Summer is meant to be spent outside, from backyard games with the kids or family BBQs to catching up with friends or trips to the beach. Even with the best intentions, long summer days can result in skin that’s suffering from too much sun.

Kiwiherb’s technical team of qualified naturopaths has put together these tips to help soothe your summer skin.

Try a cooling bath

Combine two teaspoons of dried Lavender, Calendula and Chamomile with a handful of oats and Epsom salts. Put in a muslin bag and drop into a cool bath. This combination of natural goodness will help calm and soothe hot, angry skin.

You can also wrap an ice pack in a damp flannel, or sponge the area with cold water. Avoid using soap which might irritate your skin.

Rehydrate

Too much sun can cause dehydration. To help you and your skin cool down and to replace lost fluids, drink plenty of water or electrolytes.

Moisturise

Sun exposure can cause your skin to dry out. It’ll also be sensitive, so try to avoid highly perfumed products or anything with a heavy chemical base. Soothe your parched skin with aloe vera or look for natural aloe vera products. You could also use an aloe vera plant - snap a leaf and rub the gel directly onto your skin. Tip: if you buy aloe vera gel, keep it in the fridge for extra cooling power.

Spray on some relief

If rubbing moisturiser onto your skin will be too uncomfortable, fill a spray bottle with water. Add a few drops of pure lavender essential oil and spray on for soothing relief.

Stay out of the sun

Give your skin a chance to heal by staying out of the sun until every sign of sunburn has gone. If you do go out, continue to be sun smart:

• Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Slop on natural sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards.
• Slap on a hat that protects your face, head, neck and ears.
• Seek shade.
• Slide on some sunglasses that meet Australian Standards.

Reach for some herbal helpers

We’ve got a great range of herbal helpers that’ll help ensure glowing, healthy summer skin, like Kiwiherb Skin Restore Cream. Antioxidant-rich, it contains soothing and protecting Green Tea, Hoheria and Kiwifruit extracts in a moisturising cream base. Use it every day, or as needed.

Kiwiherb Baby Balm isn’t just for baby. Buy one for you too as this gentle formulation, featuring organic Calendula and Chamomile plus Koromiko, will hydrate, soothe and protect dry, cracked skin.

Keep Kiwiherb Calendula Ointment on hand. Your first aid kit in a jar, Calendula helps to heal and repair your skin.

All products: for external use only.

Note:

See your doctor or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if you experience symptoms like:

• Severe sunburn with blistering over large areas of your body and pain
• Sunburn over a large area
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Dizziness