Help with a sunburn

Some of my friends back in Australia swear by sliced tomatoes... not kidding! I've never tried it though.

I was about to suggest aloe but since you've already tried that...if it's possible try a lotion that is infused with calendula (I make my own and I'm not sure if you'll be able to find one comercialy made). Vitamin E oil may also help heal your burn but it will not take away the pain. Take an aspirin for the pain.
Next time make sure you use a high level spf. Use it every day even if you think you're going to be fine. I try to use a 55 or higher every day....better safe than sorry.

I have also soaked a towel or washrag in vinegar and just laid it on my burn. It really does help even though I can't tell you the science of why. It also feels refreshing on your skin. Best of luck. I can really empathize.

Soak a towel in vinagar & cool water. Ring it out & lay it on the sunburn. It works - I swear!

This works the best, I have super fair skin and have used this many times!!!! Good luck!!

Take advil! And I would try some of the topical options other people have suggested too. I am crazy pale and when I get sunburned I take advil and continuously apply lotion with aloe in it.

I have heard black tea on the burn helps.

Oh yea, the most important thing. Stay ultra hydrated. Get even more water down you that what you may already be taking. If you think water intake during exercise and dieting is excessive ... that's nothing compared to the water your body will need when a large portion of your body is burnt/lacking moisture.

I use Witch Hazel for any burns or bites - Works great!!

First, the aloe vera is the best way to go. It is NOT going to make the pain go away. Sounds like you are pretty badly burned. Take it easy, sunburns can be very serious. Don't exercise untill you can do it comfortably. Clothes, sweat, more sun, they will only irritate it more. You may not see the visible damage for 15-25 years. But you will have damage. You know how people think wrinkles are a part of aging? 90% are actually caused by sun damage and have nothing to do with aging.

Try soaking in a cool bath of oatmeal. Not the oatmeal in your kitchen, lol. Try Aveeno oatmeal bath. Follow that up by slathering aloe vera all over.

Don't use just any lotion either. Check the ingredients. Anything containing SD alcohol will not only irritate the heck out of your sore skin, but it is extremely drying. It totally defeats the purpose of moisturising. Use a natural oatmeal based lotion. Oatmeal is a miracle for the skin.

Try an ibuprofen for pain. It is anti-inflammatory. It will keep the inflammation down while easing the pain.

In the future remember this. Even if its not a sunny day, even if you have dark skin, even if it is the dead of winter... UVA and UVB rays still penetrate and cause damage. Especially on cloudy days, they become "trapped" in a sense. Its not just the sun you need to worry about. We all, regardless of skin color, need to use Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen every time we are outside. No matter if its cloudy, rainy, or winter. Sun damage, like I said earlier, is not always visible right away. But it is going to be. Whether its wrinkles, freckles, or "liverspots" when we are old.... its all from the sun.

So, my advice to you:
Rest and stay hydrated
Take ibuprofren for pain
Take oatmeal baths
Use the heck out of some aloe vera
Avoid SD alcohols and opt for natural oatmeal lotions.
Use a Broad Spectrum UVA AND UVB Sunscreen. (Slather it on! Most people don't use nearly the amount that is needed to achieve the SPF that the sunscreen actually contains)

Keep using the aloe vera. 2-3 times a day, it WILL help.

So many tips which to choose! Vinegar/water cloth is a neat idea - I think I'll try that in the future but fingers crossed I wont have to.

I wish I posted about my sunburn a couple weeks ago for tip like this. I put on block 2x but my tummy got burnt on vaca - guess it doesn’t see the much sun lol and my legs burnt a week before that even while not horizontal (they were at 90 degree angles sitting legs in the pool, guess the suns rays really do reflect off the water) and I couldn’t exercise b/c of the tightness in my legs - the tummy burn didn't affect exercising, I stayed away from sit-ups.

I just wore skirts to work everyday so that I could apply aloe on my legs frequently w/o getting all sticky. I used body lotion on the tummy when getting dressed. Works the same as aloe w/o the stickiness.

I am in the same boat. I got sun burnt this weekend also.

Mine isn't painful all the time, but only when I put some thing on it (aloe or lotion). The aloe worked for me the first few days, but now I am peeling slightly, so it makes me itch like no other. I also can't work out because the sweat makes me itch some thing awful. I feel anxious not being able to do my usual workouts.

Does anyone know of anything that will stop the itching? I haven't tried vinagar...now that I am peeling slightly, I'm thinking it's not such a good idea.

I have heard of soaking white bread in milk (the fattier, the better) and laying that on the burn. I haven't tried it myself tho.

OATMEAL! Seriously, oatmeal is amazing on the skin! It is soothing, healing, moisturizing, and completely natural.

Oatmeal baths work. Not sure about oatmeal lotion.