To maintain your tan long after your vacation and get back to the grind with a beautiful sun-kissed complexion, we’re sharing the way to go.
It’s almost time to get back into your daily routine. After weeks of intensive effort to get that lovely summer tan, it’s out of the question to display a dull complexion after just a few days. Scrubbing, hydration, skincare, etc. There are several tricks that allow you to extend your tan and keep that radiant complexion. However, certain rules must be followed. Let’s separate fact from fiction.
It doesn’t matter which cream you use as long as you hydrate
False. To extend your tan and prevent peeling, it’s crucial to hydrate your skin abundantly. It’s recommended to apply a formula rich in water and fats twice a day, to irrigate the cells with water and prevent evaporation. However, not all products are equal. Unlike moisturizing lotions or oils, “tan extenders” contain active ingredients that stimulate melanocytes (cells responsible for synthesizing melanin, which contributes to skin pigmentation). By using them morning and night and exposing yourself to the sun for twenty minutes a day, you can extend your tan for several weeks.
Extra tip: With repeated sun exposure, the skin also loses minerals. Unlike regular moisturizers, after-sun treatments and tan activators contain these minerals, aiding the skin’s faster regeneration. Result: a radiant complexion.
Exfoliation fades the tan faster
True and false. The secret to an even and radiant tan is to do gentle and regular exfoliation throughout the summer. However, if you’ve skipped this step in your beauty routine, it’s best not to start exfoliating your skin right after you return from your holidays. It’s advised to wait 10 to 15 days after your last sun exposure to avoid prematurely removing your tan. Waiting until after this time frame prevents uneven fading.
Extra tip: Avoid mechanical exfoliants that contain synthetic granules, as they can irritate skin already stressed by UV rays. Opt for gentle and enzymatic exfoliators (which use chemical processes, including fruit acids) that won’t irritate your skin.
Certain foods can help prolong your tan
True. It’s well-known that “you are what you eat.” Instead of focusing solely on the skin’s surface, it’s better to provide it with what it needs from the inside. Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene help enhance and extend your tan. Vitamin C adds radiance to the skin, while beta-carotene, a plant pigment, is photo-protective and an antioxidant. This helps combat skin aging and imparts a beautiful golden glow that prolongs the sun-kissed effect.
Extra tip: Opt for red and orange fruits and vegetables at the market. Sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, peaches, strawberries, etc. are particularly recommended, along with spinach, kiwis, and parsley, as they are rich in vitamin C.
Self-tanner, our best ally to prolong the tan
False. While this product easily lets you fake a tan that persists for weeks or even months, it’s better to wait until your natural tan has faded a bit before using it. To avoid resembling Donald Trump or turning orange, it’s recommended to wait about three weeks after your last sunbath. Self-tanner takes over from a fading tan and offers a more natural effect.
Extra tip: A mandatory first step before application is exfoliation, which removes all dead skin and achieves an even and long-lasting result. To avoid mistakes, nothing beats a gradual self-tanner, applied over several days until the desired intensity is achieved.
For a year-round tan, there’s always makeup
False. Thanks to lightweight and transparent creams and powders, it’s easy to enhance your complexion and extend your tan for a few more weeks, obtaining that luminous finish without looking artificial. However, once the sun-kissed tan has disappeared, piling on layers of makeup to appear tanned is counterproductive. The result is anything but natural. It’s essential to return to your usual makeup products for a better beauty routine.
Extra tip: From tinted fluids to blush applied on the eyelids for a nude look, the key is to have a light touch. The post-summer makeup goal is to enhance, not conceal. The textures should be subtle and blend seamlessly with the skin. Orange shades on the lips and cheeks bring vitality and a healthy glow. For the eyelids and lips, go for shine with pearly eyeshadows and gloss to capture the light.
Picture (c) : The Velvet
