So you’re red as a beetroot. It’s too late to lecture you about being sunsafe, but here’s how to ease the pain of being sunburnt.
When you’re sunburnt, you’ll try anything to make it hurt less. The more desperate among us will turn to Google for at-home sunburn remedies, but some of them aren’t remedial in any way. Our expert Dr Cathy Reid, from the Australasian College of Dermatologists, tells us what works – and what doesn’t.
SHAVING CREAM OR APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
These products applied topically are said to soothe skin and stop the peel, but it sounds like torture to us. Dr Reid agrees: “I would never suggest anyone tries this. And nothing prevents peeling.”
LAVENDER OIL
“It’s one of the most restorative and rejuvenating oils,” says CLEO beauty editor Rachael Mannell. “Mix 2-3 drops of lavender oil in a teaspoon of base oil (like almond) and smooth over any burnt areas before bed.”
PULVERISED POTATOES
Weird, yep, but it’s widely publicised that the starch found in potatoes will cool and soothe your sunburn. “This sounds ridiculous,” says Dr Reid. Okay, then.
COLD COMPRESSES
Rachael says to use a cold compress immediately. “Before you apply any lotions, you must remove the heat.” Dr Reid advises: “Run a towel under cool water and lay it on your skin to ease the discomfort.”
MILK, YOGHURT OR COOLED TEA
“Any cold liquid will soothe sunburn, but that’s because it feels cool on your hot skin,” says Dr Reid. “You may as well use a wet towel – milk, yoghurt and tea have no other effect.”
HOT SHOWER
Hot showers allegedly allow the heat on your skin to escape, which “heals” sunburn. “Firstly, nothing heals it,” says Dr Reid. “You’re burnt, your skin is going to peel, and it’ll take two weeks. Secondly, it hurts too much.”
ALOE VERA
Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory and cooling, so it reduces pain fast and effectively. There are spray, gel and cream versions around, but it’s best to get pure aloe from a plant and rub the juicy ends all over!
OATMEAL
“Oatmeal is great,” says Dr Reid. “There are many oatmeal products around, but you could also just add a heap of porridge into your bath. It’s very soothing, very moisturising – perfect for dry, sunburnt skin.”
MOISTURISER
“You need lots of moisturiser to replace lost fluids,” says Dr Reid. “Pop it in the fridge for a while to cool it down before you apply, and reapply multiple times a day.”
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