Suffering from a sunburn is no one’s idea of fun, but as you’re spending more time outdoors and soaking up the sun during the summer, getting a sunburn is not uncommon. A sunburn is a form of skin damage that comes with various symptoms, such as redness, irritation, dryness, and in more serious cases even physical pain. The entire body is prone to UV damage if not protected properly, and oftentimes because of insufficient sun care we end up with a sunburn.

However not all hope is lost: treating a sunburn and nursing skin back to health is not a Herculean task. With the right ingredients and products, whether it’s your body, face, or even scalp that’s going through the consequences, know that there is a way to remedy the symptoms. Below, we place the spotlight on the top 5 skincare ingredients to look out for when treating a sunburn in order to hydrate, heal, and soothe the skin back to healthy condition. Keep scrolling to get started.

1. Aloe Vera

Ahhh, the old tried-and-true. You’ve likely been reaching for Aloe Vera ever since you were a child, and to this day it remains an effective skin soother and hydrator after excess sun exposure. As sunburnt skin becomes extremely dehydrated, this ingredient, typically made up of 99-99.5% water, replenishes the skin’s water content.

It’s all in the name: the Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel (Fresh Moisturizing) promises top-tier moisturization and soothing with 99% fermented Aloe Leaf Juice. The fresh gel can be smoothed onto the entire body, including the face and scalp, providing relief to all sunburnt body parts. You can even slick it into your hair as a weightless essence to hydrate dry strands, or use it to calm razor burn. Coming in at less than the price of a cup of coffee, be sure to stock up on this multi-tasker.

The ingredients list of the COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua is basically a roll call of some of the best skin soothing ingredients in the game: Tea Leaf extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, and Aloe Leaf extract. This non-oily gel cream douses the skin in hydration and cools inflammation, delivering instant hydration with a reinvigorating finish - exactly what angry sunburnt skin needs.

2. Chamomile

Chamomile contains antioxidants, tannins, and more components that regulate the enzymes responsible for soothing both short and long-term inflammation. When your skin is reddened and angered by too much sun, look out for this ingredient that will calm down the redness and return your skin to a healthy state.

Infuse your everyday routine with the healing powers of Chamomile in the beplain Chamomile pH-Balanced Lotion. It’s formulated with 71.06% Chamomile Flower extract and bolstered by Centella Asiatica extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Ceramide; together these ingredients heal the skin from existing sunburn and protect the skin from further damage. The light texture is ideal for those who don’t enjoy slathering on thick creams.

Treating inner-skin dryness, inflammation and other concerns is the Mamonde Blue Chamomile Soothing Repair Cream. Users have raved about the efficacy of this moisturizer, largely due to its formula’s Blue Chamomile and 5-layer multi complex Hyaluronic Acid ingredients that relieve irritation in a cinch. It cools the skin as it’s applied, reducing redness and lowering skin temperature as a result.

3. Oatmeal

Oatmeal not only makes for a delicious and filling breakfast, but it’s also a skin-fortifying component that calms down irritated sunburnt skin. It helps to create a protective barrier over the skin so that it can heal and repair without further environmental damage, at the same time moisturizing and restoring the skin.

77% Oat Seed Water and Panthenol make up the ultimate calming duo in the PURITO Oat-In Calming Gel Cream, with Beta-Glucan drawing in moisture and Squalane locking that moisture in. This lightweight gel moisturizer, suitable for the entire body, melts into the skin to soothe sensitivity and strengthen the skin barrier without heaviness or greasiness.

Sunburnt skin requires extra nourishment and care, which the make p:rem Comfort Me. Oat Moist mask delivers in just 15-20 minutes. Apply this mask onto cleansed, dry skin and let its milky concoction of 85% Oat Bran extract, Ceramide NP, Glycerin and Allantoin perform its magic - after use you can expect skin to be dramatically rejuvenated.

4. Snail Mucin

Snail Mucin isn’t just for treating dull skin and getting rid of post-acne blemishes: moisturizing and healing, this Hanbang ingredient is a good option to slick on when you’re suffering from sunburnt skin. The slimy texture sinks into the skin to soothe burning sensations and repair damaged skin. Bonus points for how it also fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation that may have been exacerbated by UV rays.

Quench a thirsty, sunburnt complexion with the TIA’M Snail & Azulene Water Essence. Packed with 87% Snail Secretion Filtrate and Azulene, this alcohol- and fragrance-free essence gently treats sensitivity and irritation while restoring the moisture balance in the skin. Pat it onto affected skin and watch as you make progress on your skin healing journey.

Put your faith in the iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum to undo the damage inflicted by harmful sun rays. 70% Snail extract facilitates skin regeneration, keeping it clear and smooth, while 5 superfoods (black beans, black rice, black sesame, kelp, and eggplant to be exact) provide the skin with nutrients and antioxidant protection. It’s made without any harmful ingredients so all skin types are able to use this without further aggravating their complexions.

5. Centella Asiatica

You likely know Centella Asiatica, aka Cica, for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties; it’s exactly these aspects that makes it so effective in treating a sunburn. As it provides relief to inflammation, it also serves as a hydrating agent that aids in skin recovery.

Keep things calm and cool with the Dr.Ceuracle Cica Regen 95 Soothing Gel. The main objective of this plush, cooling gel is to soothe and repair the skin, which is achieved with 95% Centella Asiatica extract, 4 types of Cica ingredients, and a slew of protective and purifying botanical ingredients. As it relieves the complexion of inflammation, it also offers long-lasting hydration to aid skin healing.

A sunburn may be stressful to deal with, but the b:and project Vegan Comfort Body Lotion is made for easing skin stress and irritation. This vegan body lotion wraps the skin in soothing hydration and absorbs quickly without leaving any stickiness behind, thanks to its TECA ingredient that’s made with Madagascan Centella Asiatica. Its refreshing garden fragrance is laced with notes of fresh grass and green florals, soothing the senses as well as the skin.

Reminder: reapply your SPF

We’ve given you the lowdown on how to remedy a sunburn, but the best solution is prevention. Applying and reapplying your sunscreen every 2 hours ensures you beat the sun rays and your skin is well protected from damage. You may even need to slather on the SPF in more frequent intervals if you’re in and out of water, or sweating heavily, as not all formulas are waterproof and made to withstand rigorous activity. Stay sun safe and monitor your SPF usage.

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