Quick and Easy After-Sun Tricks

Okay, so we all do it; spend way too much time roasting ourselves out in the sun for a good tan, or just because it's a nice day and we want to be outside, but what do you do when you burn? Of course the obvious solution is SLIP, SLOP, SLAP; that ridiculous saying we learnt as children to remind us that we need to slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat. But sometimes we just don't remember, or we underestimate the suns intensity, or we even just forget how long it has been since out last slop.

As much as some people hate it and have heard it, this sun care routine is actually very important as the health risks of burning too often can be quick unpleasant. Statistics show that your chances of developing melanoma's or skin cancerous cells are doubled if you are sun burnt as little as five times, not to mention the premature ageing that coincides with the long hours some of us spend out in the sun just for a good tan.

Don't get me wrong, I am guilty of all these things and probably more, and it is only since having a child of my own that I have become more concerned with the suns risks. But, because nobody is perfect and we all forget from time to time, and it is incredibly important to still get that magnificent Vitamin D that keeps us looking beautiful, I want to give you some simple tips and tricks to help you through those hot summer days.

Aloe Vera; I can guarantee that everyone has either seen or heard of this plant at some point in their lives. You can find many products in supermarkets for after-sun skin care that contains Aloe Vera, but they generally contain other yucky ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate as discussed in my previous blog, and even things like benzocaine, lidocaine and petroleum jelly which are not only bad for your skin, but actually worsen the effects of your sunburns. I highly recommend investing in an Aloe Vera plant, as it naturally soothes inflammation and pain caused by sunburn and it's as simple as snap the spine in half and rub its jelly centre on the affected area.

Cucumber; this is a little green vegetable that everyone has in their fridge or garden. We all know how good cucumbers taste and how refreshing they are, and we've all heard of it as a dark-eye-circle cure, but did you ever think of how cooling and sensational it was. All it takes is to cut fresh cucumber into slices and rub it on your burns, or simply place it on the affected area and leave.

Baking Powder is another ingredient we all have in our pantries and it has proven to be incredibly soothing on sunburns. Just add baking powder to a bath and soak.

Chamomile and Lavender are both beautifully moisturising and refreshing. So after a long day in the sun, what better way to stop your skin from feeling dry and peeling than this. Either put a few drop of chamomile and lavender essential oils in a luke warm bath or put fresh flowers in a warm bath and soak in it's goodness.

Potatoes; as unusual as it seems, are fantastic soothers of that awful heat you feel after getting too much sun because of its high starch content. Simply grate potatoes and apply to burnt skin.

Yogurt is an amazing relief for nasty sunburns. It contains enzymes and acids that help soothe and relieve the affected skin quickly however, a natural yogurt is more likely to help than highly processed yogurts. I recommend soaking a cloth in yogurt, applying to skin and leaving until it has dried, then rinse with cool water.

 Honey is sensational. It has so many uses, including many medicinal as it is an antibacterial remedy, but it is also very moisturising. You can either mix honey with yogurt and apply to area, add to your bath and soak, or  apply directly on the skin.



Now, last but not least..

 
Water! There is not much I need to say about this as we all know how important it is. All I will tell you is keep hydrated at all times, whether in the sun or not. It is so important, as good hydration means beautiful, soft, glowing skin, and will take away that awful dry feeling after being in the sun.




Well that's it for now, I hope you take care in that hot sun, but otherwise, I'm always here to help! Have a happy, healthy skin day!

The Sixth Scent.