The Best Sunburn Reliefs to Relieve Pain

How to Find the Best-Working Sunburn Relief: A Buyer's Guide

Did you know that more than a third of the adults in the United States get sunburned each year? This common skin issue arises when proper care is not taken when going out in the sun for a long time. People need to apply good-quality sunscreen or sunblock to protect their skin, or a painful sunburn may follow. A common sunburn might cause problems like itchiness, blisters, pain, and redness. If you do find yourself with a sunburn, you have to be mindful and use effective sunburn reliefs to hydrate your skin and repair any damage. To teach you all about sunburns and how to treat them in the best possible way, here’s a guide for you:

What is a Sunburn And Why is it Not Good for Skin?

Sunburns occur when you are overexposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun while spending time outdoors or on the beach. Once a person is sunburned, their skin cells undergo various processes to heal and replenish themselves. Physically, a person may experience redness and pain, the severity of which is dependent on the intensity of the sun exposure. Experts say that the affected area may feel warm to the touch and the afflicted person might experience chills, fever, or nausea if the sunburn is particularly severe. Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, Clinical Dermatologist and researcher with myvitiligoteam.com, comments, “sunburns themselves really aren’t all that different from burns from a campfire, or curling iron.” Sunburns are nothing to scoff at.

A lot is going beneath the skin while healing from sunburns. According to experts, the UVB rays from the sun damage your DNA and trigger a mutation in the cells. The skin is then forced to fire a response to repair the DNA, which may cause temporary redness, pain, and swollen, blistered skin. Over time, sunburns can be a contributor to skin cancer. According to research, 90% of non-melanoma skin cancer and 86% of melanoma cases are linked to the sun’s UV rays.

To avoid an unfortunate situation, visit your dermatologist or doctor to learn more about any risk of developing skin cancer. Experts can conduct a physical exam to screen any early warning signs and offer you steps for self-examination at home.

What Are the Symptoms of Sunburns and How Do I Prevent Them?

Sunburns can cause inflammation that leads to erythema, a type of rash, and edema, which is related to swelling. Sunburns may also trigger the development of sunburnt cells that could become cancerous and reduce the body’s count of cells that play an essential role in our immune system.

The symptoms of sunburn can vary depending on the person and severity. It can affect anyone, but people with lighter skin are the most susceptible. Once your skin is exposed, your skin may be:

• Sensitive when touched
• Painful
• Hot
• Irritated
• Blistered
• Itchy

If a person is affected by severe sunburn, immediate medical attention is required. In extreme cases, sunburns may result in fatigue or full heatstroke. A doctor can diagnose heat exhaustion when the temperature of a body is higher than usual after sun exposure but not higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. In such conditions, immediate medical attention is required. Most sunburns are not this serious, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Wearing and reapplying sunscreen consistently is the best way to prevent sunburns.

Good Practices for Sunburn Treatment

If sunburn occurs, a person should do the following things:

• Avoid going out in the sun and stay indoors until healed.
• Cool your skin using a damp towel or take a cool bath.
• Apply a reliable sunburn relief (see our list for suggestions).
• Consider over-the-counter medication like NSAIDs, hydrocortisone, or ibuprofen to relieve swelling and pain.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
• Don’t scratch or remove peeling skin.

If you follow these steps and consult a medical professional as needed, your skin will recover from any sunburn in no time.

What Should Be Considered When Buying Sunburn Reliefs?

Different forms of sunburn relief

You can buy sunburn reliefs as lotions, creams, gels, and more. All styles are convenient to use and are often available in a portable container with pump or tube packaging. Each will be absorbed easily by your skin with a little rubbing. When buying a sunburn relief, ensure that it is non-greasy and contains essential nutrients and antioxidants for skin moisturization and repair.

The most well-known sunburn relief ingredient is aloe vera, and this is for good reason. Dr. Factor states, “Aloe plants help you heal faster after a burn.” Mentioning an important study, she says, “Those who used aloe healed almost 9 days faster on average than those in control groups.” In addition to increasing healing burn rates, Aloe Vera’s “antibacterial and antifungal activities are well documented,” comments Dr. Factor. All in all, Aloe Vera is a great ingredient to look for, and you’ll find it in our list below.

No alcohol or other chemicals

The product you buy for your sunburn relief needs should be free of parabens, phthalates, alcohol, and other harsh chemicals that might dry out or damage your skin. Products that include these chemicals may cause other painful skin reactions and worsen the situation.

How Have We Selected and Ranked Our Products?

Customer reviews

Customer reviews are popular on many brand websites, social media pages, and even online retail stores like Amazon. These helpful reviews can be great sources of hands-on information about a product to make your buying decision much easier.

Brand

It is better to buy a product from a reliable brand with a good market identity. Don’t just fall for the product’s name, though. Do a little research to know about the company and check their reviews for better knowledge about the brand. Many companies have products that are eco-friendly or have campaigns dedicated to donating a portion of their profits to a related charity or service program. Be sure to investigate any of those before making a final decision!

Price

Most sunburn relief options are very accessible and won’t break the bank. We always recommended comparing the price of two or three similar products offered by different companies for a better idea about cost relative to your needs. Usually, sunburn reliefs will cost you anywhere from $4 to $62 depending on the amount sold, the brand, and any unique properties.