Essential Oils For Sunburn
We are all subjected to a nasty sunburn every now and again. When your skin is left red, inflamed and tender it’s hard to find the relief you need. Luckily, some essential oils are known to work wonders on sunburn while protecting the skin against bacteria and harsh environmental elements.
Benefits Of Essential Oils For Sunburn
When you get sunburnt, the sun’s UV rays penetrate the skin through the epidermis layer, damaging the skin's proteins and membranes. In an attempt to heal, your skin will slowly feel inflamed, painful and sensitive.
Some essential oils may help to cool and calm sunburnt skin with their natural healing and soothing properties. When you are dealt with a bad sunburn, essential oils are known to help in the following ways:
- Soothe inflammation
- Protect against UV exposure
- Calm irritation
- Pain relief
- Promote sleep
- Fight against bacteria production
Best Essential Oils For Sunburn
Essential oils are extremely versatile and hold a host of benefits for the skin. Filled with natural antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antibacterial properties, essential oils provide a gentle way to soothe your skin from a painful sunburn. Here are some of our favourite oils that can be used to treat sunburn naturally:
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil carries a floral, herbaceous aroma and is one of the most well-known essential oils that is known to assist with easing sunburn naturally. Filled with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic properties, Lavender Oil may reduce redness, soothe irritated and sensitive skin and protect against UV exposure. Lavender Oil is also known to relieve pain and encourage healing while promoting relaxation.
How To Use Lavender Essential Oil for Sunburn
- Diluting: Dilute in your favourite carrier oil, add your dilution to a roller bottle or glass pipette bottle and apply to the affected area. We recommend a 2 – 4% dilution for skin application and a 1 - 2% dilution for facial application.
- Moisturiser: You can also add Lavender Oil to a base moisturiser and apply it to the skin. For facial application, we recommend a 1 - 2% dilution.
Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot Essential Oil is extremely versatile and is known to have powerful healing and soothing properties, making it ideal for those wanting to relieve sore, sunburnt skin. With analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial abilities, Bergamot Oil may help to strengthen skin tissue and protect the skin against the growth of bacteria. Its analgesic properties may also assist with the pain associated with sunburn.
How To Use Bergamot Essential Oil for Sunburn
- Diluting: Dilute with your favourite carrier oil, add your dilution to a roller bottle or glass pipette bottle and apply to the affected area. We recommend a 2 – 4% dilution for skin application and a 1 - 2% dilution for facial application.
- Moisturiser: You can also add Bergamot Oil to your chosen moisturiser and apply to the skin. For facial application, we recommend a 1 - 2% dilution.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil carries a clean, earthy aroma as it cleanses and protects the skin. It provides powerful analgesic, antibacterial and healing properties and has been used in medicinal remedies for thousands of years. Tea Tree Oil is also known to ease inflammation, soothe irritated skin and alleviate the pain associated with sunburn.
How To Use Tea Tree Essential Oil for Sunburn
- Diluting: Dilute with your favourite carrier oil, add your dilution to a roller bottle or glass pipette bottle and apply to the affected area. We recommend a 2 – 4% dilution for skin application and a 1 - 2% dilution for facial application.
- Moisturiser: You can also add Tea Tree Oil to your chosen moisturiser and apply it to your skin. For facial application, we recommend a 1 - 2% dilution.
Myrrh Essential Essential Oil
Myrrh Essential Oil holds a spicy, warm aroma and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine dating back to the Tang Dynasty. It is now known to stimulate blood circulation and reduce pain and swelling while deeply moisturising the skin. Myrrh Oil is also known to cleanse the skin and promote the healing of wounds and infections.
How To Use Myrrh Essential Oil for Sunburn
- Diluting: Dilute with your favourite carrier oil, add your dilution to a roller bottle or glass pipette bottle and apply to the affected area. We recommend a 2 – 4% dilution for skin application and a 1 - 2% dilution for facial application.
- Moisturiser: You can also add Myrrh Oil to your chosen moisturiser and apply it on the skin. For facial application we recommend a 1 - 2% dilution.
Essential Oil Packs Designed for Sunburn
AWO’s Skin Repair Essential Oils Pack contains three essential oils that are known to nourish and soothe a variety of skin complaints including inflamed skin and sunburns. Consisting of Lavender, Myrrh and Tea Tree Essential Oil, our Skin Repair pack is filled with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic properties that may assist with the healing process. These essential oils may also naturally restore moisture levels while protecting the skin against additional damage and bacteria.
Dilution Guidelines
Essential oils are highly concentrated, so you must be using a safe amount when diluting and using them on the skin. When using essential oils for skin, we recommend diluting with a carrier oil. Some of our most popular carrier oils include:
- Coconut Oil
- Pomegranate Oil
- Argan Oil
- Almond Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Unscented Massage Oil
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult with your GP or healthcare professional before implementing essential oils into your routine.
Discontinue use immediately if you notice irritation from the essential oil and contact your doctor. We always recommend doing a test patch on a small area of your skin before applying your formulation to the sunburn. If the sunburn gets worse, contact your doctor as it may be infected.
Other Tips For Treating Sunburn
Sunburnt skin is extremely sensitive, easily aggravated and can take up to several days or weeks to completely heal. In the meantime, there are a few ways you can manage, treat and alleviate symptoms of sunburn:
- Avoid taking hot showers
- Moisturise regularly
- Apply aloe vera to the sunburn
- Drink plenty of water
If you are experiencing more severe sunburn symptoms such as a fever or headache, please visit your GP or health care professional for examination.
Where To Buy Essential Oils For Sunburn
While essential oils are generally available to purchase at health, wellness and retail stores, it is important to keep in mind that the purity and quality of these essential oils will vary. That is why we recommend finding a reputable supplier.
Here at AWO, we have a wide selection of 100% pure essential oils and organic essential oils that are sold at reasonable prices. Because our stock is purchased in bulk quantities our costs are significantly less, which allows us to offer our high-quality products at affordable prices. We are also based right here in Australia!
Essential Oil Safety
Whilst essential oils are natural products, they are extremely potent and can cause serious harm if used incorrectly. For this reason, we recommend the following:
- In line with the Therapeutic Goods Act, we do not recommend ingesting essential oils without the guidance of a registered Aromatherapist or Naturopath.
- Avoid using essential oils during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.
- We recommend storing your essential oils in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children or pets.
- Essential oils can be very concentrated and are likely to cause irritation or reactions if applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it is important to first dilute your essential oils before using topically (on the skin). Our recommended dilution percentages can be found under the ‘Best Essential Oils For Sunburn’ section.