How To Get Rid Of A Sunburn

So you fell asleep in the sun, had too many Coronaritas, and forgot the sunscreen, or simply stayed outside way too long. We know - vacation is hard, and ow you have a wicked sunburn and it's painful, not to mention fairly hideous. No worries, I'm here to teach you how to get rid of a sunburn, so you can have your skin looking (and feeling) better than ever as soon as you possibly can.

Hopefully, by now, you know that sunburns are no good. According to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, getting really bad sunburns as a teen and young adult can significantly increase your chance of developing skin cancer. Yikes.

What's the answer? SPF is key, folks. Skip the sunburn art trend and the tanning oil. Even more importantly, ditch the retinol products before you hit the beach to lessen the likelihood of sunburn and peeling.

No matter how careful you are, you can still get a sunburn. With a bad sunburn, you'll want to speed up the healing process and reduce redness and peeling. Here are some no-fail steps for quick sunburn relief.

1. Clean Your Skin

Dirt, sweat, salt, and sand will only further irritate your skin the longer they're present. Gently press a cleansing cloth onto your skin to break down the grit and grime. Anti-inflammatory ingredients like yogurt or coconut can also help ease the pain.

Yes To Coconuts Cleansing Wipes, $5, Amazon

2. Ease The Heat

Chances are, your face is on fire right now. When in doubt, always use a cooling gel mask or simple aloe vera to reduce heat and regenerate skin.

Tony Moly I'm Real Aloe Face Mask, $6, Amazon

3. Hydrate

Hydration starts the healing process and helps prevents peeling and flaking. Repairing skin cells do better in a moist environment, and lotions with honey or ceramics do the best job of rehydrating.

Hey Honey 911 Rapid Skin Relief Propolis Pro-Gel, $49, Amazon

4. Damage Control

Every sunburn increases your chances of melanoma, thanks to damage that results in DNA mutations that can, over time, turn into really bad news. Hydrate with vitamin E or C-heavy lotions.

St. Ives Daily Hydrating Vitamin E Body Lotion (2 PK), $12, Amazon

5. Conceal

Swap your usual foundation for a more dewy finish, and be sure to tap instead of swipe. This application technique will help hide irritation and dry spots.

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup, $10, Amazon