Sunburn remedies — we all need them after a day in the sun gone wrong, right? If your skin’s feeling hot, sore, or just plain uncomfortable, I’ve got 5 super easy, natural fixes that’ll help you feel better fast. And guess what? You probably already have everything you need at home!
I think today was the first truly warm day—almost like summer. It’s only May, but the temperature suddenly rise up over 25°C, and I didn’t even have time to blink.
So, I decided to indulge in one of my favorite pastimes, which is simply enjoying my post-lunch iced coffee outside in the yard.
Of course, since I’m a conscious skincare girlie who pays attention to sun protection, I sat strictly in the shade. But I still stuck my legs out into the sun.
Soon enough, I noticed that my knees were practically burning. I glanced at them, and sure enough, a slight redness had already appeared.
This all happened in the span of about 10 minutes. In spring. Not summer—spring!
So imagine how strong the sun’s rays are even now.
It’s incredible how quickly summer tanning can start, even in spring. While a tan might seem like a harmless glow, it’s easy to forget how fast a tanning session can turn into a sunburn.
In fact, sunburn is itchy, can appear with blisters, and in more serious cases, sunburn can cause fever—these are all classic symptoms of sunburn.
You might also wonder why sunburn feels hot or even experience sunburn on lips, which is especially painful and easy to overlook.
what sunburn looks like
Even mild sunburn symptoms can show up quickly: red, warm-to-touch skin, pain, tenderness, itching, or even light peeling.
In moderate cases, along with the redness, you may feel burning, swelling, and blisters. You might also experience headaches or a low-grade fever.
We talk about severe sunburn when blistering is widespread. At this stage, pain is intense, fever is often high, and symptoms like vomiting, nausea, dry mouth, and infrequent urination may occur—signs of dehydration and potentially heatstroke (fast pulse, confusion).
why sunburn is bad for health
Sunburn is harmful because it indicates direct UV damage to skin cells, which can have serious long-term health consequences.
For women, one of the worst outcomes is wrinkling, and unfortunately, sunburn accelerates this process. UV rays break down collagen and elastin, which are responsible for skin elasticity.
Repeated sunburns lead to wrinkles, pigmentation spots, and a loss of firmness.
But that’s not even the worst it can do.
As a child, my mom always warned me that too much sunbathing would give me skin cancer—and honestly, we should all listen to her.
Did you know that a single severe sunburn in childhood can double your risk of melanoma in adulthood?
This is because UV radiation (especially UVB) damages the DNA of skin cells. This damage can cause mutations, which, if not repaired, can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and ultimately skin cancer.
how to prevent sunburn?
Stay inside
Try to avoid the sun between 11 AM and 3 PM, when UV radiation is strongest.During this time the sun is at it’s highest point in the sky,and UVB rays are most intense.
If possible, stay in the shade or indoors during these hours.Even just 15-30 minutes of unprotected sun exposure during peak hours can be enough to cause a sunburn.If possible,stay in the shadows or inside during these hours.
Use sunscreen
Always use sunscreen. And no, I don’t mean tinted moisturizers with SPF 15 or 30. Whether it’s for your face or body, your sunscreen should be at least SPF 50, and you should reapply every 2 hours.But what’s the difference between SPF 15 and 50?Well, SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays,while SPF 50 blocks around 98%.That 5% difference might sound small at first, but in reality, it can make a big impact. Think of it this way: that extra protection means dozens more minutes of safe sun exposure before your skin starts to burn. Over time, those minutes add up — especially on long summer days at the beach or during outdoor activities.
So while SPF 15 might seem “good enough,” opting for SPF 30 or 50 gives your skin much better defense against harmful UV rays, premature aging, and sunburn. Your future self (and your skin) will be glad you made the upgrade.
Clothing
Clothing acts as a physical barrier against UV rays, offering continuous protection even when your sunscreen starts to wear off from sweat, water, or time. Unlike sunscreen, it doesn’t need reapplication — which makes it an essential part of your sun defense strategy.
Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen in long-sleeved shirts, flowy maxi dresses, and wide-brimmed hats to keep cool while covering more skin. Bonus tip: look for clothing labeled with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) for added sun safety — it’s like SPF, but for your clothes.
Staying stylish and protected? That’s a summer win-win.
sunburn remedies you can find at home
If the damage is already done, mild sunburn can often be treated effectively at home with simple sunburn remedies: step one is to take a lukewarm or cool shower (never icy!), or place a cold, damp towel on the affected skin.
Shower
One of the first and most comforting sunburn remedies is to take a cool (not cold!) shower. This helps lower your skin temperature, soothe discomfort, and release trapped heat in the affected area. It’s a simple step that can reduce inflammation and prevent further skin damage.You can repeat this every 10–15 minutes, several times a day.
Hydration
Another essential sunburn remedy is to stay well-hydrated. Sunburn doesn’t just affect your skin — it also pulls fluids from your body, increasing your risk of dehydration. Drinking plenty of water helps your body heal from the inside out and supports overall skin recovery.Because sunburn can easily lead to dehydration, it’s crucial to drink plenty of water. In addition to internal hydration, external care matters too: use a soothing, alcohol-free moisturizer (e.g., aloe vera gel or panthenol cream).A wise tip from me is to choose fragrance-free products to avoid further irritation.
Cover your skin
After you’ve become hydrated from head to toe, remember to keep the sunburned skin covered or stay in the shade until it fully heals. Further UV exposure can worsen the skin damage and slow down healing. Don’t use soap, scrubs, or scented shower gels on sunburned skin.Protecting sunburned skin from additional UV exposure is a top priority. As far as sunburn remedies go, simply covering up with loose, breathable clothing or staying in the shade is key. This prevents further irritation and gives your skin the time it needs to heal properly.
Sunburn happens — but with the right care, healing doesn’t have to be slow or stressful. These natural sunburn remedies are simple, gentle, and effective ways to soothe your skin and support its recovery. Remember to treat your skin with kindness, stay hydrated, and most importantly, protect it from future sun damage.
And hey — your skin will thank you for it.
If you found this helpful, be sure to explore more self-care and skin-healing tips across the blog. 💛
