Exposing your skin to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays for too long can cause a painful sunburn.
Coconut oil has been touted as a home remedy for sunburns, but does it work? Read on to find out.
Benefits of coconut oil for sunburn
Coconut oil is used to treat many skin conditions, such as dermatitis and eczema. Advocates of coconut oil claim it helps cool and soothe sunburned skin and relieves symptoms such as itching and peeling.
This may be true because coconut oil is high in saturated fats, which are great for moisturizing your skin. Sunburned skin tends to be dry and itchy, so applying coconut oil may help relieve those symptoms by replenishing your skin’s moisture.
How to use it
Don’t apply the coconut oil at the first sign of sunburn. Rather, first apply a cool compress or cool, damp towel to the affected area for 15 minutes to help cool down the skin. You can also take a cool — not cold — bath or shower. Once the skin has cooled (which may take several hours), apply coconut oil to the sunburned area.
