Real Sunburn Relief

Got Milk? You’ll need some if you got sunburned...

Neal B. Schultz, author of “It’s Not Just About Wrinkles,” says a skim milk compress is one of the most soothing remedies for sunburn and even promotes healing. The protein in the milk acts as a chemical buffer to reduce swelling and pain – and as the milk evaporates, it cools the skin. Skim milk has a higher ratio of protein to fat, so it’s more effective than whole milk. The skim milk compress helps with poison ivy too.

To make the compress, mix equal amounts of skim milk and warm water in a bowl. You want it to be room temperature for the best evaporation. Soak a smooth cloth in the mixture, wring it out a bit and then let it sit on the sunburned area for about five minutes. Repeat every three to four hours.