Most of us have dealt with a sunburn at one time or another. Playing on the beach in the blazing sun, walking through a theme park on a hot vacation day, or relaxing by the pool, it’s easy to forget to take care of your skin. Just one simple mistake like forgetting to reapply sunscreen or falling asleep outside of the shade can leave you looking like a lobster the next day and peeling for the next week. As a matter of fact, even the CDC (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) notes that “more than one-third of U.S. adults” and “more than half of U.S. high school students had a sunburn during the past year.” Of course, it’s best to do everything you can to avoid a sunburn in the first place, such as putting on high SPF sunscreen and protective clothing. However, if you, like millions of Americans, do end up with a sunburn, there are important steps you can take to help handle the damage to your skin. In the following blog, AspenKay Naturals explains how to heal your summertime sunburns and how our organic products can help.

Cool Down

It may seem obvious, but one of the best things you can do for sunburnt skin is help it cool off. Placing a cold compress, or even a bag of frozen vegetables, on your reddened skin can help counterbalance the heat, providing immediate relief and helping you recover. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends “[putting] a cold, damp towel on your skin” for “10 to 15 minutes a few times a day.” The academy notes that this “[helps] take some of the heat out of your skin.” Make sure to press the compress gently into the burned area and ensure that any ice pack you use has a softer covering that won’t irritate your upset skin.

Stay Hydrated

Sunburn healing also works from within the body. Suffering from a burn can dehydrate you, and giving your body the moisture it needs can help you recuperate faster. Prevention magazine cites “Thomas Gossel, Ph.D., RPh, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology,” who advises: “drink plenty of water to help counteract the drying effects of a sunburn.” In addition to drinking plenty of water, Prevention explains “that the water in fruit counts, too.” For instance, “one large wedge of watermelon provides 9 oz - more than a cup - of water.” Pouring yourself a tall glass of ice water and munching on melon could be key to treating your sunburn.

Don’t Pick at Your Skin

Especially in the days directly following your sunburn, your skin may start to itch and peel. This occurs as the top layer of dead skin begins to slough off. Noticing the white, flaky layer that’s now appeared, you might want to pick or pull at it but don’t. Prevention describes: “you’ll have less discomfort and danger of infection if air does not come in contact with sensitive nerve endings.” As annoying as it may be, that top thin layer of skin is actually defending you against further dermatological damage. It’s best to let the sunburn run its course naturally, leaving your body to get rid of the dead skin when it’s ready.

However tempting it may be, it’s also important that you don’t attempt to pop or drain any blisters that arise after your sunburn. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that sunburn sufferers “leave blisters alone...don’t pop them because that makes the sunburn worse. Blistering means you have a second-degree sunburn. Allow the blisters to heal and protect you from infection.”

Bathe (Carefully)

Taking a bath in tepid or cold water can be soothing to your skin. However, as Prevention explains, it’s important to “draw the right kind of bath.” Traditional soaps are full of synthetic ingredients like sulfates and artificial colors that could actually make your sunburn worse. To take a healing post-sunburn bath, we recommend using our Oatmeal and Aloe bar soap or our Aloe Vera and Calendula bar soap, both made with organic aloe vera. This natural ingredient is known to help damaged skin recover. In fact, Dr. Basler, quoted in Prevention, explains: “we’re starting to see evidence in medical literature that aloe vera may really help wound healing.”

Moisturize

Keeping your skin hydrated is always important in the dry heat of the summer, but especially so if you have a sunburn. To soothe, soften, and heal your sunburnt skin, we recommend slathering on our Face & Body Moisturizer, designed for sensitive skin. You can also put our Raw & Unrefined Shea Butter on your sunburn for extra hydration. You should moisturize several times throughout the day, but especially when you get out of the shower or bath.

Enjoy Healthy Skin This Summer with Aspen Kay Naturals

We’re here to help you make the most of this fun season with our organic, natural skincare products! Check out our wide selection of soaps, moisturizers, and oils. Place your order today!