Using Cocoa Butter to Soothe and Heal Sunburned Skin

Using Cocoa Butter to Soothe and Heal Sunburned Skin

Sunburn is a common summertime woe. The reddening, inflammation, and pain caused by too much unprotected sun exposure can put a damper on fun in the sun. While prevention is ideal, knowing how to care for sunburned skin can help minimize discomfort and promote healing. Cocoa butter is a popular natural remedy often used to hydrate and soothe sunburned skin. Discover whether cocoa butter lives up to the hype for healing sunburns and how to use it safely and effectively.

What is Sunburn?

Sunburn is skin damage that occurs from overexposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. UV radiation harms the DNA in your skin cells causing redness, pain, swelling, warmth, and even blistering in severe cases. Mild sunburns may turn to tans as your skin repairs itself, but moderate or severe burns can increase your lifetime skin cancer risk.

Using Cocoa Butter for Sunburn Relief

Cocoa butter is a creamy yellow vegetable fat extracted from cacao beans. It has been used for centuries as a medicinal ointment and skin moisturizer. Cocoa butter contains antioxidants and plant compounds with anti-inflammatory and emollient properties that may help soothe sunburn discomfort. The thick, creamy texture also creates a protective barrier on the skin.

Benefits of Cocoa Butter for Sunburn

Some potential benefits of using cocoa butter on sunburned skin include:

• Moisturizes - Deeply hydrates dry, damaged skin
• Soothes - Alleviates redness, pain, and inflammation
• Protects - Forms a barrier to promote healing and prevent infection
• Improves skin tone and texture - Helps skin recover and reduces peeling

How to Apply Cocoa Butter for Sunburn

Follow these tips for using cocoa butter to care for sunburn:

• Cleanse - Gently wash with mild soap and cool water to remove dirt, sand, and salt
• Pat dry - Be very gentle patting off excess moisture
• Apply a thick layer - Use a generous amount massaging lightly into sunburned areas
• Use pure cocoa butter - Avoid products with additives that may irritate skin
• Repeat 2-3 times daily - Reapply after bathing to maintain the protective barrier

The soothing effects should be noticeable within several applications. The deep hydration will continue promoting skin healing for several days.

Other Home Remedies for Sunburn

In addition to cocoa butter, there are many other natural ways to treat sunburned skin at home including:

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is legendary for soothing burned or damaged skin. It contains anti-inflammatory compounds like polysaccharides that help reduce redness and pain. The cooling gel also forms a protective barrier while deeply hydrating the skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Diluted apple cider vinegar may help restore the skin's normal pH levels after sunburn. It also provides antimicrobial protection against infection. Mix a cup of apple cider vinegar with cool bathwater and soak sunburned areas.

Honey

Honey's antibacterial properties can help prevent infection in severe sunburns with blistering. It also reduces inflammation and helps moisturize. Simply spread a thin layer over affected areas.

Cucumber Slices

Placing chilled cucumber slices on sunburned skin is very soothing and cooling. Cucumbers also help hydrate, reduce swelling, and combat free radicals that delay healing.

Oatmeal Bath

An oatmeal bath can relieve itchy and inflamed skin. The starch in oatmeal forms a protective barrier on the skin while the antioxidants and anti-inflammatories reduce irritation.

Yogurt

Apply cold yogurt to sunburn for immediate cooling relief. The lactic acid gently exfoliates away dead skin promoting new cell growth. The probiotics may also prevent infection by harmful bacteria.

When to Seek Medical Care for Sunburn

While home remedies can treat mild sunburns, severe burns may require medical care. See a doctor if you experience:

• Fever, chills, dizziness, or confusion
• Extreme pain that isn't relieved by OTC medication
• Blistering over large areas of the body
• Facial swelling
• Dehydration

Signs of infection like oozing, increasing redness, or pus also warrant medical evaluation. Sunburns covering over 20% of body surface area should be assessed by a medical professional.

Sunburn Prevention Tips

While using cocoa butter and other remedies can help heal sunburn, the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” definitely applies. Protect your skin from the start by:

• Using broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ on all exposed skin
• Applying liberally and reapplying every 2 hours
• Seeking shade during peak hours between 10am and 4pm
• Wearing protective clothing – hats, shirts, sunglasses
• Avoiding reflective surfaces which can burn
• Drinking extra fluids to stay hydrated

Gradually increase sun exposure to build tolerance. Sunburns cause cumulative damage over your lifetime, so make sun protection a lifelong habit.

The Takeaway

Cocoa butter is an all-natural moisturizer that may help soothe and heal sunburn based on its hydrating oils, anti-inflammatory compounds, and skin-replenishing nutrients. While more research is still needed, using pure cocoa butter can be a safe and gentle option for relieving sunburn discomfort. However, prevention is always best to limit damaging sun exposure in the first place.

Practice sun safety, but know how to care for accidental burns should they occur. Have some cocoa butter on hand along with aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, honey, cucumber, oatmeal, yogurt, and other natural remedies. With diligent sun protection and prompt home treatment, you can keep your skin healthy, comfortable, and resilient when having fun under the sun.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.