The only thing worse than realizing your sunscreen failed and you ended up with a bad sunburn is when your skin starts to peel. While peeling skin is part of the healing process, it can be irritating, unsightly, and even a little painful. How should you treat that peeling skin post-sunburn? Here’s what you need to know:
1. Don’t Pick
It’s important to let the skin come off on its own. The skin that’s peeling is dead, and you need it to come off, but in it’s own time. Picking at peeling skin can cause irritation and infection that may lead to further damage to your skin. It’s tempting to remove it yourself, but you’ll be glad you didn’t.
Here are some specific tips to help you avoid picking at your sunburn:
1. Cover it up: Keep your sunburn covered with loose clothing or a bandage to prevent direct contact and temptation to pick.
2. Use distractions: Keep your hands occupied with activities like drawing, knitting, or playing with a stress ball to prevent picking.
3. Practice mindfulness: Be mindful of your actions and sensations. When you feel the urge to pick, take a deep breath and remind yourself of the importance of letting your skin heal.
By implementing these specific tips, you can better resist the urge to pick at your sunburn and promote faster healing.
2. Avoid Irritation
Aside from picking, you also want to avoid other irritants. Exfoliating, using harsh products, excess exposure to hot water, and rubbing a towel on your peeling skin can all cause irritation. Instead, you want to keep the skin soothed by wearing lightweight, loose clothing and gently patting the skin dry after bathing.
3. Keep It Moisturized
The best thing you can do for a peeling sunburn is to keep it moisturized. Apply a gentle, sensitive skin friendly moisturizer to your body 1-2 times per day, and after bathing. It’s also important to avoid drying products like soaps and perfumes. You can also reduce dryness by keeping your shower water temperature low. When looking for the best sensitive skin-friendly body moisturizer for a sunburn, consider the following factors:
1. Hypoallergenic: Look for moisturizers labeled as hypoallergenic, as they are formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.
2. Fragrance-free: Fragrances can irritate sensitive skin, so opt for fragrance-free or unscented moisturizers to avoid further irritation.
3. Gentle ingredients: Choose moisturizers with gentle, soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, oat extract, or ceramides, which can help calm and hydrate sunburned skin.
4. Non-comedogenic: If you have sensitive skin prone to acne, select a non-comedogenic moisturizer to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
5. Avoid irritants: Steer clear of moisturizers containing alcohol, menthol, or harsh chemicals, as they can further aggravate sunburned skin.
6. Dermatologist-recommended: Consider using moisturizers recommended or approved by dermatologists, as they are formulated with sensitive skin in mind and undergo rigorous testing.
7. Test before use: If possible, perform a patch test on a small area of unaffected skin before applying the moisturizer to your entire sunburned body to ensure it doesn’t cause any adverse reactions.
8. Soothing properties: Look for moisturizers specifically labeled for soothing or calming sensitive skin, as they may contain additional ingredients to alleviate discomfort associated with sunburn.
9. Water-based: Opt for water-based moisturizers, as they are lighter and less likely to clog pores compared to oil-based formulas, making them suitable for sensitive, sunburned skin.
10. SPF protection: If you plan to apply the moisturizer during the day, consider choosing one with added SPF protection to shield your skin from further sun damage.
By considering these factors, you can find a suitable moisturizer that effectively hydrates and soothes your sunburned skin without causing further irritation.
4. Protect Your Skin
The new skin under your peeling sunburn is sensitive and at a much higher risk of sunburn and damage due to UV rays. Keep your skin covered when outdoors and don’t skip the sunscreen. Some people think that once the skin is sunburnt it can’t get damaged anymore, but that new skin is actually highly susceptible.
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