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Whether you spend a few minutes or several hours in the sun, you can get a sunburn if you don’t have ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection, such as sunscreen lotion or a sun hat. Sunburns are a type of skin burn from prolonged exposure to sunlight or sunlamps. If you get a sunburn, you can experience red, painful skin that’s itchy and tender to the touch.
Once you realize you’ve been sunburned, starting treatment is essential. Treatments, such as pain relievers and creams, can soothe pain and relieve itching.
Finding the right sunburn relief treatments can provide quick relief. Depending on the severity of your sunburn, you can purchase over-the-counter medications and other treatments to soothe the affected skin. In addition, bandages and creams help you tend to your sunburn.
Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Gel
This after-sun gel soothes your sunburn and prevents peeling skin. It's dermatologist- and sonny-approved. It's oxybenzone-, octinoxate-, gluten-, cruelty- and paraben-free. It includes scents such as tea tree, aloe vera and cocoa butter and contains ingredients such as carbomer, glycerin, polysorbate 20, tea tree, triethanolamine and vitamin E.
Sold by Amazon and Ulta Beauty
Maui Island Secret Burn to Brown Formula
This gel treats sunburns, kitchen burns, skin rashes, insect bites and other types of skin irritation. It includes ingredients such as pure aloe extract, allantoin, aloe barbadensis gel, menthol, tea tree oil, green tea extract and Maui coffee extract. It also contains medicinal properties and is an astringent.
Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel
The Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel includes aloe grown in the United States that’s NSF Organic and IASC-certified. It includes 100% natural-thickening agar that won’t leave a sticky residue on your skin. This vegan gel is great for daily use to moisturize skin and hair.
Burnshield Sterile First Aid Burn Dressing
These dressings contain sterile trauma hydrogel to treat sunburns. The hydrogel has antimicrobial properties, such as tea tree oil, to soothe and protect the wound. All dressings are non-adhesive and easily removable. They are strong, durable dressings that withstand pulling and shaping.
This cream treats sunburns, scrapes, cuts and insect bites. It's designed for use on dry or chafed skin. It contains the calendula officinalis plant as an active ingredient and is paraben- and perfume-free. The cream does not contain artificial colors or fragrances.
Tylenol Extra Strength Acetaminophen Rapid Release Gels
This 100-count bottle of gelcaps provides pain relief for sunburns. Each gelcap contains 500 milligrams of acetaminophen, which helps temporarily relieve pain. Adults and children 12 years and older can take this medication.
Burt’s Bees Aloe and Coconut Oil After Sun Soother
This non-greasy, fast-absorbing lotion has a formula with ingredients such as aloe and coconut oil. It's paraben-, phthalate-, petrolatum and SLS-free. It can be applied to your face and body to soothe sunburns. The lotion comes in recyclable packaging and is Carbon Neutral-certified.
Sold by Amazon, Burt’s Bees and Walmart
Sunburnt Advanced Sun Recovery After Sun Gel
The gel has ingredients including calendula, echinacea and hyaluronic acid to treat sunburns. It contains pure, organic aloe vera gel that won’t leave your skin sticky. It doesn’t contain lidocaine, so it’s safe to use if you have allergies. It is paraben-, glycol-, PEG-, phthalate-, dye- and fragrance-free.
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
