Summer is officially here, and as Mother Nature cranks up the mercury, the sun’s rays crank up their intensity as well. Sooner or later, that is bound to lead to sunburn. It’s always a good idea to wear sunscreen when you’re out in the sun, but if you end up burned, you’ll certainly be looking for a speedy remedy.
Aloe vera is the typical, go-to remedy thanks to its natural soothing properties, but there's another home remedy you may not have heard of: apple cider vinegar.
There are tons of apple cider vinegar uses. It’s one of the most versatile products you can buy and is a natural alternative to a number of household cleaners, personal care items, and medications. It can even be used for weight loss! Here, we'll outline three different ways to use apple cider vinegar for sunburn right at home.
Thumbnail Photo: Flickr: Jeremy Tarling, Rajya Laxmi, Mike Mozart
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is made from cider or apple must. Just like conventional vinegar, it can be used around the kitchen in a variety of ways. But it is beneficial for more than just salad dressing — according to several studies, it can help with everything from blood sugar stability to skin tags. The acidity also helps with pH balance, which makes it a great treatment for acid reflux, according to refluxmd.com.
What Does Apple Cider Vinegar Do For Sunburn?
According to Wound Care Society, apple cider vinegar is known for its ability to kill bad bacteria while maintaining good bacteria.
These properties help sunburn in the following ways:
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Alleviating the painful, stinging sensation.
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Preventing skin from becoming infected.
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Reducing the likelihood of peeling, especially when followed with coconut oil.
Why Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help Sunburn?
Vinegar is a natural antiseptic, which makes it ideal for healing minor skin conditions, like small rashes, eczema, and of course, sunburn. According to livestrong.com, “Vinegar helps to balance the pH (acid or alkalinity) of sunburned skin, promoting healing. Vinegar will also reduce the likelihood that your skin will form blisters after burning.”
Apple Cider Vinegar Sunburn Remedy #1
The butterbeliever website recommends using apple cider vinegar (ACV) for sunburn relief and following it with coconut oil to moisturize skin and prevent peeling. Here’s how to do it:
- Wet a soft washcloth with cold water.
- Splash some ACV on the wet washcloth and apply to burnt skin.
- Follow by rubbing coconut oil on the affected area.
Don't Go Back In The Sun
If you use this method, just be sure not to go back out in the sun after applying the coconut oil. Research indicates that, contrary to popular belief, it contains virtually no protection from the sun’s rays.
Apple Cider Vinegar Sunburn Remedy #2
Another method you can try when the sun stings your skin is an apple cider vinegar bath. This simple method involves adding apple cider vinegar to your bath and soaking your sunburnt skin. Leaf.tv recommends these steps:
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Add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar to your bath water. Bathtub water should not be hot, but rather cool.
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Soak in the bath for 30 minutes.
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Dry off by dabbing, not wiping, your skin with a soft cotton towel.
Apple Cider Vinegar Sunburn Remedy #3
For painful sunburn in hard-to-reach areas, consider creating a soothing summer spritzer. To do this, dilute apple cider vinegar with cold water and add it to a spray bottle. Then, just give your skin a couple of light sprays whenever it starts to heat up. Here’s a great apple cider vinegar sunburn remedy:
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Pour 2 tbsps. of apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle.
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Pour 1 cup of cold water into the same bottle.
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Shake the bottle and lightly spray the affected area as needed.
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Store the bottle in the refrigerator for extra cooling relief.
Always Dilute Apple Cider Vinegar For Skin
Even though many people have used apple cider vinegar as a remedy for burns, it is important to be careful when using it. After all, it is still vinegar, so the acid should never be used alone. Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water to avoid getting burned.
If you are planning to use apple cider vinegar for sunburn this summer, please SHARE this article with anyone who could use this helpful, homemade remedy.
