We’ve all been there: after a long day out at the beach or on a hike, you’ve come home to realize… ow, why is my skin burning? You touch your skin to find it tender and hot to the touch, and it dawns on you: you’re sunburnt. Sunburns are especially common in the summer time when UV rays are at their strongest, but any sun exposure year-round can result in one. When the damage is done, it’s crucial to take action to reduce the pain and restore the skin back to a healthy state. Whether you’ve just gotten burnt and are frantically looking for ways to heal your skin or are taking precautions before soaking up the sun, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about sunburns and how to heal them.

What is a sunburn?

A sunburn is the result of excess UV radiation, to the point where this radiation burns the skin. Any part of the body that is not protected can burn, and UV radiation can even penetrate thin clothing. You’ll be able to tell if you’ve got a sunburn by the usual symptoms of reddened skin, tenderness, stinging, blistering, dryness or peeling. Sunburn victims can also experience headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and dehydration. These symptoms start to show up within hours of being exposed.

How long will a sunburn take to heal?

Mild sunburns can take up to a week to heal, whereas more severe ones can take several weeks more. To speed up recovery and heal the skin, we turn to certain skincare products and ingredients that replenish the skin after getting damaged and protect the skin from further harm.

How can I heal a sunburn?

We like to break down sunburn healing into several categories: taming heated and reddened skin; replenishing hydration; restoring the skin barrier; and protecting from future harm. Keep scrolling for an in-depth breakdown.

Taming heated and reddened skin

When we consider how to heal a sunburn, the resulting pain comes to mind first. When your skin is burnt and tender, having anything touching it can bring about pain or a stinging sensation, plus there’s heat and a lobster-red hue to worry about. In this case, cooling skincare products are a godsend; these are products that apply on the skin with a cooling effect that brings relief to the discomfort. Cooling the skin will calm down these symptoms and reduce inflammation, encouraging the skin to begin the healing process.


SOME BY MI - PDRN Spirulina Soothing Sherbet Mask

SOME BY MI - PDRN Spirulina Soothing Sherbet Mask

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SOME BY MI

Spirulina-derived PDRN and Seaweed powder form the SOME BY MI PDRN Spirulina Soothing Sherbet Mask, a facial treatment that cools the skin within minutes of application. A thick and comforting sherbert texture, this mask is perfect for heated, irritated and dry complexions to restore skin vitality in a pinch for instant results. Simply leave it on the face for 10 minutes, and you’ll feel and see the difference.


The Saem - Jeju Fresh Aloe Soothing Gel 99%

The Saem - Jeju Fresh Aloe Soothing Gel 99%

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - The Saem

Nothing like good ol’ Aloe Vera to pull us out of a sunburn funk. The Saem's Jeju Fresh Aloe Soothing Gel 99% contains 99% Aloe Vera extract, alongside Purslane and Bamboo Leaf extracts, to moisturize dry, cracked and itchy skin with the benefit of a naturally cooling sensation when you slather it on the skin. This formula is lightweight and fast-absorbing without leaving behind any sticky residue.

Replenishing hydration

When you get a sunburn the moisture within the skin is drawn to the skin’s surface, meaning the lower levels of the dermis become dehydrated. In addition to drinking more water to replenish hydration, you can also turn to quenching skincare to get the job done. This will ensure your skin has the hydration it needs to maintain its protective barrier.


Purito SEOUL - Oat In Calming Gel Cream

Purito SEOUL - Oat In Calming Gel Cream

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Purito SEOUL

Nothing like good ol’ Aloe Vera to pull us out of a sunburn funk. Purito SEOUL Oat In Calming Gel Cream contains 99% Aloe Vera extract, alongside Purslane and Bamboo Leaf extracts, to moisturize dry, cracked and itchy skin with the benefit of a naturally cooling sensation when you slather it on the skin. This formula is lightweight and fast-absorbing without leaving behind any sticky residue.


SKIN1004 - Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Moisture Cream

SKIN1004 - Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Moisture Cream

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SKIN1004

The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Moisture Cream sees hydrating Hyaluronic Acid teaming up with calming Centella Asiatica to create a deeply moisturizing formula that provides up to 100 hours of hydration. Phyto Collagen assists with the absorption of this mid-weight cream that restores the skin barrier and strengthens it against external aggressors, useful when healing the skin from existing damage.

Restoring the skin barrier

A sunburn compromises the skin’s barrier that keeps irritants out and nourishment in, making it even more sensitive to UV exposure. When the skin barrier is weakened, you are more prone to a loss of hydration and are susceptible to sensitivity and further damage. Strengthening the barrier is like putting your shields back up so you can avoid all that damage and keep dryness, inflammation and premature signs of aging at bay.


medicube - PDRN Pink Collagen Toning Gel Toner Pad

medicube - PDRN Pink Collagen Toning Gel Toner Pad

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - medicube

PDRN is all the rage these days, and rightfully so: this Salmon-derived ingredient is effective in healing skin wounds and supporting the healing of damaged skin. The medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Toning Gel Toner Pad offers this star ingredient in addition to Collagen for plumping up the complexion and boosting skin brightness. We’re big fans of these gentle hydrogel pads that minimize friction and irritation when you swipe them across the skin.


Aestura - AtoBarrier 365 Lotion

Aestura - AtoBarrier 365 Lotion

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Aestura

Few products are equally suitable and effective for the face and body, but the Aestura AtoBarrier 365 Lotion is one of those that we’d wholeheartedly recommend. This lotion includes encapsulated Ceramide to ensure the ingredient is fresh when it’s applied, allowing it to nourish the skin barrier and help it heal. Cholesterol and fatty acids join the ingredients lineup to relieve irritation, replenish hydration and assist in skin barrier repair.

Protecting from future harm

The best protection is prevention, and sunscreen is key to protecting your skin from sunburn. Sunscreen is your shield against excess UV protection and an easy tool to prevent the struggle and strife of sunburn. There are many formulas out there made with different ingredients to suit your skin needs, texture preferences, finish preferences and more, so there’s no excuse to skip out on SPF. In case you didn’t already know, sunscreen isn’t only useful for designated use on beach days, but should be made a daily staple to protect against the UV rays that are present every day.


TOCOBO - Cica Calming Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++

TOCOBO - Cica Calming Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - TOCOBO

If you find layering a moisturizer and sunscreen to be too rich for your skin, try the TOCOBO Cica Calming Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++. This sunscreen incorporates the function and texture of a daily moisturizer to hydrate and comfort your skin as it provides heavy-duty sun protection. This formula is cooling when applied, and uses Centella Asiatica to soothe any irritation or redness.

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