Always use sunscreen before going out in the sun, is something we’ve always read and heard. But what if on that one day when going to beach or going out fishing you were too lazy to put on some and came back with a not a tan but a horrible sunburn and your skin is all red and sore? Here are a few tips that can easily be done at home to relieve you of the pain.

Cold full fat milk

If you are watching your weight, consuming this probably is not that great an option, but the fat in the milk will actually be beneficial for sunburns. Over exposure to the sun causes the skin to lose a lot of moisture, the milk fat will act as a moisturizer and calm the skin. Pour some milk in a bowl, soak large pieces of cotton or gauze and place on your skin. This can be repeated every 10 to 15 mins.

If milk is too messy an option for you, get hold of an aloevera plant, break open one of the fleshy leaves and apply the gel directly on to the sun burnt skin. Aloe Vera has a lot of skin healing and soothing properties and will cool down your skin.

Sun burn causes the skin to dry up and get itchy, so, keeping the skin moisturized is advisable. Most moisturizers have artificial perfume and color added to them, which can irritate the already tender skin. Natural oils such as peppermint or chamomile which are cool and soothing are preferable options.

If the milk, aloe vera gel and oils have made you sticky, it’s only natural for you to take a shower. Again, most soaps or shower gel will have artificial perfume or color added. Try using a milder shower gel such as a cool peppermint gel to gently cleanse your skin. Alternately, add ½ a cup of baking soda to a lukewarm bath and soak yourself in it for not more than 20 to 25 mins, if you are in the water too long, you risk losing skin moisture. The baking soda will calm your skin.