What is the best after sun lotion to use?

Author: Laney O'Connell  |  Last update: Saturday, September 27, 2025

The best after-sun lotions, at a glance:
  • Best Overall: Eucerin Advanced Hydration After Sun Lotion, $9.
  • Best for Redness: Bioderma Atoderm Cream Ultra, $17.
  • Best for Cooling: Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion, $12.
  • Best for Face: La Roche Posay Posthelios After-Sun Melt-In Gel, $34.

Which after-sun lotion is the best?

Coola Radical Recovery After Sun Lotion

This botanical-based after-sun lotion comes highly recommended by Dr. Goldbach, as well as many other dermatologists and skincare experts.

What is the best moisturizer to use after being in the sun?

The 12 skin-soothing after sun lotions our beauty team love
  • Lancaster Golden Tan Maximizer After Sun Lotion. ...
  • Dior Solar The After-Sun Balm. ...
  • Bioderma Photoderm After-Sun Soothing Cream. ...
  • Avène After Sun Lotion. ...
  • Sun Bum Cool Down After Sun Spray. ...
  • Garnier Ambre Solaire After Sun Hydrating Tan Maintainer.

What is the best thing to use after the sun?

This typically includes the use of moisturizers, lotions, or gels that contain plant-based ingredients like aloe vera, which help to hydrate, visibly reduce redness, and soothe sunburn symptoms. After sun care is essential for maintaining healthy looking skin following sun exposure.

What is the best aftercare for sunburn?

Try these self-care tips for sunburn relief:
  • Drink extra water for a day. ...
  • Leave blisters alone. ...
  • Treat peeling skin gently. ...
  • Take an anti-itch drug. ...
  • Apply a soothing medicated cream. ...
  • Treat sunburned eyes. ...
  • Protect yourself from further sun exposure. ...
  • Avoid applying '-caine' products, such as benzocaine.

After sun products & planning| Dr Dray

What heals a sunburn the fastest?

“Aloe and soy have antioxidant properties, which can speed up the healing process,” Dr. Zubek says. Additionally, you can apply a cool compress to your skin and take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, to ease discomfort.

What not to put on sunburn?

Don't
  1. do not use petroleum jelly on sunburnt skin.
  2. do not put ice or ice packs on sunburnt skin.
  3. do not pop any blisters.
  4. do not scratch or try to remove peeling skin.
  5. do not wear tight-fitting clothes over sunburnt skin.

What makes a good Aftersun?

The difference is that After Sun is especially designed to be used after direct sun exposure, meaning that they include soothing ingredients, like aloe vera, shea butter, silk proteins, mango fruit extract and many other, skin loving indulgent ingredients.

Is Vaseline good Aftersun?

DO NOT use butter, petroleum jelly (Vaseline), or other oil-based products. These can block pores so that heat and sweat cannot escape, which can lead to infection. DO NOT pick at or peel away the top part of the blisters. Creams with vitamins C and E may help limit damage to skin cells.

What can I use instead of Aftersun cream?

Aloe vera is often recommended as a hydrating gel to help soothe affected skin. In fact, you'll probably find many after-sun products containing aloe vera as a key ingredient. You should continue to use a cooling gel or cream for a few days to keep burnt areas moist and hydrated.

What is the best cream to use after the sun?

9 best after-sun lotions, according to dermatologists
  • Best Drugstore: CeraVe Moisturising Cream. Best Drugstore: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. ...
  • Best for Sensitive Skin: Coola Radical Recovery EcoCert Organic After Sun Lotion. ...
  • Best for Cooling: Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion.

Is after sun lotion or gel better?

While gels allow heat to escape from the skin, thicker creams that have been designed to lock in moisture could trap heat within the skin, making it feel cooler rather than hotter.

Do after sun lotions work?

Unfortunately, no product can actually “cure” sunburn as your body has its own healing process which it needs to go through. However, after sun works to help repair the skin and to minimise the pain and inflammation we often associate with sunburn, which is why we recommend using after sun for sunburn.

What is the best lotion to use after being in the sun?

Which after sun lotion is the best?
  • Banana Boat Moisturizing After Sun Lotion.
  • Sun Burnt After-Sun Gel.
  • Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Lotion.
  • Walgreens Sunburn Pain Relief Continuous Spray with Lidocaine.

What is the best aloe vera gel on the market?

The best aloe vera gels, at a glance
  • Best Overall: Aloderma Natural Pure Aloe Vera Gel, $13.
  • Best Budget: Vacation After Sun Gel, $13.
  • Best for Face: Elemis Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice, $58.
  • Best for Body: Lily of the Desert 99% Aloe Vera Gelly, $13.
  • Best for Dry Skin: Forever Living Aloe Vera Gelly, $16.

Do you put sun lotion on before or after moisturiser?

Since products with SPF are specifically formulated with certain sun-protective ingredients, layering one on after your moisturizer can help block out those harsh rays. Keep in mind that you only need to apply sunscreen in the morning, after moisturizer but before makeup.

What is a natural aftersun?

Common ingredients in natural aftersun products include rich plant oils like coconut oil, soothing aloe vera, nourishing shea butter, and other hydrating, antioxidant-rich botanicals.

Which is better Vaseline or aloe vera gel?

Aloe vera contains Vitamin E, and C, both powerful antioxidants, thought to have an anti-ageing effect on skin. Studies have found that aloe vera may reduce the healing time of minor burns. Vaseline® Jelly can be used to aid home remedies like aloe by locking in moisture and protecting skin during recovery.

Should I leave Vaseline on overnight?

', the answer is yes, thanks to the protective layer the petroleum jelly forms over your skin, to protect and hydrate it as you sleep. So slugging helps to make the skin of your dreams a reality, as a beauty treatment that literally promotes beauty sleep!

What is the best drugstore after sun lotion?

The best after-sun lotions, at a glance:
  • Best Overall: Eucerin Advanced Hydration After Sun Lotion, $9.
  • Best for Redness: Bioderma Atoderm Cream Ultra, $17.
  • Best for Cooling: Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion, $12.
  • Best for Face: La Roche Posay Posthelios After-Sun Melt-In Gel, $34.

What makes Aftersun so good?

One of the distinctive features of Aftersun is its visual language. By this I mean the camera work, angles and composition. The framing in Aftersun thrusts us right into the most private and intimate moments in the characters' lives. By doing this, director Wells makes us believe in them even more.

Is CeraVe moisturizer good for sunburn?

Created for all skin types, CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream is formulated with 1% pramoxine hydrochloride to provide fast-acting, long-lasting, temporary relief from itching caused by dry skin, insect bites, sunburn and minor skin irritations.

What takes the sting out of sunburn fast?

Apply Aloe

Aloe is a tried-and-true remedy that will soothe your sunburn almost instantaneously. This succulent is known for its moisturizing, cooling and anti-inflammatory effects, providing the much-needed relief you are after.

What is the finger test for sunburn?

The fingertip test. Fingertip test for checking that skin blanches which is a normal skin reaction. Skin that does not blanch when gently pressed is damaged. Remove finger and there should be a blanched (pale) area where the finger was.

Should I cover a sunburn or let it breathe?

Management and Treatment

Steps you can take include: Covering your sunburned skin while it heals, especially when outside. Cool, damp cloths may help you feel better. Using topical cooling and hydrating gels and creams like hydrocortisone cream or aloe vera gel.

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