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If you love summer, you probably love the sun too. That means spending a lot of time outdoors, whether in nature or on the beach. Whether you’re aiming for that perfect tan you’ve been craving all winter and spring or just love the warm caress of the sun on your skin, you will probably be exposed to its UV rays this summer – it’s pretty much unavoidable.
Yes, we know these UV rays can be harmful to our skin, which is why doctors recommend avoiding peak sun hours. But let's face it, that’s not always doable, especially if our work or lifestyle requires us to go out during those times.
However, there are some things we can all do to protect our skin, and here are the two most common steps: apply an SPF cream all over your skin before going out and practice an after-sun treatment afterward to help your sun-exposed (or sunburned) skin heal faster.
In this post, we’ll focus mostly on that second step, but before we get into that, let's see what happens when we get exposed to UV rays for too long.
The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are a form of radiation that can cause significant damage to our skin. There are two main types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate the skin deeply, which can cause premature aging and wrinkling, while UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and can directly damage the DNA in skin cells, leading to skin cancer.
This is why protecting your skin is so important. This includes using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and avoiding peak sun hours. However, even with the best precautions, sun damage can still occur.
Sun damage can result in various skin issues, including:
The most common type of skin sun damage is sunburn which occurs when UV radiation from the sun damages the DNA in skin cells, leading to cell death and triggering an immune response, causing inflammation, redness, irritation, and pain.
Burns, including sunburns, can be classified by severity: first, second, third, and fourth-degree burns. While the first two can be taken care of at home with after-sun treatments and natural remedies like aloe vera gel, it's important to remember that third- and fourth-degree burns are medical emergencies and require hospital treatment.
Did you know that, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, moisturizers containing aloe vera can help to soothe sunburn? Aloe vera is a succulent plant that contains a gel-like substance known for its soothing and healing properties, and many studies have shown that the soothing gel from its leaves can help heal sunburns and is effective for treating first-degree burns and mild to moderate second-degree burns.
The chemical structure of aloe vera gel includes:
Based on what we just learned, we can see how aloe vera gel can be effective in helping with reducing inflammation, reducing pain, stimulating collagen production, hydrating, and moisturizing, which all help in the healing process of sun-damaged skin.
There are a few ways you can use aloe vera gel to soothe burns, inflammation, and irritation from sun damage. You can use it on its own as purified gel or a spray, or include it in various DIY recipes. Here are five methods we suggest trying out!
Using aloe vera gel directly from the leaves provides instant soothing and healing benefits due to its rich vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Here’s how you can extract and apply it:
Extracting the Gel:
Applying the Gel:
However, this technique can be quite tiresome and messy which is why many people prefer to avoid it altogether. If you're in that camp, don't worry—there's still hope!
Don't like the mess of cutting the aloe vera leaves yourself? No problem! Many wellness, healthcare, and beauty brands offer their own packaged and purified aloe vera gels for convenience. But here's the trick. If you want to get the most of the aloe vera's health benefits, you need to make sure you're using great quality, 100% natural, and organic aloe vera gel without additives. Such is Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel.
Here’s what to look for:
Apply the natural aloe vera gel in the same way as directly extracted gel, covering all sun-damaged areas thoroughly for effective relief and hydration.
Aloe vera sprays offer a convenient way to apply a light mist of soothing gel to sun-exposed skin and are the perfect choice for those who don't prefer the gel consistency. They also provide instant cooling and relief, ideal for soothing sunburns and reducing inflammation without the need for direct contact.
Using aloe vera sprays is so easy:
Seven Minerals offers two types of After Sun Aloe Vera Sprays:
DIY aloe vera toners combine their soothing properties with other natural ingredients and offer a refreshing treatment that your skin needs after a long day under the sun. Here’s what you'll need:
And here's what you should do next:
Now, your skin will absolutely love this. Aloe vera masks provide intense hydration and healing benefits for sun-damaged skin. Just make sure you have the following:
Here's how you do the mask:
This DIY mask nourishes and soothes sun-damaged skin, leaving it refreshed, hydrated, and glowing.
Yes, we know it, sun damage can have lasting effects on your skin, but with proper care and natural remedies, you can bring back your skin's glow. As we've seen, aloe vera is a real lifesaver for post-sun care, thanks to its soothing, moisturizing, and healing benefits. So, grab a high-quality, 100% pure, natural aloe vera gel and embrace the summer sun without worries!
