We’ve all been there. You step outside for a little fun in the sun, fully planning to reapply sunscreen… and then life happens. Maybe it was the beach, a BBQ with friends, or just a "quick" sit in the sun that turned into an accidental tanning marathon.
Now your skin is bright red, screaming SOS, and feeling about as hydrated as a raisin in the desert. Yikes.
Before you go on a frantic Google spree for “how to stop peeling skin,” take a breath. Your skin’s been through a lot, but with the right care (and a little Woohoo Body magic), you can nurse it back to its happy, glowy self.
What actually happens when you get sunburned?
Let’s start with some hot (pun intended) facts about how the dreaded red splotch starts in the first place:
- UVA and UVB rays from the sun penetrate your skin and start wreaking havoc on its DNA. This causes the blood vessels to dilate and triggers inflammatory chemicals in the skin, aka the redness and swelling we call sunburn.
- UV exposure generates free radicals, those pesky little molecules that attack your healthy skin cells.
- Your skin’s natural barrier - the superhero that keeps hydration in and nasties out - gets compromised, leaving it dehydrated, sensitive, and struggling to repair itself. That’s why your skin feels tight, dry, and oh-so-angry.
Self-help tips for sunburnt skin
Sunburn usually sticks around for about a week, with flaking starting towards the end. If you’ve got blistering, the healing process might be a liiittle bit longer (and yes, you’ll want to resist the urge to pop them). The good news is your skin is super resilient, and with some TLC, you can help it bounce back faster.
Step 1: Cool it (literally)
Your first move after a sunburn? Chill out!! No, really.
- Take a cool rinse: Not ice-cold water (ouch!) but hopping into a nice, cool shower or applying a cool compress to the skin is an easy remedy that can be immediately done post-sun exposure.
- Apply the aloe, baby: Aloe vera is a classic for a reason. It’s soothing, anti-inflammatory, and works wonders on overcooked skin. Bonus tip? Store it in the fridge for a little extra ahhh.
- Have an oatmeal bath: Feeling lazy? Fill your tub with lukewarm water (anything hotter will just aggravate your sunburn) and dump in a couple of cups of oats and some milk to combat inflammation and chill cranky skin right out.
Step 2: Hydrate & support
Sunburn leaves your skin crying out for hydration. Here’s how to answer the call:
- Drink up: Ever notice that you feel extra thirsty when your skin’s looking crispy? That’s because a sunburn attracts fluid to the skin’s surface and takes it away from the rest of the body. Drinking extra water post-sunburn is important so you can rehydrate the skin from the inside out.
- Slather on the serums: Sunburned skin, especially on the face, is fussy. It’s sensitive, dry, and needs all the love it can get. Enter our FG Serum 03. Packed with hydration hero hyaluronic acid and soothing ingredients like fermented noni and wild indigo, it quenches thirsty patches, calms redness, and guards against water loss while your skin is inflamed. For your body, our Serenity Hyaluronic Body Serum is a super-lightweight, intensely hydrating moisturising gel that’s perfect for after-sun care. The sensitive-skin-loving formula is extremely gentle and brimming with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera juice to support stressed-out skin.
- Wear loose clothing: Sweatpants FTW. Tight clothing and snug straps can chafe, creating painful blisters on the skin that’s already damaged. Opt for loose clothes - we love breezy bamboo blends because they keep your skin cool and don't cling.
Hot Tip: Avoid exfoliating, retinols and astringent toners while your skin is healing. Sunburned skin = inflamed skin, so skip anything that might aggravate it further.
Step 3: Stop the cycle
Want to avoid another sunburn sitch? Here’s your game plan:
- SPF always: When outside, always (and we mean always!) use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, applying it 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours (or sooner if you’re swimming or sweating).
- Cover up: Hats, sunnies, breezy long sleeves, umbrellas and sitting in the shade where possible are your sun-safety MVPs.
If you’re dealing with a large sunburn, multiple blisters, or even a fever (yup, that can happen!), it’s time to call your dermatologist or doctor. They can guide you on how to properly care for your skin and monitor the risk of long-term damage. Stay safe in the sun, everyone! 🌞
