Can you use a face mask on sunburn?
No. Don't put a peel-off mask on sunburnt skin, and that includes ours. Sunburn is a burn, and a mask is the last thing it needs (our Hyaluronic Acid jar also contains retinol, kojic acid and arbutin). Use cool compresses or aloe vera, stay out of the sun, and wait until all the redness and peeling have finished before you mask again. Blistering, fever or feeling unwell needs medical advice.
Why it's a bad idea
A cool jelly might sound ideal for hot skin, but there are good reasons not to:
- Burnt skin is injured skin. DermNet describes sunburn as redness, swelling, warmth and pain, with sensitivity to heat and pressure. Peeling anything off that is a bad idea.
- The ingredients. Our Hyaluronic Acid mask contains retinol. Medsafe's data sheet for tretinoin, a stronger relative, says it should only be used once sunburnt skin has fully recovered.
- A weakened barrier. EU safety scientists note that a weakened skin barrier may absorb more kojic acid.
The same goes for scrubs, exfoliating acids, retinoid serums and face steaming. Leave all of it until your skin is back to normal.
What to do instead
DermNet's advice for a mild to moderate burn:
- Stay out of the sun.
- Cool it down. Cool compresses or baths, aloe vera and calamine lotion help soothe the skin.
- Take pain relief if needed, such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatories, following the pack.
- Leave blisters alone. If one breaks, keep it clean and covered with a moist, sterile dressing.
The timeline
According to DermNet, redness usually shows up 2 to 6 hours after sun exposure and peaks at 12 to 24 hours. Peeling usually starts 4 to 7 days after, and skin that has peeled can stay sensitive to sunlight for several weeks.
How long to wait before masking again
Wait until your skin has fully recovered: no redness, no soreness, no peeling. After a real burn, expect that to take at least a week or two. When you're ready, start gently, and patch test if your skin feels different.
Can you mask after a day in the sun, without a burn?
If your face feels warm and looks pink, count it as sunburn and wait. If your skin feels completely normal, there's no special reason to avoid a mask, but it's not a recovery product either. Masks don't undo UV damage. And since we ask you to wear sunscreen the day after a mask, plan for that if you've got a day outdoors coming up.
When to get medical help
DermNet says severe sunburn can cause blistering, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever and chills, and may need hospital care. Call your GP, or Healthline on 0800 611 116, if you've got blisters, a fever or chills, or you feel unwell.
Stopping it next time
New Zealand's UV can burn you on cool or cloudy days too. Here's what SunSmart advises.
Questions
Is aloe vera good for a sunburnt face?
DermNet lists topical aloe vera, calamine lotion and cool compresses or baths as things that help soothe sunburn. Stop if anything stings.
How long after sunburn can I use retinol?
Wait until your skin has fully recovered, with no redness, soreness or peeling. Medsafe's data sheet for tretinoin says the same about using it after sunburn.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your skin, see your GP or a skin specialist.
Sources
- Sunburn, DermNet
- ReTrieve Cream (tretinoin) data sheet, Medsafe
- Opinion on kojic acid, SCCS/1637/21, final version with June 2022 corrigendum, EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety