Is your skin itchy after sun exposure, or do you have a rash after being in the sun? Do you want to know how to treat sunburn, or what the best after sun lotion is and what to look out for in after sun care?
What magazines and random websites will be saying
When I researched this post, I noticed the tendency of magazines and websites to gloss over sunburns, implicating that some kind of after sun care will erase the effects of a sunburn.
“it’s important to give it the right nourishment in the evening to avoid looking like an old leather handbag in years to come” (The Standard) – No amount of after sun lotion will alleviate DNA damage.
“Of course, it can also lead to DNA damage that you can’t see, which continues for hours after sun exposure. That’s why it’s a good idea to apply soothing, hydrating and reparative ingredients as soon as you can after spending time in the sun.” (The Skincareedit) – Aaaaaaand again, that’s not how it works: skincare won’t help with DNA damage.
“products will keep your skin looking well-done rather than charred after a day in the sun” (The Standard) – Incoherent screaming into the void.
What are we trying to treat? Sunburn and the consequences
Let’s have a quick refresher what happens when you get a sunburn. My old friend Wikipedia to the rescue:
“Sunburn is a form of radiation burn that affects living tissue, such as skin, that results from an overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, usually from the Sun. Excessive UV radiation is the leading cause of (primarily) non-malignant skin tumors, and in extreme cases can be life-threatening. Sunburn is an inflammatory response in the tissue triggered by direct DNA damage by UV radiation. Ultraviolet radiation causes sunburns and increases the risk of three types of skin cancer: melanoma, basal-cell carcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma. Of greatest concern is that the melanoma risk increases in a dose-dependent manner with the number of a person’s lifetime cumulative episodes of sunburn. It has been estimated that over 1/3 of melanomas in the United States and Australia could be prevented with regular sunscreen use.”
Wiki
After reading that, it becomes abundantly clear that after sun products DON’T cancel out any effects from a sunburn. It’s not a way of justifying not wearing sunscreen. No after sun product in the world will make sunburn effects disappear, even if it’ll treat symptoms.
Skincancer.org says:
For fair-skinned people, especially those with genetic predisposition, sunburn plays a clear role in developing melanoma. Research shows that the UV rays that damage skin can also alter a tumor-suppressing gene, giving injured cells less chance to repair before progressing to cancer.
Skincancer
After sun products are NOT the fail-safe option it may appears to be – get a sunburn, treat it, done.
What it is, though: a great invention from an industry that wants your money. (That’s no shade: every industry is out to earn money, but it’s up to you to spend YOUR money on things you want and need.) It’s the same industry that tells you that OF COURSE after sun products are different than moisturizers.
Here’s the thing: they aren’t. (Mainly.)
Best after sun care
What you want:
- Cooling
- Hydration
- Soothing
Dermatologists agree that for sunburn relief, you first need hydration (drink water!). Second, to cool down those angry itchy red patches, apply damp cool cloths. Aloe Vera products seem a relatively safe bet. People swear on them, studies show differing results. I personally don’t like them a lot because they tend to be sticky.
If you aren’t burnt (congrats, great sunscreen game!), but think that your skin might benefit from some TLC after a day in the sun: For soothing and hydration use the same ingredients you turn to when it comes to your face: hyaluronic acid is always bomb, and humectants like glycerin as well. Ceramides will help to repair your skin barrier, and panthenol or centella asiatica will soothe and heal.
- More: moisturiser 101
What you don’t want:
- Alcohol denat.
- A bucket full of fragrance
Let’s talk about texture: depending on your taste and sensitivity of your skin, you want either the most lightweight and gel-like texture possible, or something deeply nourishing. Be careful, though: A LOT of products out there manage both the “cooling” and “lightweight” texture through massive amounts of alcohol denat. in their formulation. I’m not completely anti-alcohol, but on compromised skin? Not a really good idea.
What’s also not a good idea: to use a very fragranced lotion on top of aggravated skin. If you want to smell like a Pina Colada, use a perfume.
The best after sun lotion?
And if you don’t have a sunburn, but just came in after a day in the sun/at the pool/ on the beach? The world of moisturisers is your oyster. Be the glowing god/ess you want to be, but keep in mind: It’s always a good idea to use the gentlest formula with a texture you like.
Product recommendations
For cases of “I’ve been out and about the whole day and my skin looks a bit reddish and rough and in need of some TLC” I’ve been using the following products this summer:
Face: Paula’s Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask – soothing, cooling and lightweight (I also applied this on the backs of my hands after a long day in the sun). (Original review.)
Body: A panthenol mousse that drugstore chain dm has since discontinued (obviously), but fear not, there’re others (on amazon, for example). I swear on Panthenol for angry skin, and a mousse is heaven-sent when you want a light formula that still packs a punch. HIGHLY recommended. If I just need some moisture (because chlorine and salt water do tend to be drying!), I go for any bodylotion that I’ve got standing around. Fuss-free.
- If you’re still looking for a suitable sunscreen, Astrid and I trialled 12 (!) sunscreens this year alone. Look here.
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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