Sunburn relief usually starts with aloe vera, but according to E! News, esthetician Dr. Hadley King says there are a few more steps that can help damaged skin feel better afterward.
Dr. King says the temptation to pick at peeling skin should be avoided. While peeling can’t be completely prevented, she says discomfort and dryness can be reduced with the right after-sun care.
After a cooling shower, Dr. King recommends applying a fragrance-free moisturizer to slightly damp skin. She says to look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalane, colloidal oatmeal, and soothing botanical ingredients.
She also says exfoliation is the biggest thing to avoid while skin is recovering. That includes exfoliating acids, retinoids, scrubs, brushes, and other irritating products until the burn has fully healed.
E! News also notes that Dr. King recommends soothing options such as aloe vera gel and colloidal oatmeal baths, along with moisturizers designed to support the skin barrier and reduce dryness.
