There’s no quick fix to eliminate a sunburn immediately after you’ve gotten one, but these tips can help heal your skin faster after it’s been burned. The first recommendation is to cool the skin as soon as it occurs. This can be done with a “cool shower or cool towels, but be careful with overusing ice or ice packs for too long, as it can over-freeze the skin,” says dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD.

There are OTC cooling gels that are made with aloe vera that can help soothe the skin, but you should always read the ingredient label. Look for aloe vera in its pure form. “Be careful with anything that has alcohol, as it will dry the skin out too much,” says Dr. Kobets. “Also make sure you are avoiding fragrances or other additives in cooling gels (including menthol or mint). It may feel soothing, but can be irritating to the skin.”

Dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, says that taking “ibuprofen or aspirin can help reduce inflammation and alleviate any pain, especially if taken early.”

In addition to taking ibuprofen or aspirin, “you can also apply topical over the counter 1% hydrocortisone up to twice a day,” says Dr. Kobets. Make sure to do this “for a few days only or [pick up an] even stronger topical steroid as soon as the burn happens to stop the inflammation from progressing further,” she adds.

If you’re in the midst of a sunburn, you can expect skin-peeling to occur as part of the healing process, but Dr. Kobets notes that even if your skin isn’t peeling, it still has a skin barrier that needs to be healed.

“Help the skin start to repair that damage by application of topical creams and lotions that will hydrate with glycerin, panthenol (B5), and emollients like ceramides and niacinamide,” she advises. We love the KOPARI BEAUTY Moisture Whipped Ceramide Cream, which is packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Another great choice is the LA ROCHE POSAY Cicaplast Baume B5 Cream.

Dr. Garshick also recommends the RESCUEMD DNA Repair Complex “to soothe the skin after sunburns as it helps to calm redness.”

Pay attention, because using Vaseline or petroleum products comes with a few key instructions. “If the skin starts to peel, glycerin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide can be followed by Vaseline or petrolatum, or dimethicone to help seal in the moisture,” suggests Dr. Kobets. “I do not recommend using these ointments like Vaseline or dimethicone immediately after a burn, since ointments can keep the heat in the skin, so I recommend using it when the skin is no longer hot but blistered or peeling.”

The peeling process may yield to itchy skin, but it’s important not to scratch when these feelings arise. Instead, try “pramoxine-containing skin creams that help with alleviating the itch, like CERAVE Itch Relief Lotion,” says Dr. Kobets. “You can also take an oral antihistamine like Claritin, Allegra, or Zyrtec.”

You want to avoid trapping heat with your skincare products and your clothing choices, says Dr. Garshick. She suggests “gentle, breathable fabrics to minimize irritation on the skin,” like cotton or linen.

This will only further damage the skin, and after a sunburn, you need to be focused on the healing process. “With any extensive skin burns, especially if fast-appearing blisters or overall systemic symptoms appear, it is recommended to immediately go to the urgent care or emergency room,” says Dr. Kobets. “This is especially important since sun exposure causes systemic dehydration, and sunburn can further increase trans-epidermal water loss.”

As you heal, make sure to avoid direct exposure, seek shade as much as possible, and always wear your sunscreen to prevent future burns.

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