With the summer in full swing and 90 degree temperatures knocking on our doors almost every day, a sunburnis almost an inevitability. There’s not much worse than spending time enjoying a Montana summer day, only to find you look like a Maine lobster.

The pain and sting of a sunburn can last for days. Aloe is a sure bet to soothe a sunburn, but what do you do if you don’t have any aloe, or if you just don’t like how it goes on slimy and then gets sticky? There is good news for you, there are many other natural ways you can help to soothe that sunburn without aloe.

Vinegar – One cup of white cider vinegar and a tub of water. Vinegar helps to balance your PH levels, which helps to heal the pain of a burn.

Oatmeal – Put oatmeal on a gauze pad, pour water on it, then put it on the sunburned area. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Oats are an anti-inflammatory, so they help to soothe the skin.

Tomato sauce – Open a can and slather it on your skin to help prevent sunburn. The lycopene in tomatoes help to reduce the skins reaction to ultraviolet rays.

Yogurt – Spread plain yogurt on your skin and remove it once it gets warm. This creamy dairy product helps to soothe burns.

Tea – Brew a pot of tea and then let it cool. Dip gauze strips in the tea, and then place the strips on your burn. The tannins in the tea help to relieve the pain of the burn.

Cucumber – Puree or slice cucumbers and put them on the burned area. Cucumbers have a soothing cooling effect on the skin.

Baking soda – Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda to a bath and soak for 20 minutes. Be sure not to soak for too long or you can actually dry out your skin.

Potato – Puree a couple potatoes and then rub the mixture on your skin.

Milk – Wipe milk on your skin to help soothe a bad burn. Milk helps to soothe pain, itching and burning.

Honey – Putting honey on your skin will help your skin cells regenerate faster.

Joy Larson is a mother of four boys, graduate of the University of Montana, animal lover and writer.

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