Do not treat ordinary honey as an emergency sunburn remedy. A kitchen mixture, especially one containing lemon or abrasive ingredients, is not the same as a product developed for irritated skin.
What to do instead
The NHS sunburn guidance recommends cooling the skin, using suitable after-sun care and avoiding further sun exposure while it heals. Seek medical help for serious symptoms, extensive blistering or feeling unwell. A baby or young child with sunburn also needs appropriate advice.
Why the honey claim is misleading
Research about medical-grade honey dressings concerns specific products and uses. It does not show that a food jar repairs sun damage, provides sunscreen protection or is appropriate for broken skin. Nor does a honey-and-lemon recipe become a treatment because its ingredients are natural.
Keep honey in the kitchen, where its flavour can be enjoyed in food and drinks. For the medical-product distinction, read our guide to honey, wounds and burns. For everyday skin care, choose a suitable formulated product and follow its directions; stop using a product if it irritates your skin.
