Have you ever experienced that tight, dry, “my skin feels cooked” feeling after a beach or pool day? Despite the abundance of fun summer can provide, it can also be hard on skin and hair. The exposure and absorption of sun, salt, sweat, and chlorine can cause major moisture loss.
Many ask us: Can I use coconut oil on a sunburn?
There’s a growing trend online promoting coconut oil as a natural sunscreen, but what are the experts saying? Should we use coconut oil before or after sun exposure?
Safety Reminder: Coconut oil naturally has an SPF 4-7, which provides a small amount of UV protection, but if you will experience sun exposure longer than 10-15 minutes, then you need much more protection. To protect your skin from sun damage, we recommend using a mineral based sunscreen with 30+ SPF. And consider reapplying after a few hours.
So while we support the use of simple ingredients, we want to make sure everyone is using coconut oil in a way that works WITH your body, not against it.
Where coconut oil truly shines is AFTER SUN EXPOSURE. Coconut oil's natural ability to hydrate can help replace moisture loss (studies show it can increase moisture 148%).
Why Does Coconut Oil Heal a Sunburn?
Coconut oil can act like vaseline (in a pure form!) where it seals in moisture (but without the toxic, chemical-filled ingredients!) so it can protect and repair your skin barrier, while restoring 148% moisture loss.
Healing agents are also found in coconut oil - lauric acid, antioxidants, and vitamin E - all proven to heal damaged skin from minor burns, cuts, scars, rashes, and even sunburns. This makes coconut oil the perfect, purest ingredient to replenish the skin barrier and hydration when your skin needs it most.✨
When to NOT Use Coconut Oil on a Sunburn?
Within 24 hours of a burn! Because coconut oil acts as a skin barrier and protector, it can trap the heat from a burn. Your skin needs to breathe! Best practice is to wait at least 24-48 hours after a burn to let your skin naturally cool down before applying coconut oil. Depending on the severity, you can support your skin by running cool water over your burn, like a shower or compress.
Save This Routine For Your Next Sunburn:
1️⃣ Let skin cool for 24-48 hours after a sunburn
2️⃣ Clean skin with either a cool shower or compress
3️⃣ Apply a thin layer of raw coconut oil (you can combine with aloe from an aloe plant for advanced healing)
4️⃣ Repeat these steps every night for 3–5 days
Why Choose Dignity Made Raw, Organic Coconut Oil?
We know you have many choices when picking your grocery staples, including coconut oil. When you choose Dignity Made, here's what YOU get:
🥥 Raw = 4x more antioxidants and micronutrients in every scoop
💰 More benefits for your buck!$!
🥇 Award-Winning Coconut Oil
🌴 Product that values sustainable and ethical farming practices
🧡 Hope knowing your jar gave a farmer family freedom and dignity
