Sun Tanning: Mistakes to Avoid.

It's important to note that certain times of the day are more conducive to tanning than others. In order to enjoy a sun-kissed complexion without sunburn, avoid UV rays between 11am and 4pm. Indeed, it is during this period of the day that they are most intense and most dangerous. Exposing yourself between 9am and 11am or at the end of the day allows for tanning and greatly reduces the risks.

Contrary to what one might think, prolonged exposure to the sun does not allow for faster tanning. Instead, it increases the risk of skin dryness and having a peeling skin in the following days. For safe tanning, prefer progressive exposure and short periods, ideally less than an hour. This is sufficient for the skin to trigger the melanogenesis process and start to darken.

It can be tempting to visit a tanning booth for a quick and even tan. However, this is highly discouraged, as artificial UV rays are more energetic than sunlight and, consequently, much more dangerous. A 15-minute session in a tanning booth actually equates to exposure under the blazing sun for 2 to 3 hours.

It is also noteworthy that UV tanning booths are classified as "cancer-causing" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Scientists have estimated that exposure to artificial UV rays before the age of 30 increases the risk of developing a melanoma by 75%. Therefore, for safe tanning, it is better to avoid UV booths and favour natural sun exposure.

A common mistake when seeking to tan is to overlook the importance of hydrating the skin morning and evening. The sun has a drying effect on the skin and weakens the hydrolipidic film on its surface. The skin then becomes more sensitive to the sun's UV rays, as it becomes more porous and is more likely to become irritated and red rather than acquiring a tanned hue.

To limit water loss and dehydration, we recommend our face moisturising cream with 9 ingredients. Enriched with hyaluronic acid (INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate), glycerine and coconut oil (INCI: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil), it is a minimalist formula that hydrates and nourishes the epidermis. Its light, non-greasy and non-comedogenic texture is suitable for all skin types. For the body, you can opt for our body moisturising cream with 10 ingredients, which hydrates all skin types, even sensitive ones.

The UV rays emitted by the sun are classified into three categories, according to their wavelength: UVC (100 - 280 nm), UVB (280 - 320 nm) and UVA (320 - 400 nm). The UVC rays are blocked by the ozone layer, but this is not the case for UVA and UVB rays. It is sometimes thought that it is sufficient to protect oneself from UVB rays, as these are the ones responsible for sunburn and post-exposure irritations.

However, UVA rays are also dangerous and penetrate into the dermis where they promote skin ageing but, more importantly, they cause skin cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to protect oneself from both types of UV rays by applying a sunscreen referred to as "broad spectrum", meaning it provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

If exfoliating your skin before sun exposure seems like a good idea, it should be done at least 3 days prior, not the day before. Indeed, an exfoliated skin is more delicate and more vulnerable to the drying effects of the sun as well as the risk of skin damage, such as redness, burns and sunburn.