Dealing with sun-damaged skin? Here is everything you need to know:
Look, we get it. Sometimes we get sunburns on our faces! And even though we trust that you typically always wear sunscreen and reapply throughout the day, sometimes accidents happen. We’ve been there too. So we’re not going to harp on the fact that you got a sunburn on your face; instead, we’re gonna tell you how to treat it. What products to use, what products not to use, and how to ensure this NEVER happens again (promise us?).
First Things First: Hit Pause on Actives
If your skin is feeling tight, red, inflamed, or warm to the touch, it’s a clear sign to press pause on active ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and even some Vitamin C formulas. These actives are designed to resurface or speed up cell turnover—but sun-damaged skin is already in distress, and adding actives too soon can worsen irritation or delay healing. Instead, focus on these three things: Calming, hydrating, and replenishing. Let us tell you how to do that:
1. A Gentle Cleanser
Look for something mild and non-foaming that won’t strip the skin.
Try: Biophora’s Calming Cleanser — it’s ultra-gentle and designed specifically for sensitive or compromised skin.
2. A Cooling, Alcohol-Free Toner
Toners with calming ingredients like aloe, chamomile, or green tea can help reduce inflammation without drying out the skin.
Biophora’s Calming Toner is great for rebalancing while being incredibly soothing.
3. A Nourishing Moisturizer
You want a barrier-repairing, lipid-rich moisturizer to support healing. Look for ingredients like ceramides, squalane, and peptides.
Biophora’s Dermarich Moisturizer is packed with deeply hydrating ingredients and ideal for skin that's feeling fragile or inflamed.
4. Daily SPF (Once Redness Subsides)
Once the sting is gone, make sure you’re protecting your skin every single day—even if you’re just sitting near a window. A mineral SPF is typically more gentle on sensitized skin.
Biophora’s Daily Protection SPF 30 is lightweight, non-irritating, and perfect for daily wear.
When Can You Start Reintroducing Actives?
This depends on the level of sun damage. A general rule of thumb is to wait until:
Redness is gone
Peeling/flaking has stopped
Your skin no longer feels warm, sore, or sensitive
Start slowly—maybe every other night—and monitor how your skin reacts. If in doubt, go back to basics. Healing takes time, and your skin will thank you for being patient.
Pro Tip: Build a Recovery Kit
Having a few go-to calming products on hand can make a world of difference when your skin is stressed. Biophora’s Sensitive/Dry Skin Kit is curated specifically for sensitive, reactive skin and includes many of the essentials mentioned above.
Sunburns happen, but consistent SPF, protective clothing, and gentle skincare habits are the best long-term strategy. Still, when your skin does need a reset, give it the time and care it needs to bounce back—gently. If you’re really hardcore like us, you’ll come in for a skin analysis and facial. We are able to analyze the damage and guide you in the right direction back to smooth and glowy skin