Remedies for a Sunburn

Prevention is the best remedy. But if you find yourself with a sunburn, it is best to treat it as soon as possible. This is a guide about remedies for a sunburn.

Solutions: Remedies for a Sunburn

Read and rate the best solutions below by giving them a "thumbs up".

Use Tea to Soothe a Sunburn

Boil your water and let a tea bag steep in it, until it is cool. Then take a cotton ball and apply it to your sunburn. Do this twice. It's better at bedtime, so that the tea can work it's magic while you sleep. Don't wash it off until morning. It takes the sting right out of the burn.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

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Lavender Bath for Sunburns

First: Take a cool bath to cool the burn. I add lavender which helps take the sting feeling out of the burn. Soak 15-20 minutes. Pat dry.

Second: Apply aloe vera gel to the sunburn.

Third: Use aspirin or Ibuprofen for the pain and for the anti-inflammatory affect.

Fourth: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Fifth: Apply ice to any area that is very painful.

Hope this helps.

By Supermom from Port William, OH

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Mild Sunburn Relief

Having fair skin and loving to swim, I have had sunburns since I was a child. For mild sunburns (reddened skin, mild heat), I suggest a cool water bath that has vinegar added. Water should be no more than lukewarm when added to the tub. Add a big splash of white vinegar to the water, then soak in it for at least 15 minutes. Do NOT get water in your eyes - it really stings! The longer you soak, the more cooling effect the bath has. Pat dry with a towel (don't rub since that will irritate the skin). Apply a moisturizing lotion or aloe gel, and cover with loose clothing.

By the next day the redness should be gone and tenderness, too. This method is not recommended for toddlers since they splash and "play" too much in the bath and would get vinegar water in their eyes or mouths. It won't kill them, but it can make them cry.

Source: My mother, grandmother, aunts all did this to us when my cousins and I were small - long before SPF sunscreens. Some of the cousins tanned, some burned, but we all played outdoors most of the summer.

By Melody from Oak Ridge, TN

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Aloe Vera Sunburn Remedy

I live in Florida where we see a lot of sunburn cases. The most effective and natural remedy is the Aloe Vera plant. They grow wild here in Florida. Remove one leaf of the aloe plant (they sort of look like cactus), and keep it in your refrigerator crisper drawer.

When someone gets a burn, take out the aloe. Strip off the hard outside part of the plant and apply it to the burn. The inside of the aloe is clear and gel-like. When you keep it in the fridge and apply it, it feels very cool and soothing. Have a great day!

By Joanne from Cocoa, FL

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Vitamin E for Sun and Wind Burns

I recently got a terrible sunburn/windburn while at an all day air show. I was blistered and swollen, it was so bad. I've found THE cure for the worst of sunburns - Solarcaine sunburn pain for the pain plus an anti-inflammatory.

But this is KEY: Vitamin E Oil. It heals very quickly and painlessly, it doesn't sting even when applied over raw skin. Start by applying every 1/2 hour, and you will see an immediate difference. This was a huge blessing for me! You can buy the Walgreens brand which is what I got for only 2.99 (it should be with the creams/balms/lotions.) The bottle is small but a little goes a long way. My bottle is still almost completely full. Trust me this WORKS!

By Samantha

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Aloe Vera for Sunburns

Take the burn out of a sunburn by slice open an aloe vera leaf and putting the gel on the burned skin. If you don't have an aloe vera plant, buy pure aloe vera gel at a health food store. Good for all MINOR burns.

By Linda

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After-Sun Lotion Instead Of Aloe Or Vinegar

When I was younger and also many times over the years I have heard, read, and had people tell me to put vinegar on a sunburn. DO NOT do this! Sure, it may work on some people, but for those of us who it doesn't work on, it can cause a lot of pain! I got sunburned one year and someone put vinegar on me, I couldn't get in the shower fast enough. And even the shower hurt! I was literally screaming in pain.

Another thing I don't like to use is Aloe Vera gel. If you can find it in a lotion, it would probably be good. But the gel dries out my skin and really makes the sunburn hurt. So I use an after-sun type lotion. It doesn't really matter what brand. But the lotion will keep your skin from getting dry and getting that "shrinking" feeling that hurts so bad with a burn.

Source: Reddish blond hair, fair skin, lots of past sunburns!

