If you’re not already using sunscreen lotion, you are exposing yourself to risks such as sunburn and other severe conditions.
You might come out without any symptoms of sunburn after a day in the scorching sun, but damage can still take place hours later. The free radicals from the sun rays continue to harm your skin several hours after sun exposure; that’s why most people complain that their sunburn symptoms get worse at night.
Whether the hot or low level of UV rays, your skin is at risk; hence you need to care for your skin by applying after sun lotion.
Sunburn
Exposing your skin to too much sunlight causes burns on your skin- a situation commonly referred to as sunburn. The sun’s UV rays can cause dry, wrinkled skin, an increase in dark spots, and rough skin, besides other health risks.
The symptoms of sunburn include itchy skin, redness, pain, tenderness, blisters, and hot skin when you touch. In severe cases, headache and peeling of the skin.
Peeling
Naturally, your body has a way of healing itself after sunburn. It’s best to give your body time to repair and restore skin cells.
Peeling skin after some days of exposure to the sun is a sign that healing is taking place. The peeling happens in bits, and it can be itchy, not to mention unsightly. However, it will only take a week or so.
It’s tempting to scratch or pull off the peeling skin, but that will put you at risk for an infection. Pulling off or removing that skin will expose the skin underneath, which has not yet healed and doesn’t have a protective layer against germs. An infection at this point will make it worse or delay your healing process.
The 5 Best Lotions for Peeling and Sunburned Skin:
1. Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion
Best aftersun lotion for sensitive skin
Sun Bum Cool Down is a vegan after sun lotion that soothes and offers pain relief. This hypoallergenic after sun lotion is excellent for sensitive skin.
It’s infused with cocoa butter and aloe vera hence providing you with enough hydration and relief from the sunburn symptoms. The shampoo also contains vitamin E, which is an antioxidant for restoring your damaged skin.
The lotion has a light, non-greasy consistency to allow your skin to breathe and release heat. It has a mild coconut scent that fades with time. However, it has some alcohol.
2. Era Organics After Sun Aloe Vera Gel for Sunburn
Best nourishing lotion for peeling and sunburned skin
Era Organics’ aloe vera base sun gel helps you treat rash, redness, itching, and dryness caused by sunburn.
The lotion helps to hydrate, soothe, boost your immunity, reduce inflammation, enhance healing, and protect your skin from further damage.
It’s blended with aloe vera and calming ingredients like witch hazel, orange flower, rosemary, peppermint oil, and onion extract. It also has immune-boosting ingredients like lemon balm, mushroom powder, garlic extract, and honey.
Plus, it promotes faster healing because it contains a tea tree. Burdock root is an anti-inflammatory that helps to purify and protect your skin from further infection.
3. Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Gel Lotion
Best lotion for peeling skin & sunburn that protects your tan
If you’re looking for an after-sun gel that helps preserve your tan, this one can help you get sorted. Hawaiian Tropic after sun lotion has a delicate scent of coconut papaya, and that makes you feel you’re on vacation.
It has a lightweight cream that spreads smoothly and is quickly absorbed without leaving a sticky or greasy feeling. Your skin feels soft and hydrated for hours.
The gel is infused with hydrating ribbons and aloe vera to moisturize your skin and soothe it from sunburn. It also contains reef-safe sunscreen for added protection.
4. Banana Boat After Sun Lotion
Best soothing lotion for peeling and sunburned skin
Banana Boat’s non-greasy formula helps you undo the damage caused by the sun on your skin. It’s extracted from aloe vera to keep your skin moisturized and soothe your sunburned skin.
It’s also infused with vitamin E to help relieve peeling skin and dryness. Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that repair your damaged skin. It applies well and is not heavy on the skin.
The lotion is suitable for dry skin because it deeply hydrates your skin. It also helps preserve your tan and make your skin beautiful.
5. Burt’s Bees Aloe Vera & Coconut Oil After-Sun Lotion
Best Natural lotion for peeling and sunburned skin
Burt’s bees are committed to producing natural products that are safe and kind to the environment. Its Ingredients are 98.6% natural with minimal additives, making it gentle on your skin.
This after-sun lotion is formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, or petrolatum, which can irritate the skin and prevent your sunburned skin from releasing heat, delaying your healing.
