How to Help Heal Sunburnt Skin

First of all, let us start off by saying don’t beat yourself up for getting sunburnt – I too have been standing in front of the mirror frustrated at letting my cheeks get a little more (okay, a lot more) than rosy. It happens. But only the best of us look up how to speed up the healing process, so you’re already in the top % of human beings, congrats! To help your skin get back to its former glory, here’s how to heal sunburned skin.

Tip 1: Worship Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera is a powerful anti-inflammatory that’ll instantly soothe and calm sunburnt skin, whilst feeding it with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, and healthy skin is skin that heals quicker. It’s also roughly 98% water that’ll help to prevent the sunburn from drawing water away from the rest of the body during the healing process, which can slow it down and make you feel dehydrated.

Try out: BENTON Aloe Hyaluron Cream (50ml) - £17.00

Wearable on even the hottest of summer days, this gentle, lightweight cream contains 40% aloe vera to relieve sunburn the second it touches your skin (we heard that “ahhh” moment you just had thinking about it). Hyaluronic acid provides deep hydration without stealing it from essential organs to press fast forward on healing time without leaving you parched.

Try out: NATURE REPUBLIC Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel - £12.50

We’re a fan of anything multifunctional with sunburnt skin, the less we have to move, the better, so we’re obsessed with NATURE REPUBLIC Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel that helps to heal sunburn on your face and body. What’s more, it can also be used as a hair serum, because if your skin is damaged, you can bet your hair isn’t in tip-top condition anymore either.

Tip 2: Stay Out of Direct Sunlight

 A pretty obvious one (we hope). When the skin is sunburnt, the skin’s barrier is temporarily damaged, and it can’t protect you against harmful UV rays like it once did pre-sunburn. Spending long periods in direct sunlight will seriously increase the chances of you burning again and/or worsening your current sunburn. Ouch. 

Tip 3: Keep Serums and Face Masks in The Fridge

Even the most soothing serums and face masks could benefit from some cooling time. Think of it as supercharging them and doubling their anti-inflammatory properties. *Immediately runs to the fridge to stock it up*.

Try out: PYUNKANG YUL Moisture Serum (100ml) – £24.00

This Moisture Serum by PYUNKANG YUL is ideal for sunburnt skin as it’s completely hypoallergenic, making it safe for all skin types, especially sensitive skin that’s having a moment. Featuring hero ingredients such as coptis japonica root extract to ease inflammation and provide antioxidant protection, and olive fruit oil for moisture loss and nourishment. 

Try out: KRAVE BEAUTY Great Barrier Relief (45ml) - £45.00

A calming serum that deserves a spot in everyone’s fridge. Rich in tamanu oil, the formula joins together tears in the skin’s barrier broken by UV rays, keeping everything you want in, and everything you don’t want out – aka irritants that’ll flare up sunburnt skin. 

BENTON Goodbye Redness Centella Mask Pack - £3.50

 Ready to turn up the self-care and heal sunburn? This centella asiatica face mask by BENTON will take you to a new level of relaxation whilst working to restore the skin with its healing properties – cya redness.

Try out: DR JART + Dermask Water Jet Soothing Hydra Solution (25g) – £4.95

Loved by red, irritated skin, this sheet mask is drenched in calming ingredients and builds up the strength of the skin’s barrier at the same time. What more could you want? Aloe vera? Oh yeah, it has that too.

Working wonders on sunburn, eczema, and psoriasis, DR CEURACLE Tea Tree Purifine Soothing Mask eases discomfort, brightens the overall skin tone, and offers antioxidant protection. 

Try out: BEAUTY of JOSEON Centella Asiatica Calming Mask (25ml) – £3.00

A calming sheet mask for when you’re really sunburnt. Featuring 15% centella asiatica extract, 3 types of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, mugwort, ginseng, and goji berries, your skin will thank you after every use. 

Tip 4: Switch To a Soothing Sunscreen 

Yup, they really do exist. There’s a whole world of sunscreen beyond duty-free at the airport. When the skin is weakened and vulnerable during the healing process, it’s more likely to be irritated, even by the sunscreen you’ve been applying up until the day you got sunburnt. 

 To avoid even more discomfort and wriggling at your desk for the next week or two, switch to soothing sunscreen. You want to choose one that’s lightweight on the skin, as heavy sunscreens tend to drag the skin and cause a stinging sensation that you definitely don’t want. 

Try out: COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ (50ml)- £12.95

Rich in aloe vera (obviously), COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream offers broad-spectrum protection with additional antioxidants, enzymes, and vitamins A and C to nourish damaged skin. FYI - the formula glides across the skin flawlessly and won’t disturb your sunburn.