Posts Tagged ‘remedy’

SOOTHING A SUNBURN

photos/post/graphics: Kristin Ess

Let’s start this post off by saying you should always try and avoid being in the sun without proper protection in the first place. See HERE. But sometimes you just can’t plan for it and you can unexpectedly find your skin baked beyond belief-especially if there’s an overcast. One of the girls in our office turned a nice shade of lobster over 4th of July. I remembered something we used to do as kids when we’d get burned and I must admit– out of all of the home remedies I’ve ever tried, this one has been the most consistently relieving. It takes away an incredible amount of the stinging pain that comes with a burn and here’s how it’s done: (more…)

ALOE-HA

photos: 16.media.tumblr.com/realsimple.com/hgtv post designed by kristin ess

I hope that everyone had a fun and safe holiday weekend! And if your weekend was anything like mine, then you spent plenty of time in the sunshine. While those early summer days are oh-so-enjoyable, they can sometime leave you with an unwanted souvenir… a sunburn! I was able to avoid the burn this time around (mostly because the majority of my time was spent hiding under a giant floppy hat + umbrella while reapplying sunscreen hourly), but for the less protected, I’ve provided some suggestions for after the damage has been done:

Here are a few tips on how to deal with those less than desirable sunburns…

  • Take Vitamin E to reduce inflammation from your sunburn.
  • Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
  • Eat foods high in vitamin c (citrus fruits, strawberries, spinach), beta-carotene (chili peppers, kale, carrots), vitamin E (nuts, olives) or flax seed oil.
  • Sliced cucumbers or cold wet tea bags help soothe and extract the sting.
  • Take a cool shower.
  • Avoid using any harsh soaps + perfumes on sunburned area.
  • Keep skin moisturized. Try using a lotion with shea butter or palm oils for extra moisture.

Here are my favorite “Kitchen Beautician” remedies for a mild sunburn…

  • Mix lavender oil and water together in a small spray bottle and keep it in your refrigerator.  Mist your skin throughout the day to soothe the burn.
  • Aloe vera can relive the pain of a sunburn.  Try filling an ice tray with aloe vera and freezing it.  Rub the frozen cubes onto the burn area.
  • Mix baking soda into your bath and soak for about 15 minutes. Let skin air dry instead of drying off with a towel.
  • Witch hazel has been known to reduce inflammation.  It can be applied to a burn with a cotton ball or added to a bath.

XO Lauren

KITCHEN BEAUTICIAN

photo: dan forbes/ny times

Seasons come and go, and as we’re all aware summer is quickly approaching. Spring is the perfect time to get your skin ready for the coming months. My favorite at home remedy for dry skin is simple: coconut butter and a couple drops of olive oil. Coconut butter is an incredible moisturizer and promotes elasticity in skin. Extra virgin olive oil is packed with vitamin E and antioxidants. These two are a mash made in heaven! :) Blend two teaspoons of coconut butter and 10 drops of extra virgin olive oil together in a bowl using the back of a spoon. Apply a thin layer anywhere skin feels dry once or twice a week. I use this on my lips, legs, arms, elbows, and hands. Cover and save the rest in the refrigerator. Due to the coconut craze right now, coconut butter should be pretty easy to find. It’s the perfect summer skin prep!

XO Lauren