Even when we wear sunscreen and UPF clothing, sunburns happen. Some are mild and give skin a pink tint, while others are more severe and may even blister. Regardless, sunburns are uncomfortable, but there are plenty of over-the-counter products available that soothe skin and encourage healing.
We talked to dermatologists about the best sunburn treatments you can buy and how to know when to see a doctor. We rounded up sunburn treatments experts recommend, including aloe vera gel, moisturizer and anti-itch cream.
SKIP AHEAD Best sunburn treatments | Best treatments for blistered sunburns
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How we picked the best sunburn treatments
Dermatologists recommend thinking about the following factors when shopping for sunburn treatments:
- Sunburn severity: How to treat your sunburn depends on its severity and whether there’s blistering, as well as signs of a secondary infection like pus, drainage, fever or chills, says Dr. Michael C. Cameron, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine. Farber says it’s best to apply a thick moisturizer to irritated areas for most mild sunburns and drink plenty of water. She recommends aloe vera and cool baths to calm sunburned skin, and Cameron suggests taking ibuprofen to reduce swelling, redness and pain. However, deeper burns can require a doctor’s visit and more aggressive treatment. For example, a prescription-strength silver sulfadiazine topical cream is commonly given to patients with more severe burns, says Dr. Mary Stevenson, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at NYU Langone Health’s Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology.
- Your symptoms: These determine what type of over-the-counter products are right for you, such as those that target pain or itching.
- Ingredients: If you’re buying a topical treatment like a cream or ointment, experts recommend avoiding those made with fragrances and alcohols, which may cause further irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. Prioritize mild options made with soothing, hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, soy and calamine, says Dr. William Huang, a board-certified dermatologist and adjunct professor of dermatology at Duke University.
Best sunburn treatments
With dermatologists’ recommendations in mind, we rounded up over-the-counter products you can use to treat sunburns at home. Experts told us it’s crucial to stay hydrated while recovering from a sunburn, so be sure to drink plenty of water (having the right water bottle might encourage you to do so). If your sunburn is severe or you feel ill, be sure to see a medical expert for further treatment, like prescription-strength medication.
Best aloe vera gel: Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera 100% Gel
- Dries clear
- Not sticky
- Fragrance-free
- Nothing to note at this time
All of our experts recommend treating sunburns with aloe vera, an ingredient known for its cooling, soothing and moisturizing properties. You can use Fruit of the Earth’s aloe vera gel on your face and body, and it dries clear once you rub it into the skin. The gel is free from fragrance, alcohols and added color.
Best aloe vera lotion: Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion
- Soothes and hydrates
- Softens skin
- Non-greasy feel
- Contains added fragrance
If you don’t like the feeling of a gel, brands also offer aloe vera lotions like this one from Sun Bum. As aloe soothes skin, the lotion’s cocoa butter and vitamin E hydrate it to promote healing further. The lotion has a lightweight, non-greasy feel.
Best aloe vera cream: Cetaphil Soothing Gel Cream with Aloe
- Thick texture
- Won't clog pores
- Fragrance-free
- Nothing to note at this time
Stevenson prefers treating sunburns with creams, typically sold in a pot, rather than lotions, typically in a squeezy or pump bottle. She says creams are thicker and more moisturizing than lotions, making them better for dry, inflamed skin.
Cetaphil offers some of our favorite moisturizers, and this one is great for sunburns since it contains aloe vera. It’s also made with vitamin E to hydrate and soothe skin. The cream has a non-greasy feel and absorbs quickly, plus it’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores.
Best moisturizer: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- Great for peeling sunburns
- Restores skin barrier
- Won't clog pores
- Nothing to note at this time
Peeling skin is part of a sunburn’s natural healing process. It’s your body’s way of getting rid of cells damaged by UV rays, and while it’s tempting, the worst thing you can do is pick it. Instead, apply a plain, unscented moisturizer to help the skin repair itself, says Dr. Michele Farber, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.
CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream has ceramides to restore your skin barrier, plus moisturizing hyaluronic acid. The fragrance-free, non-comedogenic cream has a rich texture and you can use it on the face and body.
