How To Stop the Pain and Get Sunburn Relief Naturally

All-natural sunburn relief is as close as your kitchen. Check out these 11 home remedies including everything from vinegar to strawberries.

Have you ever been outside in the warm and sunny weather, simply enjoying the day, and suddenly realize you aren't wearing any sunscreen, or, worse yet, the thought doesn't even occur to you until hours later when you are feeling the pain and then you're scrambling for relief?

When I was in my early 20's I traveled a lot and on one particular trip, I fell asleep on a beach for several hours and was not wearing any sunscreen.  That night and the next few days were unbelievably uncomfortable.  I had chills, became swollen and had flu-like symptoms.  It was horrible.  I flew home wearing a dress, nylons, and high heels, my official flying attire, and couldn't believe how much pain almost every part of my body, including my swollen feet, were in.  My parents picked me up at the airport and when my mother saw me, she was mortified.  I went straight to my parent's house and the home remedy therapy began.  I can't tell you how thankful I was for Mom, Dad, and vinegar!

Since then, I would like to say I have never forgotten to wear sunscreen, but unfortunately, I have, even this past week while I was painting some Adirondack chairs I went outside early in the morning and started painting....and kept painting....and then did some yard work....and then took some photos of the chairs.  Next thing I knew, I had been outside for 6 hours on a clear and sunny day....without sunscreen.  That night I could barely sleep but then I remembered all the home remedies from years past.  To save YOU and yours from what I've gone through if you find yourself dealing with sunburn try one or all of these all-natural remedies.

Sunburn Relief is as Close as Your Kitchen!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar - You can apply this with cotton balls or put some in a spray bottle and spray the sunburned areas liberally.  This will also provide so much relief if you keep the spray bottle in the refrigerator.  *do not spray in your eyes

You can also use plain old white vinegar.

Oatmeal

Take an Oatmeal  Bath - good old-fashioned oatmeal (not the quick cook type).  This works not only for sunburn but for eczema.  My oldest son used to have awful eczema and often, sadly, the only relief he would get was from taking an oatmeal bath.

Place approximately 2 cups of uncooked oats into a clean tube sock and tightly tie off the top of the sock - you don't want the oatmeal to escape.  Run water, slightly cool, definitely NOT HOT, into the tub.  Place the sock into the water and allow it to soak in the water for several minutes before getting into the tub.  Squeeze the sock every few minutes to release the polysaccharides from the oatmeal - this is what helps to soothe your skin.  When done soaking, gently towel off or pat dry.

Yogurt

Plain yogurt with probiotics - apply cool, non-flavored (not even vanilla), yogurt directly to your skin allowing it to remain in contact with your skin for at least  5 minutes.  Rinse the area off with cool water when done.

Skim Milk

Mix 4 cups of water with 1 cup of skim milk.  Soak a soft cloth in the milk mixture and apply to the sunburned area for 15 to 20 minutes repeating every 2 to 4 hours.

Tea Bags

If your eyelids have been burned, first, I am so, so sorry.  Second, soak tea bags in cool water and apply to your eyelids for several minutes at a time.

Cucumbers

Peel and mash a cucumber and apply it to your skin.

Strawberries

Grab a few ripe strawberries, remove the stems, mash and apply to your skin.  Rinse off after a few minutes and gently pat dry.

Lettuce

Boil lettuce leaves in water for several minutes. Strain out the leaves reserving the water.  Allow water to cool and place in refrigerator.  Dip cotton balls into the water and gently wipe on any sunburned areas.

Cornstarch

Make a paste from cornstarch and cool water and apply to sunburned area.  Rinse off after 15 to 20 minutes and pat dry.

Help Can Also Be Found in the Medicine Cabinet

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera  - If you have a plant that's the best choice! Simply break off several large leaves and cut slits down the middle of each leaf.  Don't cut all the way through, though.  Spread the leafs flat and lay them on your burn or squeeze the gel out of the leaf and apply that to the burned areas.  If you don't have an aloe plant purchase a good quality aloe vera gel.  I like to keep some in the refrigerator during the summer just in case.

Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel - Moisten a soft cloth or cotton balls with witch hazel and apply to the sunburn.  The witch hazel above is my favorite of all the different witch hazels I've tried.

My best advice is to use caution and apply sunscreen but if you find yourself suffering from sunburn, these are some of the best home remedies that I know of.  Do you have any favorites? I would love to add them to my list.