"When you get a sunburn, ultraviolet rays from the sun cause damage to your skin cells, leading to inflammation and skin barrier disruption," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "The goal of treating a sunburn is to help calm the inflammation, enhance skin hydration and repair the damaged barrier." For these reasons, he recommends applying a protective seal over the skin with a light lotion that's fragrance-free, like this one from Vaseline. He also suggests avoiding heavy ointments that can trap heat from leaving the body.
Hadley King, MD, dermatologist at Skinney Med Spa and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, recommends a cool shower as a first line of defense against a sunburn. Instead of scrubbing with harsh cleansers that can further dry out the skin, she suggests a gentle soap substitute like Dove Nourishing Body Wash. This mild cleanser, which was formulated for dry skin, can help soothe and heal sunburn skin while you shower. When you get out, King recommends applying moisturizer after patting your skin dry carefully.
If you're already in a sunburned state, the most important thing you can do is keep your skin cool and comfortable while your body repairs or replaces the damaged skin. For Jerome Garden, MD, director of the Physicians Laser and Dermatology Institute in Chicago, the best product is Banana Boat Soothing Aloe After Sun Gel, which he says is effective and cheap. "Aloe is soothing and the gel provides moisture while allowing the skin to breathe," he adds. "Keep it in the fridge for even more cooling effect."
Lily Talakoub, MD, dermatologist at McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center in McLean, Virginia, likes Coola's after-sun lotion, which is made with aloe to soothe the skin and lavender oil, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties. "This lotion calms sunburns and cools the skin after a day in the sun," she says. "It's also organic, which is a plus!" For additional healing, she recommends Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water, $14. "The copper-zinc-sulfate complex in this product is unbelievable for healing sunburns that blister or peel excessively," she adds.
