How to Get Rid of Sunburn Redness Overnight
Jazmin Anderson
| 3 min read
Jazmin Anderson is a 2026 Corporate Communications i...
Key Takeaways
- Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain reliever if the sunburn is causing pain.
- Apply a cool, dampened towel to the burned area of your skin, and drink more water than you usually would for a day to avoid dehydration.
- Avoid doing anything to further irritate sunburned skin, such as picking on it, using harsh chemicals or spending time in the sun.
Sunburn can be uncomfortable and unappealing due to the redness and skin irritation they cause.
While it would be great to get rid of sunburn overnight, it usually takes days to fade depending on its severity, according to Mayo Clinic. But there are ways you can calm your skin and help with the healing process. Here are some at-home techniques to try the next time your skin is sunburned.
How to make your sunburn less painful
Consider taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain reliever if the sunburn is causing pain.
Itchiness is also a common symptom of sunburn. Apply 1% hydrocortisone, which is an over-the-counter steroid cream twice a day to the itchy sunburn. For additional relief, refrigerate the cream before applying. Wear loose, soft clothing to minimize irritation.
Home remedies for sunburn
After getting sunburned, you can look around your home for simple ways to relieve the burn. Some of them include:
- Cool skin: Take a cool bath with baking soda or apply a clean, dampened towel to the burned area of your skin. Cool your skin several times a day for 10 minutes each to promote fast healing.
- Moisturize: Keep your skin nourished by applying lotion or moisturizer to the affected areas. For additional relief, stick the product in the fridge.
- Drink extra water: It is important that you don’t just hydrate externally but also internally after a sunburn. Drink more water than you usually would for a day to avoid dehydration.
Practices to avoid during sunburn recovery
Burned skin is sensitive during the healing process. For this reason, you want to avoid doing anything to further irritate it. Some practices you should steer clear of, per the Mayo Clinic, include:
- Picking on your skin: If you end up with any blisters, avoid bothering them. An intact blister can help with healing the skin. If a blister pops naturally, cut the dead skin with clean, small scissors, then clean the area. Apply antibiotic ointment to the wound, then cover it with a nonstick bandage. If your skin starts peeling, keep it moisturized and avoid exfoliating the affected area.
- Using harsh chemicals: Avoid moisturizers and skin care products with alcohol and other active ingredients. These chemicals can irritate sunburn and further damage the skin. Benzocaine is an ingredient to especially watch out for since it can cause heavy irritation.
- Spending time in the sun: After sustaining a sunburn, stay out of the sun for the next few days.
Prevention is the best treatment
Sunburns can immediately change your skin, according to the American Medical Association (AMA). After your skin burns, hyperpigmentation or dyspigmentation can develop. Repeated burns can amplify effects leading to skin damage and photoaging, including wrinkles, skin thinning, dark spots, dyspigmentation and altered skin texture.
For these reasons, the best way to avoid the unpleasant effects of sunburn is to avoid getting sunburned in the first place. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when you are outside and wear sun-protective clothing like a wide-brimmed hat, lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants. UV-rays are highest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Be sure to stay out of the sun during those hours.
When to see a doctor
If your sunburn is severe, you may need to see a primary care provider. Here are some signs you should look out for, according to Mayo Clinic:
- Large blisters
- Blisters on the face, hands or genitals
- Severe swelling of the affected area
- Signs of infection, such as blisters with pus or streaks
- Worsening pain, headache, confusion, nausea, fever or chills
- Worsening symptoms despite at-home care
Seek immediate medical care if you experience high fever with vomiting, confusion, infection, dehydration, cold skin, dizziness or faintness.
Photo credit: Getty Images
