I don’t know the science of why aloe vera works, but it really works!  It is one natural friend of the skin, and I recommend it for many skin irritations.  Have you ever gone swimming all day or otherwise spend an entire day in the sun?  If you have, and you weren’t used to that much exposure to the sun, you probably became sunburned.  This has been happening to me my entire life because I was cursed with extremely pale and sensitive skin. 

One of the greatest things I have tried is aloe vera, straight from the plant.  You can keep it potted at your house at all times.  It is a fairly low-maintenance plant that does very well with little attention.  The leaves are smooth, but they usually have little protective spikes on them (depending on the kind; there are many different species).  You cut off one of the leaves and slice it open.  Inside, the leaves have a clear jelly that you can spread over your sunburn for huge relief. 

It helps insect bites, rashes, and other painful skin irritations, too.  If you don’t want to raise the plant, you can buy aloe vera in a bottled form, sometimes with other additives that are good for skin.  It’s a fabulous skin care product.