What Is Aloe Vera?   

The aloe vera plant is considered a succulent shrub characterized by a short stem, thick leaves, and a jagged, brownish, frosted/greenish “flesh”.The leaves also include a clear gel which is incorporated as an ingredient for many skin ointments, available for purchase at drugstores. Known for their bright red or orange flowers, aloe vera plants also contain yellow flowers.   

 What Does Aloe Do For Sunburn?   

 The skin gets painful hot when sunburned, a cause for concern. Aloe gel has a long history of skin soothing and treatment for skin irritations. The gel does not remove the sunburn, but it has the following benefits:   

• Soothes the skin and helps cool, easing the burn sensation.   
• Alleviates inflammation, red patches, and swelling.   
• Prevents more severe skin peeling by hydrating, and repairing dry and damaged skin.   
• Vitamins and antioxidant A, C and E helps skin replenish itself and provide for the repair.   
• I think of aloe gel as a friend. A soothing effect is provided, but the gel does not “cure” the sunburn.

Which Types Of Aloe Vera Products Are Available?  

There are multiple products available that can help relieve sunburn pain. They include:  

• Aloe gel from the plant: You can cut an aloe vera leaf from the plant and scoop out the inner gel with a spoon.
• Aloe gel from the store: You can buy a bottle of store bought aloe gel but make sure it is labeled as “100% Aloe.” 
• Aloe vera lotions: You can buy after sun lotions that are mixed with aloe. 
• Aloe vera sprays: You can buy a cooling spray and use it for an easy and refreshing way to apply aloe.  

These products all contain the same aloe vera gel that will help with your sunburn, so use the one that is the most convenient for you.  

What Is The Correct Way To Use Aloe Vera For A Sunburn?  

In order to make the most of aloe vera, the aloe gel must be applied correctly. Follow these steps to correctly use aloe vera for a sunburn:  

• Cool the sunburn off first. Grab a cool cloth and place it on the sunburn to cool it, removing excess moisture. 
•  Apply an aloe vera. If you are using a fresh leaf, make sure to let the yellow part of the leaf drain out of the plant before using the leaf.
• If you are using store bought aloe gel, make sure it is one that is labeled as “100% Aloe Vera.”
• Applying Aloe Vera. Leave aloe gel on without rubbing it to create a protective cooling layer.
•  Add more when your sunburn feels hot or tight to make your skin more comfortable.

How to Choose Aloe Vera Products

When buying aloe products for sunburn relief, here are some tips to help you choose a good one:

• Look for aloe vera (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice) listed in the top half of the ingredients.
• Aloe vera products can have a label indicating whether the product contains a high percentage of aloe 
• Keep your eyes peeled for an organic certification (IASC) to help you choose a product with more pure aloe.
• Aloe vera gel should be colorless. If it has a green tint to the product, it probably has added dyes.
• Sunburned skin can be sensitive so don’t choose aloe products with fragrances, strong preservatives, or added alcohol.
• Sunburns pull water to the outer layers of your skin. Help your body heal by drinking water or electrolyte beverages.

Tips for Relieving Sunburn

• Take cool showers or baths. Not ICY water though. Cold water is soothing. Once you step out, don’t rub your skin dry. Leave your skin a little damp before putting on aloe or moisturizer. 
• Use soy-based lotions. Soy protein/ soybean oil can help your skin lock in moisture and reduce the burning. 
• Moisturize the skin. After cooling off, put on a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to the damp burned skin. This stops the skin from being tight. It also helps your skin moisture levels.
• Take OTC pain relievers. Meds that you can get without a prescription can help reduce the pain. Use the dosage instructions that are on the container.
• Avoid the sun. To protect the skin that is healing, wear loose, lightweight clothing. Until your skin is back to normal, stay out of the sun or use sunscreen.

What to Avoid

• Petroleum jelly and heavy oils. This can slow down your healing.
• Benzocaine and lidocaine. These can sting or further irritate your sunburned skin.
• Alcohol, dyes or fragrances. These can dry out your skin.
• Skincare acids. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid and retinol can cause more irritation to your skin.
• Extremes of temperature like ice or very hot water should never be used. While some might be tempted to use ice to cool a burn, and to counter that some use hot showers to heat a burn, both of these can further damage the skin.

 Bottom Line

Of course, the truth is that a sunburn cannot be remedied, and aloe vera can indeed do some good. Aloe vera can assist with alleviating the effects of a severe sunburn, and aloe vera has indeed been proved to cool, moisturize, and speed the healing of the skin.

During the healing of the skin, one must make sure to drink plenty of fluids, apply lotions, and practice skin protection. Besides aloe vera, the proper way to treat a sunburn has to speed the healing of the skin.

More vital than this, to prevent a severe sunburn, one must apply sunscreen, protect oneself, and stay in the shade.

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