Lavender oil is the best essential oil for treating sunburn

Applying sunscreen every few hours is essential to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays. But with all the heat and sweat, I didn’t want to reach for my sunscreen again and again. At the end of the day, I realized it was a bad call as I ended up with a sunburn. To soothe my burning skin, I took cool baths and put an aloe vera moisturizer in it. But they weren’t enough to help heal my sunburned skin. My mom told me to use an essential oil to get rid of sunburn. She suggested I apply lavender oil for sunburn relief. I tried it and it helped reduce the pain and redness associated with sunburn. Here’s what an expert has to say about using lavender oil for sunburn.

What is sunburn?

Sunburn is an inflammatory skin reaction that occurs due to overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. You can also get sunburn from artificial sources such as tanning beds, says dermatologist Dr Neha Khuraana. UVA is the wavelength of light that can penetrate the deeper layers of our skin and cause skin damage over time. On the other hand, UVB is the wavelength of light that penetrates the skin the most and causes sunburn, the expert explains. UV light essentially damages skin cells and the immune system reacts to it by increasing blood flow to the affected areas. This in turn causes inflamed skin, known as sunburn.

What are the symptoms of sunburn?

Here are some of the symptoms of sunburn:

• Red, tender skin that feels warm to the touch.
• Bubbles.
• Severe reactions, including fever, chills, nausea or skin rash.
• Peeling of skin in sunburned areas.

How does lavender essential oil help with sunburn?

Lavender essential oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and healing properties, says the expert. Lavender oil may promote skin tissue healing, according to a 2016 study published in the journal BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. Because of these properties, this essential oil can help reduce redness, pain, and swelling. It can also be used by people with sensitive skin, as a 2004 study published in the journal Cell Proliferation found that lavender is one of the gentlest plant essential oils.

How to use lavender oil for sunburn?

To use lavender oil for sunburn, do the following:

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• Add 4 to 5 drops of lavender oil to a cold bath.
• Immerse your body in it for about 20 minutes.

If you don’t have a bathtub, you can put a few drops of essential oil in a bucket of cool water and apply it to the affected areas with a soft cloth, suggests Dr Khuraana.

Water alone may be sufficient for mild relief. However, for best results, dilute lavender essential oil with a carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil before applying to sunburned skin. This helps reduce irritation and increases absorption, providing more effective relief and soothing properties. you can mix 20 drops of lavender with 1 ounce or 30 ml of carrier oil and apply to sunburned skin. Repeat it 2 to 3 times a day on the affected areas, but do a patch test first.

What are the side effects of lavender oil for sunburn?

Lavender oil is extremely soothing, but if you are sensitive to fragrance, the smell of the oil may irritate your nose. It can cause nausea, vomiting and headaches, says the expert. People with allergies, eczema or dermatitis should also avoid it to prevent reactions.

Overexposure to harmful UV rays can lead to sunburn. You can use lavender essential oil to get relief from sunburn. But make sure you dilute it with water or a carrier oil, like coconut oil, so it’s not harsh on your skin.