Sunburn home remedies: Self-care to heal and treat sunburns

Sunny skies mean summer staples—sporting events, cookouts, beach trips—and sunburn. If your skin isn’t properly protected with sunscreen, it can take only a few minutes to burn. But don’t worry, when you know how to care for a sunburn you can find many ways to soothe the sting with natural remedies right at home. 

What to do for instant sunburn relief

If you overdo it in the sun, or miss a spot when applying sunscreen, take action as soon as you notice that your skin is burned. To start the healing process and relieve the pain, the key is to lower your skin’s temperature and prevent further damage. Here’s what you should do right away:

Get out of the sun immediately

Find some shade, go indoors, or at least cover your exposed skin with clothing, an umbrella or anything else that will block the sun.

Stay hydrated

A sunburn draws water away from other parts of the body toward your skin. Drink plenty of water right away and for a few days after to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Take a cold shower or bath

While it might sting a little, a brief cold shower will lower the temperature of your skin and reduce inflammation.

Home remedies for sunburn

In most cases the symptoms of a sunburn on your face and body can be treated naturally with everyday items you have at home. The following remedies can take the sting out of your sunburn symptoms.

Cold compresses

Apply a clean, cold towel or washcloth several times a day for 10-15 minutes. A cold compress can help relieve blisters, take the sting out of the sunburn and cool skin that is hot to the touch. If the sunburn covers larger areas of skin, take a cold shower or bath for relief.

Vinegar

Restore your sunburned skin’s pH balance and promote healing by adding one cup of vinegar to a cool bath.

Essential oils

Cool your skin and reduce inflammation with peppermint, lavender, chamomile or tea tree oil—but don’t put them directly onto your sunburn. Make sure to dilute the essential oils with a “carrier” oil such as almond oil or add the essential oils to a moisturizer such as aloe vera. 

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a natural anti-inflammatory. Make a paste of oatmeal and cold milk and apply it to your skin or add oatmeal to a cool bath and soak in it.

Aloe vera

For peeling skin apply aloe vera, which contains chemicals that have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Witch hazel

When applied to the skin, witch hazel can provide anti-inflammatory relief and make hot skin feel cooler.

Cucumbers

These cool veggies are a natural antioxidant and analgesic (pain reliever). You can chill cucumbers, mash them in a blender and apply the paste to your skin.

Shaving cream

Shaving cream with menthol can soothe the sting of a sunburn. Apply a thin layer to the affected area, let dry for 30 minutes and rinse.

Hydrocortisone cream

For itchy sunburn, apply one percent hydrocortisone cream every few hours or take an antihistamine. Try to avoid scratching the itch, as this will delay healing and could lead to a skin infection. 

Over-the-counter pain medication

To reduce pain and stinging, take aspirin or ibuprofen. These non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs interfere with your body’s production of chemicals that cause inflammation and pain. 

Coconut oil

To moisturize your sunburned skin, apply coconut oil, which is rich in natural fats like linoleic and lauric acids that have antimicrobial properties. It’s best used later in the healing process to keep skin hydrated.

How long does it take for sunburn to heal?

Treating symptoms and soothing the pain at home can help you feel better, and the simple passing of time will help heal your sunburn and restore your skin. Everyone’s skin is different, but in general, the worse the burn, the longer it takes to heal.

A mild sunburn will usually heal in a few days. During this time, you can focus on symptom management and continue using your at-home remedies to soothe pain and inflammation. With time, the healing skin will gradually lose the pink or red color and return to normal. 

With a moderate sunburn, it will take a little longer to heal. Again, focusing on symptom and pain management will help your skin heal. It may look worse before it gets better, as the outer layer of skin may peel away to reveal new healthy skin. Don’t peel your skin as this could cause more damage or infection. 

A severe sunburn with blisters may take weeks to heal. The blisters should fade on their own over time, but it’s important not to pop them intentionally as it could cause infection.  A severe sunburn may require medical attention.  Either way your skin will likely need some extra care and moisture to return it to normal. 

What to avoid with a sunburn

The first thing to avoid when you have a sunburn is more sun! Already-sunburned skin is especially susceptible to more burns and damage. While you’re healing, avoid the following, which could make your sunburn feel worse:

• popping blisters
• scratching or picking at your skin
• ice packs or cubes directly on skin
• tight clothing
• hot water
• exfoliants
• makeup or skin care with fragrance
• rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and other harsh chemicals
• petroleum jelly.

When to see a doctor for sunburn

Most sunburns are first-degree burns, which cause redness and pain but can usually be treated at home. However, severe sunburn can result in a second-degree burn, which can blister and cause additional symptoms. Get medical care if you have any of these symptoms:

• blistering on more than 20 percent of your body
• fainting or weakness
• high fever, headache, dehydration, confusion or nausea
• skin infection
• sunburn doesn’t respond to treatment.

What you can do to prevent a sunburn

Knowing how to treat a sunburn is important. Knowing how to prevent it is even better. Sunburn isn’t just painful—it also raises your risk of developing skin cancer and accelerates wrinkling. Here are some simple steps to protect your skin:

• Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when ultraviolet rays are strongest.
• Do not use tanning beds or spend time in the sun without SPF and other sun protection.
• Cover up with hats, long sleeves, pants and umbrellas for sun protection. Look for accessories and clothing that contain Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) to reduce the amount of ultraviolet rays that can reach your skin.
• Know how to protect your skin with sunscreen. Your sunscreen should contain at least SPF15. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside (even if it is overcast) and don't forget to protect your lips. Choose water resistant sunscreen if you plan to swim or sweat, as regular sunscreen may not be as effective. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming.