Few people are happy when they realize they need sunburn first aid.
It can happen even when we thought we were prepared. We used sunscreen. We ducked under the shade whenever possible, but the sun still found its way through.
Now your skin is red, angry, and radiating heat, and you know you’re dealing with damaged, inflamed skin.
Unfortunately, many home-based remedies touted on the internet can actually damage your skin further. Sunburned skin is incredibly vulnerable. The protective outer barrier has been compromised, inflammation is running high, and your skin is in crisis mode.
The wrong approach during those first critical hours after the burn can lead to increased scarring, prolonged healing, infection, or other bad outcomes.
In this post, we debunk some common myths about sunburn first aid and offer more gentle, caring solutions that work better for healing your skin.
Sunburn First Aid Mistake #1: Putting Ice Directly on the Skin
It seems like the logical approach. You use ice for other injuries, so why not sunburn? Besides, it will cool it down, right?
Why it’s harmful: Placing ice directly on the skin can cause an ice burn, which is similar to frostbite. Sunburned skin is already damaged, so adding extreme cold can constrict the blood vessels too quickly, potentially delaying healing. In some cases, it can worsen the injury.
A better idea: Use a cool (not cold) compress. Soak a clean cloth in cool water and gently lay it over the affected area. You can also use a soothing, anti-inflammatory spray, such as CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray. It offers instant cooling relief without shocking the skin and contains calming ingredients like aloe, water lily, comfrey, and valerian. It wins best after-sun soother year after year!
Mistake #2: Slathering on Petroleum Jelly
Some people think that applying petroleum jelly to a sunburn will help, as it “seals in the moisture.” That may “sound” good, but it’s not ideal for a fresh sunburn.
Why it’s harmful: Petroleum jelly creates an occlusive barrier that can trap heat, making it harder for the skin to cool down. It can also prevent air circulation, which your inflamed skin desperately needs.
A better idea: Opt for a breathable ointment, like our Restorative Skin Balm, a clean swap for for Vaseline and other petroleum-based products. Its breathable formula is packed with soothing, moisturizing, and healing ingredients for a speedy recovery from a sunburn.
You can also use a lightweight anti-inflammatory moisturizer like our CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture that will hydrate without trapping heat.
Sunburn First Aid Mistake #3: Using Alcohol-Based Products
Astringent toners, after-sun gels, or even some aloe vera products may contain alcohol. They may feel cool at first, but that feeling can be deceiving.
Why it’s harmful: Alcohol actually dries out the skin. It can also sting on a fresh burn, and it disrupts the skin barrier, delaying healing and increasing the risk of peeling and scarring.
A better idea: Always check the ingredients on whatever products you use. If alcohol is near the top of the ingredient list, don’t use that product. Use alcohol-free products designed for sensitive skin. Our Rescue + Relief Spray is a great option—it cools on contact, reduces inflammation, and hydrates without any alcohol.
Mistake #4: Popping Blisters or Peeling Away Dead Skin
It’s tempting to pop any blisters that show up or to peel away flaking skin. It’s best to resist, though! Blisters are your body’s natural protection for the healing tissue underneath.
Why it’s harmful: If you pop them, you create open wounds that are more vulnerable to infection. Peeling away skin that isn’t ready to come off also exposes raw, healing tissue and can lead to scarring.
A better idea: Leave blisters intact and let your skin shed naturally. If a blister breaks on its own, gently clean the area with mild soap and water, then protect it with a loose, breathable bandage. For peeling skin, moisturize regularly, which will soften the skin and allow it to shed more easily when it’s ready.
Sunburn First Aid Mistake #5: Taking Hot Showers or Baths
You may be tempted to jump in the shower or bath and “wash off the burn” or peeling skin, but be careful because hot water is the enemy of damaged skin.
Why it’s harmful: Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils and can make inflammation worse, leaving you feeling more sore and tight afterward.
A better idea: Take lukewarm or cool baths and showers. Gently pat the skin dry—don’t rub—and follow up with our Calming Moisture or Body Repair Lotion to lock in hydration.
Mistake #6: Using Numbing Sprays with “-Caine” Ingredients
Over-the-counter numbing sprays containing benzocaine, lidocaine, or similar ingredients can help ease pain, but they may also cause allergic reactions or make skin irritation worse in some people.
Why it can be harmful: These products can cause reactions in some people with sensitive skin. They may also mask pain that indicates worsening damage, preventing you from seeking additional care when you need to.
A better idea: Focus on cooling and anti-inflammatory approaches instead. Cool compresses, gentle moisturizers (such as CV Skinlabs’ moisturizers), and oral anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen, can provide pain relief without the risk of topical reactions. All of CV Skinlabs’ products are full of anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing, and calming ingredients. Our Rescue + Relief Spray also offers cooling relief with gentle, skin-friendly ingredients rather than numbing agents.
Sunburn First Aid Mistake #7: Ignoring Hydration, Inside and Out
A sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, leading to overall moisture loss. And though you may think you need to “let your skin breathe,” depriving it of moisture leaves it dry, tight, and struggling, which will make it take longer to heal.
Why it’s harmful: Most people don’t realize that proper healing requires both internal hydration and external care. Dehydrated skin is also more prone to cracking, peeling, and irritation. A damaged skin barrier also means you’re more vulnerable to infection or sensitivity down the road.
A better idea: Apply a CV Skinlabs’ lightweight, calming moisturizer multiple times a day. They contain Ingredients like beta-glucan, aloe, bisabolol, and oat extract that can help restore balance. Avoid fragrances, dyes, and essential oils. Your skin is in crisis mode and needs the gentlest of support. Our Rescue + Relief Spray and both our moisturizers are ideal for damaged skin.
In addition, drink plenty of water—more than usual to help your body cope with the inflammation and support healing. Stay out of the sun completely until your skin has healed. When you do go out again, be extra diligent about sun protection, as newly healed skin is more susceptible to damage.
Give Your Skin the Gentle Care It Deserves!
The internet is full of DIY sunburn treatments, from vinegar solutions to butter applications. Some home remedies can be helpful, such as using cooling compresses, but others can be harmful or even dangerous. Vinegar, for example, can cause chemical burns on compromised skin, while butter can trap heat and bacteria. Even some essential oils can cause severe reactions.
Stick to treatments that have been proven safe and effective for burned skin. The goal is to support your skin’s natural healing process, not to interfere with it or add additional stress.
How do you manage a sunburn?
Featured image by Freepik.
