/ epsom salt ~ sunburnt skins saviour

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BURN BABY BURN

When summer rolls around and without knowing it, you know that the UV meter has hit extreme because it’s 8am and your skin has that uncomfortable burning feel and your eyes are squinting already. But it’s only early, you’ll be quick, and Vitamin D is the spice of life. You step outside for a few minutes to grab that coffee only to get caught in the line up and return bright red with a touch of sunburn and shameful regret.

But before you reach for another layer of aloe there is a natural contender you might not have considered, Magnesium. Yes that humble mineral that most of us associate with calming baths and better sleep is also a saviour for sunburnt skin. This is because when you get burnt your skin has essentially been irritated by too much UV radiation. The result is inflamed, red skin that feels hot to touch with an uncomfortable tightness that makes anything you wear feel like sandpaper. Ideally, what your skin needs is something that can reduce the inflammation and hydrate to help speed up the repair process.

Magnesium does just that and here is why. Magnesium has been shown to help reduce skin inflammation when applied topically by supporting the skin barrier function, helping lock in moisture and soothe irritated tissue. This is a big deal because when your skin is injured it tends to lose water and minerals, including Magnesium. Magnesium applied topically can help replenish some of what was lost, and as magnesium is one of the good guys you want to make sure it’s back in the mix.

Now you might be wondering how exactly you get magnesium on your skin in a way that helps. Our tip is to keep it simple, particularly as you don’t want to further irritate already angry skin. Epsom Bath Salts are a classic go to for soaking away soreness and irritation. If you add a few of cups of Epsom Salts to a cool bath and soak for about 20 minutes you will provide your skin with not only a hydrating boost, but also a gentle influx of magnesium that can help calm redness and discomfort. Using cool water here is key because heat will make the burn feel worse.

If baths are not your thing or you want something more targeted you can whip up a simple spray by dissolving about two tablespoons of Epsom Salt in a cup of water and misting it directly onto the sensitive area. A fine mist of Magnesium Oil is another option that might work if you are out and about or traveling abroad. A cool mist can feel extra refreshing on hot skin, and if you time it right it gives your skin a chance to absorb the goodness without overdoing it. Just remember burnt skin can be extra sensitive so a quick patch test never hurts.

Of course, there are other things that help with sunburn recovery like cool showers, aloe vera and really gentle moisturisers without perfumes. From someone who has overdone after sun care, and ended up with third degree burns, I would strongly recommend to avoid all fragrances, alcohols and essential oils (so make sure you check your labels) and of course avoid going back into the sun while your skin is healing so as not to prolong the whole ordeal.

At the end of the day sunburn is a reminder that our gorgeous Australian sun is ‘bitey,’ and that a bit of magnesium might just be the natural ally you didn’t know you needed (along with a wide brim hat, t shirts that cover our shoulders and sunscreen that is reapplied on a constant rotation).

REFERENCES

PubMed study showing topical magnesium can support burn healing: The effect of topical magnesium on healing of pre-clinical burn wounds — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37980271/

Healthline overview of Epsom salt baths and reported uses including soaking for inflammation and irritation — Epsom Salt Bath: Uses, Benefits, and Risks — https://www.healthline.com/health/epsom-salt-bath

Biology Insights discussion on topical magnesium and skin inflammation relief, with safety guidance — Is Magnesium Good for Sunburn and Inflammation? — https://biologyinsights.com/is-magnesium-good-for-sunburn-and-inflammation/

Epsom Salt Council guide with methods for using Epsom salt soaks and cool compresses for sunburned skin — Combat Sunburn with Epsom Salt — https://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/health/combat-sunburn-with-epsom-salt/

Scientific review of magnesium’s broader role in skin health including inflammation and barrier support — The role of magnesium in dermatology (ScienceDirect) -https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950198925000960