A Top Sunburn Self-Care Remedy May Already Be in Your Fridge — Plus See What Doctors Say To Skip
Turns out when you apply your moisturizer is just as important as what's in it
If you’ve ever had a bad sunburn, you know that it can put a wrench in your day. Besides being as red as an overcooked lobster, the pain and discomfort can make it difficult to concentrate, move or even sleep. Thankfully, we’ve rounded up doctors’ best sunburn self-care remedies to ease the pain, itch, peeling and redness fast.
How a sunburn affects your skin
A sunburn is an inflammatory reaction caused by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. “Basically you are getting a burn, and the level of burn all depends on severity of sun and how long you’ve been exposed to it,” says Nazanin Saedi, MD, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA.
Like a regular thermal burn, a sunburn comes in degrees. “A first-degree sunburn is when you’re getting a burn on the top layer of skin, or epidermis,” Dr. Saedi explains. “If the burn is deeper and affects the second level of skin, the dermis, it’s a second-degree sunburn and that’s where you get sunburn blisters. A third-degree sunburn, which is super rare, is when you’re going through the epidermis, dermis and then affecting the fat below those layers.” Someone who has a third-degree sunburn needs emergency treatment and possibly a hospital stay.
It can take a few hours after exposure for a sunburn to show up. In addition to redness, your skin may also feel warm, tender or swollen. Blisters from a second-degree sunburn can take a few hours to develop, and they may be accompanied by a headache, fever, nausea and exhaustion, Dr. Saedi says.
A sunburn can happen in minutes
We all know to wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen every day. Still, a sunburn can occur rather fast, especially for some folks. “People with lighter skin, eyes and hair can burn in as little as 15 minutes,” says Jennifer Stein, MD, PhD, a professor of dermatology at the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine in New York City. But those with darker skin aren’t immune to sunburns. “If you’re a person who naturally tans, with enough sun exposure, you’ll eventually burn,” adds Dr. Stein.
Another common risk factor for sunburns: forgetting to reapply sunscreen, which typically only lasts 2 hours, says Dr. Saedi. People also underestimate the sun’s strength on an overcast day. “Many people don’t apply sunscreen at all when the sun isn’t out, and we tend to see more sunburns on cloudy days,” says Dr. Saedi. “Clouds only block about 20% of UV rays.”
How long does a sunburn last?
How long a sunburn lasts depends on how deep it is, says Dr. Saedi. If you have a first-degree sunburn, it’ll be two to three days before the redness goes away. Afterwards, you’ll experience peeling of that top damaged layer of skin, she explains. The peeling is part of the healing. It allows dead skin cells to slough off, revealing new, healthy skin underneath.
Recovery from a second-degree sunburn can take several weeks. It may be tempting to pop your blisters at home, but this is counterproductive and can slow healing, cautions Robert T. Brodell, MD, a professor of dermatology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. “If you poke your blisters, you run the risk of getting an infection,” he notes. “Pus, expanding redness on the skin or having a fever are signs of an infection, definitely requiring a visit to a doctor for antibiotics.”
Sometimes, sunburn blisters break on their own. If this happens, clean the area with an antibacterial cleanser (mild soap and water will work, too) and gently pat dry. Then apply Vaseline ointment and cover it with a nonstick bandage to keep the base of the blister moist and promote healing. “You could use an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment, but some patients get allergic contact dermatitis,” Dr. Brodell says. “If you put anything on that makes things worse, stop it and see your dermatologist.”
5 sunburn self-care remedies for speedy relief
It’s important to start your sunburn self-care as soon as you notice symptoms. Here’s what can help:
1. Sunburn self-care: Apply a cold milk compress
“Soaking a clean washcloth in cool milk and applying it to the sunburn can be very soothing,” says Dr. Stein. Milk has lactic acid, which helps repair skin and improves skin’s immunity after UVB damage, according to a study in Experimental Dermatology. The kitchen staple also contains antioxidants, which ease inflammation.
Simply fill a bowl with milk (ideally whole milk, if possible), add a washcloth to the bowl, then refrigerate it until chilled. Gently apply the cold milk compress to your sunburn as often as you want and for as long as it feels good, suggests Dr. Stein.
2. Sunburn self-care: Use moisturizers with this
Moisturizing products can ease itching as they hydrate dry sunburned skin, says Dr. Brodell, who recommends CeraVe’s Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion. “It contains ceramides — molecules shown to help the skin barrier keep irritants out and keep normal moisturizer in the skin — and pramoxine hydrocholoride, which works as a topical anesthetic,” he explains.
Another smart sunburn self-care strategy? Look for a moisturizer with pure aloe vera. Aloe contains aloin, a compound that suppresses inflammation, found a study in Molecules. “I recommend people cool their aloe vera cream or gel in the refrigerator before applying for an extra soothing effect,” advises Dr. Saedi. One to try: Neutrogena Sun Rescue After Sun Replenishing Lotion with Aloe Vera & Mint Extract. (Discover more benefits of aloe vera.)
Tip: “The best time to moisturize is right after a shower or bath, when your skin is still damp,” Dr. Saedi says. “Applying it then will help you seal in the hydration.” You can also continue to moisturize as needed throughout the day.
3. Sunburn self-care: Take an OTC pain reliever
If you’re in pain, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin. Ibuprofen and aspirin can also help with inflammation, says Dr. Brodell.
Topical pain relievers can work, too. Just avoid using those with ingredients that end in “-caine,” such as lidocaine or benzocaine. Why? They can irritate skin even more, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
4. Sunburn self-care: Drink extra fluids
“When you have a bad sunburn, you lose more water through your skin,” says Dr. Brodell. That’s because fluid in your body goes to the skin’s surface to help heal the damage. Dr. Brodell stresses it’s key to keep up your fluid intake to ward off dehydration. Drinking water or Gatorade can help, too, he says, as can eating water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers, lettuce and apples.
5. Sunburn self-care: Take a cool shower
“Cool showers or baths when you have a sunburn can bring quick relief to warm or hot skin,” says Dr. Stein. If you’re taking a shower, keep the pressure low so the water doesn’t beat down on tender skin, she advises.
Rather take a cool soak? Consider adding a cup of colloidal (finely ground) oats to the tub, which can soothe skin and help retain moisture. Plus, a study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found colloidal oats to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Sunburn self-care: When to see a doctor
A severe sunburn can turn into a rash known as as sun poisoning. This can cause a fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, dehydration and confusion. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention.
Keep an eye on your skin, too. According to the Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America, you should see a doctor if a blister appears filled with pus, appears in unusual places (such as your mouth or eyelids), a wound changes color or you notice a foul odor.
For more ways to soothe common (and painful!) skin bothers:
Doctors Say These Kitchen Staples Speed Healing of a Painful Skin Ulcer
Say Goodbye to Redness, Bumps & Irritation — Dermatologists Reveal How to Get Rid of Rosacea
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
