What is good for sunburns besides aloe vera

A mild burn takes about three to five days to completely heal — and though there are no magic remedies to make it go away, you can use these 15 methods to relieve the pain and itch in the meantime. 

1. Take a cool shower or bath 

A sunburn can cause your skin to feel warm and tender to the touch. Soaking in a cool bath or taking a cool shower can relieve some of the pain. 

2. Apply aloe vera gel or moisturizer 

Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve pain and soothe itchy skin. A 2011 review found aloe vera to be an "effective moisturizer and healing agent for the skin."

Quick tip: Aloe vera is most effective in 100% gel form, which you can buy over-the-counter at most grocery stores or pharmacies. Apply a thin layer over your sunburn and let it soak into your skin. Store your aloe vera gel in the fridge so it stays cool. Make certain it is fragrance-free.

3. Take over-the-counter pain relievers

Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or aspirin can help relieve pain and swelling from a sunburn, says Annie Gonzalez, MD, a dermatologist with Riverchase Dermatology. You should take them as soon as you notice a burn. 

4. Avoid further sun exposure

Exposing a sunburn to UV rays can cause further damage and prolong your healing. Protect your skin by staying out of the sun. If you do go outside, cover your burn.

You should avoid the sun until your burn is fully healed—meaning it is no longer painful or peeling. And when you do venture out again, make sure to use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen with zinc oxide.  

5. Drink lots of water

A sunburn draws fluid away from your body and to the skin's surface, which can cause you to become dehydrated. Drinking water can help your body replace fluids as your skin heals. Aim to consume at least 2.7 liters of water a day for women and 3.7 liters of water a day for men. 

6. Use a hydrocortisone cream

Hydrocortisone cream is a corticosteroid that is most commonly used to treat skin irritation, swelling, and itchiness affiliated with bug bites or allergic reactions. But it can also help manage pain and swelling from sunburns. Gently apply a small amount of 1% hydrocortisone cream to the sunburned area three to four times a day. 

7. Apply a cold compress

Place a cool and damp cloth over the sunburn to help cool the skin and relieve pain. Do this several times a day. 

Adding a small amount of baking soda to the cool water you dip the cloth in can also help soothe skin. That's because it contains anti-inflammatory properties, which relieve pain and itching. 

8. Wear loose clothing

Tight clothes can rub against the burnt skin, leading to more blisters and intense swelling, says Stacy Chimento, MD, a dermatologist with Riverchase Dermatology. 

"Tight clothing also traps extra heat, and when you have a sunburn, you want to keep your body as cool as possible to ease the pain," she says.

9. Take an oatmeal bath

 Soaking in oatmeal is great for treating sunburn as it forms a protective layer over the skin that locks in moisture. Oatmeal also contains skin-soothing ingredients like vitamin E. 

Chimento recommends mixing a cup of oats and a few tablespoons of baking soda to a cool bath. 

10. Avoid using soap on your sunburn

Soap can dry and irritate sunburnt skin, Chimento says, making it worse. Instead, use lotion and aloe vera to soothe and moisturize the area. 

11. Apply freshly brewed tea

Black tea contains tannins, which draw heat away from the sunburned area and restore the skin's pH balance, Chimento says. Maintaining a proper pH balance is important to keep the skin moisturized and protected from environmental elements, like pollution and allergens. 

Soak multiple tea bags in cool water until it darkens. Then soak a cloth in the water to pat the tea on the skin or place the tea bags directly on the afflicted area. 

12. Put milk on your burn

Milk contains antioxidants, like vitamins D and A, that can help heal the skin, Chimento says. The lactic acid in milk can also reduce inflammation and help remove dead skin cells. Plus, the coolness of the milk will provide instant relief. 

Quick tip: The best way to apply milk on sunburn is to place a cloth in a bowl of milk and then gently patting it on the burn. 

13. Stay away from perfumes or fragrances

Fragrances and perfumes can be irritating to sensitive skin, especially after a sunburn. Make sure that any lotions, bath products, or skin products you use are fragrance-free until your sunburn is healed. 

14. Avoid picking at your sunburn

If your burn is severe enough to cause blisters, it's important not to pick at them, Chimento says. Popping blisters or picking at your inflamed skin can cause irritation and possibly an infection, which can be painful and prolong the healing process.

15. Get plenty of rest

As with any injury or illness, rest helps your body heal.

"The body works to reduce inflammation and heal the skin injured by the sunburn when asleep," Chimento says. "Getting lots of sleep allows the body time to focus on repairing skin cells."

Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. 

Insider's takeaway 

If you have a sunburn, expect it to resolve within three to five days. During that time there are measures you can take to relieve the pain like applying aloe vera, soaking in an oatmeal bath, or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. 

However, the best relief is preventing sunburn in the first place.  

"Sun protection is more than just preventing that annoying and painful sunburn," says Dylan Alston, DO, a dermatologist with Intermountain Healthcare.

"Over our lifetime, regular or even infrequent severe sunburns greatly increase our risk for skin cancers, including melanoma."

Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher whenever you go outdoors, Gonzalez says. Make sure to apply the sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outside to allow the sunscreen to sink into your skin. 

You can also wear protective clothing, like long sleeves and a wide brimmed hat to help protect you from the sun.