Shaving Cream For Sunburn: Can This DIY Hack Take The Heat? We Investigate

Some swear by the foam in order to wake up to cool, burn-free skin. But does this sunburn hack carry any weight? Here, our investigation. 

Seems easy, no? But before you consider shaving cream your summer savior, we consulted board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, to see if this sunburn hack can truly take the heat. 

Most shaving creams also contain menthol and provides quite the cooling sensation (per the DIY hack above), which can feel lovely, yes, but it probably won't do anything else to jump-start actual healing, says Ciraldo. On the other hand, other shaving creams may contain oatmeal or aloe, which both have their fair share of anti-inflammatory properties. Those products may actually help the sunburn subside (both relieving the itchiness and sensitivity darker skin tones may face, as well as calm any redness on fair-toned individuals), but it's not the shaving cream itself that's doing the job. Theoretically, you could just slather on those anti-inflammatory ingredients right from the source (like say, a cooled aloe vera gel or a temperate colloidal oat bath) and feel the same sense of relief without spraying any foam. 

So can you use shaving cream for a sunburn? Assuming the formula doesn't have any irritating ingredients or harsh fragrance to further inflame the skin, it shouldn't be a problem. Just know that it won't actually help the burn heal; on that note, there are plenty of other aprés-sun rituals you can refer to if shaving cream feels a little, uh, strange. No matter what, avoiding the burn in the first place takes priority—the best way to combat sun damage is through prevention, after all.