12 expert-approved sunburn remedies to treat inflammation at home

Having a few sunburn remedies in your pocket is a summer essential, especially as the weather gets warmer and the summer holidays approach.

It's that time of year again when families pack up their travel strollers and get ready to go on their summer holidays. But as parents all over will know, getting your child to keep the sun protection topped up when they're running around on the beach or in and out of the pool can be tough - even with the best sunscreen for kids to hand. Plus, it's hard to know when sun cream is out of date and if it's still effective.

Luckily, sunburn is easy to treat using natural remedies - items you probably already have at home as well as affordable over-the-counter treatments - and we've spoken to medical experts and dermatologists to find the best options. That said, it's important to remember that the best cure for sunburn is to prevent it altogether, and Lloyds Pharmacy pharmacist Pareena Patel says. "As soon as you realise that your skin may be starting to burn, you should move into a cool, shaded area."

The best sunburn remedies to try at home

1. Drink lots of water to cure and prevent sunburn

Staying hydrated when you've been sunburnt is especially important because when you're dehydrated your body will struggle to heal. This is because sunburn brings liquid to the surface of the skin and away from the body, so for it to heal properly it needs to be constantly replenished with lost liquids and electrolytes - making treating sunburn just one of the benefits of drinking water.

This is also one of the ways to prevent sunburn in the future, as dehydration can make you more vulnerable to the sun's ultraviolet light. In terms of how much water you should drink a day, this depends on your surrounding environment and the amount of activity you're doing - but eight eight-ounce glasses (which is about 2 litres) is a good rule of thumb.

2. Apply moisturiser or after sun to soothe sunburn

"You should always apply a cooling moisturiser or after-sun," Pareena says. "Unscented products are best to use as they won't cause further irritation to the skin, and there are a number of key ingredients to look out for."

She explains that products containing aloe vera are a good option, as they're "rich in vitamins A, C and E and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties which can calm the burn."

It's important to remember that moisturising is a vital step in after-sun skincare whether or not you've been sunburnt. As Pareena says, "Using an after-sun or rich moisturiser will help reduce and prevent sun damage whilst rehydrating dry, damaged skin. You should use after-sun after any sun exposure, whether you have signs of damage or not."

3. Try pure Aloe Vera to heal sunburn

Aloe vera is a herbaceous plant that can help maintain skin moisture and promote faster wound healing, and is sometimes referred to as the ‘burns plant’, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.  

Dr Saniyya Mahmood, Medical Director of Aesthetica Medical Clinic, told us: "It is best to use the pure form of aloe rather than it being mixed with other products that may contain alcohol, which can cause further irritation. Pure aloe from the extract can be found in various forms, such as gel, lotion or cream."

She added, "You can even use the inside of an aloe vera leaf over the burnt skin. Simply break off a leaf and you will see a gel emerging from the inside, which can be used directly on the skin."

She advised testing Aloe Vera on a small area of unburnt skin first to make sure you don't have a reaction, and keep it in the fridge to add a cooling effect. 

Dr Saniyya Mahmood

Dr Saniyya Mahmood (MBChB) – GP specialising in Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine with over 8 years experience. Graduated from University of Liverpool and currently working as a GP and in specialist dermatology clinics in the NHS. Also, founder and medical director of Aesthetica Medical Clinic based in Leeds specialising in Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine. 

4. Use Sudocrem to treat soreness from sunburn

One of the many uses of Sudocrem is treating the soreness that often accompanies sunburn. While it hasn't been proven to soothe sunburn specifically, it's helpful at reducing discomfort, and the ingredient lanolin has been shown to prevent the body from losing water through burns and rashes in a study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine & Research.

Sudocrem also includes zinc oxide, which helps to calm down the sunburn and help the burn to heal, and benzyl alcohol - which soothes the pain. The addition of lanolin helps to prevent skin peeling by holding in moisture.

