Essential oils can effectively treat the sunburns caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of sun. There are a number of natural ways to prevent and heal sunburn, buy essential oils are one of the best remedies for getting quick relief.
Sunburn is not only very painful but also very harmful . Despite the many health warnings, many of us still prefer to sunbathe. While some sun exposure is good for getting Vitamin D to strengthen your bones, too much exposure causes sunburn. In addition, natural anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties of essential oils help to repair and rejuvenate your skin to look supple and young. Learn more about why you should use essential oils for sunburn relief in this article.
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What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds generally from plants.They are obtained by distillation and having the characteristic odour of the plant or other source from which it is extracted.
Depending On the variety, all parts of the plant starting from leaves, flowers, seeds, barks and roots are used in making different types of essential oils.
Since they are highly concentrated oils they can't be used directly on the skin.Essential oils are always used with a carrier oil in aromatherapy and repairing skin conditions. Even essential oils for hair growth are used with carrier oils.
How Do Essential Oils Heal Sunburn?
Essential oils can effectively heal certain types of sunburns.
The First degree sunburn in which only the outer layer of skin is affected is very easy to heal by essential oils. Here the skin gets red and painful when touching.
The Second degree sunburns that affect the inner layer in addition to the outer layer also can get relief from essential oil. Here you get red skin, blisters itching and pain.
Essential Oils can not treat the third level sunburn in which deeper tissues are affected.
Always buy your essential oils from reliable sources. Choose the right brands of essential oils for best results. Adulterated essential oils may do more harm than benefiting your skin.
How do You Get Sunburns?
Before you begin to use essential oils, let us first understand what exactly happens to your skin when you are exposed to the sun.
Some daily sun exposure is necessary to stay away from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is vital for your bone growth and general well being.
Overexposure to the sun can cause painful and itchy sunburn. You can get it from long hours in the sun, on a sunny Beach or driving in open cars for long distances.
Sunburn occurs when more ultraviolet rays enter your exposed skin than your body is designed to handle. Even if you apply sunscreen creams, the overexposure can penetrate through it causing your body to release melanin, a color hormone as a defence mechanism. Your exposed skin then gets red, itchy and painful.
The process of sunburn begins much before you realise.
- You May not immediately see the sign of sunburn.
- Itmay take up to 24 hours to experience the blisters of sunburn.
- White Skin people gets sunburn much faster and more often than the black skin people.
Using sunscreens before you go to sun and applying essential oils as soon as you are back are important routines to keep your skin healthy and vibrant.
Which Essential Oils to Use for Sunburn Relief?
Essential oils are great natural products to heal skin affected by sunburn. There are a number of Essential oils that can give you sunburn relief but lavender, helichrysum, frankincense, peppermint, rose, eucalyptus and sandalwood essential Oils some of the best oils.
Here's how you can use them to get rid of sunburn.
1. Lavender Oil
Lavender Essential oil is very useful to treat various skin conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Lavender Essential oil is made out of lavender flowers which are famous for their fragrance. That is why the essential oil has been extensively used in the perfume industry and aromatherapy.
It's ant-inflammatory capabilities make it suitable for healing skin Inflammations caused by burns, sunburn, minor bruises and for conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
How to Apply:
Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil in a teaspoon of aloe-vera and mix well. Apply it on the sunburn area. It will heal the Inflammations, reduce the pain and protect the skin from scaring. Apply the mix 2-3 times a day.
Adjust the quantities of essential oils and carrier oil if the sunburn area is more. If your entire body is affected then add 10 drops of lavender essential oil in a cup of oatmeal. Mix well and add to warm water in your bathtub.soak your body in the bath and get instant relief from sunburn.
2. Helichrysum Oil
Helichrysum essential oil soothes the skin and provides pain relief. It is also anti-inflammatory so the benefits are immediate. Helichrysum essential oil is also widely used for other skin and hair conditions.
How to Apply:
Add 3 drops of helichrysum oil to a teaspoon of plain high fat organic yogurt without sugar or flavors added. Yogurt is anti-bacterial and also provides coolness. If the sunburn affected area is larger then make the mix in large quantities as required. Apply a thick layer for 10 minutes and rinse it off with warm water.
3. Frankincense Oil
When suburban skin gets nourishment and hydration it begins to heal. Frankincense essential oil not only provides anti-inflammatory properties but also nourishes the skin. That is why it is good for both dry skin and sunburn.
If your base skin I dry then frankincense essential oil is an excellent choice to get sunburn relief.
How to Apply:
Add 2-3 drops of frankincense essential oil to aloe vera gel or coconut oil. Mix well and apply or sunburn affected areas of skin. Both aloe vera gel and coconut oil on their own are also good remedies for sunburn.
4. Peppermint Oil
Menthol in peppermint essential oil provides a cooling effect on sunburn. It also numbs the pain. It is also anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
How to Apply:
Mix 2 drops of peppermint essential oil in a teaspoon of coconut oil and apply on the sunburn area.
5. Rose Oil
Rose essential oil is very effective in healing sunburn and gives you immediate relief from itch and pain. It is very cooling and soothing to your skin.
How to Apply:
Add 5 drops of Rose essential oil in a teaspoon of coconut oil and apply on the sunburn affected skin.
6. Eucalyptus Oil
With its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving capabilities, eucalyptus essential oil is an excellent remedy for mild to moderate sunburn. It will soothe your skin and immediately provide pain relief.
How to Apply:
Add 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a teaspoon of almond oil and mix well. Apply it in the sunburn affected area. The almond oil is also a very good skin healing agent. The combined impact of both oils gives you quick relief from sunburn itching and pain.
7. Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood essential oil not only spreads good fragrance but also provides a cooling effect on skin.
Like other essential oils, sandalwood essential oil also has good anti-inflammatory properties. It heals sunburn effectively.
How to Apply:
Add 2 drops of sandalwood Essential oil in a teaspoon of coconut oil and mix well. Apply on the sunburn affected area to get instant relief. You can prepare more quantities and apply it on the entire body if sunburn is more widespread.
Other Uses of Essential Oils
Other than healing sunburn, essential oils have many other benefits. It is wise to maintain inventory of essential oils at home.
Following are other uses of essential oils.
- Relaxes your body
- Soothes sore muscles
- Alleviates pain
- Improves digestion
- Balances hormones
- Reduces wrinkles
- Fights cold and flu
- Heals many skin conditions
- Cleans your home
Side Effects and Precautions
Essential oils are concentrated extracts. Direct application on skin can burn the skin. Always dilute them in carrier oils like coconut, olive or almond oil, yogurt aloe-vera or other natural products before applying on skin. Take the following precautions to avoid sunburn
- Always apply sunscreens before exposing your skin to the sun for long
- Keep yourself fully hydrated throughout the day
- Wash your face and apply the sunscreen again after every 30 minutes of harsh sun exposure to protect your skin
- Use sheds if available
- Sunburn causes wrinkles and premature aging
- Long exposures to ultraviolet radiation of sun not only causes sunburn but can also cause skin cancer so be careful
Essential oils are your best skin healers when you get mild to moderate sunburn. If you get severe sunburn then consult a dermatologist to protect your skin from permanent damage.