By Cricket from Parkton, NC

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Using Cold Aloe Vera Gel

I keep a bottle of aloe vera in the fridge. It is very soothing.

By christine l from IN

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Cooling Down the Sunburn

Here is a great idea for summer. Freeze aloe vera gel in an ice cube tray and rub one over sunburned skin. Aah!

By Carol from Lancaster, PA

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Arnica Gel for Sunburns

I really like the Arnica Gel that you get from your health food stores. I find it works really well right after coming in from outside! Awhile back I had burned my cheek with a curling iron and I put Arnica on it right away. I admit, it really hurt after putting it on, but I used it a couple more times that day, and the burn felt a lot better. Within a couple days it was completely gone with no scabbing or scarring. Also, if you want a cooling effect, you can use Noxema afterwards!

By Henrietta B. from Oconee, SC

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Sunburn Relief

This article contains several tips, product reviews and step by step treatments for sunburn as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. If you have a favorite remedy that hasn't been listed, post it below.

Refrigerated Aloe Vera Gel for Sunburns

After a day on the beach, swimming, or outdoor activity, keep aloe vera gel in the refrigerator. The coolness will feel great on the hot skin, and the aloe will soothe the pain. Ahhhhh!

Aloe works great for quick relief but for severe sunburns, see a doctor.

By Mona A. from near Phenix City, Al

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Sun Burn Facial

Ingredients:

1 cup of green grapes
1 tsp. of honey or 1 egg yolk.

Directions:

Add honey or egg yolk to crushed green grapes and leave on damp skin for 15 minutes.

Also, try applying a chamomile extract, crushed strawberries or liquid from a split fresh Aloe Vera leaf.

By Ellen Brown

Note: Some recipes are not suitable for sensitive skin. Each person is different, so test on the inside arm or wrist for any possible allergic reactions before using these recipes.

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Questions

Here are questions related to Remedies for a Sunburn.

Remedy for Sunburn

I have painful, peeling sunburn. It started out with just my chin peeling, because I had used different acne lotion and I went into the sun. Now my face is peeling, the chin, then it went to the nose, the next day it went to my cheeks. My chin is so painful, it burns like crazy when I put moisturizer on to help the tightness and peeling. I can't stand it and I want to know what will at least stop the intense pain.

By Alex

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Sunburns Don't Spread, See a Doctor

By grannygirl08/04/2012

Sounds like you have more going on beside sunburn; possibly an allergic reaction to the new acne medicine. You might consider seeing a doctor pronto.

Treating Sunburn and Windburn

How can I help take the sting out? I can't even sleep it's so bad. What can I do? I also have a pretty bad sunburn on my entire face, do you have any ideas on how to help the sting?

I have tried aloe on my windburn and it didn't work.

By Gabrielle A. from Titusville, FL

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Treat Burn with Apple Cider Vinegar

By blazincopper03/29/2012

If you don't mind the smell you can use cider vinegar. You can also brew tea and use the tea bags. These have always worked for me.

Treating a Sunburn

For about 2 weeks I've had a sunburn on my scalp. It's annoying and it looks like I have dandruff. It's flaky and looks really bad. I read online to put aloe After Sun on it. I found this stuff around my house called Key Lime Lotion and it's an after sun product. I put a glop in my hair, used a comb and brushed it through. I have to leave this in for 2-3 hours. Is there something easier I can do to get rid of the flakiness, without my hair looking greasy?

By Lovey from MD

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Try Apple Cider Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

By aria92606/11/2010

The best thing I've ever tried I just learned on a site called Earth Clinic; however, i don't know how it will work for an old burn because I use it for new burns to prevent peeling. Won't hurt to try though. Just take apple cider vinegar (or white will do if you don't have access) and put it on a cotton ball. Gently apply to the burned area and let it dry. It is the only thing I have ever used that seems to instantly allow that trapped heat to escape and your skin goes from hot to the touch to cool to the touch. It prevents blistering and peeling too.

For the dry skin thing, I use extra virgin olive oil... just like someone else said. I use it for an everyday moisturizer too... even on my scalp and face. If you put it on straight out of the shower, it won't be too thick and heavy. I just blot any areas that are too thick with a towel and it feels great!

If you're worried about your hair looking greasy then try (overnight) raw, unpasteurized, unfiltered honey. Just rub some on and wash it out in the morning. Raw honey helps wounds heal so much faster than on their own. Also, I heard that coconut oil works wonders for any sun/skin related thing but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. Coconuts aren't easily accessible here :).

