The 28 Best Lotions for Sunburn in 2024

Branded content. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

Summer is almost here! That means fun days at the beach, hiking in the mountains with friends or simply relaxing by the pool. But those long days out in the sun mean you’re exposing your skin to harmful UV rays. And even if you promise yourself that you’re going to put on sunscreen every two hours as suggested, time flies when you’re having fun.

Before you know it, you’ve got a killer sunburn that hurts when you try to lie down. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. What’s most important is that you treat your skin well to ensure you heal quickly and leave as little lasting damage as possible.

Ingredients like aloe vera and shea butter contain soothing properties and reduce redness and irritation from sunburns. Soy also helps rehydrate skin that’s dried out from the sun and prevents excessive moisture loss as the skin heals.

If your sunburn itches, apply a moisturizer with 1% hydrocortisone so you’re not tempted to scratch the skin and cause pain or irritation.

You don’t have to suffer through the pain of a sunburn! If you’ve gotten too much sun, try one of these 28 best lotions for sunburn in 2024.

1. Blu Atlas Fragrance-Free Body Lotion

If you’re looking for the best natural lotion for sunburn in 2024, a great first choice is the Blu Atlas fragrance-free body lotion. This rejuvenating vegan lotion soothes dry skin and heals skin that’s flaky and irritated. It’s composed of premium ingredients from natural sources, such as plants, fruits and minerals.

Shea butter and jojoba oil are full of fatty acids and vitamins that work deep into your skin to provide nourishment from sun damage. They soothe the irritation that comes from sunburn, so you feel relief faster.

All Blu Atlas products are made clean in the USA and are never tested on animals. This lotion is free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, preservatives and sulfates. Use it as often as needed to feel instant relief.

2. Burt’s Bees Aloe and Coconut Oil After Sun Soother

Burt’s Bees is known for their inexpensive skin-care products that always contain beeswax, which creates a protective layer on the skin. The best lotion for sunburn if you’re on a budget is Burt’s Bees Aloe and Coconut Oil After Sun Soother.

This comforting lotion will melt into your sunburned skin quickly, moisturizing it and ensuring it is supple and strong. Active ingredients include aloe vera to soothe irritation and send hydration deep into the skin, and coconut oil to minimize the peeling and uncomfortable itching.

Another great non-irritating option, this product contains 98.6% natural ingredients and is free of parabens, phthalates, petrolatum and SLS. This product is safe to use on your face and body anytime you have a sunburn.

3. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Moisturizing After Sun Lotion

It’s never fun to feel pain after a sunburn. To cheer yourself up, pick a sunburn relief lotion that smells great. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Moisturizing After Sun Lotion was made to smell like the islands of Hawaii, with hints of papaya, mango, passion fruit, plumeria and guava.

This fruity lotion will make you feel like you’re still at the beach sipping a Blue Hawaiian, even if you’re at home in bed. The two active ingredients that fight pain and irritation from sunburn are aloe and shea butter, which come out in twin ribbons.

You won’t feel sticky after application or experience any pain from rubbing in the lotion because this lightweight lotion absorbs quickly. Your skin will feel soft and smooth, and the lotion holds in color so that you preserve your tan. (However, you should never tan on purpose, because this will cause your skin to deteriorate over time and can even lead to cancer.)

4. Cetaphil Soothing Gel Cream With Aloe

Anyone struggling with sunburn and sensitive skin needs a fragrance-free product from a trusted brand. The best lotion for sunburn in 2024 for people with sensitive skin is Cetaphil’s Soothing Gel Cream With Aloe. This lotion works gently to fight against the five common issues caused by skin sensitivity: dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and a weakened skin barrier.

Allantoin 0.5% soothes injured skin from sunburn and has been known to help with wound healing. Aloe leaf juice, shea oil and soybean oil all have calming properties as well to make your sunburn feel better.

The gel cream formula quickly absorbs so that you feel the effects quickly. It has been tested by dermatologists, is hypoallergenic, and contains no fragrances or parabens that might irritate sensitive skin.

5. Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion

There’s nothing more embarrassing than finally feeling good enough to wear a tank top again after a bad sunburn, only to realize that your shoulders are flaking. To avoid this issue, use Sun Bum’s Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion.

This vegan, cruelty-free lotion cools down sunburn with aloe, cocoa butter and vitamin E. These two ingredients work quickly to hydrate the skin so that you don’t flake due to excessive dryness.

This lotion has a 4.8 rating from 149 reviewers. People say it is rejuvenating, calms down redness and doesn’t leave them feeling sticky. On top of that, it smells great.

