Summer is synonymous with outdoor adventures, soaking up the sun, and enjoying all that nature has to offer. The only downside to exploring the great unknown? You may come home with a gnarly scrape, bug bite, or sunburn to show for it! These minor skin irritations are just part of the journey. But they still sting, burn, itch, and throb! Plus, even the most superficial break in the skin can potentially get infected.
The good news? Many of these types of irritations can be soothed naturally at home (or even on the go) with a high-quality topical relief gel of your choice!
What is a Topical Relief Gel?
Topical means applied directly to the skin, as opposed to a supplement that you take in a pill or capsule form.It comes in gel form (as opposed to a cream or ointment). That means it is oil-free and leaves a thin layer on your skin to protect and soothe it.
Using Natural First Aid Gels Day-to-day
One of the biggest benefits of topical relief gels is that they are so versatile! Many are safe to use externally anywhere on your skin that needs a little TLC.
Common Infections
There are many types of infections that you can get on your skin. Some, like warts, are caused by viruses. Others are fungal and show up on skin that has been in a moist environment.
The most well-known type of infection is bacterial. Wound healing gels that use antiseptic ingredients (like olive leaf, silver, or elderberry) may help with all three types of common infections.
Diaper Rash
No parent likes to see their child in pain, and unchecked diaper rash can be a real bummer! Healing gel formulas can give some relief and help clear up everyday cases of diaper rash. Plus, preventative applications of gels that contain tea tree and other fungus-fighting ingredients may help keep your baby’s bottom healthy if you notice a rash and intervene early.
Minor Allergic Reactions, Eczema, and Rashes
If itchy hives or a patch of eczema unexpectedly make an appearance, you’ll want relief fast. While there are antihistamine gels available, cooling tea tree oil feels amazing on hot, itchy skin irritations. You can use natural first aid gel alone or alongside an antihistamine gel to help alleviate discomfort on-the-go. Just pop some in your purse or backpack.
Athletes Foot and Jock Itch
Some itches are just really embarrassing and inconvenient to scratch. A natural repair gel can help restore your skin's natural balance and may be used to help with the itch, burn, and sting.
Parasites
Got a little parasitic buddy tagging along for your fun times? Kick these nasty uninvited guests to the curb and repair your skin with a topical that contains some of the therapeutic ingredients listed below.
Small Scratches and Cuts
Small scratches and cuts—like you can get from hiking through weeds, falling on the sidewalk, or perfecting your knife skills in the kitchen—can also sometimes turn into infections. Topical relief gels can help prevent the spread of germs that cause infections, so many people use them as part of their preventative treatment ritual for these small injuries.
Bug Bites
Mosquito and other bug bites are a nuisance that can easily ruin a hike or camping trip. While you can try and prevent them by wearing repellant or longer clothing, these pests often sneak past your best defenses. Thankfully, skin relief gels may help soothe itchy bites, letting you resist the urge to scratch and make them worse.
Wind Burns and Sunburns
Did you earn yourself some chapped cheeks while you were shredding powder on the slopes? Forget to reapply sunscreen and come home from camping with a gnarly burn? Natural gels that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, like olive leaf extract, might just help with the pain and swelling associated with windburn and sunburn.
Razor Burn
Razor burn, the red little bumps you get sometimes from shaving your face or your legs, is a type of rash. Topical relief gels can help calm rashes, so they are handy to have around when you encounter this common type of skin irritation.
How to Choose a Natural Skin Relief Gel
Not all topical gels are created equal. When you are putting something directly onto your skin (or your child’s skin), you want to make sure that there aren’t any harsh or harmful ingredients hidden inside. If you’re looking at a label that lists dozens of ingredients with unpronounceable names, you may feel overwhelmed or unsure of which ingredients you should choose. And which to avoid.
Many people prefer to avoid chemicals and choose powerful natural remedies instead. Make sure to keep an eye out for some of these effective ingredients when choosing a healing gel.
Olive Leaf Extract
As you may have guessed from its name, olive leaf extract is taken from olive plant leaves. Mediterranean countries like Morocco and Greece have used it as traditional medicine for hundreds of years! Found in only the highest quality first aid gels, olive leaf extract is a powerful antioxidant that may help reduce inflammation, fight the effects of minor skin pains, and possibly even prevent microorganisms from spreading.
Structured Silver Water
Structured silver water is composed of purified silver and purified water. In a 2007 study, researchers found that topical treatments that included silver demonstrated excellent bacteria-fighting qualities and stopped most bacterial growth 24 hours after application. This evidence supports the idea that silver is an excellent treatment for skin infections, so look for this ingredient in topical relief gels.
European Elderberry
This ingredient is also typically an extract. The fruit comes from European elderberry trees, which are native to Europe but are also found in other places around the world. Elderberry extract has been historically used as a homeopathic remedy throughout the world for centuries. They’re an abundant source of vitamin A and many phytonutrients known to be soothing to the skin. They also have antiseptic effects, so elderberry extract is said to be useful in stopping the spread of germs.
Which Topical Relief Gel is Right For You?
At Oxygen Nutrition, we know that you want only the best products for your family’s skin. That’s why TriGuard Plus Multi-Use Topical Relief Gel uses all three of these powerful, all-natural ingredients—without all the extra additives and fillers you’ll find in many other topical relief gels.
Once you realize how many different ways you can use powerful gel formulas, you’ll want to take some with you everywhere you go! Luckily, our TriGuard Plus Multi-Use Topical Relief Gel is super easy to toss in your gym duffel, beach tote, or diaper bag for fast, fuss-free application anywhere.