How To Heal A Sunburn FAST with Vinegar
A couple of weeks ago, I spent a long time outside working on our garden. In fact, it was the longest I had been outside this season, so my already very pale skin was very vulnerable after not seeing much sun for many months. Needless to say, I got burned VERY badly, leaving me to figure out how to heal a sunburn! In fact, that evening we went to grandma and grandpa’s for a BBQ. My mom was so concerned and actually upset with me for not being careful in the sun because she was so afraid that I had hurt myself! I appreciated her deep concern… so I decided to research what I could do with this really bad burn.
Usually, I rub ice, take pain meds, and wait it out with blisters, peeling, pain and then the reward is very pale white skin again (I don’t even get a tan!).
After some research, I found something that was new to me…. rubbing vinegar all over my burned skin…. supposedly this would prevent blistering and peeling and would take the pain away, help it to heal AND…. turn the burn into a tan!
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How to heal a Sunburn with vinegar!
The initial thought of putting vinegar on my burned skin sounded horrifying! Have you ever had a cut or wound and gotten vinegar on it? It STINGS really badly! But all of the research led me to believe that this would actually be relieving!
So…. I put it to the test. I read that any vinegar works great, but Apple Cider Vinegar was the best. I have apple cider vinegar and so I used this! It answered our need-to-be-asked question how to heal a sunburn!
To my amazement, it did not hurt at all! I rubbed this on gently – the thing that hurt was touching my burned skin. Then once I had covered my burns thoroughly – I waited!
The next morning… my terrible burn looked like just a mild burn and there was absolutely no blistering, peeling, pain… nothing!
That night (about 24-hours later) I ended with a super sweet tan!
I couldn’t believe that it worked! Nothing I have ever tried, natural, DIY or store bought had results like this!
The other thing that makes this solution great is that it is cheap and natural! Plus if you have been following our 26 homemade cleaners, then you should have some on hand at all times anyway!
Now there is one negative point to this natural sunburn solution – IT STINKS!! Yes, you can’t get away from it, especially if you rub it all over your skin! The smell doesn’t go away either – in fact, with the Apple Cider Vinegar I woke up the next morning and I smelled like stinky feet! I hate stinky feet…. but I put up with it for that short time period and it is a very small price to pay for the benefits I received! Of course, a shower did wash away the smell and I was back to normal after that time…..
Oh – I also wanted to add that our 4 year old got the small area above her knees burned from riding her tricycle (not sure how that spot was missed on sunblock, except that when she was standing to have the sunblock put on, I think her shorts covered the area, but riding her shorts slid up some!) and it was a long 2-hour ride (we all went on a walk/ride) and when we got home, I put the vinegar on her and she had the same results as me!
*Please note, I read that any vinegar will work, but we have only tried it with Apple Cider Vinegar as we read this was the best. So we are not sure of the results with white distilled or others! We also used it soon after the sunburn set in and before blistering or peeling set in. I would imagine that if you are already blistering/peeling, there could be some good stinging that may take place, but it should help heal if you can get past that 🙂
And there you have it, how to heal a sunburn!
Here is how to make your own Apple Cider Vinegar
What are your thoughts? Have your tried this?
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Raquel
I burn very easily. I’ll have to keep this interesting tip in mind. Thanks!
Reuben G Nolt
THANK YOU!!! It worked FABULOUS!!!!! I MEAN ‘FABULOUS’!!!!!
Terry
When I was a teenager I fell asleep one afternoon on a raft on the lake. Nasty burn; so bad I could not put clothes on. My mother soaked towels in apple cider vinegar and changed them throughout the night and next morning. It cooled the burn and the stinging that accompanies a sunburn. I was able to dress the next afternoon and I kept lotion on my skin after that. I had the best tan ever. NOTE: I do not recommend this as a tanning method!! 🙂 this works!
Pacoh Lohlo
Hi, I got into the ACV movement ~4urs ago. I’ve had a lot of success w diluted Braggs ACV on various problem areas eczema or athletes foot fungal issues. Have not tried sunburn. Making a note of it. Wanted to add: it’s important to get the Braggs ACV, as its unfiltered and “with the mother “. It says that exactly on the label! Wikipedia it. It’s alkaline and very beneficial in the body. Thanks for the sunburn remedy! (Type ACV into ur search and see how fanatical this elixir is!$
Allison
I have used this method. Never fails that every time my kids go with their dad in the summer time they come home with a pretty nasty burn. I always tried to use the aloe vera gel with lidocaine in it but I had heard about vinegar. I put apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle and sprayed it on the kids. They complained of the smell (constantly – LOL) but other than that they said it didn’t sting or anything. It took about 24 hours of applying it intermittently but it really worked! They even asked me if I had the vinegar ready this year in case they get a sunburn! LOL
Cathy
A glass-blowing studio I know keeps a squeeze bottle of yellow mustard in the fridge for burns. Seems to significantly reduce the blistering from touching metal blowpipes too close to the heated end.
