What Are The Best Products To Treat A Sunburn?

Got a sunburn?

It happens to everyone. You just need to get your guard down with sunscreen for one hour and already your skin is turning an itchy shade of lobster red. Ouch!

You’ll be more careful next time, I know. But, right now, get out of the sun and slather a soothing cream on to relieve the redness and itchiness that’s driving you insane.

Not sure what to use? Fret not, I’ve got you covered. Here are the best skincare products to treat sunburns:

P.S. For a complete guide on how to treat a sunburn, click here.

Best Soak-In Treatment For Sunburns: Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal Bath ($6.97)

I don’t know about you, but the first thing I want to do when I get a surburn is have a relaxing bath that cools down the pain and irritation. That’s where Aveeno Colloidall Oatmeal Bath comes in. This baby contains only one ingredient: 100% Colloidal Oatmeal. A very fine powder derived from whole oat grains, colloidal oatmeal has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show it “significantly improved many clinical outcomes of atopic dermatitis” and soothes sunburn, rashes (including diaper rashes), hives, insect bites, and other pruritic conditions. Plus, thanks to its moisturising properties, it repairs your broken (thanks, UV rays!) skin barrier faster and makes your skin softer and smoother again.

Available at: iHerb and Walmart

Related: Why Colloidal Oatmeal Is A Must For Irritated, Sensitive Skin

Want to know what ingredients you really need to avoid in your skincare products? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Skincare Ingredients To Avoid” cheatsheet:

Best Treatment For Severe Sunburns: Aveeno Anti-Itch Concentrated Lotion ($10.79)

The name doesn’t lie. Aveeno Anti-Itch Concentrated Lotion is a concentrated skin-soother on steroids. It feature colloidal oatmeal and calamine, two skin protectants with soothing properties that relieve both redness and itchiness. They don’t just work for sunburns. Whether you’re dealing with eczema, insect bites, or dermatitis, they help your skin heal faster. Plus, the lotion also has 1% Pramoxine HCl, a hydrocortisone that helps reduce inflammation. You’re practically nursing that sunburn on all fronts. It’s bound to get better – FAST.

Available at: iHerb and Walmart

Related: What The Heck Is Calamine And How Does It Help Skin?

Best Natural Remedy For Sunburns: Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel ($4.00)

I’ve picked Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel here (I had to pick something!), but any Aloe Vera gel will do. You can literally grab an Aloe Vera gel from the local pharmacy. A popular folk remedy for every kind of irritation, Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated skin, sunburns, eczema and psoriasis. Sure, it doesn’t do the job overnight. You need to reapply it throughout the day to help your sunburned skin heal faster. Plus, it’s moisturising too. Aloe Vera draw moisture from the air to the skin, helping to keep it soft and hydrated.

PRO TIP: The shorter the ingredient lists, the better. When your skin is compromised, even the most innocuous of ingredients may irritate it.

Available at: Asos, Beauty Bay, Feel Unique, Ulta, and Yes Style

Related: Can Aloe Vera Treat Sunburns, Acne, And Stretch Marks?

Best Moisturiser For Sunburns: CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion ($15.49)

Sunburned skin is terribly dry. To wreak all that damage, UV rays had to destroy your skin’s protective barrier first. With its defences down, moisture evaporates out into thin air, leaving skin dry and flaky. A broken barrier also allows germs, pollutants, and all other kinds of irritants in, making everything worse and slowing down recovery. CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion has what it takes to repair your skin’s protective barrier. It features ceramides (the building blocks of your skin) to patch up the holes in the barrier and hyaluronic acid to add moisture back into the skin. Together, they nurse skin back to its soft and smooth self.

Available at: Dermstore, Feel Unique, Look Fantastic, and Ulta

Related: How To Strengthen Your Skin’s Protective Barrier (And Why It Matters)

What do you think are the best treatments and products for sunburns? Let me know in the comments below.

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.