Do you know what’s worse than parting with your blanket on a biting-cold January morning? Getting scorched alive by the burning sun!
Sunburns are painful. And they can knock at your skin’s doorstep anytime without warning when you expect them the least. They don’t always wait for a sunny day, though that’s when they are the most abundant. They find you while you are working under the sun, dozing off on a beach, or swimming in the waters.
We know you dread going out under the sun. You don’t want those red, itchy patches of irritated skin. You hate having the painful blisters that leave behind scars even after they are gone. Well, we hate them as well. And guess what– we have got some solutions, too!
You already know about sunscreens that shield you from the sun’s UV rays. You must have also tried many of them. But did you know there are other, more natural options to save yourself from the sun?
With their ever-increasing list of benefits, essential oils have become the go-to solution for a host of skin and hair problems. But can they also treat sunburns? Absolutely! In fact, several essential oils can effectively treat your sunburns and protect your skin from further damage.
In this blog, we talk about ten essential oils that can treat sunburns effectively, leaving your skin bright and beautiful. We’ll also tell you everything you need to know about using these essential oils for sunburn. Let’s get started!
Lavender essential oil
It is hard to keep track of the number of benefits lavender oil offers for the skin, body, and mind. So, let’s just talk about its ability to treat sunburns.
Lavender essential oil is antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. It is also an antioxidant. Due to all these properties, the oil can effectively treat all the symptoms of sunburns. You only need to apply the oil properly on sunburnt skin.
Mix 2-3 drops of lavender oil in a small amount of carrier oil, preferably two teaspoons. Or, you can use aloe vera gel in the place of a carrier oil if you like. Apply it on the affected area and repeat twice daily for quick relief.
Did you know? The sweet, floral smell of lavender essential oils – with a woodsy touch to it – is as repelling to all the pesty bugs as appealing to us. That’s what makes the essential oil an effective bug as well as mosquito repellent!
Peppermint essential oil
All of you must’ve used peppermint as a mouth freshener at some point in your life. But how many of you would’ve expected to find its oil on the list of essential oils for sunburn? Well, prepare yourself to be surprised.
Peppermint essential oil has several ingredients that are beneficial to our bodies. But the most important constituent is undoubtedly menthol, known for its cooling properties.
Besides effectively relieving cough and nasal congestion, menthol can also treat sunburns. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of menthol make it a great natural remedy for sunburnt skin. It soothes irritated skin and prevents the growth of infection.
Mix three-four drops of the oil with aloe vera gel to treat your sunburns with peppermint oil. Apply it on the sunburns whenever you return home after a sunny day.
Eucalyptus essential oil
Eucalyptus oil is popular around the world for its amazing therapeutic applications. And you might already be aware of its pain-relieving and healing properties. However, it is much more than that.
Being rich in antioxidants, eucalyptus oil efficiently soothes inflamed skin and eases your sunburn symptoms. And the antibacterial and antifungal traits help prevent infections from becoming more painful.
Mix some drops of eucalyptus essential oil with olive oil and apply it on your sunburnt skin. You can also apply the mixture as a sunscreen to prevent more sunburns.
Patchouli essential oil
Patchouli has attracted people for centuries with its exotic aroma. The plant is natively found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. But it’s now available across the world for its various benefits.
The anti-aging and soothing effects of Patchouli oil make it an essential ingredient in many skin-care products. And the oil’s benefits on sunburnt skin make the sunburns go away in no time!
Add patchouli essential oil to a small amount of coconut oil and massage it on your sunburnt skin to eliminate irritation and inflammation.
Tea tree essential oil
Tea tree is one of the most popular essential oils. We all love it for its myriad benefits on the skin and hair. And here’s another reason to add tea tree oil to your skin-care routine: sunburns!
This essential oil from Australia can be a natural sunscreen to keep you safe from UV rays and sunburns. It can not only ease skin irritation but also keeps insects at bay. Besides soothing your sunburnt skin, it can also treat blemishes.
Applying it is pretty easy. Just mix a few drops of the oil with olive or coconut oil, and apply it on the skin before going out under the sun.
Chamomile essential oil
Want an essential oil that does its job while also being gentle to your skin? Try chamomile essential oil, as it is the gentlest oil-based solution for sunburnt skin.
Roman chamomile is a common variety of chamomile popular for its healing properties. Its oil can help with sunburns and other skin conditions such as psoriasis. On top of that, its antifungal and antibacterial benefits stop the infection from worsening.
If you’re someone with a sensitive skin looking to introduce an essential oil into your routine – both for sunburns as well as generally – this one is an ideal choice. Just dilute it with a carrier oil and apply it on the affected areas to get rid of sunburns.
Sandalwood essential oil
If you have smelt sandalwood, you can’t help loving it. The soothing effect of sandalwood makes it suitable for many things, including sunburn treatment.
Like peppermint, sandalwood is also known for its cooling properties, though it doesn’t have menthol. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidizing properties make it a great choice for treating sunburns. And its healing powers can help you get over painful skin irritations.
For treating sunburns, you can mix sandalwood essential oil with coconut oil. Then apply it on your skin to treat sunburns with a soothing aroma.
Marigold essential oil
Marigolds are great to look at. But what if we tell you that you can use these flowers for treating sunburns? Yes, these flowers can act as an effective remedy for sunburns once you turn them into an essential oil.
The antioxidant properties of marigold oil can facilitate the healing of your sunburnt skin. Besides, the oil has anti-inflammatory effects that soothe inflamed and irritated skin. This way, this essential oil can be a great natural sunscreen.
Wondering how to use it? The process is no different from that for any other essential oil. Just mix it well with a carrier oil and apply it on your sunburns.
Carrot seed essential oil
True to its name, carrot seed oil is extracted from carrot seeds. But don’t confuse it with carrot oil, an edible oil used in cooking.
Carrot seed oil has several properties that stop the growth of infection and reduce inflammation. But that’s not all. The essential oil also hinders the growth of bacteria and fungus, preventing further infection. In short, it’s one of the most-used essential oils for sunburn.
The process of application of carrot seed oil is the same. Take a carrier oil, add two-three drops of carrot seed oil to it, and apply the mixture on the skin.
Vitamin E essential oil
The power of vitamin E needs no introduction. Vitamin E is essential to keep your skin and hair healthy and flourishing. Therefore, it should come as no surprise for you to find it on the list of essential oils for sunburn.
Vitamin E helps the skin retain moisture and also thickens the upper layer of the skin. Moreover, it also absorbs the sun’s harmful rays and acts as a powerful antioxidant, effectively treating sunburns.
Again, dilute this essential oil with a carrier oil before applying it to the affected areas. Here’s a video to provide you with more guidance with using Vitamin E essential oil on your skin:
Ready to get rid of sunburns?
Sunburns cause discomfort and pain. But after going through this long list, one thing is clear: getting rid of sunburns is not as difficult as it seems. There are many ways to get rid of them today, with essential oils being one of the best remedies.
Using essential oils for sunburn is a wise choice because these naturally-extracted oils would only add to your skin’s health, standing no risk of damaging it.
All of the essential oils we’ve talked about today have been found to be effective at reducing sunburns. However, you must remember that these oils are heavily concentrated with potent ingredients. And sometimes, they can cause some side effects. So, you must test these oils on your skin for any unwanted reactions before applying them properly.
Rest assured; we have plenty of similar topics to keep you informed and entertained. As a side note, if you’re looking for worthy SPF body lotions to protect your skin from tanning, you’ll find some great picks here!
Keep returning to The Countdown List for more.