How to Help Prevent and SOOTH Sunburns with Essential Oils!

So if you're anything like me, getting rid of chemical laden products has been a bit of a transition.

If you grew up like I did, the ingredient list on a bottle of lotion was nothing of importance.  And when it came to sunscreen,  as long as it was spf30 or more, we were good to go.

It's only been this past year that I've realized some of the effects that these chemicals can have on the health of our children and ourselves.  Not to mention the fact that most lotions sting Noelle's poor TSW skin like crazy.

I recently wrote a post that listed pretty much every toiletry item in our home and how we had switched out traditional toxic products for natural ones.

One of those products was sunscreen in which I linked to Wellness Mama's blog detailing her sunscreen recipe.  I hadn't had a chance to try her recipe yet so I linked to her for the info.

Well, it IS summer now and we chose a different route for sunscreen.   We used Young Living's Carrot Seed Essential Oil mixed with coconut oil.

Carrot seed oil has a natural spf of 35-40!! 

And coconut oil has an spf of 2-8. 

We also added lavender to ours which is great for the skin.

I was pretty skeptical about this, as I have never used a natural form of sunscreen before!  

But let me tell you, I usually burn within 45 minutes because I'm pretty fair skinned, and I was in the sun for a couple hours the other day and had NO burn!  

I have been using it on the kiddos as well and we have seen no sunburns on them either!

I'm pretty excited to be able to share this with you guys and say that we are using it with success.

There are many different recipes out there for sunscreen, but I will share what we used and then a couple other options for you to personalize your own sunscreen and help your heal if you're already burned!

What you'll need for my sunscreen:

• 2/3 Cup of organic unrefined coconut oil
• 25 drops of YL Carrot Seed Essential Oil
• 10 drops of YL Lavender Essential Oil

Whip these together with an electric mixer until fluffy and store in a glass container.

***If it's too warm, the coconut oil won't "fluff up."  You can put the mixture in the fridge for a few minutes to cool before mixing if necessary.

 

I know, it's a horrible picture...did I mention I'm NOT your average blog photographer?

Apply frequently when in the sun and/or water for a prolonged period of time!

This has worked really well for us so far, but here are some other options as well.

Remember the body butter I made a while back?  You can simply follow those instructions and add Carrot Seed and Lavender to it if you already know you like the texture of that one.

If you want to add some bulk to my first sunscreen recipe, here are two alternative recipes for you to try!

Alternative #1:

• 1/3 Cup organic cold pressed coconut oil
• 1/3 Cup organic unrefined shea butter
• 25 drops of YL Carrot Seed Essential Oil
• 10 drops of YL Lavender Essential Oil

To get a nice velvety cream, you'll want to first melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a mason jar set in boiling water on the stove.

Once it melts together, pour it into a separate mixing bowl to cool.

Once cooled, add your essential oils and whip with your electric mixer until creamy!

Want your cream to stay set up in the heat instead of liquifying so quickly?

Try this recipe.

Alternative #2:

• 1/3 Cup organic cold pressed coconut oil
• 1/3 Cup organic unrefined shea butter
• 1-5 TBSP beeswax (the more you add the firmer it will be)
• 25 drops of YL Carrot Seed Essential Oil
• 10 drops of YL Lavender Essential Oil

Follow the same instructions as the previous recipe! 

Other essential oil options that can be helpful if you have a sunburn:

• Helichrysm
• Myrrh
• Roman Chamomile

So, what if you went in the sun and did NOT use any sunscreen?  And stayed out too long?  And now you're burning up and your skin is red and hot to the touch?

Story of my life.

But I have found what helps!

Like I said, I sunburn very easily, and have already burned this year (prior to making my own sunscreen!).

Here's how I have eased my burns and prevented mine from peeling!

What you'll need:

• Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
• YL Lavender Essential Oil
• YL Frankincense Essential Oil (optional)
• YL Peppermint Essential Oil (optional)
• YL LavaDerm Cooling Mist(optional)
• Raw apple cider vinegar (optional)

Here is what I do for my sunburns:

As soon as I notice I'm burned, I apply Lavender UNdiluted directly to the sunburn.

Once it's absorbed some, I follow that with coconut oil to keep the skin moisturized.

I try and do this SEVERAL times a day when I'm burned. 

I alternate the Lavender and coconut oil regimen with YL's LavaDerm cooling mist.  This spray has Lavender and Spiknard oils along with Aloe and trace minerals.  It is cooling and very soothing to the skin!

Once I notice the redness has decreased, I make sure to at LEAST continue with the coconut oil for a week or so.  That way I keep the skin plenty moisturized and I don't peel!

Other options for relief:

• Frankincense is also great for the skin and will "drive" the lavender deeper into the tissue if layered on the skin after the lavender.

• Peppermint will seriously cool the skin!  Applying a small amount after lavender may help relieve the burn.

• Apple cider vinegar is wonderful for the skin as well.  I haven't tried this, but have heard LOTS of great things about soaking the skin in ACV and then letting it dry.  Follow with your essential oils and coconut oil. 

So there ya go!

I hope this helps keep you and your family FREE of sunburns this year!  Remember that natural remedies are very specific to each person's needs.  Make sure to test the recipe you choose and feel free to alter it as necessary!

I'm sure that if you've found this AFTER you've already been burned in the sun, the options I've listed will help you get rid of that sunburn FAST!

Let me know if you use any of my recipes and how they've worked for your family!

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional.  I simply make decisions on how to care for and improve the health of my own family.  None of the statements on my blog have been evaluated by the FDA and any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This post also contains affiliate links to the company which I have personally used and recommend.  If you purchase through these links, I will receive a commission, however the cost to you remains the same!