The benefits of the sun stretch far and wide – sun exposure is essential not only for vitamin D production but also for hormonal balancing, mood improvement, and even a strong immune system. In fact, a Swedish study found that women who avoid the sun actually have a higher risk of mortality than those who spend time sunbathing.

While sun exposure is beneficial to our health, it is also extremely important to take precautions to protect our skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation – wearing natural sunscreen when needed, covering up at the beach, seeking shade when you’ve had enough, and even eating a diet that supports skin health.

That being said, IIN believes in bio-individuality, the concept that what works for one person may not work for another. Some people require more sun exposure than others for optimal health, so knowing your body and skin type is key!

While we can take precautions to avoid overexposure, most people have gotten sunburned at some point in their lives! For those of us who have accidentally spent too long in the sun or forgotten to reapply sunscreen after a dip in the ocean, here are some natural remedies that can help reduce pain and redness AND support the body’s healing process!

1. Hydration
Drink plenty of water. Sunburns are very drying for our skin, and we are often quite dehydrated after spending time in the sun. While it’s important to drink water all day, extra hydration is helpful when recovering from a sunburn. Experiment with other hydrating liquids, such as herbal teas or coconut water.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Diluting apple cider vinegar in water and applying it to a sunburn is a great remedy! Try combining one cup of water with one cup of apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz directly onto your sunburn to soothe the pain.

3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is great for alleviating pain, minimizing redness, and moisturizing your skin to prevent peeling. It can also be used as a very mild sunscreen. (Please note, however, that it isn’t strong enough to use as your only form of skin protection.)

Wherever you are in the world, enjoy the many benefits of sunshine! Be sure to know your skin type, use necessary precautions, and listen to your body when you’ve had enough exposure.