5. Apply Bio Oil to prevent sun damage

If it's not dealt with properly, sunburnt skin can turn dry and lead to lines, so treating sunburn properly is a way to prevent wrinkles. This is especially true around the face, which is why experts recommend using facial suncream or an SPF moisturiser every day on the face and neck - even when it's not sunny.

"It's important to treat the sunburn with products that have ingredients like vitamin E, which helps the skin heal and neutralise free radicals," Dr. Dendy Engelman, dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, says. "Bio-Oil Multiuse Skincare Oil is packed with vitamins A and E - which work with the skin to promote cell regeneration - and lavender oil, chamomile oil, calendula oil and rosemary oil, which invigorate and condition the skin."

Dr. Dendy Engelman

Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue. She is Director of Dermatologic Surgery at New York Medical College, where she oversees the training of future Mohs surgeons and dermatologists. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and American College of Mohs Surgery.

6. Soak in an oatmeal bath to reduce inflammation

Oatmeal is one of the oldest sunburn remedies out there and for good reason, Pareena explains. She says, "Moisturisers containing colloidal oats may also help reduce inflammation of the skin and soothe irritation."

A study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology showed that soaking in the oats or applying a colloidal oat mixture to the burnt area can dramatically reduce inflammation from sunburn and dampen the soreness.

To make use of this sunburn remedy, add a cup of oatmeal into a bath of cool water and soak your body for about 20 minutes. Alternatively, make a paste with half oats and half water and apply it to the burnt area. 

Wash the oats off and gently pat dry with a towel - avoid rubbing the skin as this will only irritate the burn further.

7. Place tea bags over your eyes to cool the skin

There are multiple properties in green and black tea that can help heal sunburn, which has been supported by research in the Pharmacognosy Reviews journal. The research found that the tannic acid in the tea pulls the heat from the skin, meanwhile the antioxidant compounds in tea called catechins repair skin damage.

This way of healing sunburn at home is particularly useful for those who've been sunburnt around the face and eye areas. To utilise the teas properties, soak two tea bags in cool water and place them on the top of closed eyelids to help bring down the swelling and reduce the pain.

8. Wear lightweight fabrics while the burn is healing

While your skin is repairing, it's important to make sure not to irritate it any further by wearing tight or heavy fabrics as this can increase the chance of the skin peeling. It's also important not to peel the skin off yourself, because this increases the danger of infection - especially if tight clothes prevent the air from getting into contact with the skin.

Natural fibres, such as cotton or bamboo, make for the best post-sunburn coverings, so you might want to invest in some cotton pyjamas and even cotton bed sheets to help ease the soreness from sunburn. Plus, wearing cotton can help you sleep in the heat too.

9. Apply a cucumber mixture to reduce pain from sunburn

This is another old wives' tale for sunburn remedies - but it really works! "Cucumbers are rich in natural botanical compounds that have both antioxidant and analgesic properties," explains dermatologist Dr Cynthia Bailey. 

She adds: "The best way to use cucumbers on sunburned skin is to make a paste of chilled cucumber. Chill your cucumbers, then use your kitchen blender to create a paste. Apply the paste to sunburned skin to help soothe sunburn pain and inflammation naturally.

"You can add some of the aloe vera juice or gel to your cucumber paste to combine the healing properties of both. Remember to use cool gel or paste as the coolness also speeds recovery by constricting your skin's capillaries, which are bringing in the building blocks of pain and inflammation."

Dr Cynthia Bailey

Dr Cynthia Bailey is a board-certified dermatologist based in Sebastopol, California. Over the last 30+ years, she has personally helped over 15,000 patients overcome the frustration and embarrassment caused by rosacea, acne, melasma, sun damage - even dry skin and wrinkles. She is also one of the first dermatologists to incorporate diet and natural health advice into dermatology and the care that she provides for her patients. 

