Summer is coming to an end, and your return flight from vacation is approaching – besides beautiful memories, there's one thing you especially want to bring back: your tan. But how do you manage to maintain that even holiday tan for as long as possible? Here, I'll give you practical tips for your beauty routine and tell you which mistakes to avoid so your tan stays beautiful for a long time.
How Long Does a Natural Tan Last?
A natural tan usually lasts two to four weeks – this can vary depending on skin type.
The outermost layer of skin completely renews itself within 28 days: new skin cells rise to the surface, pushing off old skin cells. This way, tanned skin cells are gradually shed.
Maintain Your Tan: The Best Tips
Preparation Before Your Tanning Session
Making your tan last particularly long actually starts before you even sunbathe. Beforehand, use a peeling to remove dead skin cells and also provide your skin with enough moisture with a body lotion – this ensures a particularly even result.
Use Sunscreen Daily
Both during and after sun exposure, you should always use sunscreen. It's also a common myth that you don't tan with sunscreen. You will definitely still tan, but you'll also protect your skin from UV damage.
Learn more about this in our blog post Tanning with sunscreen – there you'll find everything you need to know and useful tips for your tanning session.
Even after sunbathing, you should continue to use sunscreen (especially on your face) to avoid sunburn. Sunburn not only damages the skin but also speeds up the skin renewal process, causing tanned skin cells to shed faster and making you lose your tan more quickly.
Hydrate your skin
Provide your skin with enough moisture to keep it supple. Dry skin flakes faster, causing skin cells to shed more quickly.
With special After Sun lotions, you can pleasantly cool your skin and maintain your tan evenly for longer. Body oils also make the skin wonderfully smooth and soft and can beautifully emphasize and preserve your tan.
Also choose a hydrating shower gel for showering to provide your skin with plenty of moisture.
Self-tanner and gradual tan
Self-tanner is the ideal choice if you want to intensify and maintain your tan for longer. However, it requires some practice, preparation, and the right equipment – including an exfoliant, body lotion, and definitely a tanning mitt. You can find detailed instructions and useful tips for applying self-tanner in our dedicated blog post.
If that's too much for you, Gradual Tan can also be the perfect choice. The application is significantly easier, almost like a normal body lotion, and the tanning effect isn't quite as strong. Your natural tan is only subtly enhanced and intensified.
Help from within
A healthy and balanced diet helps support the health of your skin and, consequently, your tan. But you can also boost your tan with certain foods – especially those rich in the vitamin A form beta-carotene, found in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and broccoli, among others. These can help give your skin a beautiful tan or enhance an existing one.
At the same time, hydration is just as important: The German Nutrition Society recommends at least 1.5 liters of water per day. In summer and on days you exercise, it should be even more.
Water-rich foods can also support your skin's moisture balance – these include cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes, zucchini, and more.
Product recommendations for a long-lasting tan
Bondi Sands – Aloe Vera After Sun Gel Tube
14,90 €
with the code
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Latest lowest price: 10,43 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
The Fox Tan – Sun Tan Sealer
Fragrance Free Rapid Tanning Elixir
21,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 18,44 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Bondi Sands – SPF 50+ Everyday Body Lotion
12,90 €
12,26 €
with the code
-5%
Latest lowest price: 9,02 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Geek & Gorgeous – Zero Feel SPF 50
12,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 12,90 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Bali Body – Face Tan Serum
25,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 19,07 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Bali Body – Gradual Tanning Butter
33,90 €
with the code
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Latest lowest price: 30,51 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Bali Body – Gradual Tan
25,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 19,07 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Bali Body – Self Tanning Milk
32,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 29,61 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Bali Body – Self Tan Mist
32,90 €
with the code
-0%
Latest lowest price: 24,24 €
(Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping)
Can self-tanner help maintain your tan?
Yes, self-tanner can help maintain your tan. The amino acids (mostly DHA) contained in it react with the outermost layer of skin, creating a tanning effect. This means your current tan will be further intensified.
A less intense alternative is Gradual Tan or gradual self-tanner, which only provides a slight tanning effect and can be individually adjusted and intensified in multiple layers or with repeated applications (e.g., on consecutive days).
Mistakes that cause tan to fade faster
- Exfoliants are very popular for soft and smooth skin, but they remove dead skin cells, promote skin renewal, and can cause your tan to fade faster.
- Bathing: Opt for short showers – the longer you bathe or even shower, the more moisture you draw from your skin.
- Hot water: Shower with lukewarm water – too high water temperatures can also harm your skin and increase moisture loss.
Can you still sunbathe after tanning?
Yes, you can still sunbathe after tanning. However, you should note that a tan does not automatically protect your skin from sunburn. I still recommend that you always use sunscreen, protect your head with a cloth or hat, and avoid intense sun exposure around midday.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about maintaining your tan and found it helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
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