6. Like Butter Moisturizer for Dry, Sensitive and Eczema-Prone Skin

Anyone with multiple skin issues, such as sensitive skin and eczema, needs to be careful going out in the sun because a sunburn can make these symptoms worse. If you do get a burn, you need a quality moisturizer that heals the sunburn swiftly to prevent a flare-up.

The best lotion for sunburn in 2024 for people with eczema is the Like Butter Moisturizer for Dry, Sensitive and Eczema-Prone Skin. This daily moisturizer uses 1% colloidal oatmeal to heal the skin barrier quickly and prevent the burn from drying out and causing irritation.

This lotion promises to soothe itching and provide instant hydration, so you’ll experience sunburn relief immediately. The product is safe to use all over your body and contains no steroids to disrupt your skin’s ecosystem.

7. Aēsop Aftersun Petitgrain Reviving Body Gel

If you prefer your sunburn lotion to have a gel texture, try Aēsop’s Aftersun Petitgrain Reviving Body Gel. This after-sun lotion softens the skin and makes it feel cool to the touch. The product leaves behind a light scent of citrus.

Four main ingredients help with the side effects of a sunburn. Aloe vera deeply hydrates to soften the skin so there’s less painful cracking and irritation. Grapefruit rind decreases photodamage to the skin and can help heal sunburn wounds faster.

Panthenol (provitamin B) increases cell production and turnover so that your sunburn heals faster than normal. Finally, witch hazel contains anti-inflammatory properties so that your burn feels less irritated.

8. Coola Radical Recovery Moisturizing Lotion

The best reef-friendly lotion for sunburn in 2024 is Coola’s Radical Recovery Moisturizing Lotion. This can be used on your body and face and deeply hydrates while remaining environmentally friendly.

A base of agave and aloe vera comforts the skin and holds moisture, even in sunburned areas. Then extracts and oils filled with antioxidants and vitamins, including rosemary, sunflower and sweet orange, refresh the skin and prevent excessive inflammation.

You can feel good about putting this lotion on your skin because 70% of the ingredients are certified organic and 99% come from natural origins. It works for all skin types, even sensitive skin, and users love the light lavender scent.

9. Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Body Lotion

If you tend to get sunburned a lot, you need an affordable option that gets the job done. For the best bang for your buck, try Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Body Lotion.

Vaseline seals moisture into your skin, restoring dry, sunburned skin back to health. Aloe extract is added to soothe inflamed skin and boost your skin barrier. Vaseline is known for feeling sticky, but this lightweight lotion absorbs quickly, so it won’t get all over your clothes like pure petroleum jelly does.

To heal your sunburn faster, apply this lotion twice a day. However, make sure it is rubbed all the way in before you put on clothes to ensure it doesn’t come off on your shirt or pants.

10. Cortizone 10 Cream

When you get sunburned, you harm the top layer of your skin. Unfortunately, this layer has nerve fibers that activate when damaged by UV rays. This can cause an unbearable itch, which only gets worse if you scratch it.

If you have an itchy sunburn that’s driving you crazy, the best lotion to use is Cortizone 10 Cream. Get the option with calming aloe vera to soothe your sunburn. The 1% hydrocortisone cream, the highest you can get without a prescription, relieves the itch in less than 10 minutes after application.

Other hydrating ingredients in this product include glycerin and beeswax, both of which can strengthen your skin’s barrier.

11. Absolutely Natural Rose Hip Aloe Lotion

If you want to smell like a garden while healing your sunburn, try Absolutely Natural’s Rose Hip Aloe Lotion. One of the best-smelling lotions for sunburn in 2024, this product conditions and hydrates the skin to help it heal faster and alleviate pain from your sunburn.

The two active ingredients, pure aloe and rosehip oil, contain vitamins and amino acids that soothe the burn, so you’re more relaxed as it heals. And while this lotion feels great on sunburns, you can also use it as a body lotion every day.

The company recommends using this lotion with the Pure Aloe Gel to feel the most sunburn relief.

12. Cay Skin Deepwater Hydrating & Soothing Body Crème

Dark skin can sunburn, though it may not be as noticeable as light skin. Sunburns on Black or brown skin often lead to pigmentation issues and can get worse when exposed to UV rays. The best lotion for sunburn in 2024 for Black skin is Cay Skin’s Deepwater Hydrating & Soothing Body Crème.

Four natural ingredients work together to heal damaged skin. Sea moss is a nutrient-rich seaweed that deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier. Niacinamide evens out discoloration and dark spots caused by sun damage. Kakadu plum brings brightness back to damaged skin due to the high amounts of vitamin C, and aloe stem cells nourish and soften skin to alleviate stress caused by sunburn.

