Get Rid of a Sunburn: 9 Makeup and Skincare Tricks to Reduce the Redness

Soothe skin with an oatmeal facemaskOats have been used as a soothing skin treatment for centuries. Try this DIY mask: Combine 1/2 cup hot water and 1/3 cup oatmeal. Allow them to settle for two to three minutes. Mix in two tablespoons plain yogurt, two tablespoons honey, and one egg white. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Gently wipe the mask away with a soft washcloth. The cloth will exfoliate your skin and remove any flakes that have already begun to peel off. Find more homemade facial mask recipes here.Moisturize with aloeAloe works wonders on sunburns. Apply a generous amount to your sunburn and layer a gentle moisturizer (with SPF!) on top of it. The combination will offer relief and moisturize your skin without leaving a greasy residue. Avoid petroleum-based moisturizers (such as Vaseline) and body butters. Both can intensify burns by sealing heat into your skin. Try these tricks to banish dry skin.Take a cool bath or showerA chilly bath or shower will constrict blood vessels, which are working overtime to tend to your burn. To give your bath even more soothing power, add ingredients such as oatmeal (stir in about 1 cup) or milk (try 1 cup powdered milk). These are other amazing beauty uses for milk.Avoid harsh chemicalsWere you about to reach for your favorite daily face wash? Stop! Harsh chemicals, especially salicylic acid (the active ingredient in most acne cleansers), and harsh exfoliating products (which aren't gentle enough for your skin right now), could further irritate your skin. Stick to natural ingredients. If you're not sure about a product, skip it.Prime your makeup for perfectionNeutralize redness by using a primer with green undertones (try this Smashbox option).  As far as foundation goes, less is more. A liquid formula might block pores and prevent skin from healing, while a powder foundation could accentuate flakes. Try a formula that's gentle on skin and reduces redness: Clinique's Redness Solutions foundation is a proven classic. For light coverage, try an all-natural mineral powder.Finish your look like thisTop your primer, along with any concealer or foundation, with a generous application of bronzer (avoid ones with red or pink undertones). Dust on a setting powder to keep your burn concealed and your face shine-free. These are inexpensive beauty tricks only stylists know.Avoid red lipstick and blushRed lipstick, tinted eyeshadow, blush, and even clothing will accentuate your sunburn instead of neutralize it. Avoid using blush (you've probably got enough color going on naturally) and choose eyeshadows and lip colors in golden hues instead of red ones. This is how to make your face look slimmer with makeup.Eat foods with anti-inflammatory propertiesLoad up on foods with anti-inflammatory properties and high-water content, such as yogurt and melon. Cantaloupe in particular is amazing for your skin. “This sweet delicious fruit is rich in antioxidants and delivers a unique hydration to the skin, resulting in a radiant complexion,” anti-aging dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, MD, told InStyle. In addition to loading up on water-rich foods, drink a generous amount of water. A few extra ounces will hydrate your skin from the inside out. Try these natural flavored water recipes.Try a spritz of rosewaterThis natural spray has antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Use it to freshen up your makeup after a few hours. If your burn has got you tossing and turning all night, spritz some on your bed sheets for a soothing scent. If your anticipating a muggy day at the beach, pop a rosewater spray in your cooler. By the end of your trip, it'll be a cooling refresher. If you need to do more than just reduce the redness, make sure you try one of these other sunburn remedies that actually work to soothe and heal the burn.

Beauty

Get Rid of a Sunburn: 9 Makeup and Skincare Tricks to Reduce the Redness

Neutralize sunburn with a bit of primer (and a lot of TLC).

Soothe skin with an oatmeal facemask

Beauty

Soothe skin with an oatmeal facemask

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