By the way, if you tried or are going to try soaking your hair in olive oil and it doesn't wash out easily, try rinsing it with ACV. After shampooing, dump about a cup on your head (keep your eyes closed! Ouch!) and try to let it set for about 1 minute before rinsing it out. I know it is a great solvent for oily or greasy things because I once put Bag Balm on my scalp to try overnight and when I woke up my hair was matted down with it. I washed it six times within two days and it still didn't come out till someone told me to try vinegar. It came out on the first rinse then.

Looking for Sun Burn Relief

What is something that you can use to relieve sunburns other than aloe vera gel. I have sensitive skin and I am very light skinned and can't tan. Aloe vera doesn't work much for me. I had a friend who used vitamin E pills but they didn't do much either.

Ashley in Ohio :)

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Ashley, I am very light skinned also and I have found that Noxzema works better for me than anything. I don't know what it is in it, but I have used it even on my worst sunburns and it has taken the burn out almost immediately and most of the red was gone by the next day. I hope it works for you! (06/20/2004)

By Deana

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Soak a tea bag in cold water, squeeze until damp but not dripping, then dab this over the burned skin. The tannic acid in the tea "draws the heat out". This was one of my grandmother's favorite hints - truly an old wives tale, but it seems to work! (06/21/2004)

By Becki in Indiana

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

I use cocoa butter (Palmers) after I tan (or burn) It re hydrates the skin and prevents peeling (or as much). (06/21/2004)

By Jamie S.

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Another old remedy for sunburn is the same calamine lotion used for poison ivy, etc. Dab it on with a cotton ball. (06/21/2004)

By Scott J.

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

You have to be careful with Noxema, because it can clog your pores resulting in you not being able to sweat. I read online to use hydrocortisone creme. I tried this on my daughters with great results. Less "itchies" when it heals too! (06/21/2004)

By fivemeyers

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Old time farm way - evaporated canned milk. Apply generously and as often as you need it. Regular canned evaporated milk (06/21/2004)

By M.B.Wright

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

We use vinegar when someone in the family gets a bad sunburn. It takes the heat away and if you get it in time it usually does not blister. Just dab it on don't rub it. Nan in Northwest IA (06/21/2004)

By Nancy

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

My mother used to (actually, still does) keep a water bottle on hand just for sunburned skin. She would mix 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar. When she would work in the yard, she would spray herself throughout the time she was out there because it kept the deer flies from biting so much and it hydrated her skin. At night after she would shower she would spray her sunburned skin. It tended not to blister or peel as badly. (06/21/2004)

By Tawnda

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Cover up and don't get burned is the best remedy! If you are going to be out in the sun for more then 10 minutes cover up with light cotton clothes, a wide brimmed hat and/or high protection factor sunscreen, (children's is usually higher but it will be on the label). Sorry to sound bossy but every time you get burnt your skin is damaged so if you don't want to get skin cancer, or grow prematurely old and wrinkly, cover up!

Regards, Jo - from the melanoma capital of the world - Australia! (06/22/2004)

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Hi, someone's previous post about putting vinegar and water in a spray bottle is a good idea, I'd never thought of that before, nor heard of taking it with you. But I'd been advised to pour apple cider vinegar in your cool bath water and soaking in it. Best of luck! (06/25/2004)

By badwater

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

The best thing to do is to avoid the Sun Burn to begin with. There are many sunblocker products on the market, and most of them work very well. Some are even waterproof so that you can use them when swimming. Harlean from Arkansas (06/26/2004)

By Harlean from Arkansas

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Papaya for Sun Burn! Make a paste from the fruit of the papaya and apply to the burnt skin. It works! (07/07/2004)

By Karen

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Okay....all the other stuff above, I'm sure has merit, but what is really great is Foille Green. Wal Greens and other pharmacies will have it. If not, search until you find it. Drive 3 hours if you have to! (04/03/2005)

By Lee

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

You're gonna think I'm crazy, but yesterday I burned my fingertips in a campfire. They were stinging like crazy! My girlfriend said burn 'em again and the pain will go away. I put them under hot water for as long as I could and the pain vanished! Take a hot shower for your sunburn. It'll sting in the shower but not after! (07/05/2005)

By Bobby

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

There was a question on Google Answers about using hot water for sunburns. Here's a quote from that page: "The consensus of the experts is that hot water not only adds more heat to heat-injured skin tissues, but also encourages oils to leach out of the skin, which means that it is more drying to the skin than cool water and therefore more likely to encourage peeling. In my opinion, this sounds a sufficiently convincing argument against the use of hot baths to treat sunburn."