13. California Baby Aloe and Arnica Cream

Even the most attentive parents can lose track of time. If you forget to apply adequate sunscreen on your beach day, your child could come home with a painful sunburn. You don’t have to feel bad about making a mistake, but you should be prepared for when it happens.

For the best lotions for sunburn in 2024 for children, purchase California Baby’s Aloe and Arnica Cream. This 100% plant-based solution cools and soothes sunburned skin, and is safe for even the most sensitive skin. There are no mysterious chemicals or fragrances that tend to irritate.

California Baby’s after-sun cream absorbs quickly and helps your child feel better faster, so they can go back to playing.

14. Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray

If you need relief fast but your sunburn hurts so much that you don’t even want to touch it, you should look into spray options to alleviate the ache. One of the best spray lotions for sunburn is Eau Thermale Avène’s Thermal Spring Water Spray. This unique mineral water spray contains the right concentrations of minerals to soothe the skin and bring balance.

This product can be used at any time, but after a sunburn it can help your skin feel cooler faster, bringing relief to hot, painful areas. It’s so gentle that it can be used with any skin type, and has an impressive rating of 4.9 stars with over 900 reviews.

The gentle ingredients are chosen to minimize potential allergic reactions, and the product contains no harmful additives like alcohol, mineral oil and fragrance.

15. Beauty by Earth After Sun Cooling Aloe Vera Spray

For another spray option that’s specifically made for sunburns, try Beauty by Earth’s After Sun Cooling Spray. This aloe vera spray soothes irritated, dry and burned skin through cooling aloe vera. The product also contains six other powerful natural ingredients to promote your skin’s health.

Vegetable glycerin helps the aloe vera soothe the skin and prevents further irritation. Chamomile extract calms the skin through its antioxidant properties and makes your skin more resilient to stressors that cause aging. Cucumber fruit extract softens skin and improves its appearance while repairing dry and damaged skin.

Green tea flower extract hydrates the skin and curbs acne and other blemishes. Peppermint oil provides a calming scent that can help reduce anxiety, giving this spray a therapeutic touch. Finally, radish root ferment filtrate is a natural, healthy preservative that gives skin-care and beauty products a longer shelf life.

16. Aquaphor

Some sunburns are so red and painful that they blister, and that’s when you need something more potent than a body lotion. The best lotion for blistered sunburns is Aquaphor. This healing ointment contains a rich gel texture that creates a barrier over your skin. This holds in moisture and deeply hydrates painful sunburns.

Aquaphor contains petrolatum, glycerin, lanolin and mineral oil, among many other effective ingredients. Aquaphor is by far the messiest solution on this list, but it will do the most work when healing a serious sunburn.

Note that if your severe sunburn is followed by headache, fainting, vomiting or a high fever, you need to go to the emergency room, because you may have sun poisoning.

17. Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Refillable Hydrating Body Lotion

If you want the best lotion for sunburns that you can also use as a regular body lotion, try Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Refillable Hydrating Body Lotion. This body lotion uses squalane as the main ingredient. This natural substance has been shown to soothe sunburns and provide relief from itching.

The lotion also contains cocoa butter to make your skin feel soft and supple at any time, whether you have a sunburn or not. The other great aspect of this lotion is that it’s refillable, so there’s less plastic waste and you don’t have to buy a new bottle every time.

18. Cocooil After Sun Lime Coconut Oil

Cocooil After Sun Lime Coconut Oil is an oil rather than a body lotion, but it works great with sunburns. Oil takes longer to absorb than lotion, which would be annoying if you were trying to go to work after application. But if you have a sunburn, you want to rest and heal the top layer of your skin.

Body oil will sit on top of your skin, softening and repairing the skin. This oil doesn’t just soothe the skin; it actually repairs your sunburn faster. This vegan, ethically sourced solution is a mix of sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, aloe vera leaf extract, soybean oil, grape seed oil and lime oil.

19. Aloemoist Organics Full Body Cream

If you want an anti-aging solution to soothe your sunburn, try Aloemoist Organics’ Full Body Cream. This deeply moisturizing cream is safe to use on your face and body. It absorbs quickly so it won’t feel greasy, and can be used as a daily moisturizer to fight cracks and aging. As well as soothing sunburns, it heals eczema and psoriasis.

This all-in-one solution features 30 natural ingredients to plump your skin with critical nutrients and antioxidants. The powerful additions include organic aloe gel, shea butter, retinol and green tea. This product makes your skin more elastic so wrinkles are less noticeable, and it also has vitamin C to naturally brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

20. Eucerin Advanced Hydration After Sun Lotion

For the best lotion for sunburn in 2024 that moisturizes for 24 hours straight, try Eucerin’s Advanced Hydration After Sun Lotion. This lotion focuses on sending hydration into damaged skin that hurts from a sunburn. It uses antioxidants to bring your skin back to life.

