If you are looking for ways to relieve your sunburned skin, use coconut oil to aid it and ensure comfort.
There are a lot of benefits of using coconut oil for sunburn.
While sunburn is very common, so are the concerns that come along with it.
Coconut oil is one of the most natural and widely used oil all over the world and gained popularity in the field of skincare as well.
The oil comes along with many skin benefits. Using it to heal your sunburn is the best natural way you can adopt.
Read along to know what properties make coconut oil one of the best choices for healing sunburns and how you can use it correctly.
In this article, we will cover:
- What coconut oil is along with its properties
- How you may develop sunburn
- Reasons why you should use coconut oil for treating sunburn
- Some tips for you
- Answers to some frequently asked questions
Coconut Oil and its Properties
Coconut oil is the sweet smelling oil extracted from the meat or kernel of the giant and matured coconuts.
People all over the world have been procuring the fantastic benefits of this oil for centuries. [1]
The composition of coconut oil comprises high saturated fats which are very useful for a human body, and they do not cause any harm.
The oil is enriched with natural fungicidal, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. [2]
It is a package of powerful antioxidants along with vitamin E, vitamin K, proteins and many other healthy nutrients essential for your body. [2]
Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has its health and industrial interests.
For health benefits, the oil is used in two grades: Culinary and cosmetic. [3]
The culinary use includes baking foods, pastries, snacks and also in nondairy creamers.
Cosmetic use includes almost all the body parts. The oil works great on both your skin and hair along with the scalp. [4]
Industrial benefits of coconut oil mostly include its use as a diesel fuel for engines, power generators, and transports.
Other uses may include its use as an engine lubricant, transformer oil, a raw material for manufacturing surfactants [5]
RELATED: Coconut Oil for Herpes: How Effective?
How Do You Develop Sunburn?
When your body suffers from direct sun exposure, it levels up the production of melanin. It is to protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet radiation. [6]
Melanin is a pigment which ensures colors to your eyes, hair, and skin. [7]
Eventually, your skin will reach a point when the production of melanin slows down causing damage to the genetic materials of your skin.
This damage makes your skin experience suntan or discoloration [8].
Even if a suntan often signifies as an added beauty to your body, in reality, a tan represents damage to the skin cells and tissues.
And if this damage gets too severe, it can even lead to skin cancers.
A little exposure to the sun is vital for the human body to prevent the deficiency of vitamin D, but too much of this exposure can result in sunburn. [9]
It often accompanies some other acute health disorders like fever, weakness, nausea, and vomiting [10].
If any of these ever happen to you along with sunburn, you should consult a doctor for medicinal help.
Some common symptoms accompanied by sunburn are skin inflammation, redness, itching, stinging and peeling of skins.
The damage can get severe depending on the longevity of the sun exposure that you may get and also on your skin tone.
If your sunburn is not too severe and causing no other health issues, you can treat it with some simple home remedies.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of coconut oil for your sunburned skin and to use it properly.
Why Should You Use Coconut Oil for Sunburn Relief?
1. Coconut Oil Reduces Itchiness
Sunburned skin tends to become dry and rough. Rough skin causes itchiness and other skin irritations.
Coconut oil is enriched with strong antioxidants. Vitamin D and E are essential for the relief of an irritated skin condition.
The use of coconut oil in treating itching from eczema, rashes, and insect bites is very common. [3]
It promotes a soothing action on your skin once applied.
Therefore, you can use this oil to reduce the itchiness of your sunburned skin. [11]
RELATED: Treat Eczema Naturally with Coconut Oil: 6 Simple Ways to Try Now
2. Coconut Oil Ensures Relief from Inflammation
A sunburned skin suffers from inflammation which can cause great discomfort for you.
Coconut oil is enriched with anti-inflammatory properties.
It will help your skin to cool down and soothe the inflammation. [12]
Coconut oil contains fatty acids which provide the necessary protection to your skin and ensure relief to it.
It eventually protects your skin from further damage that can be caused by sunburn.
3. Coconut Oil Provides Moisture
Sunburned skin tends to dry out quickly as it starts losing its moisture.
Dry, damaged skin can easily get infected. Also, dry skin promotes blistering of skin which can cause severe damage to your skin. To maintain proper moisture, you can try using coconut oil for your skin. [11]
It has an excellent moisturizing and nourishing property that will work on your sunburned skin and keep it nourished.
4. Coconut Oil Reduces Scarring
Sunburn often leaves a long-term effect on your skin.
It causes scarring and discoloration which is unwanted. [13]
Coconut oil improves the elasticity of your skin which prevents wrinkles and scarring from sunburn.
It also works on your discolored skin and helps to reduce the appearance.
RELATED: Coconut Oil for Wrinkles : 20 Effective Home Remedies
5. Coconut Oil Prevents Damaged Skin from Peeling off
It is normal for your sunburned skin to start peeling off or to crack in case of severe sun damage. [14]
Coconut oil works on your damaged skin and prevents it from peeling off.