By ThriftyFun

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

An older lady from our church taught us to use Listerine, either dabbed on with a cloth or sprayed on using one of those cheap spray bottles, to ease sunburns. This is the best sunburn treatment I have ever found! (01/01/2006)

By kristea

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

For instant relief, use yogurt. To bring out the burn, rub tomatoes over the burn. It may sound odd but I was given this remedy from a red haired guy in Lanzarote working in the sun and it really does work. You may use a lot of tomatoes but the acid in them draws out the heat. (03/05/2006)

By Lianne in England

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Soak in a luke warm bath with bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), apply vinegar or calamine lotion. In the first place, of course, stay out of the sun! (03/30/2006)

By Willem

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

My niece got a bad sunburn and i called the ask a nurse hotline and they told me to absolutely not use vinegar. They said to take a white cotton sheet and lay it on her and then use a spritz bottle with cool water and spray the sheets. It worked and took away the heat. She was able to sleep and get relief. (06/02/2006)

By jen

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Try By142 skin repair. It takes the redness, irritation, and itching away as well as healing the skin. I think it is available at Nordstrom / Saks (07/05/2006)

By John

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

I found that if you take a cold bath with a little bit of Epsom salt, it takes the burn away. That's how I've always done it and afterward rub aloe lotion on the burned places! It really works. (04/22/2007)

By from the sunniest place in america "FLORIDA" lindsey

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Do not use vinegar it tears up your skin and makes you smell. I asked a dermatologist, too. (05/17/2007)

By Kayla

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

I've been a lifeguard for four years. Take a hot shower it gets the burn out for me anyways and also vinegar. I've seen quite a few posts saying neither of those work. But try it for yourself, I swear it works (06/03/2007)

By Jack

RE: sunburn relief

When I get sun burn, I always used noxema but it just worked for a little while. I'm red headed and my skin is very sensitive so I've tried everything except he vinegar thing. I tried it earlier and now my sunburn feels so much better, and it isn't even that red. So I suggest to put a 1/2 cup of vinegar in a lukewarm bath and lay in it for 10 to 15 min and it should work. (06/04/2007)

By Shelby of hickory flat Mississippi

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

After a sun burn I used to rub Milk of Magnesia on my skin before going to bed. It leaves a white film on the skin, but the next day your skin is definitely not as red and sore. My new favorite remedy is to rub my skin with...are you ready for this? Preparation H creme. Yes, the same stuff used for hemorrhoids. It really really works! It it will take most of the sting away overnight. Taking 2 Ibuprofen also helps take the pain away. (06/07/2007)

By Camila

Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Castor oil naturally soothes sun damaged (= burn) and stressed skin. Look for after-sun products with quality ingredients and avoid those with alcohol as this will only aggravate your sun burn. While vinegar will initially stop the sting of a burn (this is an old flight attendant secret) it will not help your skin recover from the damage. I've written an article on sunburn relief here http://outsideinlife.com/blog.php?id=51 (06/19/2007)

By Cheryl

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Noxema burns my skin even when I am not sunburned. Evaporated milk, preferably gently applied, without rubbing will take the sting out of the sunburn. (06/19/2007)

By Dibbs

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

The sun is good for you. If you blindly believe that the sun causes cancer you could do well to do some real research, the nasty synthetic sunblock people use is what causes damage. There are safe sunblock lotions out there, Earth's Best is one of my favorites, or Natural Sun. I am actually burnt from the river today since I didn't want to put any sunblock on my back.

Check out these things you can do to help- Get your pH level alkaline, use google to figure out how to do this. You can take a supplement called Cellfood, or Cellfood Silica Formula- its an amazing product that helps your body recover insanely fast. It is completely safe and natural. Drink some Apple Cider Vinegar or spray it topically on the burns, it is great for your pH and contains important enzymes that your body loves. Soon people will realize how modern western medicine just doesn't work compared to eating healthy, and its really easy. Humans have been alive for thousands of years- our bodies are DESIGNED to be amazing repair machines, we get the power to do that from what we eat, this is something that people have to research for themselves, and try it.

Everything about your life will improve- energy, mentality, senses, coordination, sex, the sky is the limit. Please- research this stuff. I used to have sleep, weight, acne, sex, fatigue, emotional problems until I realized I deserve better. Be honest and open, question authority and modern medicine and you will discover the rewards of taking the initiative. (06/30/2007)

By Common Sense

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Believe it or Not...lemon juice works incredibly well to stop the sting of a sunburn. Be carefularound the eyes! Sigh, this is from experience. But it does work on the sting of sunburn. Lemon juice works very well. Trust me. (07/21/2007)

By Monte

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

The secret is not to burn in the first place. Use sunscreen containing mexoryl. Google it. For pain, use Solarcaine. It's a topical anesthetic. Wear protective clothing and stay out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cover your left arm when you drive. I lived at the beach in Southern California for many years. This is how you do it. (08/28/2007)

By the Oracle

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

So many people told me about the whole apple cider vinegar and cool water, but I just did it and now my skin is on fire! I'm just gonna stick with aloe/lidocaine gel and aloe lotion and bactine, plus some pain pills :) (04/21/2008)

By Sara from S. Fla.

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

I have a super bad sunburn,I was miserable, I decided to apply vitamin e oil, and it took the burn out right away! Try this it so works! It leaves your skin sticky but it is worth it, I feel so much better! (05/25/2008)

By Kimberly

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Do not use Noxema! It makes burn worse and causes blisters. Use vinegar. (05/29/2008)

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Last summer I got a horrible sun burn while at the beach. For over a week a was in a lot of pain, so I tried nearly everything I read on the internet; powdered milk, aloe vera, vinegar bath etc. and the one thing that truly worked for me, was tea. I made a big batch of tea, let it cool, and then applied it to my skin using toilet paper (you can also use a spray bottle). It's messy and takes some time, but trust me it's worth it! (06/08/2008)

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

I just gave my son some motrin and put calydril clear on it. It seems to be helping with the pain at least. (06/11/2008)

By Jennifer

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Everyone knows about sunscreen. Everyone knows to "cover up", but you can still get burnt. Sun burn pain is insane. But as to remedies baking soda kills the burn, and starts the itch which means healing, but can be even worse than the burn. Aloe helps like everyone says, but it can also make it worse if its in its pre peeling stages. Milk is great topically but dose not last long. Vinegar hurts. And get lots of water and just push on through it! (07/03/2008)

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

I once bought this stuff in the store. It was blue and sprayed on. It was just a instant relief. Don't know what it was called. (07/17/2008)

By Bump

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Try Domeboro to soak and after the soak apply a thin layer of Aquaphor, the Domeboro will help with the sting/burning and the Aquaphor will protect the surface as well as add moisture. Sometimes your body can feel stiff and almost plastic after a sever sunburn the Aquaphor will change that. I speak from prior experiences. (10/28/2008)

By Lilkat

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

I am from Australia, the land of sunburn and one of the best remedies I've found is emu oil which generally comes in the form of a moisturizing cream with vitamin E, admittedly this may be hard to find especially outside Australia. but it works like a charm.

Caution though: do not use on severe sunburn as some creams may lock in heat, need to get a good brand to prevent this. (01/31/2009)

By Ann

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

My children and I were out in the sun all day today and got pretty burnt. My girls look like human lobsters. I took the advice given to me about using vinegar and used it on my 7 year old little girl, bad mistake. She screamed bloody murder til I washed it off. So don't use vinegar on a burn. (05/22/2010)

By raven69101

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

Milk of Magnesia. Works great. Take a cold/cool shower and dry off very delicately with a soft towel and apply milk of magnesia. It cools the burn off instantly and creates a white coat but keeps the area cool. (05/30/2010)

By MIARae

RE: Looking for Sun Burn Relief

I own a dog daycare and kennel business and recently spent a lot more time in the sun than I had anticipated, resulting in a pretty nasty sunburn. My pharmacist sold me a new product SunBurn911, which he said would ease the pain and importantly to me, not burn when put on. He was so right. I know it has a new pain reliever which worked in less than 2 minutes to relieve the pain and tightness and also is in a cream that left my skin silky but not at all oily. Quite simply, IT works. I have never had that kind of relief from sunburn! (05/31/2010)

By petite paradise