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Sunburns can hurt you in so many ways! Aside from short-term itchiness or swelling, sunburns can lead to premature aging and give you unwanted wrinkles or fine lines. So it's better to get rid of sunburns as quickly as possible! Luckily, a sunburn cream can provide instant pain relief, reduce redness, and even prevent blisters or peeling.
Just remember to choose soothing ingredients that can actually calm your pain, instead of causing further irritation. Want to find out what those ingredients are? Scroll down to our buying guide and top ten products for more details!
Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
When choosing a sunburn cream, make sure to look out for soothing ingredients and avoid anything irritating! This buying guide will give you some tips for choosing the cream that's ideal for you.
There are multiple ingredients that can provide sunburn relief, such as aloe vera or lidocaine. Seek out those ingredients!
Aloe vera, sometimes regarded as the burn plant, has been used widely to treat and prevent sunburns. With strong anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera can effectively calm sunburns, reduce redness, and alleviate pain.
Also, it is ultra-hydrating and absorbs quickly into your skin to deliver much-needed moisture. This preventing skin peeling, a common byproduct of sunburns.
Look for a product that's colorless, as green aloe vera has dyes in it which can irritate sensitive skin. A good trick is to keep aloe vera in the fridge. This will make it feel more soothing and cooling when you use it.
Many aloes are formulated in a gel-like consistency. This can be drying, so I often recommend either a cream- or lotion-based aloe vera formula. If you use a gel formula, it's best to use a hydrating cream after application.
Sunburns can cause an intensely itchy, irritating sensation, so look out for anesthetics such as pramoxine hydrochloride or lidocaine. These anesthetics can numb skin and reduce the itchiness or pain you get from sunburns.
However, "-caine" ingredients like lidocaine or benzocaine might be too harsh on sensitive skin (especially for kids). So to avoid getting an allergic reaction, you should take extra caution and consult with a doctor first! Doing a patch test beforehand is not a bad idea either.
The reason that sunburn causes itchiness is that your skin is beginning to heal itself. Applying a topical numbing cream can help with both the pain and the itchiness you experience.
Like with aloe, keeping topical creams in the fridge can provide more relief. You can use these several times a day for best results.
Sunburns, especially severe ones with blisters, might get infected. So to prevent infection from happening, you might want to consider a cream containing essential oils with strong anti-bacterial properties such as lavender or peppermint. They are also anti-inflammatory and can provide instant sunburn relief.
If you have sensitive skin or a history of eczema, I recommend that you avoid essential oils. They're a common cause of contact dermatitis, which can make your skin red, itchy, and inflamed and worsen the sunburn area that is being treated.
If you have these skin issues but still want a natural, simple fix for your sunburn, opt for gentle ointments like vaseline or Aquaphor. If you have open sores on the skin from blisters or scratching, please see your doctor first for prescription antibacterial topical medication.
Do you know that sunburns can draw out moisture and lead to fluid loss? Therefore, it's important to use moisturizers such as shea butter, cocoa butter, glycerin, or coconut oil to soothe the itchiness and pain caused by sunburns while keeping your skin hydrated!
However, not all moisturizers are suitable for all skin types. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, try to use non-comedogenic hydrators, such as ceramides or glycerin, that won't clog pores or suffocate your skin.
Meanwhile, for those with particularly dry skin, coconut oil or shea butter can deliver long-lasting moisture and supply your skin with fatty acids and nutrients!
Your skin is very sensitive when it's been sunburnt. Some people even find that topical creams and lotions may irritate their skin.
If this is the case for you, look for an ointment-based moisturizer like Aquaphor. Glycerin also tends to be soothing and provides a good barrier repair.
Sunburns can increase your skin's sensitivity, so try your best to use a relief cream that doesn't contain irritating ingredients.
It's widely known that fragrance might cause redness or skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin. Fragrance can also react to solar radiation and cause blisters, rashes, and burns. So if you have a sunburn, try your best to stay away from a cream containing fragrance to avoid getting irritated even more!
Steroids are used in the treatment of sunburn to alleviate pain and itchiness. However, there is no clear evidence to show that steroids are actually effective in providing sunburn relief. Some studies actually warn against using a sunburn cream with steroids since they could increase the risk of infection.
Keep in mind that if your sunburned skin is infected, the healing process might take much longer than normal. So try to avoid steroids in your sunburn cream. If your sunburn appears infected, make sure to talk to your doctor too!
Photosensitizing (phototoxic) ingredients are sensitive to light and can trigger skin irritation, rashes, sunspots, and many other issues once your skin gets in contact with solar radiation. So to avoid getting more sunburns, stay away from creams with photosensitizing essential oils such as lemon, lime, cumin, and bergamot.
Ingredients that can effectively treat acne, like retinol, and antibiotics, such as levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, are also red flags and should be avoided!
AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) are effective exfoliants that help slough off debris in the skin's corneal layer for brighter-looking skin. However, dead skin cells are a natural sunscreen that can shield your skin from the UV ray damage.
So, using a cream with AHAs and BHAs will make your skin more susceptible to sun damages. Also, applying a cream with exfoliants on sunburns will just irritate your skin even more and impede its natural healing process.
As your sunburn heals, you may notice skin peeling. Do not pick the skin or scrub it with an exfoliator. This can actually lead to depigmentation of the skin which can take many months to fade. Additionally, chemical exfoliators can irritate the skin.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream | $19.87 Mid | Non-Comedogenic Cream Infused with Essential Ceramides and Pramoxine Hydrochloride | ||
2 | Derma-E Tea Tree & Vitamin E Relief Cream | $9.98 Low Mid | Soothing Vegan Cream with Tea Tree Oil and Vitamin E | ||
3 | Total Activation Aloe Butter Spa-Grade Skin Hydrating Cream | $17.95 Mid | Spa-Grade Cream with Organic Hawaiian Aloe for Sunburn Relief | ||
4 | Boiron Calendula Cream | $9.88 Low Mid | Calendula Cream to Moisturize Dry, Cracked Skin and Heal Sunburn | ||
5 | Gold Bond Pain & Itch Relief Cream | $7.46 Low | 4% Lidocaine Effectively Soothes Sunburns | ||
6 | Wild Naturals Manuka Honey Cream | $24.95 High Mid | Hypoallergenic Cream with 15 Natural Nutrients for Soothing Relief | ||
7 | Silver Miracles Colloidal Silver Cream | $22.43 High Mid | Unscented Cream with Colloidal Silver Heals Sunburn | ||
8 | Maui Vera Organic Sunburn Relief and After Sun Moisturizer | $18.95 Mid | Hypoallergenic Sunburn Relief with Aloe Vera, Peppermint, and Noni | ||
9 | Oils of Aloha Kukui Moisturizing Cream | $23.24 High Mid | Natural Sunburn Relief with Kukui Seed Oil | ||
10 | Bayer Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream | $16.79 Mid | Multipurpose Antiseptic Cream to Treat Sunburns |
Formulated with 1% pramoxine hydrochloride, this cream is clinically tested to help relieve itchiness and skin irritation due to sunburn. It also contains three essential ceramides to help repair the protective skin barrier.
Plus, this product is non-comedogenic and contains no fragrances or sulfates. However, some reviewers complained that the product didn't soak into their skin very well.
Meanwhile, many others were amazed at how versatile the cream was! It could treat sunburns, insect bites, and poison ivy rashes. Reviewers also loved that the product was moisturizing and didn't contain irritating ingredients.
Infused with tea tree oil and vitamin E, this soothing cream helps provide sunburn relief while supplying your skin with necessary nutrients. Furthermore, this product is vegan and contains no parabens, sulfates, or any other unsafe chemicals.
Some reviewers noted that the high tea tree content was irritating to their skin. So if you have sensitive skin, you might want to do a patch test first!
On the other hand, many reviewers complimented that the product moisturized and softened their skin effectively. Many others added that the product had a creamy, lightweight consistency that didn't feel greasy on skin.
This spa-grade skin hydrating cream is infused with organic Hawaiian aloe, shea butter, and vitamin B5 to help provide instant relief for sunburns, rashes, or redness. The cream is also ultra-hydrating and can keep dryness at bay!
Many loved that the product contained clean, safe ingredients that were gentle on the skin. On the other hand, some people complained that the cream was quite greasy.
However, others added that the product absorbed quickly. Plus, many reviewers confirm that it does a wonderful job moisturizing their skin!
Infused with Calendula officinalis plant, also known as the Garden marigold, this cream can help soothe and heal sunburns. Calendula is also moisturizing and can keep your skin hydrated for a long time!
Even better, this product contains no artificial colors, perfumes, or parabens. However, some reviewers disliked that the cream felt a bit sticky on their skin.
Meanwhile, many reviewers loved that the product provided quick relief for their sunburns and other skin issues, such as itchiness and redness. Others commented that the product absorbed quickly into skin and didn't trigger any allergic reactions.
Many reviewers complimented that the product calmed sunburns, itchiness, or rashes almost instantly.
Others also loved how the product was fragrance-free and fairly gentle on skin. Some further noted that the product contained aloe vera and kept their skin hydrated!
This product is formulated with 15 natural ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, and coconut oil. This cream helps heal and calm sunburns, irritation, inflammation, and itchiness while nourishing your skin.
Furthermore, this cream is hypoallergenic and contains no harsh chemicals or cheap fillers, thus making it suitable for those with sensitive skin. Some reviewers complained that the product had a thick consistency that didn't absorb quickly into the skin.
On the other hand, reviewers liked that the product was effective in treating skin issues such as burns, itchiness, and redness. Others also loved how soft and hydrated their skin felt after just a few uses.
