How to Handle a Sunburn Right Before Your Wedding

As soon as you realize you have a sunburn, start moisturizing immediately. Aloe vera is the popular choice for a reason, but if you don’t have any on hand, start off using a heavy lotion until you can get some. Moisturizers with Vitamin C or E are your best bets. Apply it constantly – not only can this help reduce redness, but it will make you physically feel better and prevent unsightly (and unhealthy) peeling. It’s also important to hydrate, although you should be drinking plenty of water in the lead up to your wedding anyway. Over-the-counter pain medication can occasionally help with inflammation as well. 

If the day arrives and you still have redness, it’s time to rely on makeup – this goes for grooms too! It’s a good idea to give your makeup artist at least a day’s notice, in case they need to bring additional product for coverage. As piling on layers upon layers of foundation is rarely a good call, color corrector will be your best friend. If combined with a primer, all the better! Green is the best choice to cover redness, unless your sunburn is so bad that it’s closer to a purple hue, in which case yellow may be a better option. If the makeup is on your back, chest, or arms, don’t forget a setting spray so the foundation and/or concealer doesn’t get on your dress!

For more tips, find out how to get whiter teeth and healthier hair before your wedding, see 10 beauty products to help brides get wedding ready, and learn how eating habits can affect your skin as well as how to quickly get rid of blemishes.