What is the best burn relief cream? A Guide to Choosing Your First-Aid Treatment

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

An estimated half a million burn injuries require medical treatment in the U.S. each year, though most first- and second-degree burns can be treated at home. To determine what is the best burn relief cream, it is essential to understand the different types of burns and the active ingredients that address specific symptoms, such as pain, infection, and inflammation.

Quick Summary

This guide details the different types of burn injuries and the appropriate treatments available, including over-the-counter options with ingredients like aloe vera, lidocaine, and antibiotics. It also covers prescription-strength treatments, essential first-aid steps, and lists ingredients to avoid. It helps users select the best cream based on burn severity and symptoms.

Key Points

Assess Burn Severity: The best cream depends on the burn's depth; minor burns use OTC products, while severe burns require professional medical attention.
Initial Action is Key: Immediately cool minor burns with running cool water for 10+ minutes before applying any cream or ointment.
Choose by Symptom: Use lidocaine products for pain, antibiotic ointments for infection prevention, and aloe vera or petroleum jelly for soothing and moisturizing.
Know Your Ingredients: Avoid creams with fragrances or alcohol, and never apply butter, oil, or ice to a burn.
Prescription for Serious Burns: Silver sulfadiazine is a powerful antibacterial option for serious burns but requires a prescription and may slow healing.
Leave Blisters Intact: Do not pop blisters, as they protect the underlying skin from infection. Cover broken blisters with a non-stick dressing and antibiotic ointment.
Seek Medical Help When Needed: Consult a doctor for second-degree burns, large burns, or any burn on a sensitive area like the face, hands, or genitals.

Understanding Different Burn Degrees

Not all burns are created equal, and the appropriate treatment depends heavily on the severity. It's crucial to identify the burn degree before applying any topical treatment.

First-Degree Burns: Affect only the outer layer of skin. Symptoms include redness, mild swelling, and pain. Sunburn is a common example. These burns typically heal within a few days without scarring.
Second-Degree Burns: Damage the outer layer and the layer beneath it. They cause redness, swelling, pain, and characteristic blisters. If the burn is larger than 2-3 inches or located on a major joint, face, or genitals, medical attention is required.
Third-Degree Burns: The most severe type, destroying both layers of skin and potentially damaging underlying tissue. The skin may appear charred, white, or leathery, and due to nerve damage, there might be numbness instead of pain. These burns require immediate emergency medical care.

Immediate First-Aid Steps

Before reaching for a burn relief cream, follow these critical steps immediately after a burn injury:

Remove the source of the heat. Get away from the hot item, fire, or chemical.
Cool the burn with cool (not cold or icy) water. Run the affected area under cool tap water for at least 10 minutes to reduce the temperature and pain. Using ice can cause further tissue damage.
Remove jewelry or clothing from the area before swelling begins, but do not pull off clothing that is stuck to the burn.
Do not pop any blisters. Blisters act as a natural barrier against infection. If a blister breaks on its own, gently clean the area and cover it with a non-stick bandage.
Cover the burn loosely with a sterile, non-stick bandage or clean cloth. Avoid using materials with loose fibers that could stick to the wound.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Burn Relief Creams

For minor burns, several OTC options can provide relief and support healing. The right choice depends on whether you need pain relief, infection prevention, or simply soothing moisture.

Pain Relievers (Anesthetics): Creams and gels containing lidocaine or pramoxine hydrochloride can offer topical numbing to reduce pain and itching. Products like WaterJel BurnJel and Alocane Emergency Burn Gel contain lidocaine for fast, targeted pain relief.
Antibiotic Ointments: These are used to prevent infection in minor burns, especially if blisters have broken. Popular options include Neosporin (bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B), Polysporin (bacitracin and polymyxin B, a good alternative for those with neomycin allergies), and Bacitracin itself.
Moisturizers and Soothers: For soothing and hydration, simple moisturizers are often recommended. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor) creates a protective barrier, keeping the wound moist to aid healing. Aloe vera gel is widely known for its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a popular choice for sunburns and mild kitchen burns.
Corticosteroid Creams: A mild hydrocortisone cream can help reduce inflammation and itching associated with minor burns as they heal.
Natural Remedies: Medical-grade honey, such as Medihoney, has demonstrated antibacterial and healing properties for burns.

