Sunny Days Ahead

By Guest Blogger: Kristy Hodson

It’s summer. Here in Memphis, there have already been multiple Air Quality warnings and scorching hot days. If you are as pale as I am (I swear I’ve been known to glow in the dark), sunburn can be a real possibility if you spend any time outside. According to Esme Floyd’s book 1001 Little Ways to Save the Planet, our skin can absorb close to 60% of whatever it is we slather on. With that in mind I thought it might be good to take a look at some natural remedies for sunburn relief.

1.       Aloe – commonly sold in gel form. You can green up your aloe usage by growing your own aloe plant. Just break off one of the spears, split open, and apply the fresh gel to your burn. Aloe plants are fairly easy to keep alive, just don’t overwater it and put it in the sun. Just a reminder that ignoring it all together is a surefire way to kill it, as I learned first-hand. (They don’t call me a “black thumb” for nothing!)

2.       Milk – soak a washcloth in milk and apply the milk compress directly to the burn.

3.       Ice – A quick way to help with swelling and to provide some temporary relief is to ice down your sunburn.

4.       Vinegar – Mix up a bowl of half white vinegar and half water. Soak a washcloth in the mixture and apply as a compress directly to the burn. Another option is to pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz onto your sunburn.

5.       Water – Drink plenty of water. This will help to prevent headaches and dehydration which are common side effects of having a sunburn.

These are just a couple of quick tips to help you get a little relief from your sunburn. But keep in mind that the best remedy is prevention. Don’t forget your sunscreen (check out The Green Guide’s advice on greening your sunscreen), hat, and my personal favorite—the AC you get to experience by staying inside.