This cream is formulated with pure colloidal silver that can effectively heal sunburns or skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, and fungus. The addition of almond oil, glycerin, and cocoa seed butter further helps deliver long-lasting hydration to the skin and fight off dryness.
Many reviewers complimented that the product provided instant pain relief from burns, blemishes, and itchiness. Others also loved that the product moisturized their skin without leaving behind any greasiness.
However, some reviewers experienced allergic reactions, so you might want to check the ingredients carefully to make sure it's ok for you.
Enriched with aloe vera, peppermint, and noni, this soothing gel can provide instant relief from sunburns while supplying your skin with moisture and nourishment. Also, this product is crafted with 95% organic ingredients and contains no harmful chemicals, so it's safe for all skin types.
Some reviewers complained that the product was not very hydrating. On the other hand, many reviewers referred to this cream as a miracle cure for sunburns, as it helped heal the pain and itchiness in just 24 hours. Reviewers further added that the cream absorbed quickly into the skin without being sticky.
This cream is enriched with kukui seed oil to help provide instant relief from sunburns and skin irritation. Plus, it contains moisturizing ingredients, such as macadamia seed oil, to soften and hydrate your skin.
Many reviewers were impressed at how fast the product helped heal their sunburns. Many others also commented that the product contained gentle ingredients without added harsh chemicals, such as fragrances, making it suitable for their sensitive skin. Reviewers added that the product wasn't greasy and felt smooth on their skin.
This multipurpose antiseptic cream is uniquely formulated to treat sunburns and other skin issues such as diaper rash, cuts, or stings. Plus, the product has a creamy, non-greasy texture that feels pleasant on skin.
Many reviewers complimented the product for effectively driving away sunburns, rashes, and other skin issues. Many others further noted that the product was safe to use for all skin types as well as babies!
Sunburns can be painful! But with tips we found on the official American Academy of Dermatology site, you might be able to keep that pain at bay.
To stop the sunburn itch and reduce swelling or redness, apply a sunburn cream with strong anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Sunburns also take out moisture from your skin and lead to dehydration, so it's better if your sunburn cream contains moisturizers as well.
For the best results, stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water too! This is especially important for kiddos. If you have a lot of sunburns or large sunburns, make sure to drink extra water.
When your skin has a burn, you lose a lot of fluid through the affected area. Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your fluid balance in check and protect your kidneys.
If your sunburn covers a large surface area and begins to blister, seek medical attention with your doctor. You may even have to receive intravenous fluids.
Sunburns can make your skin feel like it's on fire, so try to cool it down with a cold shower! A hot shower will, unfortunately, remove the oils on our skin and dry it out even more, potentially leading to peeling or blistering. Your skin might get more sensitive as well.
If a cold shower seems too intense, you can take a bath with room temperature water instead! Also, refrain from using soaps when showering, since it might dry out your skin and irritate it even more. Exfoliators, loofahs, or any other abrasive cleansers should be temporarily banned from the bathroom as well.
It might be tempting to touch and scrub off your peeling skin and blisters, but it is simply not a good idea. In fact, doing so will just further irritate your burned skin and cause more intense pain. So just let them slough off your body naturally!
Also, refrain from using exfoliants or skincare products with strong active ingredients (like retinol), since they might be too harsh on damaged skin. Instead, opt for a gentle moisturizer to soothe and calm your pain.
Never pop a blister on your skin. Instead, take a sterile needle and poke a small hole in the blister. Let the roof of the blister remain and act as a natural bandage. If you pick or remove the roof of the blister, you'll be more prone to infection.
Even if you have already gotten a sunburn, you'll continue getting more burned without proper protection. This situation can actually be worse since sunburned skin is weaker and more vulnerable to sun damage.
In this case, only using sunscreen might not be sufficient. You might want to wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt, and/or UV protective clothing. But avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing, since want your skin to be able to breathe without getting inflamed. Plus, chafing can be extra painful on sunburned skin!
And of course, try to stay out of direct sunlight! Don't forget what caused that painful sunburn in the first place.
Dr. Levy says, "If you are allowed to, take NSAIDS (Motrin, Aleve, ibuprofen) to help with the pain of your sunburn and to reduce inflammation.
More recent studies have shown that taking a one-time high dose of Vitamin D (50,000 IU) can improve sunburn quicker and reduce pain. Check with your doctor prior to taking this."
It's better to be prepared and apply sunscreen before going out! That way, you won't have to deal with any painful sunburn surprises. Take a look at our suggestions to find a UV blocker that's perfect for you.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: CeraVe |Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream
No. 2: Derma-E|Tea Tree & Vitamin E Relief Cream
No. 3: Total Activation |Aloe Butter Spa-Grade Skin Hydrating Cream
No. 4: Boiron|Calendula Cream
No. 5: Gold Bond|Pain & Itch Relief Cream
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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