How to soothe your skin from a fatal sunburn? To preserve your skin and your youth capital, this is the tip you absolutely must have in your tip box before heading out to enjoy the summer sun... 

To put it in context, sunburn is a skin burn caused by excessive exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. When the skin is exposed to the sun without adequate protection over a prolonged period of time, UV and UVB rays progressively damage the skin cells, resulting in a painful inflammation of the epidermal surface: sunburn. The common symptoms of sunburn are quite revealing: the first thing you notice is red skin, a sensation of heat of varying intensity, itching... Depending on the intensity of the sunburn, blistering may also occur, as well as pain and heightened sensitivity. In more serious cases, symptoms such as nausea, chills, fever and headaches can also occur... 

What precautions should be taken to avoid sunburn?

To avoid the catastrophe of sunburn, it's essential to take action. What can you do? By limiting direct sun exposure, using appropriate sun protection such as sunscreen* with a high SPF (adapted to your skin type), but also by wearing protective clothing and accessories, such as hats, caps, sunglasses... Avoiding peak hours when UVA rays are most intense (generally between 10am and 4pm in summer).

It can happen, however, that we take a little too much advantage of the giant sun without taking the necessary precautions. To err is human, and fortunately there are solutions to soothe sunburn and avoid ruining your summer. 

Find out which sun cream to choose* for best results

Grandma's tips for soothing a sunburn 

There's nothing like the knowledge of the old-timers, especially when it comes to taking care of yourself! Grandma's tricks are always a hit when it comes to making everyday life smoother, and they're sure to have an effect when it comes to soothing superficial burns from sunburn. 

The magic of yogurt 

Apply yoghurt! Plain, fresh, unsweetened yoghurt can be applied to the skin in a thick layer to relieve sunburn. Its freshness and soothing properties can help reduce superficial inflammation and calm the skin.

The effectiveness of cucumber 

Use cucumber. It's magic! Slices of fresh cucumber can be placed on sunburned areas. Cucumber has cooling and moisturizing properties, which can help relieve burns and discomfort.

Take a bath... with oats 

Taking a cool bath infused with oats can go a long way towards soothing sunburn. Add colloidal oatmeal (available in pharmacies) to a cool bath to soothe the skin and reduce the itching associated with sunburn.

The indestructible Aloe Vera 

Apply aloe vera gel as a poultice directly to the skin to soothe sunburn. It's best to extract the gel from the plant, but if you don't have any aloe vera shoots at your disposal, you can opt for a pure, organic cosmetic gel. Aloe vera's anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties work wonders on the skin, helping to relieve discomfort but only when the sunburn is severe and affects the skin to a deep degree.

Cider vinegar, a good ally 

It may sound surprising or even frightening, but using cider vinegar is a good way to soothe sunburn. Dilute cider vinegar in cool water and apply gently to the skin to help relieve sunburn. Cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties and helps balance skin pH! 

How do you manage after sunburn? 

To preserve your skin and help it heal after a nasty sunburn (or not), it's essential to give it the care it needs afterwards.

Moisturize the skin 

Sunburn automatically leads to skin dehydration. So it's vital to moisturize regularly and abundantly to promote healing. Use (ultra-rich) repair creams, gentle, unscented moisturizing lotions, fragrance-free vegetable oils or natural butters such as mango or shea butter, to soothe the skin. If your sunburn is on the face (which is often the case), don't neglect lip care. Along with the nose, these are the areas most likely to suffer! Apply lip balm daily to absorb the inflammation. 

Avoid skin irritation 

We don't scratch or pierce the blisters that form after sunburn. In fact, blisters are a natural protection for the skin when it is attacked by sunburn. Piercing them can increase the risk of infection! Leave them to heal on their own, as nature does its job. 

Apply cool compresses 

Use cold water compresses or wet wipes to relieve the heat and discomfort caused by sunburn. On the other hand, avoid icy compresses, as they can aggravate skin damage by causing excessive heat/cold.

Use soothing products 

In addition to moisturizing, apply specific products designed to soothe and repair the skin after sunburn. Gels or lotions containing soothing aloe vera, chamomile or vitamin E can help calm inflammation and promote healing.

How to avoid peeling skin after sunburn? 

To avoid skin peeling after being attacked by a sunburn, here are a few good tips to put into practice: 

1 - Avoid scratching or pulling on the skin: Resist the urge to scratch or pull on peeling skin, as this can aggravate skin damage and prolong peeling. Let the skin peel off naturally and, above all, moisturize it intensely (as explained above, this is essential).

2 - Take lukewarm baths or showers: Hot water can aggravate skin flaking. Opt for lukewarm baths or showers to preserve skin moisture and minimize flaking.

3 - Avoid further exposure to the sun: Protect peeling skin by avoiding any exposure to the sun's rays (however slight). UV rays can aggravate peeling and delay healing. Use protective clothing, a hat and broad-spectrum sunscreen if you must go out.

4 - Moisturize from the inside out : Make sure you drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Proper hydration promotes skin health and resilience. Drink water, fresh herbal teas, tea and eat a whole bunch of water-rich fruits. 

Note that skin peeling after sunburn is a natural skin renewal process. However, if the peeling is very extensive, painful or persists over a long period, it is advisable to consult a health professional for a more thorough assessment...