I think we have all experienced sunburned skin at some point in our lives. We love to be able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather when it comes and sometimes we forget to apply and re-apply sunscreen or cover-up. If you are busy outside this summer, check out my 10 Sunscreen Safety Tips here.
SYMPTOMS OF TOO MUCH SUN
Sunburns can be quite obvious, but many times, overexposure to the sun and the damage we experience is invisible. While signs of sunburn include redness and painful skin, severe sunburn or even sunstroke symptoms can include blisters, swelling, a fever, dehydration, tingling, headache, nausea, and chills. If you experience any of those symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.
If you are recovering from a recent sunburn or skin damage caused by overexposure to the sun, I have a few tips to naturally repair and even help reverse sun damage.
How to Get Immediate Soothing Relief
- Cooldown – Take a cool shower or bath to help soothe your skin, and cool your internal temperature. If you can’t take a shower immediately, use a cool, wet cloth on the sunburned areas to provide some relief from pulsing heat, reduce inflammation, and relieve the pain. Cool the skin frequently for the first few days until the redness, pain, and swelling go down.
- Rest – Take it easy and get some extra sleep. Sleep is restorative and allows time for the body to do repairs and manage the damage and inflammation caused by sun overexposure. Sleep and relaxation will help your body’s ability to heal itself.
- Hydrate – Sunburns damage the body’s ability to maintain our healthy barrier protection, which then draws moisture away from your skin. Drink plenty of fluids to replenish electrolytes and the water lost. Staying well hydrated will aid your body to start the healing process.
- Oatmeal Bath – If your skin is hot and dry, help replenish it by taking a full-body soak in an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal baths provide relief as they can help to reduce the urge to itch, are anti-inflammatory, and are very calming and soothing for irritated skin. Grind up 1 cup of whole oats until smooth in a blender, add to the bathwater, and relax.
- Aloe Vera – Pure aloe vera gel (with no chemical additives) has anti-inflammatory and healing properties to soothe skin. If you have an aloe vera plant at home, you can cut a piece off, slice it open, and rub the clear gel directly onto your skin. I have a limited-time Summer Survival Kit with a Cooling Aloe After-Sun Gel that has a rich source of aloe to cool and hydrate, Vitamin B5 to moisturize and hydrate, Allantoin to aid in skin healing as well as gently moisturizing the skin, and peppermint essential oil to cool and refresh sun-parched skin and it also helps with headaches. My Soothing Aloe Peppermint Cream is also very popular for use as an after-sun cream as well.
- Eat Your Medicine – Did you know that what you eat can help against sun damage? Eat fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. An easy way to know which ones those are…the ones with the most color. Eat citrus fruits, berries, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers, dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Eat vitamin E-rich foods like nuts and seeds, drinking green tea helps soothe a sunburn as well.
How to Repair Sun-Damaged Skin with Natural Skincare Products
What you apply topically can nourish skin and support the repair process. Avoid synthetics like mineral oil or petroleum-based products as they lack rejuvenating antioxidants. Look for natural plant-based ingredients like avocado oil, carrot tissue oil, coconut oil, sea buckthorn oil, and shea butter which are all nourishing and moisturizing for the skin. All of these ingredients are in My Soothing Aloe Peppermint Cream.
If you have sun-damaged skin, you don’t have to assume you’ll always have it. Using antioxidant-rich natural skincare products will help the body’s ability to protect, nourish and repair the skin with nutrients to combat signs of ageing and support youthful, healthy-looking skin, no matter what your age.
Rain Natural Skincare products are free from chemicals and toxins that can harm your skin and health.
I want to provide you with the proper information and skincare products that give a pure and natural approach to radiant, healthy skin and I am always available for any questions.
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To Your Health and Beauty,
