After Sun Skin Soothers

While sun-kissed skin can look fresh and young, skin exposed to an afternoon in the sun may not feel that way. Redness and sensitivity are telltale signs of the effects of powerful UV rays, often leaving skin painfully parched in the summer. Unfortunately, the time it takes to recover from a nasty burn can range from a few days to a few weeks— much longer than the mid-afternoon hours it takes to achieve one.

If you find yourself in a bind and can’t get your hands on these skin-soothing products fast enough, there are at-home remedies you can try to decrease persistent sunburn. Hold a cool compress, soaked in black tea, to the affected area, or take a cold shower to calm the burning sensation.

Hydration is key aid to the healing process, and it’s important to maintain your body’s fluid intake by drinking lots of water. Apple cider vinegar is known for a variety of health benefits, so it’s no surprise that sunburn relief is one of its useful properties. Draw a cool bath and pour some apple cider vinegar to decrease redness and inflammation.

But the best thing you can do to combat sunburn is to prevent it in the first place – always use sun protection with a minimum of SPF 15 and try to keep out of the direct sunlight during the brightest hours of 10 to 4.