The Sunburn Recovery Guide

Make sure you have these reparative products on hand this summer.

Here we are again. The Tuesday after Memorial Day weekend and your sizzled skin is a day or two away from an aggressive peel. No matter how much warning we get, that urge to “get a little color” always seems to outweigh the use of sunblock. As I’ve told my roommate, whose face is bright red and caked with moisturizer, “At least you learned your lesson early in the season.”

Whether you’re coping with yesterday’s burn or prepping for the inevitable, it’s crucial to have some products on hand that will help your skin in its repair process and ease the pain of mild burns.

Keep in mind, once you're burnt, you should avoid the sun on your skin at all costs. If you’re going to be outside, that means hat and sunblock. Double duty -- more is more! The skin after a burn is extremely sensitive and the last thing it needs is to be reintroduced to its aggressor.

Face Wash

Put down the exfoliator and pick up a lightweight, hydrating face wash -- like Ursa Major’s Fantastic Face Wash -- and gently cleanse the skin. Everything you do should be in the mindset of hydration. That being said, it’s equally important to nourish your skin from the inside, so be sure to up your water intake.

Aloe Vera

Decoration with a purpose. Keep an aloe vera plant in your home and you will always be prepared. Simply cut off a piece of the plant and you’ll find its soothing gel inside.

Cooling Gels

If you don’t have an aloe plant, you can go with a great product for immediate relief.

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SHOP: La Roche-Posay Posthelios Melt in After Sun Gel ($15.95), SEVEN Minerals’ Aloe Vera Gel ($19.95), Beautycounter Countersun After Sun Cooling Gel ($32), Skinceuticals Phyto Plus ($87)

Moisturizers

These moisturizers are wonderful for daily use and post-sun treatment. Look for products with Vitamin E, which will help minimize inflammation.

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SHOP: Bioderma Photoderm Refreshing After Sun Milk ($16.90), Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 ($10), Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream ($48), Tatcha The Water Cream ($68)