As the summer sun climbs higher, the risk of sunburn increases, bringing with it discomfort and potential skin damage. Understanding how to care for sunburned skin is crucial not just for comfort, but also for long-term skin health. Premium Bionaturals is dedicated to providing natural, soothing solutions through our Āpna Ayurveda skincare range.

Understanding Sunburn and Its Painful Effects from Sun Exposure

Sunburn is more than just a temporary redness and discomfort; it's your skin's distress signal in response to too much ultraviolet (UV) exposure. This can lead to serious health issues like skin cancer and accelerated ageing. Here’s what typically happens:

•  Redness and Heat: The most immediate symptom of sunburn is the redness caused by the dilation of blood vessels. This is your body's inflammatory response to intense UV damage. The skin also feels unusually warm or hot to the touch.
•  Pain and Sensitivity: As the body reacts to repair the damage, nerve endings become sensitive, making the sunburned area painful to touch. This sensitivity can last several days depending on the severity of the burn.
•  Peeling: Eventually, the damaged outer layers of skin will start to peel away. This is the body's way of shedding the damaged cells and making way for new, healthy cells.

Preventing sunburn by wearing sunscreen and limiting sun exposure is essential. If sunburn occurs, immediate and effective care is necessary to mitigate damage and enhance comfort.

How Can You Get Relief From Severe Sunburns?

Cooling face masks like the ones that contain aloe vera gel or cucumber extracts are excellent for easing the discomfort of sunburn. They provide much-needed relief for inflamed and overheated skin by delivering soothing, cooling sensations that help calm the area almost instantly.

Immediate Cooling Sensation: These masks offer a cooling effect that helps to alleviate the discomfort and heat associated with sunburn.

Pain Relief: The cooling sensation can also help to slightly numb the sunburned area, making the healing period more comfortable.

Reduces Inflammation: Ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, and green tea have natural anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and redness, speeding up the healing process.

Hydrates the Skin: These masks provide essential moisture to dehydrated, sunburned skin, preventing peeling and flakiness.

Restores Skin Barrier: They contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides that help to repair and strengthen the skin’s barrier function, protecting against environmental damage and moisture loss.

Promotes Faster Healing: By reducing inflammation and providing hydration, these masks not only soothe the skin but also encourage quicker recovery from sunburn.

These masks provide a cooling treatment that cools and soothes the skin, speeding up the healing process, making them an ideal option after sun exposure. Their hydrating properties are crucial for repairing the skin barrier damaged by UV exposure.

Natural Ingredients with Cooling Properties for Sunburned Skin

Natural ingredients are a gentle way to manage sunburn. Here’s how some of these ingredients help:

• Cucumber
• Aloe Vera
• Yogurt
• Green Tea

These ingredients not only cool and soothe the skin but also offer essential hydration and nutrients that restore skin vitality and resilience.

DIY Cooling Mask Recipes

Creating your own DIY cooling masks is a practical and effective way to manage and soothe sunburned skin right from the comfort of your home. Using simple, natural ingredients, these recipes are designed to provide relief from the heat and discomfort of sunburn while delivering essential nutrients that promote healing.

Rose Water and Honey Mask

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of pure rose water
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Steps:

1. Mix Rose water or our Āpna Ayurveda Rose Water Face Mist with honey in a clean bowl until they form a consistent mixture.
2. Apply the mixture gently to the sunburned area using a cotton pad or your fingertips.
3. Leave it on for about 20 minutes.
4. Rinse off with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.

The soothing qualities of this mask help reduce irritation and diminish redness, making it a crucial element of your sun care routine. 

Aloe Vera and Vitamin E Mask

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel
• 1 capsule of Vitamin E oil

Steps:

1. In a bowl take pure and organic Aloe vera gel.
2. Pierce the Vitamin E capsule and mix the oil with the aloe vera gel.
3. Apply this mixture liberally to the affected skin.
4. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes.
5. Wash off with cool water and gently dry the skin.

