Bliss is the sun on your nose during a bright summer day and distress is the sunburn you take home later. It is funny how the mention of the word sun creates imaginations of dazzling sun rays, breezy summer days, cherry beach moments, tan, sunburn, and skin dryness all at once. In other words, the sun can make or break your day. With it, you have no choice but to take the good with the bad (Unless you avoid it like a plague).
Every encounter with the sun is like a blind date. You can never know what to expect until it is actually happening. This explains why we all have caught the sun at one point or another. Some of us have even developed wrinkles because of over-exposure to the sun. However, the big deal is not getting sunburned-it is the next course of action.
Dealing with sunburns is no picnic. Sometimes treatment products may fail to work and even make things worse. This can lead to not only skin damage but also a great deal of disappointment. Thus, it is crucial to educate yourself on how to handle sunburns effectively so that you can tan with confidence.
Surprisingly, essential oils do amazing work on sunburns. They are among the most effective natural remedies for treating sunburns. The most important thing is understanding the best essential oils for sunburn and how they react on different types of skin.
Below is a list of the ten best essential oils for sunburn.
10 Best Essential Oils For Treating Sunburn
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is well known because of its pure, fresh, sweet aroma and uncountable uses and benefits. Undoubtedly, lavender is a powerhouse. Its uses range from perfumery to culinary, and cleansing to medicinal purposes.
Unfortunately, most people do not know that lavender essential oil is one of the best for sunburns. The ability of lavender to treat sunburns is linked to its anti-bacterial, soothing, calming, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Since ancient times, the Greeks and Romans have used it to relief sunburns and sooth itchiness and pain. When it comes to sunburn relief, lavender can be used alone or with other oils.
Furthermore, since lavender can be applied directly without carrier oil, you should only rub a small amount on the affected areas.
How to blend lavender for sunburn (4 Ways)
Method 1: Mix a few drops of lavender with two spoons of coconut oil. Apply the mixture to the affected areas for several days and observe the changes.
Method 2: Mix a few drops of lavender with aloe Vera gel. Apply the mixture on the affected areas and observe the changes.
Method 3: To create a soothing sunburn lavender bath blend, you will need lavender, Roman chamomile, apple cider vinegar, eucalyptus and peppermint. Use 5 drops of lavender, 1 drop of peppermint, 2 drops of chamomile, a small cup of apple cider vinegar, and 1 drop of eucalyptus. Allow the mixture to rest for a few minutes before adding it to cool bath water. Soak your body in the water for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this procedure until you experience complete relief.
Method 4: You can also mix lavender with other essential oils to make a sunburn spray. For the best spray, combine 3 drops of lavender, 2 drops of cypress, and 2 drops of tea tree essential oils with 40z water in a spray bottle. Store in a cool dry place.
2. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile essential oil is obtained from the tiny daisy-like white and yellow flowers of the chamomile plant. The oil is extracted through steam distillation and it has a warm herbaceous aroma with sweet undertones. Chamomile oil is very easy to work with because it can blend with a variety of essential oils. Some of the essential oils that are commonly blended well with chamomile include; lavender, rosemary, clary sage, rose, ylang ylang and frankincense. ‘
Roman chamomile is used to treat burns successfully because its composition is linked to calming, anti-infectious, relaxing, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. Accordingly, it is also used to treat allergies and skin conditions such as sensitivity, acne, rashes, dermatitis and eczema.
4 Ways to blend chamomile essential oil for sunburn
These are the four ways I use chamomile to treat sunburns.
Method 1: Mix four drops of chamomile essential oil with 6 drops of lavender, 3 drops of patchouli, 5 drops of helichrysum, and 2 ounces of coconut oil. Apply this mixture to the affected areas for several days and you will notice significant changes.
Method 2: To induce a soothing effect on the burnt areas, you can mix 3 drops of chamomile, 4 drops of lavender and one tablespoon of milk. Add the mixture into the bath tub and let it soak for 30 minutes or more. Bathe in the water and observe how your body responds. Repeat the procedure for several days to boost its effectiveness.
Method 3: Chamomile extracts can also be mixed with water to make a cup of tea that soothes sunburns. Add a few drops of chamomile extracts to a cup of cold water. Stir the mixture and use a washcloth to apply it to the affected areas. However, if you want to relieve your entire body from sunburns, use the two ingredients to make a chamomile bath. Immerse your body in the luxurious blend and experience divine healing.
Method 4: Chamomile tea bags can also be used to treat sunburns in the eyelids. You only need to press cold tea bags on the eyelids and observe the changes.
3. Frankincense Essential Oil
They say that frankincense is the holy grail of essential oils. The oil has a warm balsamic odor and it is commonly used holy places such as churches and temples. Frankincense is quite pricey and most people consider it precious and angelic.
As a powerful astringent, frankincense is very good for soothing the skin. Its ability to promote cell regeneration in the skin is commendable. Furthermore, it eliminates wrinkles, scars, and blemishes. It can also be used to reduce the appearance of large skin pores.
When applied on sunburnt areas, frankincense restores the normal tone. Use it with a carrier oil when applying it to the areas affected by sunburn or any other part of your skin
Frankincense blends for sunburn
Blend 1: Mix 10 drops of frankincense oil with 5 spoons of aloe Vera gel, ½ cup of water, 5 drops of peppermint, and five drops of lavender. Use a clean and non-reactive bowl to make the mixture before transferring it to a spray bottle.
Blend 2: To form a soothing blend, mix 10 drops of frankincense, 2 drops of eucalyptus, 2 drops of cypress, 3 drops of rosemary, and 2 drops peppermint. Add the mixture to a carrier oil and apply it to the sunburned area.
4. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree is the oil that never misses in any list of best essential oils for sunburn and acne. The oil is obtained from Melaleuca Alternifolia-a small tree that has leaves that look like pine needles. It produces flowers with light yellow or purple color.
The most special thing about tea tree oil is its chemical composition. The oil exhibits a variety of properties that enhance its anti-microbial, antiseptic, stimulant, antiviral, insecticide and fungicide abilities. Some of these properties make it an ideal treatment for sunburns and rashes.
Tea Tree blends for sunburn
There are many ways to blend tea tree essential oil for sunburns but these two methods are my favorite
Method 1: To make this sunburn tea tree treatment, you will need 1 ¼ cup of olive oil, 4 oz. honey, 2 oz. beeswax, ¼ oz. marshmallow root, 10 drops of tea tree extract, ¼ oz. wormwood and ¼ oz. witch hazel bark. Place marshmallow root, olive oil, witch hazel bark and wormwood in a double boiler. Allow the mixture to simmer for one hour. Remove the bark and the roots. Melt small amounts of beeswax at a time (to prevent it from getting excessively thick) and mix it with the infused oil. Stir until the mixture is well-blended and let it cool. Complete the process by adding honey and tea tree. Transfer the mixture into a glass storage vessel and store it in a cool dark place. Apply small amounts directly on the sunburnt areas. The mixture can also be applied on chapped lips, wounds, blisters, and rashes.
Method 2: You can try a tea tree bath. Simply add a few drops of tea tree in a bath tab full of cool water. Soak your body in the water for 5 to 10 minutes. You will notice improvement.
5. Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint is a plant that is obtained through cross-breeding watermint and spearmint. It has a striking menthol aroma. The plant blooms in July and August producing small purple flowers.
Scientists and researchers have studied it widely because of its numerous health benefits. Traditionally, it is used to improve digestion and support the respiratory system. It is also associated with improved breath.
Peppermint is rich in components that can improve hydration and provide pain relief in burnt and sunburnt skin.
How to use peppermint essential oil for sunburns
The following are some varieties of peppermint blends for sunburn you can make at home.
Blend 1: Add a few drops of peppermint to two tablespoons of coconut oil and apply the mixture directly to the affected areas. The peppermint and coconut mixture can also be diluted with water to form a sunburn spray.
Blend 2: It is also possible to prepare a soothing blend with peppermint. The commonly used ingredients include; peppermint, apple cider vinegar, water and lavender. This mixture is very good for soothing sunburns.
Blend 3: Here is another recipe that you can use to form a more elaborate sunburn spray. In fact, this one is very important during summer for application before leaving the house. Take a ½ cup of aloe Vera gel, 4 tablespoons of fractioned coconut oil, 8 drops of lavender essential oil and 8 drops of peppermint essential oil. Add a cup of water into a sauce pan and let it warm on medium heat. Combine coconut oil and aloe Vera juice in a jar and place it on the warm water in the sauce pan. As the ingredients liquidly, stir them to combine well. Remove them from the sauce pan once they are thoroughly mixed. Add the essential oils and stir properly. Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle and store it in a cool dry place.
Blend 4: A mixture of lavender, peppermint and lemon can also be used to calm sunburns. To form this blend, add three drops of lavender, one drop if peppermint and one drop of lemon to a bowl. Mix it thoroughly and apply on the affected areas. You can also add water to the mixture to form a spray.
Blend 5: If you are experiencing excessive warmth and itchiness from sunburns, mix few drops of lavender and peppermint and apply on the affected areas. After a few minutes, the itchiness will stop.
Blend 6: The last peppermint blend to help you keep sunburn pain at bay requires you to use peppermint, lavender and witch hazel. Take a non-reactive bowl and use it to combine 15 drops of peppermint with 50 drops of lavender and 1/3 cup of witch hazel. Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz it frequently to the affected areas.
6. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is commonly obtained from the Tasmanian Blue Gum tree which is native to Australia. However, there are other varieties of eucalyptus trees such as the Floracopeia that are used to prepare the oil. Since ancient times, eucalyptus trees have been used for breath enhancement and stimulation of the respiratory system.
The therapeutic properties of eucalyptus are linked to its high content of eucalyptol content. The extracts and oil from the tree can be used treat conditions such as flu, bad breath, cold and allergies. When it comes to sunburns, the main purpose of eucalyptus is to provide pain and itchiness relief. It is rich in properties that provide a cooling and soothing sensation.
The easiest approach for applying eucalyptus oil is using it with a carrier oil. However, it can also be mixed with other oils to form powerful sunburn blends. It is important to note that eucalyptus is not recommended for young children and aged people.
Eucalyptus blends for sunburn
Here are a few blends of eucalyptus essential oil that you can make to alleviate sunburns.
Blend 1: To form an enhanced eucalyptus cooling blend, combine 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil with 2 ounces of water. Spice the mixture with a teaspoon of aloe Vera gel. Stir to form a perfect blend and store in a spray bottle. Squirt it on the burnt skin and experience immediate relief. This mixture is rich in antibacterial properties that prevent the development of blisters by disinfecting the skin.
Blend 2: Eucalyptus can also be mixed with other oils and beeswax to form a healing salve. Firstly, you need to use a double boiler to melt down a spoonful of beeswax. After that, add coconut oil, mango butter and sesame oil to the beeswax. Use a ½ cup for each oil. It is recommended that you first combine the oils and add the beeswax later. Dilute the mixture with about 5-6 drops of filtered water. Lastly add 8 drops of helichrysum essential oil, 10 drops of lavender and two drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Besides providing pain relief and healing sunburns, this mixture is great for dryness and blistering reduction.
Blend 3: To make a natural sunscreen, combine eucalyptus with olive oil. Olive oil has a natural SPF 8 and eucalyptus has a natural SPF3. When the two oils are combined, they form a perfect sunscreen. You only need to add 1-2 drops of eucalyptus to a ½ cup of olive oil.
7. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil is obtained from the roots and woods of the sandalwood tree. It is one of the most valued essential oils, particularly because of its woody notes. It provides a rich base for perfumes.
Most of sandalwood’s health benefits are related to mental clarity, calmness and relaxation. However, it is also a strong astringent and antiseptic. It can prevent the replication of virus and reduce skin inflammation.
Sandalwood is ideal for sunburn treatment because it has skin-cooling properties. It can sooth sunburns and fight germs that cause inflammations and blisters in sunburnt areas. To apply sandalwood essential on sunburns, you must mix it with carrier oil.
Sandalwood blends for sunburn
Here are two ways you can mix sandalwood essential oil to form an effective solution for sunburns.
Method 1: Combine two drops of sandalwood with one drop of turmeric oil. Use 1 ounce of coconut as your carrier oil. This mixture is a perfect antiseptic for sunburnt skin. Apply it frequently and observe the changes.
Method 2: You can also create another blend by mixing 7ml of myrrh and two drops of sandalwood essential oil with 4 ounces carrier oil. This blend is a powerful sunscreen and it also improves skin youthfulness
8. Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum also referred to as the immortal flower is a medicinal plant that is used to prepare the helichrysum essential oil. It grows in the Mediterranean region and people from countries such as Portugal and Italy have derived medicinal benefits from it for many years. The oil extracted from helichrysum has numerous uses because of the many therapeutic properties associated with the plant.
Helichrysum is a powerful skin hydrating agent. It helps sunburnt skin in two ways; hydration and pain relief. Furthermore, it contains anti-aging properties and it is also used to prevent damage caused by UV-light. To apply the oil directly on your skin, mix a few drops with coconut oil.
Helichrysum blends for sunburn
Here are some of the best blends of Helichrysum essential oil you can make for soothing sunburned skin.
Blend 1: Create a healing bend by mixing two drops of helichrysum essential oil with a spoonful of aloe Vera gel. Apply the mixture on the sunburns for skin renewal.
Blend 2: A helichrysum-lavender blend can also treat sunburns effectively. Mix lavender, helichrysum and water. Store the mixture in a spray bottle and spritz it on the affected areas. You can also replace water with carrier oils such as coconut and sunflower.
Blend 3: Another blend that can be used to speed up the healing process in sunburnt areas requires you to use peppermint, lavender, helichrysum and high oleic sunflower oil. Combine 25 drops of lavender, 1 drop of helichrysum, 1 drop of peppermint and 2 ounces of sunflower oil in a non-reactive bowl and stir properly. Store the mixture in a cool dry place.
Blend 4: The fourth recipe requires you to use neroli, helichrysum, rosehip seed oil, hazelnut oil and lavender. This blend is also good for minimizing scars.
Blend 5: To sooth sunburns with a helichrysum bath, add 2 drops of helichrysum, 2 drops of Roman chamomile, 8 drops of lavender and 1 drop of peppermint into a bath tub full of cool water. Immerse your body in the water for 10-15 minutes. Ensure that you do not rub the affected areas. Repeated the procedure frequently until your skin calms down.
Blend 6: Helichrysum can also be used to form a sunburn cream. The necessary ingredients for this cream are ½ cup of aloe Vera gel, 15 drops of helichrysum essential oil, 20 drops of lavender, and a cup of coconut oil. The first step is combining the aloe Vera gel with coconut oil in a non-reactive bowl. Later, add the essential oils. Lastly, mix all the ingredients properly and transfer the smooth paste into a storage glass container.
9. Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium essential oil is obtained from a perennial shrub that produces pink flowers and is native to South Africa. It has a sweet and floral aroma.
The therapeutic properties of geranium are almost similar to those of rose essential oil. In fact, sometimes it is used as a rose substitute because it is relatively inexpensive.
Geranium essential oil is rich in anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. This makes it perfect for skin problems such as burns, eczema, fungal infection, and athlete’s foot.
Geranium blends for sunburn
Blend 1: This recipe will provide you with an incredible geranium sponge bath. Use ½ cup of water, 3 drops of geranium, 5 drops of lavender, a spoonful of baking soda, and 3 drops of Roman chamomile to make the bath. Use a sponge to apply the mixture gently on the affected areas.
Blend 2: Secondly, prepare a sunburn mist by combining ½ cup of distilled water, 2 drops of geranium, ¼ cup of aloe Vera gel, 8 drops of lavender, and 2 drops of Roman chamomile. Store the mist a cool dry place and shake every time before use. Do not apply on the eye area.
10. Neroli Essential oil
Neroli essential oil is obtained from the bitter orange blossoms. It has a citrus floral fragrance. Additionally, it has numerous health benefits that are mainly attributed to its bactericidal, disinfectant, digestive, antidepressant, emollient, aphrodisiac, sedative, deodorant, carminative and tonic properties. Some of these properties make it ideal for sunburn relief. Neroli should be mixed with a carrier oil before use.
Neroli blends for sunburn
These are 2 of the many ways you can mix neroli with other ingredients to make a perfect blend for treating the skin after a sun bath.
Blend 1: To reduce the appearance of scars caused by sunburns, mix 10 drops of neroli with 1 ounce of rosehip seed oil. Apply the mixture in the morning and evening for several months and you will notice significant changes.
Blend 2: If you want to prevent scarring from sunburn, mix equal proportions of lavender, rosehip, helichrysum, neroli and hazelnut. Apply this mixture twice a day for a period of time.
Essential Oils Safety Guidelines
- Most essential oils should be used with a carrier oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated thereby very effective in small quantities. Failure to dilute can lead to irritation. Overusing them can lead to allergic reactions.
- Some essential oils should be stored in dark place to prevent them from losing valuable components.
- There are essential oils that are not recommended for children and elderly people. Always cross-check the oils you are using on your children.
- Some essential oils can cause reactions. Test on a small skin area before use.
- Different people experience different reactions to essential oils.
- Be cautious with essential oils if you are pregnant.
- There are some health complications that prevent people from using specific essential oils. If you have any health condition, choose essential oils that will not worsen your situation.
We have provided you with a list of the 10 best essential oils for sunburn. Among these, pick your favorites or favorite blends and watch your skin bet better.
Keep calm and use essential oils ????