I am a big proponent for coconut oil. I slather the stuff on my skin; use it in my baking and as an agent for soothing sunburn.
Coconut oil works wonders as a moisturizer, so when I came home from the beach the other day with a nasty sunburn on the backs of my legs (we’ve all been there, you know, that upper part near your butt that you always miss when you put on sunscreen), I decided to try a little coconut love.
Let me backtrack, I had originally been plucking aloe vera leaves off my one plant, and it didn’t seem to be helping much. When I had harvested about half my aloe vera plant in about three hours after returning home, I decided I needed something more. That was when I thought about the moisturizing miracle of the coconut. Besides, those aloe vera plants have pokey sides that feel like knives when rubbing them on tender, sunburned skin.
So since I like having an aloe vera plant that has actual plant components to it, I got to work.
In a small jar I spooned out about a cup of coconut oil. The oil wasn’t melted enough to be a liquid, but it was soft and easy to spoon/stir. I added some lavender oil (about 10 drops) and squeezed some aloe vera (straight from the plant) into the jar as well. I stir the concoction until it was… well, stirred.
I used a spatula (straight from the kitchen drawer and never to return) to rub that glorious white goop all over my body. While the backs of my legs were suffering the most (they were burning, really), my entire body felt itchy as if I had overdone my vitamin D dosage for a few days.
The results were fantastic! Immediately, my skin felt cool and calm. I kept slathering the stuff on and within 24 hours, my burn was no longer burning all the time. Within two days, my burn had turned to a tan and I was one comfy camper. At home. Out of the sun.
Now, be warned. Coconut oil melts. And it gets everywhere. I stained my bedding because of it. You should sit on a towel and not make the same mistake I did. Also, wear a giant t-shirt, or a dress you don’t care about, as the oil may stain your clothes as well.
The lavender oil I used. Lavender is one of those oils that doesn't require a carrier oil (such as coconut or olive) to apply to the skin.
The harvested aloe vera plant.
My finished product. Goopy goodness for after sun fun!