Its soothing properties help calm irritation and reduce redness, making it an essential part of your sun care routine. Additionally, our aloe vera gel comes pre infused with vitamin E which makes this 2x more effective.

Check out our Blog on effectiveness of Aloe Vera for sunburn here.

Green Tea and Coconut Oil Mask

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of brewed green tea (cooled)
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Steps:

1. Brew the green tea and let it cool completely.
2. Mix the cooled green tea with coconut oil until well combined. Alternatively you can use our Green Tea infused face toner and mix it with coconut oil.
3. Soak a clean cloth or a cotton pad in the mixture and apply it to the sunburned area.
4. Leave it on the skin for about 15-20 minutes.
5. Rinse off with cool water.

Green Tea infused Hydrosol waters are excellent for keeping the skin hydrated during the hot summer months. Its refreshing properties not only hydrate but also offer a protective barrier against environmental stressors.

Cucumber and Yogurt Mask

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cucumber
• 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt

Steps:

1. Puree the cucumber in a blender until smooth.
2. Mix the cucumber puree with plain yogurt until you achieve a consistent paste.
3. Apply this cooling mask directly to the sunburned areas.
4. Allow it to sit on the skin for about 20-25 minutes.
5. Wash off with cool water and gently pat dry.

DIY cooling face masks are a valuable addition to your skincare arsenal, especially during the warmer months when sun exposure is at its peak. By using natural ingredients like aloe vera, rose water, green tea, and cucumber, these masks provide immediate relief from sunburn, reduce inflammation, and help hydrate and repair the skin. 

Face Masks to Avoid During a Heatwave

During a heatwave, it's important to adjust your skincare routine to prevent further irritation or increased sensitivity to the sun. Some face masks contain active ingredients that, while beneficial under normal circumstances, can exacerbate skin issues when exposed to intense sunlight. Here’s what you should steer clear of:

• Retinoids: Commonly used for anti-aging, retinoids can make the skin extremely sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of sunburn.
• AHAs and BHAs: Alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids are used for exfoliating the skin. During a heatwave, these can strip the skin of essential oils, making it more vulnerable to sun damage.
• Vitamin C: Although an antioxidant, high concentrations of Vitamin C can irritate the skin especially when it is exposed to high temperatures and UV rays.

Choosing the right skincare products during periods of extreme heat is crucial to maintain skin health without inadvertently causing damage or irritation.

Additional Tips to Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Keeping your skin hydrated goes beyond using the right skincare products; it also involves healthy lifestyle choices. Here are some essential tips:

• Eat Well: Include hydrating fruits and vegetables in your diet, as well as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to nourish your skin from the inside.
• Drink Plenty of Water: Staying adequately hydrated is crucial. Aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water a day to keep your skin supple and hydrated.
• Exercise Regularly: Regular physical activity increases blood flow, which helps nourish skin cells and keep them vital.
• Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to allow your skin to repair and regenerate.

Incorporating these habits can significantly enhance your skin's hydration and overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1)What are the best ingredients for DIY cooling face masks? 
Aloe vera, cucumber, green tea, and yogurt are excellent for soothing and cooling the skin.
Q2)What should I do if my skin reacts negatively to a DIY face mask? 
Remove the mask immediately, rinse your skin with cool water, and consult a dermatologist if irritation persists.
Q3)Does a charcoal mask remove sunburn? 
No, charcoal masks do not remove sunburn and may irritate sunburned skin due to their detoxifying properties.
Q4)How can I make my sunburn fade faster?
 Keep the area moisturized, stay hydrated, apply aloe vera gel, and avoid further sun exposure.

Sunburn is more than just a minor annoyance; it can seriously impact your skin health. Thankfully, using cooling face masks crafted with natural ingredients can greatly ease the discomfort of sunburn, while also helping to protect and rejuvenate your skin. Why not add these gentle, soothing remedies to your summer skincare routine? They’ll keep your skin looking healthy and radiant throughout the season.