Summer is here, and with it comes more time spent outdoors. Whether it's beach trips, barbecues, or gatherings, we often find ourselves at risk of sunburns. Yikes!

Sunburns can be incredibly painful, leading to redness, blistering, and inflammation. While avoiding sunburns altogether is the best approach, we know that sometimes you forget to reapply sunscreen or misjudge the sun's intensity. If you're feeling the burn, we've got some great tips to help soothe your skin and speed up recovery.

Take a Cool Shower

When your skin is burning, a hot shower is the last thing you want. Hot water can worsen your discomfort and strip your skin of essential oils, leaving it drier and more sensitive.

Instead, opt for cool baths or showers. Afterward, gently pat your skin dry, allowing some moisture to remain, then apply a calming moisturizer to lock in hydration.

Moisturize Generously

Choosing the right moisturizer is crucial for healing sunburned skin. Look for products that contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera, which is known to assist in healing first- and second-degree burns.

Apply an aloe vera-based moisturizer several times each day until the burn heals completely.

We recommend trying Tuel Calm Soothing Moisture Cream. This light, creamy formula is packed with antioxidants and soothing extracts like aloe, green tea, avocado, algae, and shea butter, which work together to repair and nourish damaged skin. You'll feel immediate relief as it cools and calms your skin.

Consider Hydrocortisone Cream

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can be a great option for itch relief. Look for a 1% formula to help alleviate pain and prevent scratching that could worsen your sunburn.

Avoid products with ingredients ending in 'caine', such as benzocaine, as they can irritate your skin or cause allergic reactions.

PCA Skin's CliniCalm 1% cream offers a soothing solution with maximum-strength hydrocortisone. Its gentle formula provides temporary relief from itching and irritation, helping to reduce redness and inflammation caused by overexposure to sunlight.

This cream can be safely used for up to seven days.

Stay Hydrated

It's essential to drink plenty of water after a day in the sun. Hydration helps restore moisture to the skin, which can get depleted during sun exposure.

Keep drinking water for several days post-sunburn, aiming for clear urine as an indicator of proper hydration.

Be Gentle with Your Skin

While dealing with a sunburn, focus on healing and preventing further damage.

Avoid direct sunlight until your skin heals completely, even if it means wearing a kaftan for a few days. Protect your skin by wearing clothing made from tightly woven fabrics that block sunlight. You can test this by holding the fabric up to a bright light.

Skip tight clothing like skinny jeans and miniskirts, as these can irritate your sunburn and increase discomfort. Opt for loose, breathable materials such as cotton or linen. A flowing maxi dress is both comfortable and stylish.

Protect your face with a cute wide-brimmed sunhat and sunglasses. A canvas hat is excellent for shielding against the sun's harsh rays.

If you need more reasons to prioritize sun protection, check out five compelling reasons to wear sunscreen every day.