It happens to most of us — we spend the day outside, soaking up the sun and having a great time, when all the sudden, that familiar, uncomfortable burn begins. Inevitably, anyone around you has to confirm your fear: “Whoa! Nice sunburn!”
While it’s easy to get caught up in the immediate and cosmetic discomfort of a sunburn, remember that the real damage done to your skin can take months for your body to repair. While the pain of a sunburn can last about a week, it actually takes your skin months to fully heal itself and protect that freshly exposed and sensitive skin.
Since a young age, we’ve all been taught how to stay safe in the sun, but it’s almost too easy to forget or just not take the time to do it. Prevention is key to avoid a sunburn, so let’s go over some inexcusably easy steps to take to keep your skin safe. Ladies — before you spend the day in the sun, start your sunburn prevention by donning that big floppy hat and flowing maxi skirt. These help protect the often forgotten areas of the lips, ears, back of neck, and backs of knees — keep them covered to keep them safe! And guys, keep that ball cap on for face protection.
Also, sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Apply it as often as the product recommends it or as often as you need it. And as soon as you feel the redness, it’s time to take action! Reduce the damage being done to the skin’s cells by covering up and giving your skin the chance to heal as quickly as possible.
Try this luxurious DIY to pamper your sunburned skin and start feeling better!
DIY Burn Bliss
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup black tea leaves
- 1/4 cup organic lavender buds
- 1/4 cup organic calendula petals
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1 oz Jojoba Carrier Oil
- 10 drops Vitamin E
- 9 drops Organic Lavender
- 4 drops Chamomile German
- 1 drop Sandalwood Australian
- Muslin bags
What you’ll do:
Use a food processor to grind all the ingredients together. Scoop into muslin bags and store in Ziploc bag. To use, place one muslin bag into bath water and agitate water with hand. Get in bath and enjoy!
Check back with us tomorrow for another amazing DIY sunburn remedy!
i was just wondering about this! Also, do you have a bug bite itch relief blend (either DIY or available for purchase?) Bonus if it’s kidsafe. We’re trying to ward off bites altogether but they sneak through sometimes and my 6 year old needs some itch relief.
We have a blend called Itch Away that is KidSafe that would be great!
https://www.planttherapy.com/itch-away-kidsafe-essential-oil
I love that you are providing these diy natural recipes on the blog – I just mixed up a batch before I was this but will try this next!
Definitely making this for using when my granddaughter is here. She is fair skinned and burns so easily. This smix for her.ounds like the perfect
I hope it works well for her! 🙂
Yes! This looks wonderful. I always burn.
Can we use green tea leaves if we don’t have black tea? Wondering if it will change the blend.
Black Tea is pretty important in this recipe, so I would suggest picking some up.
Sounds really soothing. I just might need to whip some up for the upcoming holiday. Thanks 🙂
This sounds like a great recipe for this hot weather
This sounds like a great item to make and keep on hand for the summer months and luckily I have everything on the list. Could anyone tell me how long these will keep for and should I keep them in the fridge for the longest possible shelf life as well? Thank you 🙂
Thank you!! Just in time for Vacation!!!
I always burn so thank you for this! lol
We hope it helps you out this summer!
This sounds absolutely delightful and soothing. I think I’ll steep myself a bath and sip some lavender tea after my next go ’round with the sun! 🙂
That sounds perfect, Jessie! Thank you for sharing!
Where do you all purchase your calendula petals and lavender buds?
I purchased all my dried flowers and herbs from Bulk Apothecary
How long will this stay good, shelf life I guess?
I would use it up within a couple of months. 🙂
I’m definitely pinning this post; this recipe will come in handy during our travels!
Thank you! We hope it helps you during your travels!
All I need is the Calendula leaves and I will be trying this. Sounds soothing and calming.
This sounds lovely and soothing! Is there a good sub for the German Chamomile?
What a great recipe! Have everything I need except the sandalwood! Maybe I can get a bottle during CAM. Would this be safe with kids? My granddaughters came back from beach with sunburn even though they used sunscreen. I purchased the organic calendula petals and lavender buds from Amazon.
Also, could I use empty tea bags if I don’t have muslin?
Thanks for a great recipe! Love Plant Therapy!
Sorry I just saw the Kidsafe logo so disregard that question. 🙂
Thats an awesome recipe…now to look for some of this stuff. With my husband being very Irish, he burns so easily that we go thru so much sunscreen and aloe each summer to relieve the burn.
Thank you for sharing, Kari! We hope this DIY offers your husband some relief!
Looking forward to tomorrow’s post as I don’t take baths. Wondering if this could be a compress…
I don’t see why not!
That sounds so relaxing. Thanks to your blog posts and the mothers day set, you have made me a lover of aromatherapy baths.
That is so wonderful, Tiffany! Thank you for sharing — we so glad you are enjoying aromatherapy baths 🙂
What a great idea! I’m going to have to look for some of this stuff
I need to make this! Tonight! We were at the waterslides all day today!! Great timing! Thank you Plant Therapy!!!!
This sounds nice! I have everything except the oils. Any substitutes for them?
Nothing compares to oils
Perfect timing I burned horribly this weekend
Oh no! Well, we hope our DIYs can offer a bit of relief 🙂
This is so timely, as I just got my worst sunburn in YEARS! Would grapeseed oil work in place of jojoba for the carrier oil?
Sure! Just swap it out for the carrier oil of your choice.
Ohhh! I hope I can find those dried blossoms somewhere here. What a great idea!
Good read.
Definitely going to have to try this.
Looking forward to trying this sunburn relief! Want to be able to go for my hikes and not have to put on sunscreen with chemicals, but often get a little red by the end of the day. Hope this works!
Looks like an amazing recipie. Where can you buy lavender buds and black tea leaves?
Black tea leaves you can buy at any grocery store in the tea section. Lavender buds can typically be found at local health food stores.
Amanda. I get my black tea from Harney & Sons… really nice teas and they have free shipping just like Plant therapy. I’ve purchased Lavender on Amazon. I made sure to look for food grade. It was $13.99 for 8 oz which is a lot. I mix it with chamomile flowers for a relaxing tea. Also, I use it in soap making. I’m definitely going to try this recipe as soon as I get some Calendula petals.