We have all deserved it to enjoy the good weather in summer. But beware, the sun is not harmless. It is better to avoid going out during the hottest hours. And to take care of your skin before and after exposure, here are 10 natural remedies to test urgently.
If winter requires its accessories (coats, gloves and pullovers…), summer demands just as much (sunglasses, sunscreens, hat…). It is also important to have a care adapted to your skin type but also to respect certain common sense practices.
How to take care of your skin in summer?
Overexposure to the sun can affect the skin and cause sunburn, sunstroke or dehydration.
- Sunburn is a burn caused by overexposure of the skin to sunlight. It is distinguished from solar allergy (lucite) and photosensitivity. Sunburn presents itself in different stages of burning. The healing time for a sunburn varies from 3 to 6 days. As soon as you notice the sunburn, you have to relieve the inflammation (painkillers), cool the skin, drink water … There are many natural solutions to relieve these burns of the epidermis (gel of aloe vera, tomato or tea).
- Sunstroke as for it is caused by too long exposure to the sun. This can lead to hyperthermia and is manifested by an increase in body temperature. The symptoms of sunstroke are diverse: redness, sweating, migraines, muscle cramps, increased heart rate, but also dizziness or nausea. We advise in case of sunstroke to put in a cool place and rehydrate to refresh your body.
- The dehydration refers to an excessive decrease in the water contained in the tissues. It manifests itself in various ways: by the sensation of intense thirst, dryness of the skin and mucous membranes or by the decrease in the quantity of urine. In extreme cases, dehydration can cause brain dysfunction or even… death.
Doing a little pre-summer cure is essential to protect against solar attacks. Indeed, the first exposures are very delicate because the skin is extremely vulnerable. It is therefore necessary to prepare it by eating foods rich in beta-carotene, vitamin A, essential fatty acids and by hydrating yourself enough water both inside (drink water) and outside (refresh your skin).
Also, we can add food supplements to a healthy and balanced diet and avoid exposure to the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., because at these times the UV radiation is strongest.
Remedies to take care of your skin and this protect from the sun
In addition to these few tips, discover our top 10 best remedies to protect yourself from the sun and take care of your skin in summer.
1. St John’s Wort vegetable oil
St. John’s Wort is a herbaceous plant, up to 90 cm in height, which likes dry and sunny places. It is used to treat psychosomatic disorders, seasonal depressive states, stress, and nervous agitation. It also improves the quality of sleep by fighting insomnia. We recognize him in addition to skin benefits.
St. John’s Wort oil is often used to relieve sunburn, however this should be done with caution. Once applied, avoid sun exposure for 24 hours because it is a photosensitizing substance. As it has an action similar to antidepressants, it is not recommended for people undergoing treatment for depression, to avoid amplifying its effects.
2. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a plant used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for its multiple health benefits. The pulp of its leaves is recommended against digestive problems such as acid reflux, constipation, excessive gas and loss of appetite. In addition, its juice is beneficial for the skin.
Aloe vera helps rebalance the pH of the skin. It nourishes it, softens it and participates in its hydration. Applied to the face, fresh aloe vera juice helps treat skin imperfections as well as skin blemishes. Sun burn. It can be used as a pure gel or mixed with vegetable oil.
3. Calendula oil
From the Asteraceae family, calendula is a plant that produces yellow or orange flowers. It’s a excellent anti-inflammatory with multiple therapeutic properties. Calendula oily macerate is used to calm inflammation and treat sunburn. Rich in carotene and vitamin A, calendula vegetable oil helps to restructure the skin. It helps to treat weakened and irritated skin.
Its healing and soothing properties make it effective for relieve sunburn. A small bead of oil is placed on the fingertips and very gently massaged the affected part. When it is on the face, avoid the eye area and leave it on all night.
4. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a vegetable oil made from the albumen of the coconut. It is also used for its nourishing virtues for hair and skin, or as an alternative to shaving foam.
Nourishing and restorative, coconut oil is also effective for soothe the burning sensation and redness. It therefore protects the skin and heals it in the event of sunburn.
5. Mint
Mint is the refreshing plant par excellence which, in addition, has digestive properties. It soothes the stomach and stimulates bile and therefore digestion. Whatever its variety, it limits gastric reflux and treats bad breath thanks to its concentration in iron and vitamin C. In addition, it is widely used in aromatherapy (especially the essential oil of peppermint) and in herbal medicine.
Refreshing, she can be applied to the skin with a compress and a little water. You can also make a mint infusion, let it cool and spray directly before applying it with gauze on the sunburn.
6. Baking soda
Baking soda is a fine white powder that is not chemical. When swallowed it neutralizes acidity that prevails in the digestive tract. This quickly relieves stomach pain or those caused by acid reflux.
By its antiseptic virtues, baking soda is also recommended for reduce the burning sensation. To do this, we mix a tablespoon of baking soda in 250 ml of cool water and then apply it using compresses.
7. Plain yogurts
Yogurt is a delicious product with a creamy, smooth texture. It is obtained from fermented milk. The probiotics contained in yogurts are beneficial for the intestinal flora and their main virtue is to promote lactose digestion. They promote intestinal transit, prevent colon cancer and strengthen the immune system.
Plain yogurts or skimmed milk are useful against pain thanks to the lactic ferments and proteins they contain. They also allow you to take care of your skin. We apply it directly on the skin and left to act for a few minutes before rinsing with clear water.
8. Aspic lavender essential oil
Refreshing and pleasantly smelling, theaspic lavender essential oil is known for its calming virtues. It can be used to treat burns, insect bites, muscle pain and sunburn.
Applied to a solar erythema, the essential oil of lavender aspic has a resting effect and a restorative action. We put 3 to 5 drops on the affected area and repeat the operation several times. You can also melt in a container 1 tablespoon of petroleum jelly and 1 teaspoon of honey, in a double boiler. Add 3 drops of lavender essential oil and then mix everything together until you get an ointment, which you put in a closed jar. In case of light sunburn, it can be applied to the skin.
9. Honey and apple cider vinegar
the honey is a sweet substance made by bees using flower nectar. It is effective against cardiovascular disease, limits the proliferation of cancer cells, strengthens the immune system and has a antibacterial effect.
the cider vinegar apple is, meanwhile, adorned with 1000 virtues: digestion, beauty of the skin, hair, etc. But it’s in the maintenance of acid-base balance of the body that it reveals its best health asset!
We can make an easy recipe based on cider vinegar and honey by putting in a container 250 ml of water, 1 teaspoon of honey, 2 teaspoon of cider vinegar, then we mix everything and we l ‘apply to the skin.
10. Fruits and vegetables rich in water
Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, fruits and vegetables are foods to favor in our diet whatever the season. Among them, tomato or cucumber are very effective in protecting against the sun and take care of his skin, just cut them into slices and put them on the skin.
We especially opt for foods rich in beta-carotene, a plant pigment precursor of vitamin A. Photo-protective, this molecule is effective in the fight against aging cells. It is especially present in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (melon, pepper, apricot, etc.).
Do you use other remedies to take care of your skin in the summer? Tell us in the comments.
