5 All-Natural Ways to Reverse Sun Damage: From Licorice Root to Cucumber Cream

These straight-from-nature goodies revive and repair skin and hair, offering fast fixes for sun damage after a season spent exposed to its rays.

Erase age spots with licorice root

Whether on the face, hands, or décolletage, those pesky brown spots add years to our look. Licorice root extract can help, says dermatologist Michele Green, M.D. Its unique compounds break down the pigment that causes discoloration while preventing future spots from forming. Mixed with yogurt (its lactic acid helps brighten), skin will look more even in no time!

■ TRY IT! Mix one tablespoon of yogurt and three drops of licorice root extract, like Nature’s Answer Licorice (Buy on iHerb.com, from $10.49). Dab onto spots; rinse after 15 minutes.

Hydrate dry hair with argan oil

Fatty acid–rich argan oil penetrates sun-parched strands, locking in moisture and increasing shine. Plus, the oil’s antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which wards off future sun damage.

■ TRY IT! Apply a nickel-size amount of argan oil, like Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum (Buy on Amazon, $30) onto damp hair from roots to ends. Let sit for 10 minutes; rinse.

Calm rashy skin with chamomile tea

Anti-inflammatory properties in the tea reduce any lingering redness or irritation from the season’s heat and sun. Boost results by pairing with skin-healing aloe. Its compounds relieve pain and repair damage fast.

■ TRY IT! Pour one cup of brewed chamomile tea and one tablespoon of aloe vera gel into a spray bottle; shake to combine. Store in the fridge and spritz onto skin as needed.

Firm crepey skin with these oils

Coconut oil’s vitamin E improves skin’s elasticity (which UV rays break down) while its hydrating lauric acid “plumps” skin, says Dr. Green. And frankincense oil helps skin shed dead cells for a smoother look — stat!

■ TRY IT! Mix one-half tablespoon of coconut oil and three drops of frankincense oil, like SVA Organics Frankincense Essential Oil (Buy on Amazon, $15.94). Rub on skin; let absorb.

Soften dry patches with sea salt

Sea salt’s crystals remove the rough built-up layers that result from summer’s skin-drying elements like sun and chlorine. And infusing it with ultra-hydrating avocado oil ensures skin looks and feels instantly soft and supple.

■ TRY IT! Mix a quarter cup of sea salt and quarter cup of avocado oil. While showering, rub onto damp skin from the shoulders down; rinse.

A cucumber cream calms redness

Potent anti-inflammatory properties in cukes soothe everything from sunburn to heat rash after time spent in the sun. Mixing them with sour cream reduces inflammation even faster as its lipids repair skin’s barrier.

■ TRY IT! Puree half of a cucumber in a blender, strain the liquid and mix it with 2 Tbs. of sour cream. Apply to irritated skin and let sit 15 minutes, then rinse.

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.