With summer in full swing, it’s time to protect yourself from harmful UV rays and keep your skin safe from potential harm. Luckily, special tools for sun protection are not the only answer. Natural remedies are also an effective and healthy way to take care of your skin. Here are some natural remedies to help you enjoy the sun while avoiding its potential risks.
1. Natural Solutions to Shield Skin from the Sun
Aside from commercial sunscreen, there are plenty of natural solutions that you can try if you’re looking to shield your skin from the sun.
- Wear Clothing: Clothing is one of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun. Try wearing light-colored and/or tightly woven garments that effectively reflect the UV rays.
- Apply Oils: Oils such as olive, avocado, and coconut oil can help protect the skin from sunburn and cell damage. Make sure to apply it frequently and evenly.
- Green Tea:Green tea contains catechins, which can reduce cell damage caused by UV rays. Brew a cup of green tea and pour it into a spray bottle before heading outside.
If you’re planning on spending time outside, it pays to have natural solutions like these at your disposal. Natural sunscreen products exist too and these are worth considering since they are usually made out of natural ingredients and offer durable protection. But don’t be too quick to overlook the aforementioned solutions, as they may just be enough to shield your skin from the sun.
2. Boost Your Sun-Care Routine with Herbal Extracts
Protecting your skin from the sun is the wisest thing you can do. Although, sometimes even with all the right creams and lotions, you still need something extra to make sure your skin is properly protected. Herbal extracts provide an extra layer of sun-care protection. They also have additional benefits such as delaying the aging process for your skin and bringing the damaging sun effects to a minimum.
Here are some of the herbal extracts you can use to boost your sun-care routine:
- Astaxanthin – a carotenoid which is found in algae and has high levels of antioxidant protection.
- Grape Seed Extract – It fights free radical damage and repairs cellular damage in the skin.
- Gotu Kola – A powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and anti-aging ingredients.
- Turmeric – It has powerful sun-protection capabilities.
These extracts not only protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays but also slow down aging, improve collagen production and delay the appearance of wrinkles. Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, it can help soothe sunburns. The antioxidants in the extracts also help repair damaged skin on the deeper levels which is not possible with just sun creams and lotions.
Herbal extracts are a great way to complement your sun-care routine and offer you deeper protection for your skin, so make sure to include them in your daily sunscreen routine this summer.
3. Nourishing Ingredients to Cool and Calm Sunburns
Have you ever fallen victim to sunburns during the heat of summer? It’s not a pleasant experience, and it’s important to find a way to cool and calm your skin for some quick relief. There are plenty of natural ingredients that can help nourish your skin and provide a soothing layer of protection.
Aloe Vera is a powerful natural remedy for treating sunburns. Decades worth of scientific study have shown that the plant contains over 200 active compounds which can help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and improve skin health.
Cucumber is another ingredient recommended by natural skin experts. The antioxidants found in cucumber help to keep your skin hydrated and provide temporary relief from discomfort. Whether you choose to opt for a face mask, a cold cucumber eye compress, or cut thick slices to place on the affected area, this type of treatment can provide lasting relief.
- Nettle Extract
- Chamomile
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Green Tea Leaves
- Olive Oil
All of the above are ingredients that can help cool and calm sunburns. Nettle extract can naturally restore skin damaged by too much sun, and is a potent antioxidant. Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory herb, while apple cider vinegar has a number of soothing properties. Making a green tea compress is a popular way to reduce redness, and adding a few drops of olive oil can soothe the skin and keep it soft.
Knowing which natural ingredients to apply to your skin can be a valuable tool in treating sunburns. Consider adding a few of these items to your summertime skincare routine to beat the heat.
4. Safeguarding the Skin with Homemade Sun Protectors
Summer days call for extra protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays – but that doesn’t mean you have to use expensive, chemical-based sunscreens. It is easy and cost effective to make your own natural sun protectors at home. Here are some smart solutions to keep your skin safe and healthy:
- Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is loaded with antioxidants which can protect your skin from the sun’s damage. All you need is some fresh aloe Vera extract and mix it with a light moisturizer or massage oil. Reapply every two hours to avoid a burn.
- Honey: Honey is a great natural sunscreen. It creates a protective barrier on the skin and also acts as an anti-inflammatory. Mix a teaspoon of honey with some olive oil and apply it all over the body.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is also blessed with sun protecting compounds and is known to form a moisturizing layer that protects the skin. Massage the coconut oil onto the skin and leave it for an hour before heading out into the sun.
- Lemon Juice: Lemons are full of antioxidants and can fight off sunburn very effectively. Squeeze out the lemon juice and smear it all over your skin. Leave it for fifteen minutes and then rinse it off.
Homemade natural sunscreen solutions are usually more gentle on the skin, as opposed to commercial brands, and can help fight off skin damage due to sun exposure. These remedies will provide your skin with the nourishment it needs. It is always a good idea to make sure you’re not overexposing yourself to the sun, and to keep a balanced amount of protection.
5. Dabbling with DIY: Create Your Own Suncare Formula at Home
It’s summer time and the almighty sun is out in full force! With the summer heat comes the need to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. But, why spend an arm and a leg on expensive, store-bought sunscreens when you can DIY your own sun protection formula at home? Here are a few tips to help you out:
- UVA/UVB Protection – The sun is composed of both UVA and UVB rays, both of which can damage your skin if overexposed. To ensure proper protection, you’ll want to find a sunscreen recipe that utilizes ingredients that help protect against both UVA and UVB radiation, such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, red Raspberry seed oil, carrot seed oil, and shea butter.
- Essential Oils – Essential oils aren’t just for scent – they can also help boost a sunscreen’s protection. They can offer additional protection against the sun’s rays as well as give your homemade sunscreen a pleasant scent. Popular protective essential oils include lavender, rosemary, and helichrysum.
- Carrier Oils – Carrier oils are essential ingredients in any natural sunscreen. Not only do they make sure the other oils and ingredients blend together properly, but many of them have natural moisturizing and protective properties as well. Common carrier oils include coconut oil, jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, and sweet almond oil.
By combining such ingredients, you can create your own personalized sunscreen that not only protects you from the sun’s damaging rays but also nourishes and moisturizes your skin at the same time. So, get creative and give DIY suncare a try this summer!
Make sure to enjoy the summer while still protecting your skin. With natural remedies as an alternative to chemically processed sunscreen, you can safely absorb the sun’s rays and prevent sunburns and other skin damage. So grab a hat and natural sunscreen and get outdoors!
