Want quick and effective ways to treat sunburn? Try these nine natural remedies!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Who wants to have sunburn? Well, nobody wants to have this skin condition and it is caused when you are exposed to extreme sunlight. The problem is irritating and its painful and sometimes, applying even the maximum amount of sunscreen is not enough. Though, there are many medicated creams to treat sunburn, it is always best to opt for natural remedies as it gives a quick effect.

Cold milk

Cold milk is one of the quickest, simplest and low-cost methods as it is good for skin and can be used directly. The fats, proteins and pH that milk contains, have soothing and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.

Directions: Wash the face, hands and all the affected body parts with water and air dry slightly before applying milk. Take equal parts of milk and ice cubes in a bowl. Dip a clean cotton cloth or towel in milk and apply gently on the inflamed areas. Leave it for 10-15 minutes. The milk will dry on the skin and will form a thin protein layer that seals the moisture in, reduces heat and eases discomfort. Wash off this milk film gently with plain water.

Yoghurt

Yoghurt also treats sunburn as it contains abundance of live bacteria known as probiotics and enzymes that help reduce burns and heal the skin. It helps the skin recover faster.

Directions: Apply cool yoghurt or yoghurt pack directly to the sunburned area and keep it for 10-15 minutes. Wash it off with cold water.

Milk and oatmeal

As oats are a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components, it helps reduce the burnt area and heal it quickly. It reduces itching and helps soothe the sunburnt, irritated skin.

Directions: For oats-milk-honey pack, take one cup of uncooked oats and grind it to make powder and add half a cup of plain milk and two teaspoon honey to it. Mix well and apply the pack to sunburned skin and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Rinse it off gently with cold water.

Milk powder-almond oil pack

Milk powder and almond oil also works wonders for sunburn and tan. It moisturises the skin, reduces the effects of suntan and imparts a clearer tone and texture to the skin. Ingredients - Milk powder, almond oil, honey and lemon juice.

Directions: Mix milk powder with a few drops of almond oil, a teaspoon of honey and lemon juice until it gets thick enough to use. Apply the pack on the tanned area. Leave it for 20 minutes. Gently massage for a couple of minutes and wash off with cold water.

Egg white

Egg white is an instant remedy for treating sunburn if you want quick effect.You can even use egg white alone or mix it with orange juice to make a pack.

Directions: Wash the burned area with cold water. In a bowl separate egg white from the yolk and beat it. If making a pack, add two tea spoons of orange juice to the egg white. Apply plain egg white or pack on sunburned skin. Let it dry and apply a few more layers if needed. Wash off gently with cold water.

Tea

Even tea that are freshly brewed from tea leaves and cooled to room temperature and below is also good for sunburn and can soothe skin and take the burning sensation away.

Directions: Boil 3 to 4 cups of water and add some tea leaves and remove from heat. You can also use teabags of unflavored tea. Covered it for 30 minutes and drain. As the tea is concentrated, you can dilute it with 4 cups of ice cold water. Now, soak cotton or a soft washcloth in the tea and apply it on the sunburn area.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is considered a very popular natural remedy for skin related problems. It also helps in treating sunburn.

Directions: Take a mature leaf and remove the tough outer skin. Now, blend it to a paste and apply it over the affected area.

Honey

As honey is hydrophilic, besides having antibacterial properties and can draw out fluid from tissues, that helps in treating the sunburn affected area.

Directions: Apply some unheated organic honey directly on the damaged skin or mix it with powdered oatmeal to make it stay put for longer.

Coconut milk

Coconut milk also helps in treating sunburn as it has soothing effect as dairy products. It is one of the few sources of lauric acid, a fatty acid found in abundance in human breast milk.

Directions: Soak some grated coconut in warm water for 5 minutes and grind it in a mixer. Now press the fine sieved coconut to extract as much of the milk as possible. Put the coconut milk in the refrigerator and use the cold milk to apply it on the damaged skin.

(With Agency inputs)