Summer’s on its way. No matter what you’ve got going on, we’re sure you’ll spend plenty of time outdoors in the sunshine. And no matter where your vacation plans take you, you’ll stash plenty of sunblock in your travel bag, right?

Of course you will. But it takes more than just SPF 30 to keep your skin protected from the elements. In fact, all good intentions aside, most of us have had the experience of indulging a bit too much in the sun and fun department. And, no matter how much we try, we end up with a sunburn or a heat rash.

But this summer we’ve got you covered with the following tips and natural remedies.

• Avoid essential oils like bergamot, angelica, and lemon verbena—according to ayurvedic practitioner Felicia Tomasko, these can increase sun sensitivity.
• If you need to treat a burn, try these holistic remedies, using the ingredients that work best for you:

Sandalwood and Turmeric (From Vasant Lad, founder of the Ayurvedic Institute):
Mix equal amounts of powdered sandalwood and turmeric with a little cool water and apply the paste to the sunburn.

Black Tea (From Monica Bharadwaj, author of Beauty Secrets from India)
Apply cold, strong, black tea directly to sunburn with soaked cotton pads several times a day.

Or just rub your skin with aloe vera gel or coconut oil. Both classic remedies are as cooling as they are rejuvenating.

• Use watermelon to soothe a summer rash: rubbing the fleshing part of the rind soothes and can help heal the skin, according to doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and ayurvedic practitioner Claudia Welch.
• Drink plenty of green tea. The antioxidants packed into each leaf have skin-protecting benefits.

Don’t forget Vitamin D is essential for your health. Depending on your location, 15 minutes of unprotected exposure to the sun can provide all you need for the day.

Did you know? Ayurvedic practitioners can gauge how healthy you are by taking a look at your skin. A glowing, radiant face can be the true-blue indication of strong digestion, good circulation and your ability to detoxify.

Read more of Felicia’s skincare tips for every season here.

Or, to learn more secrets of the ayurvedic beauty industry, take a look at our feature article, “Radiant Beauty”