Licochalcone A, glycyrrhetinic acid and vitamin E work alongside softening shea butter to deliver coolness and combat damage caused by the sun. This product will hydrate the skin without clogging your pores, and is hypoallergenic, containing no parabens, dyes or phthalates.

To prevent getting another sunburn, also pick up Eucerin’s Advanced Hydration Sunscreen Lotion.

21. Seven Minerals’ Organic Aloe Vera Gel

If your sunburn is painful, a good old-fashioned aloe vera gel will always do the trick. But it can sometimes leave a sticky residue that gets all over your clothes and bed. If you want a fast-absorbing aloe vera gel that won’t leave a mess, try Seven Minerals’ Organic Aloe Vera Gel.

Alongside the soothing aloe vera, seaweed extract is used as a thickener to give this gel its texture. Most gels use xanthan or carbomer, which don’t absorb well into the skin. But seaweed extract helps to soften the skin, so you feel instant relief.

22. Dr. Barbara Sturm Aloe Vera Gel

Anyone who gets sun spots after a sunburn may dread going out in the sun. Fear the sun no longer with Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Aloe Vera Gel, one of the best lotions for sunburn in 2024 for preventing hyperpigmentation.

NInety percent of this gel is natural organic aloe vera leaf juice. This soothes the skin and cools it down after a sunburn. Purslane is an extract that has high amounts of antioxidants and treats concerns like hyperpigmentation. It can also make vitamin C more effective. Panthenol can help your sunburn heal faster, so you’ll be feeling better in no time.

23. Gold Bond Healing Skin Therapy Lotion

If you’re looking for an affordable lotion for sunburn that you can probably get at the nearest grocery store, try Gold Bond’s Healing Skin Therapy Lotion. This hypoallergenic lotion was made for normal to dry skin, and the aloe in the lotion can soothe your sunburn.

This lotion won’t necessarily make your sunburn heal faster, but it will rehydrate the skin and help you feel better with regular application. It’s great to have on hand as a regular lotion and can work on sunburns in a pinch. Ideally, this is for someone who is good at reapplying sunscreen and rarely needs sunburn lotion.

24. Solar Recover Spray

Another fantastic lotion for sunburns, Solar Recover Spray uses natural ingredients like vitamin E, calendula, lavender oil and sesame oil to bring hydration back to dry and damaged skin. This product can be used year-round to heal chapped skin during cold months and to soothe sunburned skin during the warm summer months.

This gender-neutral option contains no harmful ingredients that might irritate your skin. Solar Recover promises to be a lotion “delivered in water” so that it absorbs quickly and you can feel relief fast.

25. Miami Beach Bum Bum + Body Cream

One of the best lotions for sunburn for people who have sensitive skin, Miami Beach Bum’s Bum and Body Cream Orange features natural ingredients that soothe and heal irritation like sunburns.

Aloe, oregano, jojoba and tea tree oil work together to nourish dry skin and soothe issues like zits, ingrown hairs and sunburns. This product was made for every gender, and even though it has a rich, luscious texture, it won’t clog your pores.

This cruelty-free product is made in the USA and can be used as often as needed to feel relief.

26. Dune Suncare The Lifeguard Miracle Rescue Aloe Vera Gel

Dune Suncare creates a number of sun products made to help you prep or heal from your day at the beach. The Lifeguard is a vegan and cruelty-free gel formulated to cool and relax sunburned skin. This gel holds moisture for 72 hours, so you don’t have to keep reapplying to enjoy the effects.

Even though it’s a gel, it absorbs fast into your skin and won’t leave behind a sticky gel. You will feel better immediately after applying, but use it as soon as possible to ensure the best effects against your burn.

27. Doctor Rogers Restore Healing Balm

If you’re a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, try Doctor Rogers’ Restore Healing Balm. Goop calls this solution a “wonder healer” for healing damaged skin. This product can be used on sunburns, but it also works for chapped lips, damaged cuticles and diaper rash, and can even help your tattoos stay vibrant.

This product works similarly to Aquaphor: It’s a balm made up of castor oil to decrease inflammation, glycerin to accelerate the healing process and curb irritation, and hydrogenated castor oil to hydrate dry skin while keeping the balm together.

28. Cannuka After Sun Care

If you find that applying CBD in a topical form works well for your aches and pains, you may want to try it in a lotion for sunburns as well. Cannuka’s After Sun Care is a CBD product made with aloe vera, manuka honey, hemp seed oil and vitamin E.

This lotion works deep into your skin to calm redness, pain and irritation. It’s formulated cruelty-free and contains no THC. For the best results, you should apply this every four to six hours until your sunburn abates.