Prescription Options for Severe Burns

For second- and third-degree burns, a medical professional may prescribe more powerful treatments.

Silver Sulfadiazine (SSD): This is a powerful antibacterial cream often used for more serious burns to prevent infection. It requires a prescription and can, in some cases, slow down the natural healing process or increase scarring. It is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women or infants under two months.

Choosing Your Burn Relief Product

Selecting the right cream involves considering the burn's depth, severity, and your specific symptoms. Refer to the comparison table to help you decide.

Comparison of Common Burn Relief Products


Product Type	Active Ingredients	Best For	Pain Relief	Infection Prevention	Considerations
Petroleum Jelly / Ointment	Petrolatum, Lanolin	Minor first-degree burns, minor blisters	Minimal	No	Creates a moist barrier to protect and heal.
Aloe Vera Gel / Cream	Aloe Vera	Sunburns, minor first-degree burns	Soothing/Cooling	Minimal	Anti-inflammatory, moisturizes skin.
Lidocaine Gel / Spray	Lidocaine (up to 4%)	Fast-acting pain relief	High	No	Numbs the area for immediate comfort.
OTC Antibiotic Ointment	Bacitracin, Polymyxin B	Minor cuts & burns, broken blisters	Mild (some formulations)	High	Helps prevent bacterial infection.
Hydrocortisone Cream	Hydrocortisone (1%)	Inflammation, itching	Mild	No	Reduces redness and swelling as burn heals.
Medical-Grade Honey	Manuka Honey	Minor burns, promotes healing	Yes	High (Natural)	Natural antibacterial properties.
Silver Sulfadiazine (Rx)	Silver Sulfadiazine	Second- and third-degree burns	No	High	Prescription only; can slow healing.

Ingredients to Avoid

When treating a burn, certain substances can cause further harm and should be avoided:

Butter, oil, or grease: These can trap heat and increase the risk of infection.
Ice: Can cause further tissue damage due to its extreme cold.
Fragrances and Alcohols: These can irritate sensitive, burned skin and delay healing.
Harsh Chemicals: Avoid any untested home remedies that could worsen the injury.

Conclusion

For minor burns, a simple, over-the-counter product like aloe vera gel for soothing or a triple-antibiotic ointment for infection prevention is often sufficient. For simple moisture, petroleum jelly is also effective. The best burn relief cream truly depends on the specific needs of the wound: pain relief, infection prevention, or simply moisture and soothing. It is important to follow proper first-aid protocol by cooling the burn first. However, for any severe burn or if you are unsure about the burn's severity, it is always best to consult a healthcare provider. The National Institutes of Health provides supporting evidence for the efficacy of aloe vera in treating first- and second-degree burns.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for specific medical concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should see a doctor for second-degree burns larger than 2-3 inches wide, any burn on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints, or any third-degree burn. You should also seek medical attention if signs of infection appear.

Yes, you can use antibiotic ointment on minor burns, especially if blisters have opened, to help prevent infection. Ensure you are not allergic to ingredients like neomycin.

Yes, research suggests that topical aloe vera can be effective for healing first- and second-degree burns. It is known for its cooling and soothing properties.

Yes, for minor burns, a thin layer of petroleum jelly can be applied a few times a day. It creates a moist barrier that protects the skin and prevents the dressing from sticking to the wound.

For sunburn, cooling the skin with a cool bath or damp towel is the first step. Afterward, apply a soothing lotion or gel containing aloe vera. An over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can also reduce redness and inflammation.

You should avoid burn creams with harsh chemicals, alcohol, and fragrances, as these can irritate sensitive burn areas. Never apply butter, oil, or toothpaste to a burn.

Use a pain-relieving cream containing lidocaine or pramoxine for pain and itching relief. Use an antibiotic cream if there's a risk of infection from a broken blister or minor open wound.