Dealing with sunburn - Aromatherapy

Chamomile oil will soothe and cool burning skin. The fastest and most effective way to relieve a large area of redness and stinging is to take a lukewarm bath with 5 or 6 drops of Chamomile essential oil added to the water. This can safely be repeated at intervals of a few hours until the burning sensation has subsided. If it is a child who is burnt, dilute 3-4 drops of chamomile oil in a little almond oil before adding to the bath.

More severe sunburn is best treated with Lavender oil, which is the first choice oil for burns of any kind. Make a solution of Lavender oil in boiled and cooled water( 12 drops to each tablespoon of water) and dab this on the burnt area if there is no blistering and the skin is not broken. If the skin is blistered, you can apply Lavender oil neat to the blisters.

Essential oil of Bergamot, most other citrus oils, Angelica root and few others make the skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays, so it burns more easily. This effect is known as photosensitization and can cause quite serious sunburns. The photosensitizing effect could last up to 24 hours unless the oil is diluted to less than 2%.

Prevention is better than cure, essential oils do not prevent sunburn, use a commercial preparation with a protection factor appropriate to your skin type and to the climate and conditions in which you will be sunbathing.