You know how it goes. You’re out having fun in the sun, you forget to reapply your SPF, and before you know it, it's happened: Sunburn! It’s red, painful, inflamed, and warm to the touch, and it’s the last thing anyone wants after a day of having fun outdoors. 

The extra-dreaded side effect of that itchy, uncomfortable sunburn makes matters even worse. Yep, we’re talking about peeling skin. Here, we’ll explain why it happens and how you can help stop your sunburn from peeling. We’ll also share ways to prevent sunburn in the first place.

What causes sunburn and peeling?

Sunburn happens when your skin is exposed to too much ultraviolet light, which damages its cells.¹ It can result from both the sun and artificial UV light sources, including tanning beds (that’s why no tan is safe unless it’s sunless!). 

UVA light penetrates the deeper layers of the skin, while UVB light penetrates the skin’s superficial layers. UVB light is the main contributor to sunburn (although UVA does play a role).² If you think you only need SPF on sunny days—think again! Skin can burn even on overcast days as the sun reflects off water, snow, and sand.

What are the symptoms of sunburn?

Chances are you already know that any part of your body exposed to the sun can burn, including your ears, scalp, lips, and even your eyes. Clothing typically offers adequate sun protection, but many items with a loose weave can still allow UV rays to penetrate, which means you may also burn and experience irritated skin through your clothes.

Sunburn symptoms typically appear within a few hours of unprotected sun exposure and can include:³

- Inflamed skin that often appears red or pink

- Warm or hot skin

- Swelling Pain and sensitive skin

- Itching

- Blisters

- Nausea

- Fever

- Chills

With a severe burn, you may develop additional symptoms like large blisters, extreme swelling, worsening pain, and ulcerations.⁴ In these cases, it’s best to seek help from your healthcare provider. If you experience a high fever, confusion, dizziness, or dehydration, you may be experiencing a heat stroke. Seek immediate medical care!⁵

Why does skin peel after sunburn?

Peeling skin after sunburn is a telltale sign of UV damage to the upper layers of your skin. In other words, your body is shedding its damaged and dead skin to reveal the healthy skin underneath as part of the healing process. How long peeling continues after a sunburn depends on many factors, including the severity of the burn, skin damage, and how well you care for your skin as it heals. Remember, the top layer of skin has been damaged, and it will take time for your body to heal.

Short-term and long-term effects of excessive sun exposure

As we discussed before, sunburn is caused by UV exposure, and too much sun can have serious side effects immediately and in the long term. Instantly, your skin might burn and look red. Overtime, you may notice signs of premature aging or skin wrinkling—also known as photoaging.⁶ 

Too much UV exposure can cause you to develop certain types of skin cancer. That’s why it’s essential to wear sunscreen and take the proper precautions before heading out for a fun day in the sun.⁷

How to help prevent your sunburn from peeling

Wondering how to heal peeling skin? The best way is by preventing sunburn in the first place. Once a sunburn has started to peel as part of your skin’s natural healing process, you may not be able to stop the process entirely. But there are a few ways to make yourself more comfortable and help prevent your burn from worsening.

Step one: Avoid picking at your skin as it peels, no matter how tempting it may be.

Here are some other ways to improve your peeling process and prevent your sunburn from peeling:⁸

Apply topical creams (or aloe vera): Use creams like aloe vera  hydrocortisone to help soothe your skin, but stay away from numbing creams.

Stay hydrated: Get enough water during the day to help keep your body hydrated as your skin recovers.

Take a cool shower or bath: A cool bath or cold shower may help reduce peeling. But hold off on showering if your sunburn is blistered, and skip the soap, as it can dry out your skin and worsen the peeling.

Be gentle: Avoid scratching or vigorously rubbing your sunburn. When toweling off after bathing, don’t rub your skin. Pat yourself dry instead.

How to treat sunburned skin if It starts peeling

If your sunburn is starting to peel, it’s important to protect it from further sun damage by staying out of direct sunlight. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as this can aid in your skin’s recovery. Apply soothing moisturizers like aloe vera or hydrocortisone to provide relief to the affected areas. However, be sure to avoid creams with numbing properties, as they might not be suitable for sunburned skin. Also, consider taking cool baths infused with colloidal oatmeal; this can offer a soothing effect and help your skin feel more comfortable during the healing process.⁹

How long does sunburn take to heal?

Sunburns are usually first-degree burns, harming the outer skin layer, known as the epidermis. They usually heal on their own within a week. If your sunburn is deeper it may take longer to heal and is more susceptible to complications like infections and scars. If you’re worried about your sunburn, you should speak with a dermatology provider as soon as possible to get proper medical help.¹⁰

Tips to prevent sunburn

The easiest way to avoid sunburn is to avoid unprotected sun exposure, but that’s sometimes easier said than done. To make the most of your time outdoors while staying safe, here are a few helpful tips:

1. Stay indoors between 10am and 2pm

Between 10am and 2pm, the sun’s UV rays are at their strongest, and you’re more likely to become burned. If you must be outside in the sun during peak hours, try to stay in the shade.¹¹ If possible, try to schedule outdoor activities for earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon.

2. Apply SPF frequently

Don’t skimp on sunscreen if you want to avoid getting sunburned. Use a broad-spectrum, sweat and water-resistant formula with SPF 30 or more to block UVA and UVB rays, and apply it at least 15 minutes before you head outside.¹² Don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours for the remainder of your time outdoors or after swimming or excessive sweating. When applying sunscreen, our experts recommend using at least two tablespoons to cover your exposed skin. Remember, you’ll need to reapply more often if you’re going in and out of the water. Consider products like SPF lip balm and SPF face powder for easy, additional coverage.¹³

Curology’’s broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen is a non-clogging, grease-free lotion that absorbs quickly and gives skin a fresh finish. Its mineral formula with zinc oxide 9.4% melts into all skin tones without leaving a white cast. Designed by dermatologists, it helps defend your skin against sun damage without causing breakouts (a win-win!) 

PSA for your future skin: No sunscreen can prevent all harm from UV rays, but we highly recommend using it daily, because it’s still one of the most effective ways to minimize signs of aging and risks of skin cancer.

3. Dress for the occasion

Covering up with protective clothing whenever you’re outside is another easy and effective way to reduce your risk of sunburn. Choose dark apparel with a tight weave; some garments even specify their Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). You can also reach for a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection, and an umbrella.¹⁴

4. Consider your skincare products and medications

Some skincare products, like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)¹⁵ and retinoids, can increase skin sensitivity to the sun. Other medications, like some classes of antibiotics, thiazide diuretics (often taken for high blood pressure), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can also increase your risk of burning.¹⁶ Read the fine print, and always follow your medical provider’s instructions for a smooth healing process.

Other reasons your skin may be peeling

While skin peeling can be caused by sunburn, there are several other reasons why it may occur. These include certain immune system disorders, dry skin caused by friction or frequent washing, irritant contact dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis. We recommend speaking to your dermatology or medical provider if your peeling is caused by something other than sunburn.

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Curology offers products made with proven, effective ingredients. Our licensed dermatology providers help take the guesswork out of your skincare routine by determining the products your skin needs and creating a personalized prescription formula to help you meet your skincare goals.

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Start your skin quiz

Just answer a few questions and snap selfies to help us get to know your skin better. If Curology is suitable for you, we’ll pair you with one of our in-house licensed dermatology providers. Together, we will come up with a treatment plan that’s just right for you.

P.S. We did the homework so you don’t have to:

1. Guerra, K.C. and Crane, J.S. Sunburn. StatPearls. (2022, August 28).

2. Guerra, K.C. and Crane, J.S. Sunburn. StatPearls. Ibid.

3. Guerra, K.C. and Crane, J.S. Sunburn. StatPearls. Ibid.

4. Guerra, K.C. and Crane, J.S. Sunburn. StatPearls. Ibid.

5. Morris, A. and Patel, G. Heat Stroke. StatPearls Publishing. (2023, Feb 13)

6. Gabros, S., et al. Sunscreens and Photoprotection. StatPearls. (2023, July 17).

7. Green, A.C., et al. Childhood exposure to ultraviolet radiation and harmful skin effects: Epidemiological evidence. Prog Biophys Mol Biol. (December 2011).

8. Guerra, K.C. and Crane, J.S. Sunburn. StatPearls. Ibid.

9. Guerra, K.C. and Crane, J.S. Sunburn. StatPearls. Ibid.

10. National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Burns. NIH. (2023, April 25).

11. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen FAQs. (2023, July 19).

12. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen FAQs. Ibid.

13. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen FAQs. Ibid.

14. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen FAQs. Ibid.

15. Tang, S.C. and Yang, J.H. Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin. Molecules. (2018, April 10).

16. Kowalska, J., et al. Drug-Induced Photosensitivity-From Light and Chemistry to Biological Reactions and Clinical Symptoms. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). (2021, July 26).

17. Guerra, K.C. and Crane, J.S. Sunburn. StatPearls. Ibid.

18. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen FAQs. Ibid.

19. Guerra, K.C. and Crane, J.S. Sunburn. StatPearls. Ibid.

20. Guerra, K.C. and Crane, J.S. Sunburn. StatPearls. Ibid.

21. Guerra, K.C. and Crane, J.S. Sunburn. StatPearls. Ibid.

* Subject to consultation. Subscription is required. Results may vary.

Melissa Hunter is a board certified family nurse practitioner at Curology. She received her MSN from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Melissa Hunter, NP-C