Natural Remedies That May Help Deal With Sunburn

Basically, sunburn is an inflammation of the skin. This is due to spending long hours outdoors during summer and the result can be a pain, redness, blisters, and peeling on the skin.

Keep reading to learn about several home remedies that may help treat and soothe sunburnt skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Aside from stimulating the healing process, ACV also helps maintain the skin’s pH levels which can help reduce peeling and blisters. This common household product also possesses antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antifungal effects that are beneficial in preventing infection in damaged skin tissues. Apply some ACV on the affected areas.

Aloe Vera

This skin-cooling agent has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe sunburned skin and takes the sting out of a sunburn. Use the gel from the actual plant—and apply it when needed.

Green Tea

Green tea contains anti-inflammatory polyphenols. The use of this can help provide relief for sunburnt skin. For this remedy, simply steep green tea leaves and soak a clean washcloth in the steeped tea. Allow the compress to cool in the fridge before applying to sunburned skin for 15 minutes.

Baking Soda + ACV Compress

Baking soda soothes itchy skin while the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar (ACV) provides pain relief.

Simply make a remedy by mixing ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda. Add some drops of soothing essential oil, like lavender or geranium, and apply the mixture on the sunburned areas or by using a cloth to make a compress.

Baking Soda Alone

Baking soda helps balance the pH of burned skin. Add 2 cups of baking soda to the bath to help ease irritation and redness from sunburn or make a cold compress composed of baking soda and water and applying to sunburned skin for 15 minutes.

Cold Compress

Remove the sting out of sunburn by cooling it down using a cold compress. It can help absorb heat and provide immediate cooling comfort for painful burns. Aside from using a padded cold compress, we can also wrap a hand towel around a plastic baggie filled with ice for an easy DIY option.


Oatmeal moisturizes, helps protect the skin barrier, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Opt for traditional oatmeal and cook as directed. Allow the oatmeal to cool completely, then carefully apply the “paste” to the skin. Don’t rub it into the skin as it may have an exfoliating effect which is not a good idea for sunburned skin. Aside from this, we can also have an oatmeal bath.

Blend 1 cup of natural oatmeal until a very fine, consistent powder is achieved. Sprinkle the finely ground oatmeal into a tub of running lukewarm water and stir the water with the hand to ensure even distribution. Water should be milky white in color. Soak in the tub for 15-20 minutes and pat dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing.