To soothe those painful, red burns on your skin, mix the essential oil with soothing agents like aloe vera, oatmeal, or coconut oil to give your skin the much-needed hydration. However, if you have sensitive skin, experts recommend applying the diluted oil to a small area of your skin first to make sure you don’t have any adverse reaction to it. Take a look at our list of some of the top essential oils out there for treating sunburn. Scroll down!
Top 8 Essential Oils That Help Combat Sunburn
1. Best Non-Toxic:Majestic Pure Cosmeceuticals Fractionated Coconut Oil
Though coconut oil is known primarily for the benefits it provides for your hair, not many know that it is equally beneficial to treat sunburned skin. As coconut oil is high in saturated fats, it can help soothe your dry and itchy skin by replenishing your skin’s moisture. The unfiltered and non-toxic oil leaves no greasy residue on your skin and is easy to wash away from clothes and sheets. This fractionated oil can be blended with carrier oils for massages and aromatherapy sessions. This soothing essential oil for sunburn also works great as a moisturizer, eye makeup remover, and in shaving creams. Coconut oil also has antimicrobial properties, killing bacteria and fungi. So, investing in an oil with multiple benefits for skin and hair can be a great decision. You may check more about this product in this video. Pros
Easy absorption Non-toxic and no additives Moisturizes body Suitable for all skin types Non-greasy Long shelf life
Cons
May not be suitable for use during pregnancy
2. Best Antimicrobial:UpNature Lavender 100% Pure And Natural Essential Oil
We understand the frustration that you can have due to sunburned skin. The itch, heat, and painful sting can get really unbearable. That’s why we have found this pure and natural essential oil for sunburn itch for you. Its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties can do wonders for your skin. It also heals dry skin, minor cuts, and scrapes quickly. This therapeutic-grade oil can treat acne breakouts and promotes healthy skin and hair. You can relieve your stress and anxiety with this relaxing essential oil as it helps improve your sleep too. Just blend and apply 10 drops of this lavender oil with a carrier oil and get immediate relief from sunburn. Pros
Unfiltered and undiluted Free of toxins and additives GMO and cruelty-free Soothes dry, itchy skin Anti-anxiety Treats acne Eases joint pain
Cons
Some may find the scent overwhelming.
3. Best Cruelty-Free:Maple Holistics Lavender Essential Oil
Take time off work and chores and chill out by giving yourself a massage session as this lavender oil for sunburns calms your skin. This 100% pure, cruelty-free, and vegan oil promotes clear and healthy skin with its anti-aging properties. Steam distilled from flowers, it has a rich fresh floral scent which makes it a perfect addition to your aromatherapy. It uplifts the mood and improves sleep by relieving anxiety. The oil also boosts the health of both hair and skin. Adding this soothing oil to your skincare regimen is worth it as it heals your skin and adds natural glow to it. Pros
100% pure oil Cruelty-free and vegan Has soothing effects Adds glow to skin Treats dry scalp Has anti-aging properties
Cons
Some may find the scent very faint.
4. Best Antiseptic:First Botany Cosmeceuticals 100% Pure And Natural Tea Tree Essential Oil
Do not leave this therapeutic oil behind at home when you are packing for your weekend getaway to a beach. Your sunscreen might help reduce the sunburn damage but it does not completely prevent it. You may require a rescue plan for a possible sunburn. This essential oil for sunburn relief is made through steam distillation without adding any preservatives or additives. The oil not only helps soothe sunburns, blemishes, and insect bites with its antiseptic properties but also helps fight lice naturally. This natural Australian tea tree oil can also help keep ticks and molds away so that your trip to the beach with your pets does not turn into an unpleasant experience. Pros
Antiseptic Soothes insect bites Works as an all-purpose cleaner Fights lice naturally Fights ticks and molds Helps beat body odor
Cons
Some may find the consistency thin.
5. Best For Acne BreakoutsPlant Therapy 100% Pure Essential Oils – Carrot Seed
Consequences of a sunburn can be detrimental and hence, it only makes more sense to prevent it. This unadulterated essential oil can be used to blend with other oils and create your own natural sunscreen. Its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties promote healthy skin by treating dull, tired, and blemished skin while improving your complexion. It moisturizes and rejuvenates your skin by fighting against acne, and hyperpigmentation. You can also apply it on your abdomen to get relief from digestive issues. Pros
Non-GMO Cruelty-free Treats acne breakouts Minimizes signs of aging Helps fight hyperpigmentation Acts as a natural sunscreen Soothes dry, dull, and blemished skin
Cons
Some may find the fragrance unpleasant.
6. Best For Soothing Inflammation:Sonoma Lavender Essential Oil
Here’s your secret to repair and rejuvenate your sunburned skin. The queen of essential oils, that is lavender essential oil, helps with sunburns and soothes inflammation, insect bites, and bee stings. This lavender oil for sunburns balances out moisture levels and promotes a healthy skin by relieving anxiety, easing headaches, and inducing better sleep. It can help disinfect wounds and fade scars. This oil can be easily blended with other carrier oils, creams, lotions, or foot balms for renewed and rejuvenated skin. Pros
Soothes inflammation Reduces scarring Promotes healing of skin Reduces anxiety and stress Induces better sleep Relieves headaches
Cons
Some may find it slightly expensive.
7. Best Moisturizing:SenseLAB Helichrysum Essential Oil
This soothing essential oil for sunburn is worth getting hooked on for its countless skincare benefits. It has multiple therapeutic benefits that help the skin recover from sunburn and protect it from any damage, signs of aging, acne, and bruising. In addition, it moisturizes the skin, softens it, revealing healthy, glowing skin. The oil also aids great benefits when used for aromatherapy and massages. The rich and sweet fragrance of the oil provides therapeutic benefits as well. Pros
Therapeutic benefits Moisturizes the skin Reduces exhaustion Great for aromatherapy Pleasant fragrance
Cons
The scent might not be long-lasting.
8. Best Certified-Organic:Plant Therapy Organic Frankincense Serrata Essential Oil
Walk free with no worries when you step out in the sun. This essential oil for sunburn is gentle to use and is very effective in treating sunburn, acne breakouts, and insect bites. This 100% pure and certified-organic oil has anti-inflammatory properties, and woody and earthy fragrance which helps calm and soothe your body and mind by uplifting your mood. This essential oil can be experimented with to make a topical to treat nagging skin and for pain-relieving effects. It can also be blended with some carrier oils to soothe and heal your skin. Watch out for some DIY recipes you can try with this oil and enjoy its numerous benefits. Pros
100% certified pure Anti-inflammatory Easy to use Gentle on skin Controls acne breakouts
Cons
The scent may not last long enough.
We understand that our list of best oils with plenty of options might have overwhelmed you. Fret not as we’re here to help you further with the factors you need to keep in mind to pick the best one for your skin.
How To Choose Best Essential Oils For Sunburn
Free of vegetable oil
Ensure that the essential oil you pick is not adulterated with vegetable oils. You can check it with the help of a simple process. Put a few drops of the oil on a piece of paper and if it forms an oily ring, it is most likely to have been diluted with vegetable oil.
Packaging
Always buy an essential oil that comes in an amber or dark cobalt blue glass bottle as it protects the aromatic and therapeutic properties of the oil. If stored in transparent bottles, it can allow light to enter and spoil the oil. It is also not safe to store essential oil in plastic bottles as it can dissolve the plastic and get contaminated.
Extra ingredients
You can also buy essential oils that come with extra ingredients for topical use. It would be wise to look for essential oils with ingredients like avocado oil, vitamin E, and vitamin C as they help repair and heal damaged skin due to sunburn as they are key antioxidants. Now that you know how to choose the best essential oil, here’s the right way to use it.
How To Use Essential Oils For Sunburn
Ensure to not apply it directly to sunburned skin without diluting it as essential oils generally have a strong fragrance and are quite potent.
It should be diluted with a carrier oil like coconut or a soothing aloe gel to make it less potent. It is therefore less likely to lead to irritated skin.
Just mix a few drops of essential oil with an unscented lotion, carrier oil, gel or ointment, and apply it to the skin. The usual recipe for concoction should be 3 to 5 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil.
Schwarzburg, MD, expert in cosmetic dermatology, advicess, “Always do a patch test before using a product to avoid allergic reactions or skin irritation.”
But before you use it, ensure that you are not sensitive to its scents. Here’s why.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Essential Oils?
A few might experience certain side effects of these oils, particularly for sensitive skin. Ensure that you pick a scented essential oil only if you can tolerate the fragrance. If you cannot tolerate the scent, your skin may experience irritation, and in rare cases even dermatitis which means further damage to sunburned skin with something like chemical burn. Avoid using the essential oil if you have first-degree burns from the sun. Experts also suggest not to apply it on the area that is extremely red and painful as it can aggravate your skin irritation and may cause some allergic reactions. It is recommended that you try testing it on the back of your hand or ear for skin tolerability before you use it.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Kirtana Divakar, is a skin care enthusiast. Her keen interest in various skin care trends and products helps her recommend the best products to her readers so that they can choose easily. She has curated the list of the best essential oils for sunburn after in-depth research and reading many feedbacks on trusted forums. These oils are loaded with antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties to help manage sunburn effectively. Who should not use essential oils? Senior citizens and young children may be more sensitive to essential oils and hence, it is advised to dilute the oils more and avoid some oils, like birch and wintergreen. These may cause some serious problems in children who are 6 years old or younger due to the presence of a chemical called methyl salicylate. Does coconut oil help sunburn? Yes, it can. Coconut oil can help moisturize your sunburned skin and reduce itching and peeling. But ensure you apply it only after your skin has cooled. Also, use only expeller-pressed organic, virgin coconut oil for your skin. Does a hot shower help with sunburn? No. A hot shower can strip the natural oils off the skin. The water should be cool to lukewarm to help with your sunburned skin. Can you put peppermint oil on sunburn? Yes, peppermint oil contains the cooling agent, menthol, which helps treat sunburns. Does tea tree oil help with sunburn? Yes, tea tree oil soothes the sunburnt area and relieves pain. However, use a diluted form of tea tree oil if you have sensitive skin. Can you use lavender oil on sunburn? Yes, lavender oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that treat sunburn. Why does apple cider vinegar help sunburn? Apple cider vinegar is a natural astringent. It treats sunburn, soothes the affected area, and quickens healing. What makes sunburn worse? Further exposure to harmful UV rays worsens sunburns.
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