Summer is here, and we all know what that means—time for parks, pools, hikes, beaches, and a dozen other activities in the great outdoors and that big hot sun. While taking advantage of the sunshine is among of the greatest aspects of summer, those strong UV rays are definitely not one of those aspects (no matter the strength of your sunscreen). If you’ve developed a wicked sunburn after a day in the sun, then you should probably try out this simple sunburn remedy, which contains both aloe vera and raw Manuka honey.

Besides Manuka honey’s various benefits for your skin, aloe vera comes with its own positives, chief among them being to treat redness and being useful for beauty regimens. Additionally, aloe vera aids greatly in alleviating the irritation, stinging, and itching associated with sunburn as well as fighting swelling and relieving pain. You can try using aloe vera plants, buying aloe leaves from your local health foods store, or getting it as pure aloe vera gel. For the gel, just make sure you check the ingredients, as many aloe gels and creams in the marketplace have preservatives or additives that could be damaging to the skin.

If you choose aloe’s plant form, you have to acquire the gel from inside the leaves, so try to pick ones that are plump and thick, as they often have the most gel. From there, follow the steps below:

Clean the leaf off.
Take a knife and cut the thickest end off.
Cut the thinnest part of the other end off (roughly one to three inches, depending on the leaf). You should see some sticky gel inside from each end.
Lay the leaf horizontally or set the leaf up vertically, and then cut both prickly sides off.
Laying the leaf horizontally on a cutting board on its back, cut the leaf’s outer green layer carefully to expose the gel.
Scoop out the gel with a spoon into a bowl or glass jar, keep it covered, and then store the gel inside your fridge.

When it’s time to make the rest of the recipe, mix the aloe vera gel and raw honey together (a 2:1 ratio) with a fork or a whisk. Apply the remedy to any sunburn by directly dabbing the mix on affected areas while also rubbing it in via circular motions. When you’re hurting from sunburn, this moisturizing, cooling recipe can work wonders for you and your family, providing a solid defense for your skin and keeping your summer fun.

If you need some Manuka honey to try this sunburn remedy, click here. And remember, we offer FREE shipping on all orders of $150 or more.