Vinegar for Sunburn Relief: A Natural Home Remedy

Do you dread the summer season due to sunburn? Well, sunburn pain and the peeling off of the skin can be distressing and can be a great cause of concern. However, you can always pick up a vinegar bottle from your treasure trove of ingredients – your kitchen – and soothe your discomfort. Vinegar is a tried and tested home remedy for treating sunburn.

Would you like to know more about how you can use vinegar to treat sunburn? Go ahead and read.

Properties Of Vinegar

According to a College health nurse at the University of Pittsburg, Bradford, vinegar contains antiseptic properties and hence is effective in killing germs and relieving pain caused due to sunburn. Vinegar balances the pH of sunburned skin and promotes healing. It reduces the chances of blister formation after burning (1). Due to these attributes, it is also known as a natural sunburn lotion.

You can always find a good brand of vinegar at the grocery store. However, the most effective one is apple cider vinegar (2). It is the perfect vinegar for treating different types of skin conditions including blistering and peeling caused due to sunburn. Try using homemade apple cider vinegar for best results. Add 2 parts of cold water to 1 part of vinegar to the mixture, as vinegar is highly acidic in nature.

Vinegar Bath For Sunburn

There are different steps for taking a vinegar bath for treating sunburn. Given below are the common steps that are followed to get relief from the sun damage. They are as follows:

1. Shower

If you are troubled by sunburn symptoms, take a shower using cool or lukewarm water. Hot water can increase the irritation and pain, and so it should be avoided. Clean the body of any cream or lotion chemicals, and avoid using soap.

2. Dry Gently

Dry the body gently with a padding motion using a soft towel to reduce the chances of irritation.

3. Soak The Towel/Washcloth In The Mixture

Soak your towel or washcloth in the vinegar mixture as prepared by the above method.

4. Place The Towel On The Sunburn

Drain the towel a little, so that it is not wet or the water isn’t dripping, and then place it on the sunburned skin for around 15 minutes. You can extend the time until the pain has reduced completely.

5. Repeat The Process

Repeat the same process for other sunburned areas of the skin. You can apply the soaked towel twice or even thrice a day if the sunburn persists.

Alternative Methods

• You can add vinegar to the bath water and sit in the tub for around 15 minutes. Make sure that the bath water is not too hot by putting your hand first.
• Another easy method is to make a mixture of apple cider vinegar and cold water in the proportion of 1:2 and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar mixture on the infected areas.
• Keep on using the vinegar treatment until the sunburns have healed completely.
• You can enhance the effect by mixing Aloe Vera in the mixture as it will hydrate the skin and make it soft.

Prevention Is Always Better

Prevention is always better than cure, and hence, if your skin is sensitive to sunburn, you must try to protect it before going directly under the sun.

• Using a good brand of sunscreen lotion with a high SPF is recommended.
• You must cover your face and other exposed areas with scarf and sun coat.
• You must use an umbrella and goggles to protect the eyes and the delicate under-eye areas.

For better results, you must use a good brand of apple cider vinegar, and that too in the exact proportion. Many people are allergic to vinegar (3). Hence, a skin test prior to the vinegar bath is advisable. If you have dry skin, add a few drops of pure essential oils of your choice to keep your skin soft.

Have you ever tried vinegar bath for sunburn? Did you find it effective? Do tell us by commenting in the box below.