Everyone knows by now that excessive sun exposure is not good for you. People with melanoma, the sunburn most-linked to skin cancer, are very likely to have had severe sunburn in their pasts. But, even armed with that knowledge, most of us are going to experience the pain of sunburn at some point in our lives.

It is easy to forget to apply sunscreen when you're busy, when you're having fun in the sun, and it's especially easy to neglect when you aren't thinking about spending time in the sun in the first place. Most of our cumulative sun exposure comes from those quick drives in the car and from just being outside occasionally in the course of a typical day. But even people who are diligent about wearing sunscreen on the beach and elsewhere don't reapply it often enough to get the best sun protection.

If you find that you have been on the receiving end of the sun's burning rays for too long and have mild-to-moderate sunburn, there are natural remedies you can use to alleviate the pain. It's important to consult your doctor, though, if you have symptoms of severe sunburn (sometimes referred to as sun poisoning). These can include watery blisters, chills, fever, swelling, nausea, and visual disturbances, among other symptoms.

It is also important to know what you should not do for sunburn. Somehow, over the years, the notion became popular that butter, mayonnaise, petroleum jelly, and other greasy products were good for relieving sunburn pain. Not only is this false, it actually aggravates the pain and increases the damage sunburn causes by clogging the skin's pores and slowing down the natural course of healing. Natural remedies that do work are readily available, so use that butter for your toasted bread and not your toasty, red skin.

Aloe vera is a traditional favorite topical treatment for sunburn. The healing, soothing gel from this desert-native plant can be purchased ready-to-apply, as can other products containing fresh aloe. The gel can also be extracted directly from the plant by squeezing the succulent leaves until the clear gel emerges. Rub this gel directly on the sunburn.

One of the many uses of lavender essential oil is sunburn relief. When gently applied directly to sunburned skin, lasting relief is often felt within thirty minutes.

Calendula and green or black tea have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the symptoms of sunburn. Vinegar is said to do the same, despite no hard evidence confirming this. But if you want to try it, use a half plain white vinegar/half water solution and apply it as a compress or spray directly on the sunburn.

Don't forget to rehydrate yourself by drinking plenty of water. Healing will occur must faster if your body has adequate amounts of water to help carry out the process.

So, wear your sunscreen like you know you should, and avoid the sun during its peak hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. But when you inevitably slip up, look to nature for some quick relief.