Since our family moved here near the beach Many years ago, we often found ourselves there. While I am all for healthy sun exposure, sunburns are ideally not part of it. Now I rarely burn, but when I do I prefer to use natural remedies to soothe the area. These sunburn ice cubes use skin soothing ingredients that help sunburns heal even faster and provide faster relief!
Being Irish I was used to wearing sunscreen (or getting a bad sunburn) as a child. However, since changing my diet and using specific supplements I have discovered how much better I can tolerate the sun. However, this doesn’t mean I spend hours baking!
Once I reach my limit I either cover my skin or find some shade. I rarely use my homemade sunscreen. Moderate, healthy sun exposure is essential to getting enough vitamin D (which has its own benefits). Although I am not afraid of going out in the sun, I try to avoid getting burned. However, sometimes, sunburns happen despite the best intentions.
Ice cubes to relieve sunburn
I’ve come across many different cooling sprays and natural remedies over the years. Soothes burns caused by sun. However, they only last a short time in the fridge before they go bad. And while they are quick to make, I still have to mix them up every time I need them. One of my favorite remedies for sunburn is fresh aloe vera because it is quick and easy to make.
If you don’t have your own aloe vera plant, these soothing cubes are the next best thing.
Before I explain each ingredient, I want to explain why I chose herbal ice cubes. Obviously, ice feels good on hot, sunburned skin, but many health experts advise against it. However, cold baths and compresses are recommended.
The idea is that ice acts as a vasoconstrictor, which reduces blood flow to the area and slows healing time. Adding herbs that speed healing and are vasodilating (increase blood flow) helps solve that problem. Plus it also provides a cooling effect.
Aloe vera gel
The very first ingredient in these herbal ice cubes is aloe vera gel. It is a main ingredient in many sunburn remedies and you will find it at every drugstore and big box store too. I am not talking about the bright green stuff filled with harsh preservatives though.
My favorite way to get aloe vera is straight from the plant. You can find detailed information here How to Grow Your Own Aloe Vera here. If you don’t have an aloe plant you can buy some Aloe vera gel With natural preservatives.
Aloe vera contains salicylic acid and magnesium that work together to reduce pain. It also contains aloin, which has mild UV protection properties. Aloe has a cooling effect on the skin, calms inflammation and provides a smooth, slippery sensation to moisturize damaged skin.
Comfrey
This amazing plant is named Bone Nit because it has the amazing ability to heal broken bones quickly. It is also good for painful joints and damaged skin. Comfrey Stimulates tissue repair and helps the body to build healthy skin cells. This herb also soothes inflammation and helps to soothe and heal damaged skin. Like marshmallow root, it is an emollient to help provide a protective barrier on tissues.
Calendula
I use calendula in everything from baby care products to stretch marks ointment With tea. It is a gentle herb that is great for all types of skin complaints. It soothes inflammation and helps with cuts, burns, rashes, sunburns and cuts. Calendula It also helps clear and move lymphatic fluid and improves blood circulation.
Lavender
Like calendula, lavender is a gentle and skin-soothing herb. You’ll find it in this exfoliating oatmeal. Cleansing the skin and it’s fresh Lavender Peach Iced Tea. Although I often use essential oils, the lavender herb also holds a prominent place in my medicine cabinet.
Lavender helps disinfect wounds and cuts and acts as an analgesic to soothe pain. It is often used for burns to help the skin heal faster and soothe itching. Lavender also stimulates blood circulation in the skin, promoting faster healing and better blood flow.
marshmallow
Slippery marshmallow This recipe features another skin soothing herb, marshmallow. It is applied to irritated skin while providing moisture and cooling effect. Marshmallow roots, leaves and flowers are all used to soothe inflammation. If you have some marshmallow growing in your yard you can use the leaves and flowers for this recipe. Otherwise the roots are a great option too.
Mint
The last ingredient in these sunburn soothing ice cubes is mint. It’s a staple ingredient for me too DIY cooling spray. Peppermint is rich in menthol and has the unique ability to make you feel warm and cool at the same time. Peppermint is a vasodilator and stimulates blood circulation which can cause a warming sensation. However, if peppermint is used with cold or cooling ingredients, it can cause a cooling effect on the skin.
I love using peppermint to soothe painful sunburns!
You don’t need to use every single herb in this recipe, but I would recommend using at least one of the aloe vera, peppermint, and other soothing herbs. Just make sure your total herbs add up to 1/2 cup. They all work together to help soothe the damage caused by sunburn.
Ice cubes to relieve sunburn
These refreshing ice cubes contain skin soothing and healing ingredients that provide cooling effect to sunburnt skin.
Yield: 12 Pieces of ice
Boil water in a small pot.
Add the herbs, cover with a lid and turn off the heat. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
Strain the herbs and reserve the water. Some of the water may have evaporated, but you should get at least 1 and 3/4 cups of tea. Place the herbal tea in the refrigerator to cool.
When the herbal tea is no longer hot, add aloe vera gel to it.
Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze.
Rub it on sunburnt skin as needed, it will provide coolness and relief.
- You can store your sunburn-soothing ice cubes in a reusable silicone bag and store it in the freezer until ready to use.
- These will last in the freezer for at least a year.
What is your favorite remedy for sunburn? Leave a comment and let us know!
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