Sunburns are often synonymous with summer. Prevention is your best bet and done best with adequate sun screen. Anytime you plan on being in the sun, it’s highly recommended that you use a good sunscreen with an SPF of up to 30-50. Any SPF rating after 50 doesn’t offer any additional protection. Be careful of excessive fragrances and parabens in the ingredients, and watch out for spray sunscreens which contain Oxybenzone, an ingredient many people are allergic to. I like to choose a sunscreen with simple ingredients which contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the main ingredient. Those infused with botanicals can even help provide extra protection in the form of friendly antioxidants! You want your sunscreen to leave your skin a little white after application, that way you know that it’s reflecting the UV rays, rather than absorbing them. Make sure to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun, and reapply often – even more often if you’re around water or sweating heavily. If you’d like to compare sunscreens, use the EWG’s Skin Deep site to help advise you. Don’t forget to seek the shade when available, and avoid being in the sun during its strongest times – 10 am to 4 pm.
If you still “feel the burn”, there are natural ways to soothe it. Coconut oil, vitamin E and vitamin A oils are great because they are soothing and provide antioxidants to help protect against skin cancer. Aloe vera gel is the classic go-to for its cooling and soothing effects. Do not pop blisters if they form, and resist the urge to peel your skin as it heals. This can cause superficial wounds in the skin which could become infected.
If you plan on being in the sun, plan on covering up. Sun umbrellas, large hats, long sleeves and pants will protect you and your family from sunburn. Fewer sunburns also mean less chance of future skin cancer such as melanoma. If sunscreen isn’t available, coconut oil provides a small amount of protection from the sun and smells great!