The Right After Sun Skin Care for you
Summer; each year we spend nine months of the year waiting for its arrival and, in the end, it just comes and goes in the blink of an eye. Given that it does pass us by so quickly, it’s only normal that being out in the sun as much as possible is something that we, as a nation, enjoy. The sun makes us feels great, it releases endorphins that make us happy and when it’s strong enough, it can give the skin a lovely brown glow that we just don’t get during the other three seasons.
If you’re not lucky enough to turn a golden brown colour after been out in the sun, chances are that you’re blessed with the pale skin of the Irish. If this sounds all too familiar to you and dealing with sunburn is something that you’ve had to do in the past, it’s essential that you know how to look after your skin in such situations.
On that note, the following are some proven methods when it comes to after sun skin care:
Home Remedies
Natural homemade remedies for burnt skin have been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The best known is probably the gel of the Aloe Vera plant as it has been used in traditional medicine for over 1,500 years and is known to have soothing and cooling properties. It is usually not that easy to get hold of the Aloe Vera plant itself, therefore you can use the store bought version that is found in many after sun products.
Another go-to plant is cucumber, which is both cooling and refreshing when placed on the skin. In order for it to be effective, either put thin slices on your eyelids and face or juice a cucumber and use the juice on your arms and legs.
Store Bought Remedies
There are hundreds of different types of after sun products in every price range for you to choose from. Most of them contain at least a small portion of Aloe Vera and are water-based. There are a few products that contain coconut oil, which is thought to be great for sun burnt skin due to its moisturising qualities.
The newer gels and formulas can be placed in a fridge where they’ll cool down completely, ensuring that they provide instant relief to the affected areas.
Cool Down
The most important things are to cool down the burn and remove excess sunscreen before you treat it. Take either a cool (not ice cold) shower or bath while making sure to void harsh soaps and shower gels. Once out of the bath or shower, carefully pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it dry with your towel.
Keep Hydrated
One of the worst symptoms of sunburn is dehydration. For this reason, and for the benefit of your skin, it is very important to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water regularly. Fresh coconut water is also recommended, as it will replenish your electrolytes.
As much as we love to be out in the sun and relish in all of its beauty, it’s important to remember that the sun has very harmful affects, and if you’re not careful, you might just end up needing to follow the above advice.