Natural Sunburn Treatment: How I Healed My Son’s Skin with Essential Oils

By Elena Zhidkova-Rice, Certified Aromatherapist

When my son came back from summer camp with a painful sunburn on his back and shoulders, I knew I had to act quickly — and gently. His skin was hot, red, and inflamed, and because of his sensory sensitivity, I needed to avoid anything greasy, sticky, or heavily scented.

Coincidentally, my aromatherapy coursework at the time involved writing a consultation plan for a teenager with sunburn. So I used that assignment as the blueprint for my son's care. And within three days, his skin was nearly fully healed.

In this post, I’ll share the exact steps I took, the blend I created, and why it worked — in case you ever need a safe, effective way to soothe and support someone with sunburn.

Initial Care: Cooling and Soothing the Skin with a Natural Sunburn Treatment

Immediately, I began with hydrosols instead of essential oils. Hydrosols are water-based and extremely gentle on irritated skin. Here’s what I used:

• Lavender hydrosol — calming, anti-inflammatory, and soothing

• Peppermint hydrosol — cooling and slightly analgesic

• Immortelle (Helichrysum) hydrosol — excellent for skin regeneration and inflammation

I gently misted his back and shoulders several times a day, especially in the first 24 hours. This alone brought immediate relief — and laid the foundation for an effective natural sunburn treatment that supported his skin from day one.

Visible redness and inflammation on my son’s right shoulder just before we began treatment with hydrosols and essential oil care.

Visible redness and inflammation on my son’s left shoulder before beginning natural sunburn care with hydrosols and essential oils.

Next Step: The Essential Oil Blend That Helped Heal His Skin

After the initial cooling phase, I created a therapeutic essential oil blend — one that was potent, skin-safe, and quickly absorbed. I used a 20% dilution because I planned short-term use (2 days only) and focused on regeneration.

Sunburn Relief Blend (20% dilution)

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — 4 drops

• Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) — 3 drops

• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) — 2 drops

• Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) — 2 drops

• Carrier oil: Baobab oil — 5 ml

I applied a few drops of this blend 2–3 times a day to the affected areas. The baobab oil offered deep nourishment and absorbed easily without leaving a greasy residue.

Note: This 20% dilution is intentionally strong and was used for just 2 days in a localized area. It’s not meant for general or long-term use. Always consult a certified aromatherapist for custom recommendations, especially for children or sensitive skin.

After those initial two days, I continued care using only hydrosols and baobab oil or aloe vera gel — without any essential oils — until his skin returned completely to normal. There was only very light skin peeling, and healing was quick and complete.

Why This Natural Sunburn Treatment Worked

• Lavender calms inflammation, relieves pain, and accelerates healing.

• Helichrysum helps with skin regeneration and reduces trauma.

• Geranium supports cellular repair and skin balance.

• Palmarosa hydrates and boosts skin renewal.

• Baobab oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, excellent for sensitive and damaged skin.

It’s also important to note: The quality and freshness of essential oils are critical to their therapeutic effectiveness. As a certified aromatherapist, I carefully select oils based on chemotype, batch, and storage — and I understand the interactions with medications and individual precautions for each oil I use.

By day three, the redness had faded significantly. There was no peeling or blistering, and his skin looked and felt much better.

Three days after treatment — his skin is calm, clear, and fully healed with no blistering or irritation.

What to Avoid with Sunburn

• Avoid heavy, oily creams in the first 24 hours.

• Never use essential oils undiluted on burned skin.

• Avoid hot showers or baths.

• Do not use citrus oils (like lemon or bergamot) — they can make skin more sensitive to the sun.

• Avoid sun exposure as much as possible until the skin has healed. If going outside, wear loose, protective clothing over the affected area.

• Never skip sunscreen once healing begins. Choose a gentle, mineral-based SPF and reapply often.

• Stay hydrated — drink plenty of water, especially in hot weather, to support skin repair from the inside out.

  
  

A Note of Encouragement

Natural care can be incredibly effective when used with intention, safety, and gentleness. If you or a loved one experiences a sunburn, especially a child with sensitive skin or sensory needs, this approach may offer relief without overwhelm.

And if you're curious about how to support your skin or emotions naturally, I'm always happy to share what I've learned on my journey.

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With warmth,

Elena Zhidkova-Rice

Certified Aromatherapist & Olfactotherapy Practitioner