What to Do After a Sunburn: Soothing Your Skin with the Right Products

Summer is heating up, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably already had at least one sunburn this season. 😣 Maybe it was a weekend in the garden, a quick walk outside, or just a few minutes without sunscreen—sunburns can sneak up on you fast, especially when the sun is blazing like it is right now.

Here’s the thing: as we get older, sunburns aren’t just a quick sting—they can cause real damage that lasts longer and leaves your skin more vulnerable. That’s why it’s so important to give your skin focused care to help it heal properly and avoid lasting effects.

Why Sunburn Hits Mature Skin Harder 🔍

As we age, our skin goes through some natural changes. It becomes thinner and loses some of its natural oils and moisture. This means:

• UV rays from the sun can do more damage than they used to

• Skin feels more sensitive and gets irritated more easily

• The healing process slows down, so burns stick around longer

Put simply, a sunburn isn’t just a temporary red patch anymore—it’s a real injury to your skin that needs proper attention, especially in the heat of summer when the sun keeps coming back strong.

How to Soothe Your Sunburn (Step-by-Step) 🌿

1. Cool Your Skin ASAP ❄️

The moment you notice a sunburn, the first thing you want to do is cool down that skin. Use a clean, damp cloth soaked in cool (not icy) water and gently press it against the affected areas. Or, take a cool bath to help calm the heat and reduce inflammation.

Avoid ice packs or anything super cold directly on your skin—they might feel good at first but can actually make the irritation worse. The goal is to bring relief without shocking your skin.

2. Moisturize with Soothing Ingredients 🌱

You’ve probably heard that aloe vera is great for a sunburn, and that’s true! But if you don’t have aloe on hand, there are other gentle options that work just as well.

Look for creams or gels containing chamomile, calendula, or oat extract—these ingredients help calm redness and reduce irritation.

3. Drink Plenty of Water 💧

Sunburn doesn’t just affect your skin’s surface—it can leave you feeling dehydrated too. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps your whole body recover and supports your skin’s healing process from the inside out.

If you’re not a big fan of plain water, herbal teas or water infused with fresh fruit can be a refreshing way to stay hydrated. Just keep sipping regularly, especially while your skin is healing.

4. Avoid Harsh Products 🚫

Have exfoliation on your schedule today? Nope—not until that sunburn has fully healed. Exfoliating scrubs, acids, or strong cleansers can strip away your skin’s natural oils and make irritation worse, which only slows down the healing process.

Right now, your skin needs gentle care and extra moisture, not anything that could cause more redness or sensitivity. Stick to mild, fragrance-free cleansers and hold off on any treatments until your skin feels calm and comfortable again.

5. Use Gentle, Nourishing Moisturizers 🧴

When your skin is sunburned, it needs hydration that soothes without feeling heavy or sticky. Choose moisturizers that are fragrance-free and designed for sensitive skin. Lightweight formulas help lock in moisture without trapping heat or clogging pores.

Applying moisturizer regularly will help reduce dryness and peeling, making your skin feel more comfortable as it heals.

6. Protect Healing Skin From More Sun 🧢

It’s best to minimize direct sun exposure on burned skin as much as possible while it’s healing. That doesn’t always mean staying indoors 24/7, but try to stay in the shade, wear protective clothing and hats, and apply sunscreen diligently if you need to be outside.

The goal is to prevent making the burn worse and to give your skin the best chance to heal quickly and comfortably.

Noche Skincare’s Favorites for Sunburn Relief 💛

When your skin needs some extra care after sunburn, these are my top picks to help soothe, hydrate, and support healing.

1. Soothing Foot Cream

It’s so easy to forget your feet when thinking about sun protection—I’ve been there myself (and got sun poisoning too). This cream is packed with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, urea, and shea butter to soften and hydrate dry, irritated skin. Calming botanicals like calendula and lavender reduce redness and soothe discomfort. Mineral oil and dimethicone lock in moisture and create a protective barrier to help your skin heal faster.

2. Ocean Caviar Eye Contour

The skin around your eyes is delicate and often shows sun damage first. This cream is loaded with nourishing oils like sweet almond and marine extracts to hydrate and soothe sensitive skin. It also contains antioxidants like vitamin E to help calm redness and support skin repair.

Just a heads-up: it does have a light fragrance, so if your skin is super sensitive after sun exposure, a patch test is a good idea.

3. Ocean Caviar Face Cream

Rich but gentle, this cream helps your skin bounce back after sun exposure with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, collagen, and caviar extract. It’s packed with antioxidants and soothing oils that support repair and hydration.

Because it contains a bit of fragrance and vitamin A, it’s best saved for when your skin feels calm and healed, not right after a fresh burn.