The Products You Need to Treat Sunburn!

Sun protection is something that I'm always adamant about using and promoting. Over exposure to the sun just has too many risks to not take seriously! Now that it's summer here in Australia, this becomes even more important. We have some of the world's harshest climates which can cause serious sunburn. Although I'm usually good at remembering to apply sunscreen daily, there are some occasions when sunburn just happens! This can happen easily if you forget to reapply often enough, are out in the sun for too long or simply forget to apply any sunscreen at all. If you do get sunburnt this summer I have some great go to products that help soothe and speed up the sunburn's healing process.

The first thing I do after getting sunburnt is have a cool shower that feels refreshing on sore skin. Often kids can get sunburnt when they spend a lot of time playing outdoors so I always use a gentle bodywash on them like the Pineapple Heads Body Wash. It's specially designed for kids, but adults can use it too! It's made with a natural formula that leaves skin feeling squeaky clean. This body wash has a scent of tropical summer fruits mango and papaya, which is the perfect summer smell! It's also so easy to use with the convenient pump bottle that even little kids can easily use. To find out more about this amazing brand, check out this blog post I did on Pineapple Heads!

After you have cleaned your skin the next step is to apply a cream or balm with soothing properties. One of my favourites is the Weleda Burns, Bites & Cooling Gel. This stuff is wonderful for cooling down the skin. It is made with a combination of natural herbs including Echinacea, Aloe Vera, Arnica and Nettle which may help to soothe the pain and aid the healing of sunburn. This can also be used on insect bites, minor burns as well as itchy skin rashes.

If symptoms persist consult your healthcare practitioner. Always read the label. Use only as instructed. Contains ethanol. For the treatment of burns, immediate treatment should consist of the rapid application of cold water for a suitable period and the product should only be applied afterwards. The product is for the first-aid treatment of minor burns only and medical advice should be sought for the treatment of more serious burns

Another great after sun cream is the Badger After Sun Balm. This balm is specifically made to soothe the skin after sun exposure. There's nothing worse than dry or flaky skin after spending too much time in the sun, so this balm is nice and hydrating. It is light, gentle and suitable for use at any time of the day. You can apply it just after getting out of the shower, when you have been in the sun for too long or on any dry patches of skin. A great feature of this balm is the handy travel tin that it is packaged in. It's ideal for throwing into your beach bag and won't crack if dropped! The balm itself is made using all natural ingredients including virgin olive oil, jojoba oil and cocoa butter. Similarly, to the Pineapple Heads Body Wash, this product's scent is summery and tropical. It can be used anywhere on the body and is also very moisturising!

The most important step however, is making sure you apply sunscreen every day afterwards! There's nothing worse than repeatedly getting sunburnt on the same area of skin. Not only does it increase your risk of skin cancer, but is also very painful and uncomfortable! As I am a supporter of using natural skincare products I like to use a natural sunscreen. I have put together a whole guide to natural sunscreens here.

One of my favourites is the Soleo Organics Sunscreen SPF 30+. It's great for using before swimming because it is water resistant for up to 3 hours and protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. With the harsh summer rays we will be experiencing this summer, this becomes extra important! Soleo sunscreens are made using natural and organic ingredients that reflect the suns rays rather than absorb them. It contains no chemical UV-absorbers or synthetic preservatives. The blend of natural oils, botanical extracts and moisturisers help to also hydrate your skin. So if you have sensitive skin this may be an ideal to try.

Remember with all sunscreens, avoid contact with eyes and if irritation persists discontinue use. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection. Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses when exposed to the sun, and stay in the shade where possible. Prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided. Frequent reapplication and use in accordance with the directions is required for effective sun protection. Always read the label and use only as directed.