Burns – even minor ones – are a serious matter. Not only are they extremely painful, but they can also become infected easily and can leave ugly scars so understanding them and knowing how to deal with them is essential.
Burns typically result from contact with hot liquids, fire or excessive sun exposure although they can also be caused by chemicals or electricity and there are varying degrees or severity of burns that are key to determining the level of medical attention required.
When they do occur, you should begin treatment immediately in order to minimize pain and scarring. It is important to have a fast-working, effective burn cream on hand at all times.
Best Burn Cream Reviews
1. Water Jel Burn Relief
Water Jel’s burn relief product is a water-based topical gel that contains an antiseptic, a small amount of tea tree oil to fight bacteria, moisturizing aloe and Lidocaine. Lidocaine is a compound that is used for numbing, so this gel gives immediate relief after it is applied but the relief is also long-lasting.
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While it comes in various forms, this #1 rated product is in individual packets, each containing a single dose for a small to mid-sized burn area. Because the formula is thick, it stays on the burn for several hours and evaporates at a very slow rate, and Water Jel has made the product to have a 5 year shelf life so you don’t have to worry about the product expiring if you don’t have to use it often.
The individual packets are one of the features users love most since they can be easily carried in purses, wallets, cars, boats or camping gear (remember – there may not be a ready water source when camping, so having burn jel or cream handy is critical). We recommend you also include these handy packets in any first aid kits you have at home or at work.
Pros:
- Provides immediate, long-lasting relief
- A thick formula that settles nicely on the wound
- Five-year shelf life
Con:
- May not be as quick-healing as it claims
2. Water Jel Burn Jel
Water Jel burn relief products are consistently ranked number one among both nurses and industrial workers who are at risk for frequent burns. So it is no surprise that the #2 products in our own best cream for burns guide is also Water Jel burn relief only in different packaging.
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The same great formula containing an antiseptic, a small amount of tea tree oil to fight bacteria, moisturizing aloe and Lidocaine achieves the same fast-acting results when the product comes from a large tube as it does when applied from an individual packet. Thicker formulas in some other products are less beneficial to healing than this breathable water-based formula.
Users repeatedly told us that this burn relief gel not only eliminates pain but also prevents blistering in burn areas and scarring after healing.
Pros:
- Heals and moisturizes
- The formula is thick and settles nicely
- Prevents blisters
- Breathable and water-based
Con:
- Pain relief may not be immediate
3. Neosporin
The last product in our top 3 is an antibiotic cream made by Neosporin. While this cream can be used on a host of minor injuries including cuts and scrapes, it works equally well on minor burns, providing pain relief and infection control.
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The antibiotic in Neosporin cream ensures that your burn will not become infected and avoiding infection is critical to fast healing and minimal scarring. This is a cream, so it will not “soak in” quite like the water-based gels in our top 2 products. Instead it forms more of a protective shield over the burn while delivering its medicine rather than penetrating the skin to do its work.
In some cases, antibiotic creams can sting a bit, but that is not the case here so kids won’t complain when you apply it and the formula is clean and clear so no need to worry about any staining on clothes.
Pros:
- Strong protection from infection
- Water-based, non-sticky formula
- Clear formula; doesn’t stain
Con:
- Does not penetrate deeply enough
4. Water Jel First Aid Burn Cream
Every passing moment you fail to apply treatment to a burn increases the risk of infection. The First Aid Burn Cream helps ensure that isn’t your case. It has easy-tear packets of soothing cream for protecting and providing relief in the initial moments after a burn.
The Water Jel Burn Cream goes back to the basics—first-aid! Because why complicate things, right?
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The cream contains aloe vera, a go-to burn balm ingredient for its soothing and cooling effect. As a fantastic first-aid cream for minor burns, it gives you that initial layer of protection and almost instantaneous soothing relief from a minor cooking mishap.
It also cleans and facilitates healthy healing that leaves little to no scars. They come in a box of individual packets you can keep in your backpack, purse, or medicine cabinet. They are incredibly handy, making it easy for you to treat burns right away.
