Even with the most cautious suncare protection, sunburns can happen. Unfortunately, just one mild sunburn can damage skin cells, leading to accelerated aging and the potential risk of skin cancer, notes the CDC. But fret not, there are after-sun products that can rapidly repair sun-damaged skin, plus a few tried-and-true techniques that can expedite healing. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the best after-sun care products.
Sunburn 101
Sunburns and sun damage can occur shockingly hastily. And while the short-term pain, redness, and discomfort hurt, the potential skin damage (and elevated risk of skin cancer) remains far after the burn fades. It’s a good reason to stay diligent with sunscreen, reapplication of SPF, and even sun-protective clothing and accessories (including a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective clothing, sunglasses, and sun protection parasols or umbrellas). But with all the proactive suncare in the world, sunburns still happen.
Best After-Sun Tips
So the sun’s rays snuck up on you? A sunburn is an inflammatory reaction to ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage to the skin’s outermost layers, says the Skin Cancer Foundation. Thus, the best course of action is to minimize the inflammation. Here are the best techniques to soothe skin (and the burn) with tips and ingredients you likely already have at home.
Hydrate and Cool
Excessive sun exposure can dehydrate—both the skin and the body. Drink plenty of water because a sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, a recipe for dehydration, notes the American Academy of Dermatology. Then take a cold shower to wash off the SPF and cool the skin. (Only use mild cleansers in the shower, anything with scrubs or exfoliants can further irritate the delicate skin.) Speaking of cooling things down, if the skin feels hot to the touch, apply a cold compress or even a classic solution: a frozen bag of peas wrapped around a clean towel.
Take a Pain Reliever
For relief from the pain of a burn, take a nonprescription pain reliever, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, says the Mayo Clinic. This can help with swelling, redness, and discomfort, adds the AAD.
Best After-Sun Skincare Ingredients
You might be wondering, ‘Do after-sun products actually work?’ While a standard body lotion can help hydrate the skin, a dedicated after-sun product has been formulated to soothe the burn, minimize inflammation, and hydrate. Consistent application of a top after-sun product can provide relief and improve the look and feel of skin. Here are a few ingredients and products to consider.
Aloe Vera
What makes aloe vera the gold standard for after-sun care is its anti-inflammatory properties. This is particularly helpful when you remember that a sunburn is an inflammatory reaction, so aloe is practically perfect for sunburns. And clinical research has shown that the succulent can speed up healing and reduce pain.
Hydrocortisone Cream
The AAD recommends applying a one percent hydrocortisone cream (which you can find at your local drugstore without a prescription) if the burn area feels especially uncomfortable. The cream can also help soothe the itchiness that accompanies a bad sunburn. The Mayo Clinic recommends applying a hydrocortisone cream to the affected area three times a day for three days, and they suggest storing the cream in the fridge for an added cooling sensation.
Reparative Lotions
Gentle creams and lotions packed with healing ingredients are a great addition to your after-sun regime, too. Look for ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, hyaluronic acid, and algae, which can hydrate, soothe, and calm skin.
Best After-Sun Products
At Tatcha, we believe in bringing the ‘care’ back to ‘skincare’—and nowhere is that belief more important than with after-sun skin products. Here are the best products to soothe, repair, protect, and correct sun damage.
A Calming Cleanser
Try: The Indigo Cleansing Balm
A gentle, yet effective, cleanser is important after sun exposure to help remove any excess SPF, salt, or chlorine from your beach or pool day. But it’s also vitally important to use a calming, nurturing cleanser on sunburnt skin that can soothe visible irritation and replenish moisture. This is where our newest cleansing innovation comes in: The Indigo Cleansing Balm. The skin-strengthening formula instantly calms visible irritation, while also supporting and transforming the barrier—important when skin is in a delicate state (like a sun damage).
An Overnight Treatment
Try: Indigo Overnight Repair
Beauty sleep is not just a figure of speech: skin really does repair itself overnight. This inspired our award-winning Indigo Overnight Repair, a fragrance-free soothing serum-in-moisturizer treatment that visibly calms irritation, strengthens the skin’s barrier, and balances the microbiome while you sleep. The formula is ideal for disrupted skin, helping to immediately improve moisture, barrier strength, and radiance.
An Instant Moisture Boost
Try: Luminous Hydrating Sheet Mask
Store this biocellulose treatment mask in the fridge for a deeply hydrating and cooling experience. The Luminous Hydrating Sheet Mask has been shown to boost skin’s moisture content by up to 200 percent in just 15 minutes.
A Soothing Sunscreen
Try: The Silk Sunscreen
There’s no better time to continue to prioritize sun protection than when experiencing sun damage. Try an ultra-gentle option, like The Silk Sunscreen, whose broad-spectrum formula protects against UVA and UVB rays with 10 percent zinc oxide for a mineral, reef-safe filter. Not only does the Silk Sunscreen feel impossibly light, but the formula also soothes skin, making it ideal for sensitive and irritated skin. The SPF also includes hyaluronic acid to help immediately boost skin’s natural moisture levels and niacinamide to reduce redness.
A Corrective Serum
Try: Violet-C Brightening Serum
Once the skin is completely healed, consider incorporating an antioxidant serum, like The Violet-C Brightening Serum, which can help reduce visible sun damage. The serum includes two forms of vitamin C, which help to reveal brighter skin and a more translucent, healthy-looking glow. Plus the daily serum is boosted with the addition of mild fruit alpha hydroxy acids to resurface dullness and uneven skin, antioxidant-rich Japanese beautyberry, and angelica root to help reduce the appearance of discoloration.
