Skincare 101: How to Treat a Sunburn

Hacks to Soothe and Treat Summer’s Biggest Buzz Kill

Sunburns are no fun! They burn, quite literally, and then your skin peels, leaving blotchy skin for days to come.

It’s easier said than done, but the best way to prevent sunburn is to stay out of the sun as much as possible. For those times you’re exposed to the sun, make sure to use a dermatologist-approved broad-spectrum sunscreen and plan to re-apply throughout the day.

That said, we know it still happens. If you find yourself with a sunburn, keep reading for our tried-and-true tricks for how to treat a sunburn fast.

Natural Remedies for Sunburns

It’s always satisfying, and usually most convenient, to choose a natural route to healing as a response to sunburn. Thankfully, there are quite a few options to consider!

Aloe Vera for Sunburns

First and foremost, aloe vera gel or lotion is a well-known natural sunburn remedy, but here’s a way you can take it a step further. Mix some aloe gel with water, and pour the mixture into an ice cube tray. After freezing, you can use the aloe ice to rub on your burned skin, which will cool and soothe at the same time. You can do the same process with gels or lotions containing soy, which has the same cooling effect and anti-inflammatory qualities as aloe vera.

Speaking of soy, soy milk and cold yogurt can both be soothing and protective to sunburnt skin because they are rich in protein. This sunburn tips article from TheCoveteur.com consulted a dermatologist, who says that you can dip compresses into your cold milk or yogurt for 15-20 minutes to help soothe the burn and reapply every couple hours.

Taking a Bath for Sunburn Treatment

If you’re someone who loves the benefits of a relaxing milk bath, taking one post-burn is an amazing way to soothe your sun-damaged skin. Just pour one to two cups of powdered milk or full-fat milk into warm bath water for a relaxing sunburn treatment.

If the soothing bath sounds appealing, you can try adding a few tablespoons of oatmeal to your milk bath because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent itching and irritation.

The Vacation Hack for Sunburns

All of these are great skincare treatments, but what if you’re in travel mode and you’re reluctant to carry around ice cubes, a bottle of aloe, oatmeal, plus your favorite poolside cocktail?

Enter, black tea bags!

Tea bags are subtle enough to carry in a small purse and can do wonders for treating your sunburn. Black tea has tannic acid, which helps maintain the pH balance of the skin and can help calm skin irritation. Simply brew your black tea bags, then throw them in the refrigerator, or put them on ice. Once cooled, dab the tea bags on the sunburn.

Does Drinking Water Help with a Sunburn?

We're glad you asked! Hydrating from the inside out is a great way to help your body heal. You need to drink more water while your body is sending extra fluids to the sunburned area. Adding electrolytes will help, too, so grab that sports drink or your favorite electrolyte powder and enjoy!

Skincare to Help a Sunburn

Sometimes your sunburn requires a bit more TLC than a natural concoction can offer. Luckily, the ALASTIN Daily Beauty Regimen features four best-selling skincare products that are all TSA-approved and travel-friendly, but more importantly, they will come in handy if you get a bit too much sun while enjoying your vacation!

• The Gentle Cleanser is both sulfate-free and is an anti-irritant formula, making it excellent for sensitive skin post-sun.
• A customer favorite for even daily skincare, the Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex Technology® has both anti-aging ingredients and benefits but also helps support the skin’s natural ability to produce new, healthy collagen and elastin, which you’re going to need after extra sun damage.
• Sun-drenched skin is going to feel dehydrated, so using a moisturizer for sunburn, like our Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer with TriHex Technology® will help to add moisture and hydration while also providing key botanicals that will help calm the skin.
• Last, but not least, don’t let it happen again! The TriHex Preview Regimen includes the 5-star rated HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 for UVA/UVB sun protection while also providing a subtle tint that may help reduce the look of redness specifically on your face and décolleté.

Most importantly, you’ll want to stay in the shade and cover up your affected areas until your sunburn is healed. While outdoors, it is important to wear tightly woven clothing that doesn’t allow the sun to penetrate through to your skin, and when indoors, wear clothing that is breathable, and loosely woven.

See a skincare physician or dermatologist if the burn is severe or if have any questions. In the meantime, these hacks will help keep your mind off the discomfort so you can get back to your carefree, summer living!