Should I exfoliate peeling skin after sunburn?

You should gently exfoliate peeling skin after sunburn if it is not a bad sunburn. The best way to exfoliate peeling skin after sunburn is by gently cleansing with warm water and soap. Do this rather than scrubbing with loofahs or exfoliating pads.

For first and second-degree sunburns, exfoliating peeling skin can be beneficial. Yet, it is not recommended for third-degree burns.

Pro tip: When peeling begins, avoid picking or scratching off the outer layer of dead skin cells because that can lead to scarring and open sores.

The best thing you can do for peeling skin is keeping it clean, moisturized, and protected from the sun until it heals. It is not necessary to exfoliate it; if it burns, then just let it be.

Keep reading if you want to find out more about peeling skin and what to use on it.

How to get rid of peeling skin from sunburn overnight?

If you want to get rid of peeling skin from sunburn overnight, you can try out one of these things:

• Try a 100% aloe vera gel, purified water, and natural oils such as avocado, almond, and vitamin E oil to hydrate the skin without making it feel greasy.

• You can also mix cucumbers, aloe vera, and honey and use it as a mask for your body.

• Try a small amount of low-dose hydrocortisone cream on the affected area.

• Apply a cool compress that feels soothing on your sunburned skin.

• Mix up an oatmeal bath.

We can’t guarantee that the methods above will eliminate your peeling skin completely, but they will definetly help you out. The best thing you can do is moisturize your skin and let it be.

It is best to avoid peeling the skin off. However, if you are having problems with it afterward, then you can use some homemade remedies to ease your pain and irritation.

How long after sunburn can you exfoliate?

Most dermatologists and skincare experts agree that you should wait a little while before exfoliating your skin. Exfoliating immediately after a sunburn is not recommended as the skin is sensitive and can peel easily.

However, you can gently exfoliate that peeling area if it doesn’t hurt when you start peeling. Be gentle and avoid harsh scrubs. Rather, switch to a salicylic or glycolic acid-based product for the first several days until your skin is healed.

Once the skin has peeled, exfoliate once or twice a week. Once a sunburn has passed, you will want to moisturize your skin to help it heal, and for the best results, exfoliation is good.

Exfoliate more than twice a week, and you may actually increase the signs of photoaging on your skin.

To sum up, exfoliating can help destroy dead skin cells and prevent peeling but wait at least 48 hours after sunburn.

What to use on peeling skin?

When your skin is peeling, do not use products that dry out your skin even more. Instead, use these products below:

• Petroleum jelly.

• Coconut oil.

• Olive oil.

• Oatmeal.

• Honey.

You can use them separately or together, and you can use them as a maks or in the shower. While there is no way to stop the peeling of the skin, you can use moisturizers and sunblock to help your skin recover quicker.

Things like lukewarm water, mild soap, and moisturizer are great for helping your skin heal quickly. To protect your skin while it’s healing, stay out of the sun as much as possible.

If you feel pain from the irritation, try using a cold compress or cool water to soothe the area. Once your skin has healed, be sure to moisturize regularly to prevent dryness and to peel from happening again.

Peeling skin can be uncomfortable and unsightly, but there are many ways to treat it, and we have listed many things you have at home.

Best lotion for peeling skin after sunburn

Look for ingredients like aloe vera, lavender, and coconut oil.

My favorite lotion is ISNTREE Aloe Vera Soothing Facial Emulsion Lotion. 

Pro tip: Ingredients to avoid in a lotion if you have sunburn are benzocaine, salicylic acid, retinol, and parabens.

Why should you choose these ingredients?

Aloe Vera is gentle for the skin and provides moisture to it. It also helps with sunburns and other burn injuries.

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties, which can help heal your skin faster.

Coconut Oil is an amazing moisturizer for peeling skin. It has fatty acids that help your skin keep moisture for longer, making it useful to heal sunburns.

Lavender oil is a natural remedy for sunburn. The anti-inflammatory properties of this essential oil will prove good for the sunburnt area on your skin. Also, it reduces redness and swelling due to injury and prevents dryness of your skin while it’s peeling off naturally. 

Conclusion: Should I exfoliate peeling skin after sunburn?

While you can exfoliate your skin after a burn, you need to be careful not to redo the damage you’ve already done. If it hurts, don’t do it. 

You should also be treating your skin at home with aloe or other moisturizers or ointments. Plus, you should abstain from picking at your skin (even if the desire is overwhelming) — this can cause infection. 

Applying the exfoliant gently enough, so it does not hurt the sensitive skin will let you get started with exfoliation quickly.

Be wary of the time you choose to exfoliate, though. You don’t want to scrape off the top layer of skin, exposing yourself to new damage from re-exposure to the sun. Overall, you shouldn’t be exfoliating peeling skin after sunburn too soon after being burned.

If your peeling is particularly bad, a dermatologist may be able to recommend some medications or other treatments. Ir can help speed up the healing process.

We hope this article sheds some light on what to do with your skin if it starts peeling. If you want to read more about this topic, we have another article for you.