Try these creative tips to help soothe a sunburn

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It’s a tale as old as time. Every summer, people rush to spend time outside on the first sunny day they get and end up having to deal with a painful sunburn. After all, according to Advanced Dermatology, a staggering 40 percent of Americans rarely or never wear sunscreen, and a majority of people only apply sunscreen to certain parts of their body leaving other parts exposed.

The CDC says that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in America and Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson, president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology, says that she diagnoses skin cancer patients “of all ages nearly every week.”

And while those stats can be scary, slathering on sunscreen with a high SPF, spending some time in the shade and wearing a hat can all help to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. [Editor’s note: I’m very pale and love the beach, so I’ve been through my fair share of sunscreen brands. Coppertone’s Sport Sunscreen rarely lets me down.]

Shop: Coppertone SPORT Sunscreen, $6.97 (Orig. $10.99)

Credit: Amazon

But we’re all human and there’s a good chance that you will encounter a sunburn at some point in your life — so we’re sharing tips on how you can soothe a bad burn (watch the video above for more!).

For starters, you’re going to want to head to your local grocery store (or go-to an online retailer) and grab a few essentials. Aloe vera is a great skin soother and very affordable. In fact, Amazon’s best-selling aloe vera is under $20. One of our favorite hacks is putting some of the gel into ice cube trays, freezing them and then having a cool and comforting cube to gently rub on a sunburn.

Shop: Honeyskin Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Gel, $16.95

Credit: Amazon

You also may want to pick up apple cider vinegar, black tea and shaving cream with menthol; all three are easily accessible and can help to relieve pain from a sunburn. If you’re having trouble getting to sleep at night on scratchy sheets, you can even sprinkle some corn starch on your sheets to combat the burning sensation.

If you’re interested in a few more luxurious options that you won’t find at the grocery store, you can even check out your favorite beauty supply stores for some aftersun care products. Check out a few of our favorite options below that are all under $35.

Credit: Sephora, Ulta

Looking for more tips? The American Academy of Dermatology suggests taking frequent cool showers or baths, using aloe vera or soy moisturizers, staying hydrated, taking “aspirin or ibuprofen to help reduce any swelling, redness and discomfort” and to really just take care of your body while it heals.

If you liked this story, you might like to read more on what you need to know about skin cancer.

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