Sunburn Sucks! 5 Genius Remedies to Soothe, Heal & Stop the Peeling (Fast!)

 Got Sunburned? These Remedies Will Soothe & Heal Quick

There is nothing more terrible than coming home from a day at the beach or summer excursion only to find that your skin bore the full force of the sun. Redness, irritation, peeling—sunburns hurt and are infuriating.

Fortunately, you don't have to endure for long.

Here in this blog, we're exploring the Top 5 Sunburn Remedies that actually work—featuring dermatologist-approved solutions and best-selling products found online. Whether you need natural sunburn relief or quick-acting OTC solutions, these choices will soothe your skin quickly while keeping you comfortable.

Bonus: We've included affiliate links to each remedy, so you can shop the same products directly.

Why Treat Sunburn Quickly?

When you become sunburned, your skin has experienced UV damage. If left alone, it may cause:

• Pain & inflammation
• Dehydration & tiredness
• Peeling, blistering, or scarring
• Premature aging & long-term sun damage

The sooner you treat it, the better you're able to avoid long-term damage.

Top 5 Sunburn Remedies (With Product Picks You Can Shop Now)

1. Aloe Vera Gel – Natural Cooling Relief

Nothing surpasses pure aloe vera gel for sunburn—it's cooling, moisturizing, and accelerates healing. Dermatologists suggest using a gel with few additives for optimal benefit.

Why It Works:

• Cools the skin immediately
• Reduces inflammation and irritation
• Accelerates skin regeneration

How to Use: Apply a liberal amount directly to affected areas 2–3 times per day.

Shop Recommendation: Amazon Basics Sunburn Relief Gel With Aloe Vera

2. Oatmeal Baths & Cool Compresses – For Full-Body Relief

For extensive sunburn (such as on your back, shoulders, or legs), cool compresses or oatmeal baths work wonders. Oatmeal possesses anti-inflammatory properties and is excellent at calming itching and irritation.

Why It Works:

• Soothes itch and heat
• Decreases inflammation
• Calms sensitive skin

How to Use: Add 1 cup of colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath and soak for 15–20 minutes. No hot water!

Shop Recommendation: Aveeno Fragrance-free Soothing Oatmeal Bath Treatment

3. Hydrating Lotions – Prevent Peeling & Speed Up Healing

Your skin requires moisture to heal itself. Applying a fragrance-free, alcohol-free lotion with ceramides or hyaluronic acid replenishes lost moisture and strengthens the skin barrier.

Why It Works:

• Retains moisture
• Reduces peeling
• Repairs protective lipids

How to Use: Apply directly after a bath or compress when your skin is wet.

Shopping Recommendation: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

 4. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers – Decrease Swelling & Pain

For worse burns, a plain over-the-counter NSAID such as ibuprofen or aspirin will make a big difference. These medications decrease both pain and swelling, making you feel better sooner.

Why It Works:

• Decreases swelling
• Lessens redness
• Eases movement and sleep

How to Use: Follow the label instructions. Best with food.

Shop Recommendation: Advil Ibuprofen Tablets 

5. Electrolyte-Rich Hydration – Heal From the Inside Out

Sunburn not only hurts your skin but also dehydrates your body. Rehydrating fluids reduces fatigue, cools you down from the inside out, and accelerates skin recovery.

Why It Works:

• Rehydrates skin cells
• Replaces lost electrolytes
• Supports immune recovery

Top Picks for Rehydration:

• Coconut water
• Electrolyte drinks
• Oral rehydration powders

Shop Recommendation: Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Watermelon 

Sunburn Don'ts: Mistakes That Make It Worse

To recover properly, avoid these easy sunburn blunders:

• ❌ Petroleum jelly use (retains heat)
• ❌ Hot showers
• ❌ Scented products and perfume
• ❌ Popping blisters
• ❌ Wearing tight clothing over sunburned skin

Bonus Aftercare: Keep Skin Healthy After Sunburn

When the redness fades, here's how to restore your skin and avoid peeling:

• Begin gentle exfoliation after 4–5 days
• Keep using hydrating lotion twice a day
• Replace with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily
• Use Vitamin C serums to rebuild UV-caused free radical damage

 Pro Tip Products: Neutrogena Hydro Boost SPF 30 Amazon)

Last Thoughts: Cure Sunburn Fast and Painlessly

Sunburns are painful—but the proper remedies will minimize your healing time by a lot and ensure that your skin does not suffer long-term damage. Use aloe vera, moisturizing lotions, or comforting oatmeal baths, and your skin will appreciate your quick action.

Ready to Treat Your Sunburn? Begin Healing Now!

Click on the links above to buy the top sunburn relief products of 2025, all dermatologist-recommended and user-top-rated. Heal quicker, feel better, and shield your skin with these easy, effective remedies.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love and trust to bring value to my readers. Thank you for supporting this blog!