The Burn Cream takes away or, at the very least, reduces the sting felt in those first few moments after a burn injury. It is an analgesic and antiseptic formula that relieves pain, prevents infection, and promotes fast healing of burns, among other skin injuries.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Great for minor burns
- Soothing and healing
- Addresses other types of skin injury
Con:
- Limited to minor burns
5. Ultimate Vitality Radiation Burn Relief Cream
Ultimate Vitality is all about providing pure and natural products, and its Radiation Burn Relief Cream is no exception. It is paraben- and phthalate-free and contains zero harsh chemicals to ensure faster wound healing.
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This Ultimate Vitality burn cream is specially formulated for oncology patients and is plant-based and all-organic to promote healthy healing. In this formula, the company aims to provide safe, affordable, natural skincare for patients going through radiation therapy.
Years of expert research went into the formulation of this burn relief cream to provide soothing relief from radiation therapy’s effects on the skin. Specifically, it’s designed to address the itchiness, dryness, and pain that follows or occurs during radiation treatments.
Aside from being all-natural, the ingredients used to create this cream are researched-backed and carefully selected to bring about a soothing, moisturizing, and calming formula.
If you are still in doubt about its efficacy, the fact that it was specifically formulated by an oncology nurse should help ease those doubts.
We understand. Radiation therapy is never an easy thing to go through, and you simply want to make sure you or your loved ones get the best treatment possible. Unlike other creams, this formula is non-greasy and doesn’t make a mess. Plus, it works fast!
The following natural ingredients are specifically meant to address radiation-compromised skin: organic aloe vera, spirulina, jojoba, shea butter, botanical hyaluronic acid, Irish moss, and calendula, among others.
Pros:
- Fast-absorbing
- Fast-acting
- Formulated for oncology patients
- Provides relief to a wide range of burn injuries
Con:
- May have a stinging effect in some cases
6. First Aid Only Burn Cream Packet
Topical burn treatments often get overlooked more than other first-aid items. Still, it’s important to keep your medicine cabinet and first-aid kit fully stocked with them.
First Aid Only offers a complete range of items to meet your needs for first-aid, including burn creams. This particular formula comes in a box filled with individual packets sized perfectly for a single application at least.
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For First Aid Only, it’s all about convenience. Individual, easy-snap burn cream packets ensure you always have one on hand when you need it, whether it’s in the car, in the house, or in the office.
Whether as a standalone first-aid item or a refill for your kit, it is designed to meet your first-aid needs. Plus, it doesn’t just address burn wounds; it can also effectively treat minor scrapes and cuts. That means it’s perfect for those who have active kids.
The soothing relief hits almost instantly, and you won’t waste time figuring out what item to use. Plus, the ANSI-recommended color-coded packaging ensures you can immediately identify what packet is meant for what kind of skin injury.
Pros:
- Works as a standalone first-aid solution or refill for a kit
- ANSI color packaging and unitized box
- Great for emergency uses
Con:
- Might only be good for initial burn relief
7. Dermazium Maximum Strength First Aid Burn Cream
Another burn cream with plenty of benefits to offer is Dermazium’s Maximum Strength. It contains all-natural ingredients for reducing pain and providing relief for a range of skin injuries, especially burns.
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All-natural means nothing enters your system that’s bad for you. Dermazium’s Maximum Strength is formulated with all-organic extracts specifically meant to soothe, calm, and promote the healthy healing of burns.
It is dermatologically tested and suited for the majority of skin types. It effectively works on different types of burns up to the second degree, including those caused by the sun, kitchen mishaps, radiation treatments, and even electricity.
As an effective first-aid treatment, this all-natural ointment relieves that initial sting and offers a layer of protection over the wound to prevent infection.
The level of research that has gone into this product means it is unlikely to bring side effects, but you should still consult your doctor before trying it out. That said, this is a handy product to have if it does work for you.
It is safe and effective, as well as addresses pretty much everything that come with scrapes, cuts, burns (up to second-degree burns), and other skin injuries.
Pros:
- All-natural burn ointment
- Heals up to second-degree burns
- Great first-aid and long-term treatment
Cons:
- Greasy
- Does not soothe itchiness
8. Fida Bionect Krem
Bionect Krem is a top-caliber burn cream that soothes and protects acute and chronic skin wounds. It is an especially powerful topical burn treatment you want to have on hand, whether in your car, at home, or at the office.
