After-sun care: soothe sunburn and help your skin heal

A bad sunburn can leave you in pain and make your skin peel for days. Act fast: the first few hours after too much sun matter most. These clear, no-nonsense steps help you cool down, reduce inflammation, and avoid complications.

Immediate steps that actually help

Get out of the sun right away. Cool the skin with a cool (not icy) shower or a damp towel for 10–20 minutes. Avoid ice packs directly on the skin — they can cause more damage. Pat skin dry gently; don’t rub.

Hydrate from the inside. Sunburn draws fluid to the skin surface and away from the rest of your body. Drink water or an electrolyte drink, especially if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or weak.

For pain and swelling, an over-the-counter NSAID like ibuprofen usually helps. Follow the label for dosing. If you can’t take NSAIDs, paracetamol (acetaminophen) is an alternative for pain relief.

Topical care and what to use (or avoid)

Apply a cool, fragrance-free moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp. Gels with aloe vera or lotions with glycerin or hyaluronic acid feel cooling and help skin retain moisture. Avoid alcohol-based lotions and heavily perfumed products — they sting and dry skin out.

If itching is severe, a 1% hydrocortisone cream can cut it down. Oral antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine also reduce itching and help you sleep. (We have a practical guide on antihistamines and skin itching that explains options.)

Do not pop blisters. Blisters protect the skin underneath; if they burst, gently clean the area and cover it with a sterile dressing. If blisters are very large, widespread, or painful, see a doctor.

Avoid greasy sunscreens or heavy oils right after a burn — they can trap heat. Also skip exfoliating scrubs until your skin is fully healed. When peeling starts, keep moisturizing and don’t pick at loose skin.

Wear loose, breathable clothing and stay cool. If you must go outside again, cover healed or sensitive skin with clothing and use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen on areas that were not burned.

Seek medical help if you have severe blistering over a large area, high fever, chills, severe dehydration, fainting, or signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus). Young children, older adults, and people with chronic illness may need prompt care even for moderate burns.

Want deeper reads? Check our articles on antihistamines for itchy skin and on dermatitis-related care for extra tips that help when sunburn triggers strong itch or skin irritation.

Follow these steps and give your skin the calm, moisture, and protection it needs. Quick action now usually means a shorter, less painful recovery later.