Cucumber, Quark & Co.: The Effectiveness of Home Remedies for Sunburn

Aloe vera, curd, or black tea: Numerous tips for treating sunburn with home remedies circulate on the internet. The Association for Consumer Information (VKI) has tested their effectiveness. Not all are recommended without reservation. Experts reported on Tuesday that one should completely avoid a paste made from baking soda or baking powder, which is often touted online. Cucumber slices, on the other hand, can indeed help.

Cucumber slices, aloe vera, and tea wraps can help

The claimed healing effect of aloe vera, for example, is "hardly proven. However, there are indications of moisturizing and caring properties," reported the experts. The skin-irritating ingredient aloin can be problematic, which can get into the gel if processed improperly. Therefore, it is better to use a finished product from the drugstore or pharmacy. It is important that the gel actually contains fresh aloe vera.

Cucumbers consist of over 90 percent water and contain vitamin C. Therefore, they are attributed with a cooling and anti-inflammatory effect. "And indeed: The contained vitamin C can help repair damaged cells. There is fundamentally nothing against using it for sunburn. The best are cooled slices of a well-washed organic cucumber - alternatively, a pureed cucumber can also be used as a mask," according to the testers' verdict.

Curd is also said to have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects, and lactic acid bacteria are often claimed to soothe the skin and support healing. While the cooling effect can be perceived as pleasant, scientific evidence for the other claimed effects is lacking according to VKI. It has not been studied whether the keratolytic effect of lactic acid - which involves a peeling effect - supports the healing process or possibly even causes further damage.

The tannins contained in black or green tea have anti-inflammatory effects, and antioxidants promote cell regeneration. "The effects attributed to these ingredients are well scientifically documented - and can also support sunburn," according to the expert judgment. However, this only applies to organic quality tea without flavor additives. For a cooling wrap, brew strong tea, let it cool, soak a clean cloth in it, and place it on the affected areas for 15 to 20 minutes, is recommended.

Stay away from baking soda or baking powder

Baking soda has a slightly alkaline effect, which is supposed to relieve itching and soothe the skin. "On the internet, there are repeated recommendations to apply a paste of baking soda and water to the skin. However, this is strongly discouraged," warn the experts: Baking soda is basic and disrupts the slightly acidic pH value of healthy skin. Skin irritations can be the result. Therefore, baking soda, like baking powder, has no place on sunburned skin.

In principle, consumer protectors note, it would of course be best to prevent sunburn from occurring in the first place. For the coming days with high temperatures and strong sunlight, it is better to rely on good UV protection and avoid too much sun.

(APA/Red)

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