Pharmacist shares sunburn remedies you have in your fridge – from cucumber to yoghurt

A pharmacist and health adviser has shared the natural remedies for sunburn that you probably already have in your fridge, that could help soothe the pain in a pinch

The UK is in the midst of another heatwave, and with the sun out in full force and bringing temperatures up to the mid-30s, Brits could face nasty sunburns if we don’t take the proper precautions when heading outside. If you find that you’ve forgotten to slather on the suncream, worry not, as there are several at-home remedies you can try to soothe your skin.

Most supermarkets will sell aftersun creams that can make your burns a little more bearable, but if you don’t have any at home and you can’t get to a shop, one pharmacist says you probably have other items at home that you can use – and they’re inside your fridge.

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Parvinder Sagoo, Lead Pharmacist and health adviser for Simply Meds Online, has shared the five food items lurking in your fridge or cupboard that are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can help hydrate and soothe your bright red skin after a day in the sun – including cucumbers, carrots, and yoghurt.

Honey

The health expert states that honey is “crammed” with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to ease the pain you might feel on your sunburnt skin, and it can be applied directly to the burn before being washed off 30 minutes later.

He said: “Honey has so many health benefits, and so of course it can also be useful when it comes to soothing any sunburnt areas of skin. Crammed with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and rich in natural antioxidants, honey can be a fantastic remedy for burnt skin. Apply the honey directly onto any burnt areas and leave for around 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing off.”

Cucumbers

According to Parvinder, cucumber is best used to help reduce any swelling and inflammation that may occur after burning your skin. The vegetable can be sliced or blended before being placed on the skin, but you can achieve an extra cooling effect by freezing them first.

The pharmacist explained: “Cucumber can help to reduce any swelling and inflammation that may occur after burning your skin, so if you have this vegetable sitting in the fridge I suggest using it to treat these minor burns.

“You can either cut the cucumber up into slices and place those on the area, or blend them in a blender and apply the mixture over the burnt skin to cool it down. For an extra cooling and soothing effect, put the cucumber in the freeze for half an hour before using.”

Carrots

While honey and cucumber work best slathered on your skin, carrots can actually help your sunburn just through eating them, thanks to a carotenoid in the vegetable that works to heal burns from the inside out.

Parvinder said: “Carrots, when ingested, can be one of the best foods to have if you regularly suffer from sunburn. This is because of the beta carotene in the vegetable which is a carotenoid which works to naturally aid the healing of sunburn from the inside out and can help prevent those with sensitive skin from suffering from bad burns.

“Other foods which have this natural ingredient are potatoes and cantaloupe.”

Blueberries

The small blue fruit has been hailed for many years for being rich in antioxidants, and Parvinder says that eating a good portion of blueberries can help repair skin damage caused by the sun – especially if you’ve caught the sun on your face.

He noted: “Blueberries are packed with rich antioxidants that can help to fight off free radicals that can damage skin due to sun exposure. They are also a great source of vitamin C which can help to prevent ageing and fine lines developing.

“If you have suffered from sunburn, you should eat a good portion of blueberries to help try to counteract any damage, especially if this burn is on your face. Working to prevent skin damage from the inside out can be just as beneficial as using topical creams.”

Greek yoghurt

And finally, the health expert suggests applying yoghurt to your burns to help soothe the sore sensation. Not only will the cool dairy product help to ease the pain of the burn, but the lactic acid bacteria found in greek yoghurt can also help your burns heal faster.

Parvinder explained: “Applying cold yoghurt to any areas of sunburn can help to both soothe and cool the area. Greek yoghurt contains beneficial probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria which can help your burns to heal better and faster.

“You can apply a spoonful of cold yoghurt on the burnt area of skin and it should soothe the area within minutes.”

How to keep your skin safe in a heatwave

Although Parvinder’s at-home remedies may help to ease sunburn, it’s important to do what you can to avoid getting burnt in the first place – as sun damage can have long-lasting effects on your skin.

We recently reported that according to the NHS, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours while enjoying the weather outside, as the sun can dry the cream off of your skin.

If you take a dip in a pool or in the sea, you will need to reapply your sunscreen as soon as you get out of the water, and it’s good to get into the habit of doing so even if you’re wearing sunscreen that says it’s water resistant.

You should also try to remain in the shade when the sun is at its strongest, which is between 11 am and 3 pm from March to October in the UK, and it is also advised that you cover up with a t-shirt, hat, and sunglasses.

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