Summer means many outdoor activities – and, sometimes, sunburns. Fortunately, there is a natural solution to relieve the burn and inflammation caused by too much time in the sun: epsom salt.
But does epsom salt help sunburn? I’ll share how epsom salt can be used to reduce pain and inflammation associated with sunburn, as well as tips for using epsom salts for sunburn relief effectively.
What Are The Benefits Of Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is an incredibly helpful home remedy and a great detoxifying product that has numerous benefits.
Epsom salt can be added to your bathtub, as one cup of epsom salt in warm water can help soothe aching muscles and relax the body.
The magnesium sulfate in the epsom salt helps to draw out toxins from the body while also providing relief from stress and muscle soreness, easing tension in the body.
Epsom salt is also beneficial for skin health, as it helps to soften rough patches and remove dead skin cells, leaving you with healthier-looking skin.
You can use epsom salt as a foot soak if mixed with 1/2 cup of epsom salts per gallon of warm water, or two tablespoons per cup of water; this will help to reduce discomfort caused by inflammation.
If you have mild sunburns or bug bites, simply make a mixture of four tablespoons of epsom salt with one cup of water applied directly on the affected area for immediate relief.
Overall, when used correctly and sparingly, epsom salt has amazing detoxifying properties that will leave your body feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
What Causes Sunburn?
Sunburn is the result of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or other sources like tanning beds.
Sunburn can be quite painful and uncomfortable, and in serious cases, can result in severe complications for your health. To avoid sunburn, it’s important to understand what causes it.
Most of the UV radiation reaching us comes from the sun and is divided into two categories: UVA and UVB rays.
UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB, but both have damaging effects on our bodies such as premature aging, wrinkles, and more seriously, skin cancer. Both types of UV radiation are known to cause sunburns.
Those with lighter skin tones are more vulnerable to burning because they have less natural melanin protection compared to those with darker skin tones.
If you are fair-skinned or sensitive to the sun’s rays, it’s important to take extra precautions when spending time outdoors by wearing protective clothing such as hats, long sleeve shirts and pants, as well as sunscreen, rated SPF 15 or higher.
It’s also best practice to avoid being out in direct sunlight during peak hours between 10am-4pm, when harmful UV rays are at their strongest intensity levels.
How To Relieve The Symptoms Of Sunburn?
To help with sunburn, one of the most important things you can do is to protect your skin from further damage by avoiding direct sunlight until the symptoms have subsided.
Wear sunscreen on all exposed areas of skin before going out into the sun, and remember to reapply frequently. After coming indoors, cool baths or showers can be beneficial for relieving discomfort caused by sunburned skin.
Avoid hot water, as this only aggravates itchy or dry skin further. Aloe vera gel can also be used to help soothe inflammation and reduce redness in sunburned body parts.
Over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen may also assist with immediate relief of discomfort due to sunburns.
Moisturizing lotion or cream should be applied regularly throughout the day for additional hydration; keeping your skin moisturized makes it less likely that you’ll experience severe irritation from your burn.
Finally if severe blistering occurs, see a doctor immediately for advice and treatment options as this is a sign of serious medical attention being needed.
How Does Epsom Salt Benefit The Skin?
Epsom salt is a firm ally in the arsenal of skin care. It has anti-inflammatory properties which work to soothe and heal the skin and promote a healthy healing process.
One of the best ways to take advantage of epsom salt’s benefits is to take an epsom salt bath. Just add two cups of epsom salt into warm water, stirring with a washcloth if needed, until all the grains have melted into the water.
Soak for about 20 minutes for maximum effect. This can be used as both maintenance and relief from burns such as sunburns.
Epsom Salt has also been known to help allergy sufferers by helping reduce redness on the skin caused by reactions to dust mites or other allergens.
Plus, epsom salt can provide relief for psoriasis or eczema that you may experience during your day-to-day life when outdoor temperatures cause stress on your skin.
Does Epsom Salt Help Sunburn?
Epsom salt is an amazing detoxifying solution with surprising benefits for sunburn.
Epsom salts are made up of magnesium sulfate and are known for their wound healing abilities, which makes them ideal for dealing with irritated skin from sunburn.
To use epsom salt for sunburn relief, it’s best to start by mixing one teaspoon of epsom salt in a cup of hot water.
You can then create a compress by soaking a cotton washcloth in the mixture and placing it on your sunburned skin.
Some also suggest soaking in epsom salt; to do this, fill your bathtub or foot bath with warm water and mix one to two cups of epsom salt into the water before submerging yourself into it.
This will not only soothe any sunburn pain, but help relax tense muscles as well as soften the skin — both aiding in recovery.
The amazing detoxifying properties in Epsom salts melt into the skin while soaking, providing valuable relief from painful sunburns as well as some added wound healing power.
As you soak in the bathwater or press the compress on your body, you may feel an intense tingling sensation due to its high mineral count, which is completely normal.
While there is no sure-fire way to prevent all damage from too much time spent exposed to sunlight, using Epsom Salt can be an effective method at relieving some of those dreaded symptoms associated with sunburned skin.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Epsom Salt Baths
The primary benefit of an Epsom salt bath is its anti-inflammatory properties. When dissolved in water, Epsom salts release magnesium ions, which can help reduce inflammation in tissues and joints.
Magnesium is well known for its soothing abilities when applied topically, helping to relieve muscle tension, joint pain, headaches and soreness due to exercise or injury.
Aside from its anti-inflammatory effects, an Epsom Salt Bath can also provide other benefits such as relaxation and improved sleep quality due to its calming effects on the nervous system.
Studies have shown that soaking in an Epsom salt bath may also improve circulation by improving blood flow throughout the body while aiding detoxification by promoting perspiration, which helps eliminate toxins from our bodies through sweat glands.
Relief from Itching and Irritation from Sunburns
Adding two cups of Epsom salt to a bathtub full of warm water can help soothe sunburned skin. The combined qualities of the salt help reduce inflammation, calm soreness and relieve itchiness.
Magnesium also helps increase circulation and thus boost the healing process while providing pain relief.
Soaking in an Epsom salt bath gives your skin much-needed hydration that will help it recover more quickly from a sunburn.
So, soaking in an Epsom salt solution at least once or twice a week can be beneficial to those suffering from redness and itching due to sunburns or any other makeshift burns on the skin surfaces.
How to Use Epsom Salt Soaks As A Remedy for Sunburn?
To use it as a remedy, simply dissolve two cups of Epsom salts into hot water until it dissolves, and get in the water and soak for 10–20 minutes. The magnesium sulfate contained in Epsom salt helps to draw heat away from the skin and reduce inflammation.
The mineral helps to replenish your body with vital minerals that fight infection or bacterial growth, which can be especially helpful if you have open sores from sunburn. After soaking in the Epsom salt solution for up to 20 minutes, pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it vigorously with a towel.
Summary
Epsom salts have numerous healing benefits, including helping to soothe sunburns. These minerals can help reduce inflammation in the skin and draw out heat from the body. Epsom salt baths or applications of epsom salt mixed with warm water can be used to relieve itching, pain and redness associated with sunburns.
When treating a sunburn with epsom salts, make sure to use caution as too much exposure can worsen the burn rather than help it.