Survive The Summer With These Severe Sunburn Soothers

Overexposing yourself to the blazing summer sun after a long winter's hibernation can leave you looking like a seared freezer turkey. Not to mention the chills, headache, and nausea that come with overdosing on those cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays. A blistering sunburn is no day at the beach. So remember, slather on the sunscreen. No, it’s not greasy; it doesn’t have to get in your eyes. And yes, even when using it, you will still get some beautiful color. But, if for some reason you miss the reapply window, here are a few sure-fire ways to soothe a sunburn.

Now that you’re out of the sun, you’ll need to hydrate. Obviously, drinking water is the way to go. Chug down a lot of electrolyte-infused agua and wash down a few ibuprofen while you’re at it. A pain reliever will bring down some of the pain and inflammation. And you can also replenish with food. Eating watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers, and tomatoes is another way to get that H2O and the bonus nutrients that come with it.

Speaking of food, milk does the body good. And yogurt does too, especially if that body has been roasted in the sun. Go ahead, and slather that creamy dairy directly on your skin. Skip the flavors with fruit on the bottom, of course. And use milk to make a cold compress. The vitamins and lactic acid in both will work to heal and repair the burn.

The fridge isn’t the only place to find relief. The pantry holds some efficient homemade sunburn soothers as well. A cold shower will instantly cool down the derm. And, submerging yourself in a tepid tub with a few of these added ingredients can help take the painful sting away.

Apple Cider or White Vinegar

Is there anything apple cider vinegar can’t do? Add about a cup and soak in the bath for at least ten minutes to restore your skin’s pH levels. You can also try the well-diluted formulation in a spray bottle or use as a damp cloth compress.

Oatmeal

If the sun damages the nerve fibers in your top layer of skin, it will start to get real itchy. When you can’t take it anymore, ground up a cup of oats in the food processor and mix into a bath. Oatmeal also works well to relieve poison ivy.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is highly alkaline. And it’s an effective sunburn soother because it balances the skin and reduces inflammation. Try a few tablespoons in a cool bath and soak for fifteen minutes. Or you can mix a little baking soda with water in a bowl to make a paste, but it’s definitely not as relaxing. And isn’t the point to chill?

This article was written and appeared on . Grooming Lounge and our Founder, Mike Gilman, were quoted a lot, so we borrowed the article. Giving them credit -- hope it's OK.