Tis the season to get sunburnt, unfortunately. And while we all have the very best intentions and slap on the sun screen like there's no tomorrow, even those of us sporting factor 50 find ourselves with sore, red hot, sunburn once in a while.
You probably weren't expecting it, and the only after-sun you've got is likely to be three years old, covered in sand and smell funny. But never fear, there are some quick, effective and natural ways to treat sunburn - most of which you'll already have at home.
1. Aloe Vera. Alright, you already knew about this one. But trust us, there's a reason this plant has a long history of sunburn relief. It's jam packed full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
While you can buy moisturisers which contain aloe, they might not provide the same relief as gel fresh from the plant. The cactus-like foliage is a good sunburn treating investment and makes a pretty edition to any bathroom. Look after it and it will look after you.
2. Shaving cream. Bear with us. Shaving cream in a lot of cases has menthol and other chemicals," dermatologist Jonette Keri told Huffington Post. "Those things are naturally cooling and feel good to the skin."
While it might leave you feeling a little sticky, it's a perfectly adequate alternative to after sun if you don't happen to have any to hand.
3. Apple cider vinegar. While there's no scientific research to suggest a vinegar baths = sunburn cure, its makeup means it works. Vinegar is a natural antiseptic and cools the skin as it evaporates.
4. Painkillers. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen are recommended by the NHS to help relieve the pain and reduce the inflammation caused by sunburn. For more sever sunburn cases, "Paracetamol can be used to treat pain and control fever. Ibuprofen can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation and lower a high temperature."
Be a clever clogs and avoid sunburn altogether by stocking up on some of our favourite sun creams...