10. Apply honey to the burnt area to avoid infection

Honey has been used to treat burns and cuts since Roman times and possibly before. And a recent review of the uses of honey in the Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters journal confirmed that this spread is ideal for healing burns.

The review found that honey is effective in cleaning wounds that have become infected, as it acts as a barrier between the air and the wound itself, and that it also works to cleanse burns quickly and can prevent dead tissue - otherwise known as eschar - from forming on the top of the burnt area. 

The same research found that honey can accelerate the burn's natural healing process with minimal scar formation at the end.  This is because the sweet liquid contains properties that improve wound nutrition, blood circulation and reduce inflammation.

Of course - applying honey to the skin is sticky and may be impractical if you have places to be - not to mention the bugs you could attract if you're going outside! This one might be best tried on a day when you've not got much on.

11. Have a cool bath or shower

Cooling down the burnt area is possibly the most effective way of reducing inflammation. As soon as you notice your skin is burning or that you have got sunburnt, hop in a cold shower or run a cool bath. This will help to ease the discomfort you may experience later on. 

Alternatively, Pareena suggests, "To ease the burning sensation, try a cool compress on the affected area and stay hydrated." But you should never apply ice directly to sunburn, as this can cause further irritation. Instead, wrap the ice up in a cloth or towel before applying to the burn.

12. Take paracetamol before going to sleep

Heading to bed with sunburn - particularly if it's on your back - is a truly uncomfortable experience. While there's not much you can do to prevent discomfort apart from finding the best sleeping position, painkillers will help ease the pain.

Both ibuprofen and paracetamol are known for helping to reduce swelling and inflammation, so they should help you get a better night's sleep when you're burnt. 

However, ibuprofen is known for increasing the skin's sensitivity to the sun, so if you're planning to spend more time outside in the days following your sunburn, opt for paracetamol instead. Another advantage of paracetamol is that it can be taken on an empty stomach, unlike ibuprofen.

When should you go to the doctors for sunburn?

The NHS advises that severe burn can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can be very serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it's important to consult a medical professional as soon as possible:

• Nausea
• Chills or fever
• Faintness
• Extensive blistering or swollen skin
• General weakness
• Patches of purple discolouration
• Intense itchiness
• Muscle cramps
• New burnt areas in the hours/days following the initial burn, suggesting that it could be spreading

It's especially important to consult your GP if you have any or all of these symptoms and are also taking medication used to treat acne scars or fungal infections, as these can increase your sensitivity to the sun and cause severe allergic reactions.

How long does sunburn last?

• Minor sunburn lasts for about 3 days and will fade.
• Moderate sunburn will last for about 5 days and then the skin begins to peel.
• Severe sunburn will likely last for more than a week with skin peeling within the first three to eight days.

From when the skin begins to feel hot and sore or looks red under the naked eye, sunburn will get progressively worse in the following 24 to 36 hours, which is also when the pain is likely to be at its worst.

The NHS explains that sunburn can last anywhere from a couple of days to a week - though it shouldn't last longer than 7 days if it's not serious.

How to get rid of sunburn fast

• Get out of the sun: Going indoors where there's air conditioning or cooler temperatures will stop the skin from overheating even further.
• Cool your skin with a damp towel of cold shower: This will also help to stop the asking from heating up, and can soothe any soreness.
• Drink lots of water: Water helps to rehydrate the skin as when it's burning, water is pulled to the surface of the skin.
• Take paracetamol: This will almost immediately help with any pain resulting from the burn. It can also help to bring down swelling and inflammation.
• Moisturise the burnt area: Using products with aloe vera, vitamins A, C and E have can help rehydrate the skin and bring down the redness.

These tips will help to ease any discomfort from your sunburn and may prevent it from getting any worse, but they won't get rid of the sunburn as the skin heals on its own. 

If you're looking for more natural remedies this summer, we've also asked the experts for the best natural hay fever remedies, the best natural remedies for travel sickness and home remedies for heat rash and insect bites too.