Also, damaged skin cells can cause itchiness. If you accidentally scratch the burned skin too hard, it can also lead to peeling off your skin.
Coconut oil takes care of this problem as well. It soothes your irritated skin and thus prevents peeling off.
6. Coconut Oil Prevents Skin Infections
Your sunburned skin may easily attract bacteria, fungi and virus resulting infections.
If you wish to combat these bacteria and prevent your skin from infections, you should give coconut oil a try. [3, 15]
The oil is rich with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
All these properties contribute to combating the germs and keep your skin safe.
7. Coconut Oil Speeds up the Healing Process
The ultraviolet radiation damages your healthy skin cells.
If it is not taken care of earlier, it can result in severe skin damage that can even lead to skin cancer.
Coconut oil has the essential agents that can intensify the healing process of your sunburned skin. [16]
It helps in stimulating the growth of new and healthy skin cells.
8. Coconut Oil Gets Absorbed Quickly
When it comes to treating sunburned skin, quick absorption is very important.
You should not rub your sunburned skin. Therefore, it is better to use something that absorbs quickly.
It is the point where coconut oil comes to rescue.
The oil is consists of small and medium-chain fatty acids which allow it to get absorbed quickly. [17]
9. Coconut Oil Hydrates Your Skin and Promotes Firmness
Sunburned skin is deprived of proper hydration.
Coconut oil promotes hydration to your skin and keeps it perfectly moisturized.
The active antioxidants of coconut oil help in generating healthy skin cells and ensure firmness to your skin. [18]
So, if you want to take care of the discoloration of your skin wish to achieve a more toned and hydrated skin, use coconut oil.
10. Coconut Oil Relieves Sunburn of Lips
Not only the skin, but your lips too can get sunburned [19] And even if some cases, lips suffer from serious discoloration and pain.
Coconut oil is one of the safest ways to treat your sunburned lips.
Recommended Directions:
- Apply some cold pressed and virgin coconut oil on your lips and massage for a few minutes.
- Leave it on your lips and repeat regularly to get the best result.
RELATED: How to Get Rid of Chapped Lips: 11 Ways That Actually Work
11. Coconut Oil for Making a Sunscreen Lotion
Coconut oil can be used as a protecting layer for your skin as well.
The oil mixed with other ingredients creates a barrier which protects your skin from harmful UV rays and direct sun exposure.
You can quickly prepare a DIY lotion at your home using coconut oil and some other elements.
DIY Sunscreen Lotion using Coconut Oil
You will Need the Following Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons of organic coconut oil
- One tablespoon of organic avocado and Shea butter each
- One teaspoon of aloe vera gel
- Half a teaspoon of organic sesame oil
Recommended Directions:
- Melt coconut oil and Shea butter and add the other ingredients.
- Combine well and store the mixture in a glass jar.
- You can apply this as a sunscreen lotion on a regular basis.
NOTE: It is recommended not to apply coconut oil alone while going out under direct sunlight. If you are using it as a sunscreen, make sure to mix it with the Shea butter and other ingredients to get the best result for your skin]
Coconut Oil Remedies For Sunburned Skin?
You can use coconut oil as your sunburn remedy by applying it directly on your skin.
You can also mix one or more essential oils of your choice with the coconut oil and apply on your affected area.
Some essential oils that work incredibly well with coconut oil are lavender oil, chamomile oil, neem oil, rosemary oil, and grapeseed oil.
Some other oils that you can mix with it are almond oil, castor oil, and jojoba oil.
Just make a mixture of your choice and apply it onto your affected skin, leave for sometimes and wash off with cool water.
RELATED: 12 Essential Oils for Rosacea that You Should Use
Tips and Precautions
- Always use organic and virgin coconut oil for your sunburned skin.
- Wait for your affected area to cool down before applying this remedy.
- Perform a patch test on a little portion of your skin first.
- Grow the habit of using an SPF before going out [20].
- Take a shawl with you while going out in the open sun so you can wrap your exposed skin whenever you feel the risk of getting sunburned.
- Drink lots of fresh water throughout the day. It will accelerate the healing process of your skin damage [21].
- Avoid going out in the sun during midday if possible as that’s when the radiation is more harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Q 1: Is There a Possibility of Any Side Effects?
A 1: Generally, coconut oil doesn’t have any side effects. But it is recommended to cool down the area of your sunburn first before applying coconut oil.
Q 2: Can you use coconut oil for children?
A 2: Yes. If your child is not allergic to coconut oil, you can apply this to him as well.
Bottom Line
Along with the health benefits, coconut oil is famous for its application to a hair and skin care product as well.
It is an excellent way to treat your sunburned skin as it is always available at home and it’s beneficial for your skin as well.
Hope this article came to your help.
Feel free to ask us anything in our comments section below.
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