Many of us wonder if we can put aloe vera gel on before going in the sun.
In this blog post, I will aim at answering this question along with a few others such as “how to use aloe vera for treating sunburns?” and “can aloe vera be used for all types of sunburns?”.
Let’s get started!
Most of us know that aloe vera is effective in treating sunburns. Aloe vera gel can be applied before exposure to the sun. While some studies show that Aloe Vera may block roughly 20% of UVs, it’s not a substitute for sunscreen. If you’d like to learn more about using natural ingredients to prevent sunburn, check out our blog post here.
There are also numerous other benefits of aloe vera gel like skin moisturising, ageing, reducing infection, and lightening blemishes.
How does sunburn occur?
When the ultraviolet rays (UV rays) from the sun or other sources falls on the skin, it damages the DNA that is present inside the skin cells. This causes the death of the cells and activates the immune system which releases inflammatory proteins. To carry the immune cells to the damaged skin, the blood vessels dilate thereby increasing the blood flow. This process results in the skin turning reddish and painful.
Sunburns can be categorised into four types.
- First-degree burns: Involves only the outer layer of skin and results in slight pain, swelling, and redness.
- Second-degree burns: Involves in damage to the deeper layers causing blisters.
- Third-degree burns: Involves in damage to all the layers of the skin.
- Fourth-degree burns: Involves in damage to the skin and might involve joints and bones.
Third- and fourth-degree burns should not be treated using aloe vera gel at home as they are medical emergencies. They have to be treated at the hospital.
Only the first- and second-degree burns can be treated using aloe vera gel.
Aloe vera for treating sunburns
Did you know that aloe vera is sometimes referred to as the ‘burn plant’ due to its tendency to treat burns? It has been used for thousands of years in treating burns and wounds.
Because the sun dries out your skin, hydrating it before and after sun exposure is recommended. Aloe vera gel is the most effective component for this.
Aloe vera gel is extracted from Aloe Barbadensis, a succulent. Aloe Vera has many beneficial characteristics, including stimulating skin restoration after sunburn and hydrating and moisturising the skin. It also relieves rashes and irritations on the skin (e.g. eczema).
How to use aloe vera gel for sunburns
If you get sunburned, apply aloe vera gel followed by shea butter twice a day on your skin. It will help your skin recover itself while also hydrating it.
You can also use lavender essential oil to treat sunburn, but be sure to follow all of the typical essential oil safety precautions. Lavender essential oil is combined with aloe gel and other natural ingredients to form a gorgeous After-Sun Serum, which is one of the recipes in my online DIY skincare course for beginners. If you’re interested in trying out this online course, you can learn more about it by clicking here. In the course, I also go over the benefits of aloe gel, shea butter, and lavender essential oil in greater depth.
Hope you found this blog post useful. Please feel free to shoot any questions you may have in the comments below!
With Love,
Lily
This article provides a helpful guide for those who are wondering if it’s safe to apply aloe vera before going out in the sun. Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer and can help soothe sunburned skin, but it’s important to know the right way to use it. The tips and advice given in this article are practical and easy to follow, making it a must-read for anyone who wants to enjoy the sun safely and protect their skin. Overall, a well-written and informative article on the benefits of aloe vera for skin care.
Thank you for the useful information about aloe vera and sun screen.
What natural ingredients can I use to make a skin sunscreen protector pleas ? XxX
Hi Gail, check out this blog post: https://mademoiselleorganic.com/2017/01/23/protect-skin-sun-natural-ingredients/ I hope it helps! Making sunscreen from scratch is possible but the ingredients are hard to find (zinc and titanium dioxyde) and the recipe would have to be tested for efficiency, so it’s possible but not easy 😉
Aloe vera is a great natural sunscreen alternative. It can provide a soothing layer of protection for your skin and help prevent sunburn. Just remember to reapply it often and still use regular sunscreen for maximum sun safety.
I got to used the aloe vera gel and al9e vera oil serum before bedtime and every morning to think that my melasma will be disappear as soonest, but i think it doesn’t work 😞 it’s been a month since i am using it . Please help me . I couldn’t help by myself for the melasma treatment.
Hi Nelfa, treatment of melasma usually takes between 6 to 12 months to see results. Aloe vera helps, but the best recommendation is to wear sunscreen every day and protect your skin from the sun using clothes and hats. Melasma can sometimes also be caused by medication or a medical condition, and in that case, you would need to address the cause. I encourage you to talk to a dermatologist who should be able to provide advice on the cause of your melasma and how to address it. I hope this helps! 🙂
I heard some people say that Aloevera gel causes Photosensitivity to skin. So should not use it in daytime skin care routine. Is it false then? I want to use aloevera gel as moisturizer before facial oil. So bit confused now .
Hi Supriya, thank you for your comment 🙂 I’m not aware of any research that shows that aloe vera gel can cause photosensitivity to skin. I’ve always used it during daytime with no problem. It’s however recommended to always wear sunscreen when you go out, especially in Australia. You would need to apply sunscreen after your moisturising routine every day. I hope this helps!
I’m Bapu chakma has been suffering from melasma on my face since many years how to get better or cure. Please suggest some tips.
Hi Bapu, I would recommend seeing a dermatologist to diagnose the cause of your melasma. For instance, if the cause is pregnancy, melasma may go away after having had a baby. If it’s stress, then this is the cause that should be adressed. The most important thing if you are prone to having melasma would be to wear high SPF sunscreen every day, even when it’s not sunny. You can also use aloe vera gel every night as it may help with skin recovery. Even when adressed with a treatment, melasma can take months to fade unfortunately.