How to Stop Sunburns From Peeling

How to Keep Your Sunburn From Peeling

The temptation to pick at your skin might be overwhelming, but you can’t succumb, says Dr. King. While you can’t completely prevent peeling, you can minimize discomfort and dryness.

Instead, after a cooling shower, Dr. King advises applying a moisturizer onto slightly damp skin. Because UV exposure can also weaken the skin barrier, cause dehydration, dryness, sensitivity, and inflammation, this step 

She says to “Look for gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers and ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalane, colloidal oatmeal, and soothing botanical ingredients.”

If there’s one thing you should not do, it’s exfoliate. Dr. King calls it the “most important thing” to avoid when treating sunburns.

She says to steer clear of “exfoliating acids, retinoids, scrubs, brushes, and other potentially irritating products until the skin has completely recovered.”