It mainly contains aloe vera, which is moisturizing and full of nutrients that heal your sunburned skin. It also soothes and rejuvenates your skin after exposure to the sun.
Coconut oil is ultra-light; it helps make the lotion breathable for your skin while maintaining moisture.
Treatment: Peeling Skin and Sunburn
You can treat sunburn in different ways, from traditional methods, home remedies, medicine, or use a lotion specifically designed to treat sunburn.
Pain Medication
Depending on the severity of the sunburn on your skin, you can take an anti-inflammatory and pain medication to lessen the pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs include ibuprofen and aspirin.
Cold Compress
Taking a cold shower or gently pressing the sunburned area with a cold compress might relieve the swelling and itching sensation. You can improvise a cold compress by wrapping ice cubes in a solid plastic bag. This should be done gently to avoid scratching or pulling off the skin.
After-Sun Lotion
Some lotions available in the market can help you relieve the symptoms of sunburn and speed up the healing process.
Such lotions contain skin-soothing ingredients like aloe vera and a substantial amount of moisturizer. The goal is to hydrate your skin. A well-moisturized skin heals faster than a dry one.
The lotion also replenishes nutrients to your skin which helps in rejuvenation and renewing skin cells. They gently remove flaky skin leaving your skin looking fresh.
Moisturize
Drinking plenty of water helps replenish the moisture that your skin lost because the sun dehydrates your skin. Using a moisturizing cream is a great way to help your skin stay hydrated. In turn, your skin starts to rebuild the damaged layer of skin, eases itching, and reduces pain.
What to Consider in a Lotion for Peeling or Sunburned Skin
An after-sun lotion can be a savior in dealing with sunburns and helping your peeling skin heal faster. But it’s essential to ensure it has the correct contents.
Else you might worsen the situation. It’s best to consider a lotion containing soothing ingredients, vitamins, moisturizers, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory ingredients to help you heal faster.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is the essential ingredient in most after-sun lotions. It is rich in water content which hydrates your skin. It also has soothing effects to relieve the irritation caused by sunburn. The vitamins and anti-inflammatory contents of aloe vera promote collagen production, which is necessary for the skin to rebuild the damaged layer.
Antioxidants
Herbal extracts and some vitamins contain antioxidants which are essential for healing sunburn and peeling skin. Antioxidants help to neutralize the damage caused by UV rays on your skin cells.
Look for lotions containing vitamin E because it’s an excellent antioxidant.
Moisturizing Ingredients
Consider an after sun lotion with high water content. Water moisturizers are your best bet here because they have a light consistency that is easy to spread.
They also absorb and retain moisture on the skin, maintaining it hydrated. A well-hydrated skin heals faster than a dehydrated one.
Look for ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and squalane.
Lightweight
An excellent suburb lotion is light and breathable to allow your skin to cool itself. Avoid creams that have a heavy consistency because they prevent your skin from releasing heat.
Lotions containing petroleum and oil-based creams may not be suitable because petrolatum traps heat in your skin. Consequently, your swelling worsens, and your skin feels more irritated.
A water-based lotion has a light texture that allows heat to escape from the skin.
Ingredients to Avoid
Drying ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, acne-fighting ingredients, and retinoic acid can delay your healing process.
Bergamot oil makes your skin prone to more damage from free sun radicals.
How to Prevent Sunburn
Sunscreen
After long months of winter, the sun is such a relief. With it comes a lot of fun: swimming, staying outdoors, going to the beach, and so much more.
However, exposure to the sun’s rays is harmful to your skin. An SPF 40 sunscreen lotion is your best shield. Most after-sun creams have sunscreen protection making them ideal for use even before going out in the sun.
Cover your skin
Light, breathable clothing covering your arms and legs is an excellent idea. A wide hat and closed airy shoes would do well too.
Stay under a shade
Staying indoors or under a shade when the sun is scorching will keep you from direct sunlight.
Peeling Skin and Sunburn Lotion FAQs
Is a warm shower bad for sunburned skin?
Should I exfoliate my flaky sunburned skin?
Bottom Line
Taking deliberate care of your skin is a wise routine. It will enable you to enjoy your time outdoors and minimize damage from the sun. You can use the above after sun lotion before and after exposure to the sun.
This article was last updated on February 4, 2022 .