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Sunscreen is the most important skin care ingredient in our arsenal. However, there are times when this fact slips our minds. Perhaps we forgot to reapply every two hours or didn't use a strong enough SPF. Unfortunately, that leads many of us to get a sunburn, and often, that results in peeling.

There's nothing fun about a post-burn peel: Everything hurts. It looks like your body has dandruff, and there's not much you can do about it besides wait it out. So, we talked to three skin experts about why our skin sheds, how to treat it, if it's ever ok to peel the dead skin off, and when to know if it's time to see a dermatologist.

Meet the expert

• Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
• Candice Miele is a PCA SKIN Peel Ambassador and a celebrity esthetician.
• Elyse Love, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Manhattan.

Why the Skin Peels Post-Sunburn

A sunburn happens when your skin gets too much sunlight, and there's damage from its UV rays. 

"Oftentimes, after a sunburn, you may notice some peeling and flaking from the epidermis — this is the body ridding itself of damaged skin cells, making way for new, undamaged skin underneath," explained dermatologist Dendy Engelman.

Peeling will start approximately three days after the initial sunburn. 

"The skin begins to exfoliate itself by getting rid of all the burnt and damaged cells," esthetician Candice Miele said.

Once it starts, it'll typically resolve itself within a week.

How to Treat Peeling Skin

Cold Water, Not Hot

"Peeling skin is damaged and healing skin, so it's important to treat it gently," noted dermatologist Elyse Love.

Miele recommended first taking a cool bath, as hot water can further damage the skin barrier. Moreover, Miele emphasized the importance of keeping your skin hydrated inside out. In addition to using hydrating skin care products to treat the affected area, make sure to increase your water intake.

No Harsh Soaps

When cleansing the affected area, Love advised to stay clear of harsh soaps to prevent exacerbating the area. Instead, she said to use a gentle body cleanser like the Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash and a gentle facial cleanser like the Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser.

Toner, Toner, and More Toner

Toning delivers the necessary hydration for healing, so it's crucial to include this step in treating sunburned skin. To tone, Engelman recommended an alcohol-free formula. 

"Humphreys Nourish Witch Hazel with Aloe Alcohol-Free Toner [soothes] burnt, peeling skin as it helps balance your complexion while the unscented, nourishing aloe formula helps moisturize and soften for clean, calm, and conditioned skin," Engelman added.

Hydrating Is Essential

Once the skin has been thoroughly cleansed and toned, it's time to go in with thicker hydrators. Love said to look for soothing balms, like the Avène Cicalfate Restorative Protective Cream or a hydrating moisturizer. She recommended the Obagi Clinical Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream, which she said should be applied multiple times throughout the day to prevent dryness.

Don't Forget SPF

Last but certainly not least is SPF. 

"Sun protection is of the utmost importance as the skin's sun-protective and repair mechanisms are overwhelmed," explained Love. 

When your skin is peeling, Love noted that the higher the SPF, the better.

Miele recommended the PCA SKIN Active Broad Spectrum SPF 45, which can be used for the face and body, as it contains zinc oxide and doesn't feel greasy on the skin. Plus, it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, meaning you don't need to worry about your sunscreen sliding off when you sweat or take a dip in the pool.

Do Not Peel Your Skin

If there's dead skin peeling off your body, it can feel nearly impossible not to pick at it and peel it off. However, it's really important to avoid doing so.

"Let it flake and come off on its own; otherwise, you risk peeling the skin too soon and damaging the healthy skin underneath," warned Engelman. "If it's really bothering you, you can carefully apply a lightweight aloe lotion or another soothing moisturizer and let the looser pieces of skin gently ball up and come off on their own."

Not only can peeling the skin irritate and further damage your skin, but it can have aesthetic side effects, too. Miele said that peeling skin off can cause hyperpigmentation. 

"You can seriously damage your skin and leave dark spots that can scar," she further explained. 

Instead, she said to stick to treating the area with hydrating products every day.

When It's Time to Visit a Dermatologist

While peeling is a common side effect of sunburn, other signs could be much more serious. 

"Swelling, blistering, scabbing, fever and chills, and faintness and disorientation are all signs that your sunburn may be more serious," said Engelman. 

If symptoms don't improve over a few days, Engelman advised seeing a doctor immediately as such symptoms could point to sun poisoning.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does sunburn last?

  On average, sunburn pain and redness can last three to five days. If skin has been severely burned and blistered, it may take up to 10 days.

• How long does sunburn peeling last?

  Sunburn peeling can take several days to resolve and will stop once the skin is completely healed. Although tempting, it is advised by dermatologists not to pick or peel to help it along, regardless of its location on your body or scalp.

• How can I get rid of my sunburn fast?

  According to the American Academy of Dermatology, to speed up the healing time and reduce inflammation in the skin, you should take cool showers, moisturize with an aloe or soy lotion, and drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. If the pain is unbearable, ibuprofen can help.

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