The
Sunlight, like water, is essential to life. However, too much sun is
is just as harmful as its absence, and you notice it when your skin
starts to redden, burn and even itch. You've "caught a
sunburnand while it may be benign, it is nonetheless painful, not to mention unsightly!
unsightly! We're talking about first-degree sunburn here. If
the burning sensations are more intense, and you start to feel feverish
feverish, don't waste time going to the emergency room.
Otherwise, essential oils can help relieve the burning sensation
and repair the epidermis. However, it is advisable to
general precautions when using essential oils: do not use them orally
oral use by children under 7 years of age, no use by pregnant women
pregnant women during the 1st trimester of pregnancy, or breastfeeding women.
breast-feeding women.
Protecting our skin from the sun's rays
The sunburn is a mechanism for protecting the skin against ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun. UVB rays promote and are limited to the superficial layer of the epidermis.
The UVA rays contribute to the appearance of wrinkles and skin ageing, because they penetrate to the dermis and damage collagen.
Melanocytes, the cells located in the basal layer of the epidermis and which react to UV rays, produce the melanin that gives skin its pigmentation.
Your beautiful tan
is actually a protective layer whose role is to minimize UV penetration.
To
protection from the sun, the superficial layer of the epidermis becomes thicker
to reflect the sun's rays, and numerous antioxidants come into play
free radicals caused by exposure. Skin protection
skin protection systems are effective but delicate, and each individual
has its own degree of protection, depending on age and frequency of exposure.
frequency of exposure.
From
As a result, young children with very thin skin, fair-skinned people
blond or red-haired people who produce little melanin, are the most
vulnerable to the sun. After the age of 30, the number of melanocytes
melanocytes decreases drastically every decade, and the famous "sun
which is depleted, making the skin more vulnerable to free radicals.
free radicals.
The most effective essential oils against sunburn
The lavender aspic essential oilslavender, also known as true lavender, and lavandin and lavandin super are best suited to soothing sunburn and mild and light burns. Alone or in synergy, they are a must-have indispensable in every summertime first-aid kit! They are not to be confused, as their use and contraindications contraindications.
Lavender aspic oil
The lavender grows at altitudes of up to 100 meters in the hinterland. inland. It contains linalool, 1,8 cineole and camphor, giving it anti-infectious anti-infectious, analgesic and healing properties. healing properties.
It is therefore ideal for relieving the burning effect of sunburn of sunburn, and to accelerate healing in the event of injury.
How to use lavender aspic essential oil?
You
gently massage a generous amount of calendula vegetable oil,
soothing and anti-inflammatory, on the reddened area, several times a day.
Then apply 3 drops ofHE de lavande aspic pure. If you are
pregnant, breast-feeding or under 3 years of age, use lavender EO pure.
lavender EO.
You
you can also combine
- 1 to 2 drops ofHE de lavande aspic to a teaspoon of of other refreshing, moisturizing and healing agents such as aloe vera aloe vera, honey, orSt. John's wort vegetable oilhighly anti-inflammatory.
Repeat the application of this mixture several times a day until healed.
Please note that St. John's Wort vegetable oil is
photosensitizing, so don't expose yourself to the sun after applying it.
application, which is a good thing, because after a sunburn, it's not
sun exposure is not recommended!
Precautions
precautions :
due to its "muscular" composition, the use ofHE de lavande aspic is to be
for pregnant women throughout pregnancy and for nursing mothers
children under 7 years of age, asthmatics, people with epilepsy or a history
asthmatics, people with epilepsy or a history of seizure disorders.
convulsive disorders.
Fine lavender essential oil
The fields fine lavenderespecially in southern regions, as it loves heat and light. and light. To be as close to the sun as possible, it even grows over 1000 meters.
Its richness in esters and monoterpenols makes it a versatile versatile EO for soothing the mind and skin!
It is also
healing, and gentler to use than spike lavender.
How to use fine lavender essential oil?
You can apply
2 to 4 drops ofHE de lavande fine on the affected area or, if desired,
mix with as many drops of rosehip vegetable oil.
For anyone over 6 years of age, you can make this mixture with
- 2 drops offine lavender essential oil,
- 2 drops ofessential oil of carrot (healing and regenerating skin cells) mixed with
- 2 teaspoons of St. John's wort oily macerateand apply to the sunburn 3 times a day until improvement.
Special precautions: the use ofHE de lavande fine is
not recommended during the 1st trimester of pregnancy, while breast-feeding or
children under 3 years of age, except on medical advice. L'Carrot EO is
pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under the age of
under 6 years of age, people with high blood pressure or a history of cancer.
Lavandin super oil
Finally, the lavandin super is grown at low altitudes, and is a hybrid of fine and aspic lavender, more profitable and more resistant. It's best to use the organic version, as its cultivation is unfortunately more subject to pesticides.
Combining the benefits of both lavenders, this is a very interesting and inexpensive EO. It is also anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and skin-healing, making it a natural choice for sunburn.
How do I use it?
A mixture of
- 5 drops ofHE de lavandin super with
- 5 drops ofHE de lavande fine in a teaspoon of St. John's wort oily macerate.
- Apply a few drops of the mixture to the skin, repeating 2 to 3 times in the hours following sunburn, then 2 times a day.
Special precautions : do not use during pregnancy, while breast-feeding, in children under 3 years of age or in epileptics.
Last but not least, anyone can generously soak a compress in lavender hydrosol and then apply it to the inflamed area to soothe the burning sensation.
Use tea tree oil after sun exposure
That's right, Tea Tree essential oil, has anti-inflammatory and healing properties, making it ideal for sunburn. It soothes the burn and promotes healing by penetrating the deeper layers of the skin.
How do I use it?
To use, massage the skin several times a day with a mixture of
- 2 drops ofTea Tree essential oil in a teaspoon ofcalendula vegetable oil or millepertuis.
This will prevent the skin from peeling too much and relieve the burning sensation.
Special precautions: do not use during the 1st trimester of pregnancy, while breast-feeding, on infants under 3 months of age without medical advice, or on epileptics.
A few tips:
Fortunately, you can protect yourself from sunburn by avoiding exposure to the sun during peak hours, i.e. between 12 noon and 4 p.m., when UVB rays are at their most violent. Skin preparation is recommended, in particular by adjusting your diet a few weeks before your planned exposure.
Load your meals with carotenoids, vitamins C and E, and omega-3s, which prepare the body to fight free radicals and ensure skin elasticity. Good moisturizing is essential during exposure to the sun, as is appropriate protection, preferably organic!