People soak in the sun to get the perfect suntan, but sometimes they stay so long, that they forget the downside of tanning – sunburn. Research released by Cancer Council on World Cancer Day shows that more than 2.4 million Australian adults were getting sunburnt while outdoors last summer. Learning how to keep your skin as guarded as possible is vital for enjoying time in the sun. Here’s what you need to know about the causes and symptoms of sunburn, along with methods to help relieve the discomfort.
What is sunburn? Why is it so bad for your skin?
Sunburn is a radiation burn caused when the sun’s UV rays damage DNA in the upper layer of your skin cells, resulting in painful stinging, itching, redness and even blistering. Furthermore, too much sun exposure can also alter the genetic makeup of your skin cells, increasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
Sunburn varies from mild to severe – it depends on the depth and size of the affected area of the skin. It’s called a first-degree burn when it affects only the outer layer of your skin. It can be relieved by taking aspirin or ibuprofen or applying some moisturising cream. However, UV rays can penetrate and damage deep layers of your skin, called a second-degree sunburn. This is usually more painful and takes longer to heal. As a result, you may see redness, swelling and blisters form on your skin. If blisters form breaks, it can further slow down your skin’s healing process and increase the risk of infection.
Treating your sunburnt skin as soon as you can is important. This is a key step in helping your skin heal—and helping you to feel better sooner. There are several remedies you can use to soothe a minor sunburn, like using aloe vera gel. However, if your sunburn is severe to the point of blistering, we suggest you should call a doctor for medical treatment.
Does moisturiser help the healing process?
Moisturising cream/lotion is the most common method that people use to treat sunburn. But you need to be sure to apply it after your skin has cooled off, otherwise you’ll trap heat and cause more pain and inflammation. It is suggested to rinse off burning skin by taking a cool shower first to provide immediate relief and then apply moisturiser for treating sunburn when the skin is still wet. Moisturising lotions can help soothe sunburn by calming irritated skin and keeping moisture in.
While there are numerous moisturising products on the market, only a few ingredients have been proven to help to soothe sunburn. It’s not safe to just use any moisturiser on sunburn as some contain harsh chemicals that could further irritate sunburned skin, especially those with dry, sensitive skin. We suggest that you swap your usual body moisturiser for a Vitamin E infused alternative. Research shows Vitamin E keeps the skin moisturized and soothes dry, flaky skin, and helps to relieve the burning and itching from a sunburn.
DU’IT VE+ Vitamin E Face Cream
DU’IT VE+ Vitamin E Face moisturiser is a high potency (120iu/g or 12%) vitamin E face cream, that contains 6 times more vitamin E than that of standard vitamin E cream, providing exceptional moisturising properties for dry skin. It neutralises free radical activity, moisturises dehydrated skin, fine lines and guards against premature skin ageing.
Vitamin E, as an anti-inflammatory agent, repairs the inflammatory damage after UV exposure as well as calms and hydrates irritated skin. Moreover, Vitamin E is an antioxidant. UV light triggers mutations in the skin that can lead to skin cancers and premature aging, but antioxidants counteract some of this UV-induced damage.
What is the best Vitamin E product on the market?
DU’IT VE+ Vitamin E face cream contains 12% of active Vitamin E, which is 6 times higher than a standard Vitamin E cream for sunburn. It works to neutralise free radical activities and protect the skin from UV damage. The non-greasy texture can easily be absorbed into the skin and can have a calming and healing effect on skin redness and irritation. Furthermore, if your skin has been burnt, peeling is an unavoidable part of the healing process. This Vitamin E cream also has a moisturising benefit that helps promote skin cell turnover, repair skin moisture barriers, and further soothe irritated skin, speeding up the healing process and leaving your skin supple and soft again. It’s free from parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil and other irritating ingredients, making it a milder skincare option for sensitive and sunburned skin.
“I bought 2 of these recently. One for the glovebox of my car and the other to keep in a handbag. It’s great for deeply moisturising dry skin and calming any type of skin irritation – it helps reduce skin peeling and soreness after sunburn. The texture is thick and there’s none of that drippy watery feel. After applying the cream, you will feel incredibly cooling and healing on your skin.” – Alice, Australia
On the other hand, sunburn occurs when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, leading to DNA damage and inflammation. The immediate symptoms include redness, pain, and swelling, while long-term effects may manifest as premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Probiotics for skin health
- The Probiotic Advantage
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that promote a balanced microbiome. Recent research has extended the benefits of probiotics to skincare, highlighting their potential in restoring and maintaining skin health. Probiotic body lotions contain live cultures of these beneficial bacteria, providing a dual-action approach to sunburn repair and sensitive skin.
- Anti-inflammatory
Sunburn-induced inflammation is a key contributor to discomfort and skin damage. Probiotics have been shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce redness and swelling associated with sunburn. By modulating the immune response, probiotics in body lotion create a soothing effect, providing relief to the damaged skin.
- Repair Skin Barrier
UV radiation compromises the skin barrier, leading to increased water loss and susceptibility to irritants. Probiotics in body lotions work to restore and strengthen the skin barrier by promoting the production of ceramides and other lipids. This not only aids in retaining moisture but also enhances the skin’s natural defence mechanisms, facilitating the healing process. A probiotic skincare will boost skin health while reducing dry skin.
Discover Tough Body Probiotic Body Lotion
Tough Body is a lightweight, creamy body lotion and daily body moisturiser enriched with Probiotics, Urea, Niacinamide and Vitamin E, plus Kakadu plum and Grape seed oil. It works to replenish and strengthen the skin barrier, reducing inflammation and redness associated with sunburn.
Adding probiotics to your skincare routines will help to enhance the skin’s resilience, fostering a faster recovery process. Additionally, all active ingredients work together to provide much-needed hydration to the sun-damaged skin, promoting healing and preventing peeling. Using Tough Body regularly not only relieves the discomfort of sunburn but also contributes to long-term skin health by supporting a well-balanced and resilient skin microbiome.
DU’IT Tough Body 300g
Reactivate skin radiance with our lightweight body lotion and daily body moisturiser. Tough Body rejuvenates, re-firms and moisturises. It is a non-greasy formula that’s supercharged with a potent combination of moisturising, antioxidant and brightening actives.
There’s no doubt the sun can be good for you, but keep in mind that overexposure could cause damage to your skin. If it’s too hot out, it’s better to stay indoors or at the very least, wear sun protective clothing when you go out. And make sure you have the best cream for sunburn.
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