will stain light-colored fabrics due to sea buckthorn’s orange pigment. Once it penetrates your skin, however, there is no need to worry about staining.

7 tablespoons unrefined sesame base oil
1 tablespoon sea buckthorn base oil
1,000 IU vitamin E oil

EQUIPMENT: Glass or plastic bottle
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
YIELD: Approximately ½ cup
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year
APPLICATION: 1 or 2 times per day Combine the sesame, sea buckthorn, and vitamin E oils in a storage bottle. Tightly cap the bottle and shake the mixture vigorously. Label and store in a dark cabinet.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Shake well before using. Prior to application, cool and hydrate the skin with moist compresses of chilled water or aloe vera juice, with Aloe, Carrot, and Rosemary Hydrating Skin Rescue Spray (see previous recipe), or with a cool shower or bath. Pat the affected area almost dry, then ever-so-gently apply a small amount of this oil blend, massaging or pressing it into the skin until the oil is completely absorbed. Repeat twice daily until the skin is healed and feels comfortable again.

Bonus
Use this as your go-to daily conditioning body oil if you tend to suffer from “lizard skin” that is scaly, flaky, and parched.