You've probably experienced this: you've spent your vacation at the beach or by the pool, spent a lot of time outdoors, and finally have a radiant tan. A tan looks fresh, and minor blemishes or uneven skin are naturally concealed. Unfortunately, one thing remains the same every year: as soon as the sun disappears or your vacation is over, your summer tan disappears too. Find out how to extend it into the fall here.
What can you do in advance to ensure a long-lasting tan?
An even and long-lasting tan starts even before you go on vacation. By exfoliating, you can remove old and dead skin cells. This ensures your tan is very even. Incidentally, a summer tan lasts longer on smooth skin. But don't forget to moisturize your skin thoroughly after exfoliating, as it needs it.
You should be careful when it comes to exfoliating after a vacation. At first, you might think that exfoliating is taboo for tanned skin because it removes the top layer of skin and thus the tan, but that's not the case. Rather, it gives your already tanned skin an extra glow. However, it's important not to use a conventional exfoliator with sharp particles, which unnecessarily irritates skin stressed by sunbathing. A chemical exfoliator, such as our Enzyme Exfoliator, based on pineapple and papaya extracts, is much more recommended. It's very gentle and removes dead skin cells very carefully.
How important is moisture for tanned skin?
The key to maintaining a long-lasting summer tan is hydration. This is because well-hydrated skin preserves a tan better and longer. Sun, wind, seawater – all of these things dry out the skin. You probably know that you're thirstier in the summer than on cold days. And your skin feels the same. So, even while on vacation, it's important to use intensive moisturizer every evening after showering. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, urea, or aloe vera are particularly suitable for this. When applying moisturizer, make sure you don't forget any part of your body. Particularly dry areas like the knees, elbows, or shins can quickly become flaky and cause a spotty complexion.
In addition to skincare, you should also make it a point to avoid anything that could further dry out your skin. This includes, for example, showers that are too hot and baths that are too long. It's recommended to shower lukewarm to protect your skin. To help maintain your tan after a vacation, avoid rubbing your skin too hard with a towel when drying it off—instead, pat it gently.
And last but not least: Moisture also comes from within. There's a reason you feel thirsty. Drink at least 1.5 liters of water or unsweetened tea, especially on days spent in the sun—your skin will thank you, too.
Can you help in any other way?
No matter how well you care for your skin and how much moisture you moisturize, sooner or later the day will come when your summer tan fades. Because where there's no sun, there's no tan.
Luckily, there are ways to help here too. Namely with self-tanner. The days when it was rather dangerous to apply self-tanner because it smelled unpleasant and, on top of that, usually caused spots rather than a beautiful complexion are thankfully over! Today, completely new formulas exist, and getting a great summer glow with self-tanner is easier than ever. Our Self Tan Drops, for example, are super easy to use and ensure an even and natural-looking tan. You can even determine how intense the drops should be by mixing more or less of them with your daily moisturizer and applying them to your face. This way, you can have a tan all winter long without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays.
Protect yourself well from the sun!
We always talk about how beautiful tanned skin looks, and it certainly does. But we mustn't forget how dangerous the sun can be. Those who regularly lie in the sun unprotected not only age their skin faster, but also increase their risk of skin cancer.
A good sunscreen is therefore essential. For intensive sunbathing, it should be at least SPF 30, and for sun-sensitive skin or those with dark spots, even SPF 50. For everyday use outside of vacation, a day cream with an SPF of 20, such as our Hyaluron Cream SPF 20, is sufficient. Not only does it protect your skin from UV-A and UVB rays, it also moisturizes it—which, as we've learned, helps your vacation tan last longer.
Conclusion: Long-lasting tan – but responsibly!
Sure, a summer tan is great, and we want to keep it as long as possible. But the most important rule you should follow is to treat your skin responsibly. This includes a good sun protection factor as well as daily care during and after your vacation. Plenty of moisture is absolutely essential if you want to enjoy a radiant and even glow for a long time.
By the way, did you know that you can also tan in the shade? While it takes longer, the tan you achieve lasts longer. On top of that, you're not exposing your skin to as much harmful UV-A and UV-B rays, thus reducing your risk of skin cancer. Too much very intense sunbathing can also accelerate skin aging—something that even a tanned complexion can't help with.
For all sun worshippers who are now worried about having to forgo their beloved sunbathing, sun can of course be good for the body. But only in moderation. To get a proper tan, you need to lie in the sun for a long time and intensely, and that can be damaging. It's better to use a self-tanner, which gives you a natural, sun-kissed complexion—without damaging your skin.