Best aloe vera spray: Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Spray
- Easy to apply
- Hydrates and soothes
- Non-greasy feel
- Rub in after application
Moisturizers are also available as sprays, similar to spray sunscreen. Since moisturizer spray is more lightweight than a tub of cream, I find it easier to travel with. I keep a bottle in my beach bag in case my fair skin gets red after a day outdoors.
Vaseline makes a non-aerosol spray moisturizer with aloe vera that hydrates and soothes sunburned skin. After rubbing it in, the spray absorbs into the skin quickly and leaves behind a smooth, non-greasy, non-sticky feel.
Best anti-itch cream: Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Anti-Itch Cream with Soothing Aloe
- Relieves itching
- Soothing
- Fragrance-free
- Not recommended for the face
Hydrocortisone creams help calm itching and irritation, and over-the-counter options are a great place to start when looking for sunburn treatments, says Farber. Cortizone 10’s cream is made with 1% hydrocortisone, the highest concentration allowed in over-the-counter products, and soothing aloe. It’s free from fragrances and dyes.
Best calamine lotion: Caladryl Calamine Lotion
- Relieves itching
- Cooling
- May help with peeling skin
- Pink color
- Chalky texture when dry
Like hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion can relieve itching when applied to irritated skin, says Huang. It also has a cooling effect and may help with peeling skin. This calamine lotion has a liquid consistency and is pink, so be careful about where and when you apply it — the lotion does not dry clear, so you see it on your skin, and it can rub off on fabric. However, cleaning it off surfaces is easy, in my experience, and it’s never stained anything I own.
Best cold compress: FlexiKold Gel Ice Pack
- Calms inflammation
- Nylon exterior
- Flexible
- Freeze between uses
Farber says cold compresses can relieve inflammation caused by sunburns. This one has a nylon exterior, so you can apply it directly to your skin without wrapping it in a towel. The compress is flexible even when it’s frozen, allowing it to contour to multiple body parts.
Best treatments for blistered sunburns
If your sunburn blisters, don’t pop or pick at the skin — doing so can lead to infections or future scaring, experts told us. Instead, dermatologists recommend trying the below treatments.
Best bandages: All Health Hydrocolloid Gel Bandages
- Water-resistant seal
- Multi-day wear
- Helps reduce scarring
- Nothing to note at this time
Farber says if your sunburn is just red and itchy, avoid bandages and stick to moisturizers. But if your sunburn blisters, hydrocolloid bandages like these can promote healing. They have a water-resistant seal and can be worn for up to seven days after application, according to the brand. Hydrocolloid bandages can also help reduce scarring.
Best moist dressings: Spenco’s 2nd Skin Moist Burn Pads
- Moisturizing
- Cools and soothes skin
- Keeps blistered area clean
- Must use with tape or gauze
In addition to bandages, moist dressings like these burn pads can help soothe and cool skin, plus provide a barrier that keeps the area clean and moisturized, says Farber. Spenco’s 2nd Skin Moist Burn Pads have a high water content, and after placing them atop your blistering sunburn, you cover the pad with adhesive tape or stretch gauze. You can purchase the burn pads in small, medium and large sizes.
Best ointment: Aquaphor
- Seals water into skin barrier
- Helps prevent infection
- Fragrance-free
- Greasy feel
Petroleum jelly has occlusive properties, which help seal water into a disrupted skin barrier, says Farber. If blisters open into skin erosions, you can help prevent a secondary infection by applying Aquaphor to affected areas. The ointment is primarily made from petroleum jelly and is free from fragrances, preservatives and dyes.
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Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Dina Strachan is a board-certified dermatologist at Aglow Dermatology in New York City.
- Dr. Mary Stevenson is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at NYU Langone Health’s Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology.
- Dr. Michele Farber is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, which has offices across the East Coast.
- Dr. Michael C. Cameron is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine.
- Dr. William Huang is a board-certified dermatologist and adjunct professor of dermatology at Duke University.
Why trust NBC Select?
Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor at NBC Select who writes about skin care, including articles on ingrown hair, razor burn, tinted sunscreen and sunscreen for acne-prone skin. For this article, she interviewed five experts about the best sunburn treatments and rounded up their favorite options.
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