(NaturalNews) For most people, the warmer weather means more time spent outdoors where the chances of getting a sunburn occur. While protecting skin is important, there are instances where it's difficult to seek shade or times where a wide-brimmed hat is forgotten.

Even the commonly-held thought that suntan lotion is helpful has been debunked; most suntan lotions are laden with harmful chemicals which studies show have the potential to cause cancer rather than prevent it.(1) Furthermore, suntan lotions have been shown to reduce the levels of vitamin D produced by the body, affecting its ability to prevent cancers.(1)

Vinegar for sunburn relief

Still, whether it's from a forgotten beach umbrella or just a great deal of outdoor enjoyment, a sunburn can be painful and frustrating. Rather than thinking it's best to leave the reddened skin alone or purchase a slew of products designed to soothe the area, one common household item can provide immediate relief. Vinegar, either of the apple cider or regular white distilled variety, can help heal a sunburn with ease.

Just ask Kaitlyn, who went camping and ended up with a bad sunburn during her 10-day lakeside trip.(2) She turned to vinegar, putting some on a towel and then dabbing it on her body before bedtime. The result?

She woke up with " . . . no redness, no itching, no tingling" and says that her skin never even peeled.(2) She explains that at first she was somewhat hesitant, thinking that perhaps vinegar might aggravate her skin even more, but says that it was extremely effective. She says that it " . . . immediately takes all the pain out of your sunburn."(2)

Why vinegar works, and other skin conditions it helps heal

According to Bonnie K. McMillen, R.N., B.S.N., college health nurse at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, "Vinegar has antiseptic properties that can kill germs and relieve pain."(3) Quite simply, it works by balancing the skin's acid and alkalinity levels so that the healing process takes place. Everything from redness and blisters can be reduced.

In addition to providing sunburn relief, vinegar can help improve other skin conditions too.

For example, a mixture of vinegar diluted in water can help people with acne since it has astringent properties that keep excess oils at bay.(4) It's even effective at treating nail fungus infections, fighting itchy skin and removing clogged dirt from pores.(4)

Sources for this article include:

(1) https://www.naturalnews.com/032815_sunscreen_chemicals.html

(2) http://youtu.be/5EQzxGZ2iuc

(3) http://www.livestrong.com/article/94502-soothe-sunburn-vinegar/

(4) http://www.natural-homeremedies.com

About the author:
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. >>> Click here to see more by Antonia