The Best After-Sun Lotions, Sprays, and Gels to Soothe Sunburns, According to Dermatologists

Deborah R. Spey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist from Schweiger Dermatology Group in Livingston, New Jersey, recommends the Eau Thermale Avène Trixera Nutrition Nutri-Fluid Balm because of how soothing it feels on skin that's been left peeling and dry after a particularly harsh day in the sun. "I love this product because it's a mild and unscented moisturizing cream containing a minimum of preservatives, and a botanical, anti-inflammatory ingredient called selectiose," says Dr. Spey. "It's designed for skin that's more on the sensitive side, and it soothes irritation."

While it's generally designed for dry skin, the best part about this fragrance-free body lotion is the fact that, while it's definitely an emollient, it doesn’t leave an overly greasy finish. Just massage it into the skin for a few moments to let it fully absorb, and let it work its soothing magic.

P.S. Mona Gohara, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale, also recommends the brand's Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream ($28). Ingredients like sucralfate and zinc oxide form a barrier on top of the skin to provide further irritation and "activate the skin's microbiome to heal damaged skin," she says.

Board-certified dermatologist Kenneth Mark, MD, based in New York City, recommends one of the easiest-to-find drugstore favorites to treat sunburns, so you can always find an effective skin balm after a day in the sun: Aquaphor Healing Ointment. 

"The thick, moisturizing qualities of Aquaphor can lock moisture into the skin's barrier, and this can be incredibly soothing, especially for when the skin is dry and peeling in the aftermath of the burn," Dr. Mark says. Having a thick lotion on a burn can actually accelerate the healing process since your body is able to lock in hydration all throughout.

The Sun Bum Cool Down Spray can be a little greasy, to be fair, but it's chockful of enriching ingredients like aloe vera and vitamin E. "Vitamin E helps reduce photodamage, which is the changes to cellular DNA after prolonged exposure to the sun, or a sunburn," explains Dr. Hayag. Essentially, the vitamin E serves as an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals found in the skin, thus preventing premature skin aging. 

In turn, aloe soothes the skin and provides the intense hydration needed for preventing peels, while the fine mist also moisturizes, soothes, and cools down sunburns.

A multipurpose balm that relieves everything from eczema, cuts, and scrapes to sunburns, the Doctor Rogers Restore Healing Balm is a favorite of Dr. Hayag's, thanks to its host of star ingredients. "Castor seed oil and glycerin help suppress inflammation," she says. "Glycerin also acts as a humectant, pulling moisture to the top layer of your skin to speed up the healing process." This nourishing balm can be rubbed liberally onto the skin without irritating the burns and will soothe itching, too.

If you have a tub, take a relaxing, cool soak with Aveeno's Soothing Bath Treatment, which contains 100 percent natural colloidal oatmeal. "It's a great anti-inflammatory ingredient, and the skin will feel more comfortable and look less red if you spend at least 20 to 30 minutes in a cool oatmeal bath," Ciraldo says.

Besides moisturizing skin and bolstering skin repair, Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, adds that colloidal oatmeal can also soothe what is known as "the Hell's itch — an extremely painful, unrelenting itch that may happen, though very rarely, a few days after the sunburn." Just when you thought it couldn't get worse.

P.S. If you're a staunch shower person, Dr. Ciraldo also points out the benefits of a cool rinse, which lowers the amount of blood flow into injured skin layers. 

Jessie Cheung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cheung Aesthetics and Wellness in Chicago, recommends applying a topical vitamin C, like Isdin's Isdinceutics Flavo-C Ultraglican Daily Antioxidant Serum, which has been "shown to counteract some of the DNA damage [caused by UV rays]." She likes this particular serum because it comes in small ampoules, so the vitamin C is fresh with each application and doesn't lose stability with constant exposure to light and air.

New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Howard Sobel, MD, previously told Allure that, due to its highly acidic nature, vitamin C triggers the skin "to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin," so skin stays firm and plump.

If you'd like to further boost your skin's healing process, pair it with a sunscreen formulated with DNA repair enzymes, like Isdin's Eryfotona Actinica 100% Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+.

Dr. Gohara says nothing gets past Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Anti-Itch Creme, a truly beloved staple that contains one percent hydrocortisone to reduce swelling and itching on a short-term basis. If it doesn't help, you might have to consult a dermatologist for a stronger prescription. 

Dr. Cheung adds that aspirin and other over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, can also ease discomfort and redness by decreasing the inflammatory response.

Dr. Gohara recommends popping a diaper rash cream, like Burt's Bees Baby Diaper Rash Ointment, into the fridge, and then applying it to your burn. She says zinc oxide is good for skin-barrier repair, and this formula has a 40 percent strength — plus sweet almond oil and shea butter to seal in moisture.

Burt’s Bees Aloe & Coconut Oil After Sun Soother ($11) is also an effective product if you’re looking for something more straightforward.

Dr. Henry stresses the importance of replenishing your skin's fluids, both internally and externally, while it's fighting the damage caused by UV rays. So besides drinking ample amounts of water, Dr. Henry recommends gently patting your skin during showers and quickly slathering a gentle moisturizer while your skin is still a little damp to help lock in moisture. She likes the CeraVe line, including the ceramide-rich CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, and says to "continue moisturizing your skin even during the peeling stage of a sunburn."

Unlike most of the products in this roundup, Cannuka's After Sun Care is a cooling gel specifically formulated to soothe sunburnt skin. "This has the 'kitchen sink' of skin-calming ingredients," 
Dr. Ciraldo notes. "The combination of CBD (derived from hemp), manuka honey, and aloe vera calms and soothes the skin, while hyaluronic acid hydrates peeling skin." Go forth and get some instant relief.

If you happen to have an aloe vera leaf that you can cut and scoop sap out from, amazing. For everyone else, Dr. Henry recommends Amara Beauty's nongreasy Aloe Vera Gel, or any 100 percent pure aloe product you can find at your local drugstore. "The cooling effect of the gel from this cactus plant can speed up the healing of first- and second-degree burns," she says. Just make sure to avoid buying anything that contains alcohol, as she says it can negate aloe's moisturizing and soothing effects.