I’m usually known as that person who’s paranoid about sun exposure. I never leave the house without using a high SPF moisturizer on my face and neck and every Sunday that’s spent poolside during summer involves the use of SPF 30 and higher. That’s why I don’t understand what tempted me to skip my usual SPF-slathering ritual last weekend, as I ended up with a horrible sunburn on half of my body. Front half, to be precise, as I was laying on my back. Yes, it does look ridiculous.
It might have been the over-excitement of the 4th of July holiday and a 3-day weekend, but I simply forgot to use sunscreen while spending an entire day in the pool. The sun wasn’t extremely bright, it was windy and I was actually cold at times (that sort of deceiving sun exposure is the worst!). Thankfully, my face was covered with an SPF50 moisturizer so it’s still as pale as a ghost, and more importantly, sunburn-free.
The sunburn left me with a slight temperature, I was hot and cold at the same time and had horrible chills and shivers (sunburn can often cause flu-like symptoms). I made sure to drink lots of water, I think I must have drank about 3 liters that night, took some Advil to relieve the pain and inflammation-that alone made me feel a lot better. As far as my skin was concerned, I was in a lot pain. Although I don’t get sunburn often, my favorite remedy is fresh aloe vera leaf sap. Applied directly to skin it immediately soothes it and brings a lot of relief. There are also a few products that I found really helpful.
Coconut oil– you guys know how much I love it, not just for cooking, but also for both skin and haircare. As soon I applied the coconut oil into my skin, it felt calm and moisturized. It’s very light, comforting and smells amazing! I usually also like Hawaiian Tropic products, most of the time they’re great and gentle on the skin. The Silk Hydration After Sun lotion is infused with mango, Shea butters and aloe leaf juice and has a very pleasant coconut & papaya fragrance. The formula is very light and it really feels like silk when it’s applied to the skin. The Cool Aloe Vera Gel, also by Hawaiian Tropic is enriched with Vitamins A & E and has helped me with the most annoying aspect of sunburn: dry, itchy skin. Mario Badescu’s Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater also helped me relieve the discomfort. It contains no alcohol and is packed with herbal and rose extracts, few spritz of this magic potion and my skin immediately felt better. I’m on my second bottle of this spray and love it just as much as I did when I first started using it, if not more.
To relieve the symptoms of sunburn try to stay away from thick creams and lotions and opt for lighter formulas, preferably containing ingredients such as Vitamin E and Aloe Vera. Of course, just like with anything else, the best remedy for sunburn is to prevent in the first place, so learn from my mistakes and apply your sunscreen! Even on those cloudy and windy days! ;) .
23 Comments
Angela G
July 11, 2014 at 8:57 pmCoconut oil is my favourite! It has so many uses it’s crazy. x
♥ The Sunday Chapter
Paula
July 15, 2014 at 10:53 amRight? :)
Abby
July 11, 2014 at 9:12 pmI never got the “thing” about Coconut oil, but now that I have tried it I absolutely love it! I also have been on the hunt for the Hawaiian Tropic lotion, but haven’t been able to find it. Great post1
Paula
July 15, 2014 at 10:53 amThanks Abby!
Kira McGrigg
July 11, 2014 at 10:41 pmWell I will no doubt be picking up the facial spray on my next Ulta run, your pictures make everything look so divine!
Paula
July 15, 2014 at 12:17 pmThat facial spray is everything <3 Thanks so much Kira <3
Alexandria
July 12, 2014 at 1:52 amThanks so much for posting this! I have super fair skin and even when I have sunscreen on if I’m in the sun for extended periods of time I get burnt. Last week I got burnt because I fell asleep under a tree by the pool and by the time I woke up the sun was on my legs and now I have weird blotchy tan marks, ugh! I’m going to try a few of these remedies next time!!
xoxo
-A | fairestofusall.blogspot.ca
Paula
July 15, 2014 at 10:33 amAwe that sucks! Hope your skin gets better soon <3.
Ambi
July 12, 2014 at 4:05 amsuch a great post !! i were looking something like this to read :) I am back now :) xx
http://www.ambifashion.com
BerryBloomXO
July 12, 2014 at 8:34 amCoconut Oil seems to be like a god-send at the moment! For hair, skin and food – what more could it be useful for?!
Thankfully I don’t easily sunburn but these tips and product recommendations are lovely!
<3
xoxo,
BerryBloomXO.com | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
Paula
July 15, 2014 at 10:19 amHaha I know, right? It’s so amazing, all natural and it smells delicious too. Can’t beat that!
gail
July 13, 2014 at 6:22 amI love coconut oil so much hun because it’s very good for skin and health! I use it for hair and as a makeup remover! xx
Lorietta
July 13, 2014 at 9:52 amoh I love coconut oil too!:) it smells amazing and it helps to calm irritated skin.
http://www.Lorietta.cz
Paula
July 15, 2014 at 10:17 amI do too!
fashion railways
July 13, 2014 at 11:25 amhey!
amazing blog and outfits!
wana follow each other?
http://www.fashionrailways.com
May Casson
July 14, 2014 at 4:32 amIn summer I lather myself in coconut oil and lay in the sun hoping for a tan. Usually I just go red then white again. Great advice though. I have Aloe Vera spray in my fridge always!
http://www.kindoflovely.com
Paula
July 15, 2014 at 10:08 amThanks!
monique
July 14, 2014 at 10:31 amLovely products :) I love the packaging from the coconut one :)
Anna-Alina
July 14, 2014 at 4:00 pmDo you want follow each other via bloglovin? Let me know!
Sadie
July 14, 2014 at 5:11 pmI have never used coconut oil but definitely need to try some seeing as it has so many uses. My go to sunburn product is definitely aloe vera gel, it is so soothing :) xx
Paula
July 15, 2014 at 9:59 amAloe vera is the best <3
Sophie Sierra
July 14, 2014 at 7:36 pmAww Paula am sorry to hear you got burnt; it’s always so horrible to experience :( I’m even sorrier to hear you had horrible flu like symptoms, seems so unfair especially as you are always usually so vigilant with sun protection! I hope you feel much better now <3
Well done for raising an important post that's especially relevant and vital to be aware of. I can't say I've heard or read of another blogger covering this, so go girl! :D ;) Coconut Oil sounds like a must-have, and I had a small tube of Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration a few years back and always remember it as a gorgeous smelling wonder product but stupidly I managed to lose it haha!
During my time in LA I slathered on loads of suncream but several times I still got burnt (the curse of freckles and casper like skin for ya!)
Sophie xo
Paula
July 15, 2014 at 9:59 amThanks Sophie, I’m much better now :) I can guarantee that it was the first and last time that I ever skipped on sunscreen. Never want to go through that pain again haha :) I take sun protection very seriously and always school everyone on it, that’s why I felt a bit stupid when I was the one who ended up looking as red as a beet haha :) ;)