Linda
This is good to know for emergencies, but it’s important to note that nobody should be seeking a sunburn or a tan. The sun is very bad for the skin and burning should be avoided, always. Everyone should be wearing sunscreen when outside.
Trista
The sun is full of Vitamin D which is actually great for your ski in combination with sunscreen.
Dana
I haven’t tried Vinegar, but Listerine will do the same thing. It works wonderfully!
Carrie
I have used vinegar for years on sunburn. I grew up in CA and was always burning on purpose in the 1970’s and 80’s since we didn’t know about the dangerous effects of the sun. Yes, it really does work!!! And regular vinegar doesn’t keep the smell for very long! 🙂
Brenda
I have been doing this for years. It work so well.
Parthina
My mother used this many times on us as children and that was 43 yrs ago and better. Oh yes I am a very pale blonde and blister easy. So it did sting when you have the blisters which are bursting, but was worth the pain as it healed quickly I still had peeling in the blistered areas, of course, but loved it for times I wasn’t blistered. Used it on my sons a few times when they were growing up. I just had to watch with my oldest son as he was asthmatic and it takes your breath away when full strength like that. So have fun in the sun, with the screen , but if you over do it this will help!
Brooke
Just tried white vinegar and it stings, a lot.
Alyssa
I just tried it and it doesn’t.
leslie
I am not sure if I did something wrong but this did not work for me. Makes me sad because my legs got burned while on the beach. I used apple cider vinegar that was recommended as the best to use. First I poured over both legs and then used a rag to rub over the burns. Left it on my skin over night. Woke up this morning hurting.
Jemma
Hey Leslie, one thing to keep in mind is vinegar is acidic. You want to make sure to dilute it with 2 parts water to 1 part apple cider vinegar. You also don’t want to leave it on your skin overnight- let it soak for ten minutes and make sure to moisturize with aloe or something else afterwards.
Joseph Maronski
Okay! I’m believing you. I act and needed a tan since i have to wear a tank top. The play is in less than a week and we are starting dress rehearsals Monday! I put on a tank top today and hoped to tan. I burned so bad! I just used Apple Cider Vinegar. Lets see how it works!
Carlee
I went to Lake Ridge on Sunday and forgot to put on sunscreen. I took my friend with me who plays tennis and she has a huge tan. When we dropped her off at her house I decided to spend the night with her. I didn’t put any thing on my sunburn the next morning I was very red when I got home around 8:30 I didn’t think anything about my sunburn because it didn’t hurt about 10 I put some vitamin e cream on it and this morning I wasn’t nowhere as red as the morning before. I have just put the Apple Cider Vinegar on my sunburn it didn’t hurt but it does smell. I’m really hoping this works because I didn’t get to go on vacation this year and im really pale and I start school in 6 days and I have student orientation in 2 days and most of my new summer shirts for school are tank tops.
Many of my friends have told me to try this and I’m really hoping it works
Carlee
Ok I was questioning this when I did it but I have to say it really works. I’m a pale and fair skinned person when I buy foundation I get it in the light color and it still darker than my skin tone but now my shoulders are like 3 shades darker than they were I’m so happy with how well this worked and I would recommend it to anyone who got sunburnt.
Amber
How exactly did you apply the vinagar.
Matthew Purvis
do you apply it just once? or several times? how did you apply it?
carla
did this with my kid when she burned one day at the beach. put two cups in bath tub and had her get in there and soak, then put on coconut oil when she got out. the next day it was significantly better, so we did it again. she is able to put on clothes and walk around. She fought me the first time, but after seeing it work overnite, she welcomed the second day. she rinsed it off after the soak because of the smell, I guess I should have had her leave it on….?
Kathy
I was out fishing once and got a terrible sunburn on my legs. I could hardly walk! When I got home, I put vinegar in my bath water and the pain went away immediately! I was amazed and very happy!
Lauryn
I just got a sunburn today should I try it now or when? It really burns!!!
Ayria
will this work on my face?
bryn
it will totally work on your face as people wash their face with ACV. you’re good.
Heather
This does work. I am a redhead, and it GREATLY diminishes the pain and speeds healing dramatically.
Terry
A little clarification… do you use it full strength or dilute it, if so how much? Also, how long do you leave it on before showering?
Alex
We actually use it full strength! We just spray or “dab” with soaked cotton ball onto the sunborn.