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Bionect Krem is an all-purpose wound cream you can apply to all kinds of wounds, including donor sites, scrapes, cuts, and post-op incisions. You can even use it to dress and manage dermal ulcers of partial to full thickness.
Burns is one of Bionect Krem’s specialties, with only third-degree burns being out of its treatment threshold. For first- and second-degree burns, it can help relieve pain and protect against infection, friction, abrasion, and desiccation.
Bionect Krem works similarly to the fluid surrounding the joints. It lubricates the burned area, soothing and moisturizing the heated space so that it doesn’t get dry or itchy.
Overall, you’ll find that Fida offers holistic wound care with this product. Not only does it deal with first- and second-degree burn wounds but also surgical insidious, bed sores, and foot ulcers. It’s the complete package!
Pros:
- Holistic wound care
- Protects and restores moisture of burned area
- Cool, soothing effect
Con:
- Not the most pleasant odor
What To Consider When Buying Burn Creams
The first order of business after a burn is to determine its severity. There are three primary types or degrees and all are based on the extent of damage to the skin:
1. Degree of Burn
A topical burn treatment might not address all degrees of burns. Here’s what to know about them:
First Degree
- Skin will be red but not blistered.
- Affects only the top layer of skin
- Usually heals within 7-10 days without scarring.
- See a doctor if the burned area is larger than 2-3” or if it’s on your face.
- In addition to topical medicines, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief.
- Use loose gauze to protect the area if necessary.
- Never use ice on a burn.
- Never use cotton balls to apply medicine (fibers can stick to the burn and cause infection).
Second Degree
- Redness, blistering, and mild thickening of the skin
- Damage extends beyond the top layer of skin.
- Should heal in 2-3 weeks, usually without scarring, but there may be pigment changes on the skin.
- Get emergency medical treatment if the burn area is extremely large and on the face, hands, groin or buttocks.
- In addition to topical medicines, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief.
- Keep the area bandaged at all times.
- Never use ice on a burn.
- Never use cotton balls to apply medicine (fibers can stick to the burn and cause infection).
Third Degree
- Most severe type, third-degree burns will have a charred or dark color to them, a raised leathery texture, and blisters.
- Damage extends through every layer of skin.
- There may not be any pain since nerves will be severely damaged.
- Always call 911 and get emergency medical treatment immediately.
- While waiting for emergency responders, raise the injured area above the heart.
- There are also fourth-degree burns (often caused by chemicals or electricity) but these extend beyond the skin into the tendons and bones and should be treated as an urgent medical emergency.
Please note that the medicines included in our Best Burn Cream guide are for the treatment of first and second-degree burns only.
Burn Creams FAQs
1. When do you not use a burn cream?
The more severe the burn, the more important it is to question whether or not to apply a specific topical treatment unless instructed by your doctor. It is also important to cool the burn by placing it under lukewarm water for a few minutes before applying ointment.
Never dress an unsanitized burn, as doing so could lead to an infection.
2. How often can you use burn cream?
Generally, you can use topical burn ointments twice a day for adults. For a child over two months, make sure to consult the doctor.
3. What should be avoided during burn treatment?
When treating a burn wound, make sure to avoid the following:
- Applying ice or very cold water on the wound
- Treating severe (open burn wound) with water
- Applying ointments not meant to address the specific type of burn wound
- Peeling away any fabric stuck to burned skin
- Peeling off the blistered skin
4. Do burn creams help in healing?
Yes, burn creams, especially the ones we listed, promote fast and healthy healing of burn wounds. Not only that, but these products also add a layer of protection that prevents infection and restores moisture in the burned area.
5. How long should you leave a burn dressing on?
More often than not, you can leave advanced burn dressings in place for two weeks (at most) while the wound heals. The areas that aren’t covered should be treated with topical antibiotics.
Which Burn Cream Should You Get?
From this list, we especially like the Water Jel Burn Cream because of its complete formula. Not only will it give you instant relief but also protect the wound from bacteria and infection. The best part is that it comes in individual packets, allowing you to pack it in your emergency first-aid kit easily.