Inexpensive Home Remedies to Soothe Your Sun Burn

Even though the official start of summer is still about three weeks away, the number of people in area lakes and pools this past Memorial Day weekend was a strong indication that summer activities are in full swing in North Texas. Of course, when you’re out in the Texas sun, you risk getting a sun burn, even when you wear sun screen. I would be one of those people. At least I was yesterday.

I normally am covered in SPF 50 because of my tendency to fry like bacon. Yesterday, I must have gotten distracted, and my legs are paying for it today. After about an hour in the sun, I could feel my legs cooking. I did apply sun screen many times, but it was apparently too late.

Once our skin gets to a certain temperature, it continues to cook, even when we remove it from the heat. That is why the burn sometimes looks even worse the next day. If this happens to you and you need relief, do not spend a lot of money on creams or ointments. Use these items that are already in your home. I have not tested all of these personally, but if you already have them in your home, you have nothing to lose by trying them.

Cold Compress

This is as easy as soaking washcloths in cold water and setting them on the burnt parts of your skin. For deeper burns, put the wet washcloths in the freezer first to let them get extra cold. When they get dry or warm, repeat and reapply.

Vinegar

Pour white vinegar or apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle and spray directly on the sun burn. Let the vinegar air dry. Do not pat it or wipe it with a towel.

Mustard

It makes sense that if vinegar works, mustard should, too. I decided to experiment with this one, and it works fabulously. I applied it like lotion and the sting went away instantly. My leg also feels cooler, which tells me it removing the heat from the burn. Now I just need my husband to stop telling me I smell like a hot dog.

Tea

Make an extra strong pot of tea, then ice it down with the tea bags still in it. When the tea is completely cold, you can either apply the tea bags to the burnt area or soak washcloths in the cold tea and apply them to your sun burn.

Tomatoes

I am told the acid from the tomatoes is what takes the sting out of the burn. Cut a tomato and it rub on the burn, cut side down.

Cucumbers

I don’t know if cucumbers take the sting away, but they are a natural cooling agent that will help remove the heat from the burn. Just apply cucumber slices to the burnt areas.

What other home remedies do you use to soothe your skin after a day in the hot sun? Please leave a comment here and let’s continue the discussion so all members can benefit from the information.