During the summer, the focus is on tanning to achieve a sun-kissed complexion by the end of the holidays. The ideal would be for it to be even and to last several weeks. Discover all our tips for a pleasant, risk-free, uniform and long-lasting tan.
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Tips for a perfect tan.
Summary
- Tip No.1: Gently exfoliate your skin three days prior to exposure
- Tip No. 2: Intensely hydrate your skin
- Tip No. 3: Do not underestimate the role of diet
- Tip No. 4: Generously apply sunscreen
- Tip No. 5: Do not shower before exposing yourself to the sun
- Tip No. 6: Gradually expose yourself to the sun
- Tip No. 7: Avoid exposure between 11am and 4pm
- Tip No. 8: Regularly change your position while tanning
- Tip No. 9: The self-tanner for perfecting the tan
- Sources
Published May 25, 2023,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Pauline, Head of Scientific Communication
—
9 min read
Tip No.1: Gently exfoliate your skin three days prior to exposure.
Achieving the perfect tan begins with some preparatory steps, including a light exfoliation about three days prior. This treatment helps to remove dead cells present on the skin's surface, resulting in a more even tan afterwards. However, it is not recommended to exfoliate your skin the day before sun exposure, as this could weaken it and increase the risk of sunburn. At Typology, we offer a whole range of exfoliants for the face and body, which are gentle and respectful to the skin.
Tip No. 2: Intensely hydrate your skin.
It is crucial tomoisturise daily, both morning and evening, your skin using treatments suitable for your skin type, especially when you are regularly exposed to the sun. Indeed, a dry or dehydrated skin is more sensitive to the sun's UV rays, as it is more porous. In other words, if the hydrolipidic film on its surface is missing or weakened, the skin is more likely to get sunburned.
For the face, you can use the face moisturising cream with 9 ingredients. Enriched with hyaluronic acid (INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate) and coconut oil (INCI: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil), it is a minimalist formula that hydrates and nourishes the epidermis. Its light and non-greasy texture is suitable for all skin types. For the body, opt for the body moisturising cream with 10 ingredients, which hydrates all skin types, even sensitive ones.
Tip No. 3: Do not underestimate the role of diet.
In order to maximise your chances of achieving a beautiful tan, don't hesitate to take care of your diet by focusing on foods rich in beta-carotenes, such as carrots, tomatoes, melons, apricots, peaches, mangoes, broccoli, or even spinach. Beta-carotene is converted into retinol, the active form of vitamin A, in the intestinal lining. The presence of retinol in the blood stimulates the synthesis of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin browning.
Do not hesitate to also turn to foods containing copper, such as lentils, almonds, and nuts. Copper is a tanning ally, as it is a co-factor of tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis process of melanin. It is responsible for the activation of tyrosine, an amino acid, into melanin. For a tanned and luminous complexion, the consumption of tyrosine is also recommended. It is mainly found in dairy products.
Finally, also include vitamins C and E in your diet, as these are natural antioxidants. Capable of combating free radicals and the damage they cause (such as brown spots, photoaging, sunburn...), they can be found in foods such as radishes, grapes, apples or blackberries.
Note : For a perfect tan, you can also rely on dietary supplements. They often have the advantage of being more concentrated in nutrients than natural foods, which enhances their effectiveness.
Tip No. 4: Generously apply sunscreen.
Contrary to popular belief, sunscreen does not prevent tanning. On the contrary, it helps to prevent skin dryness and sunburn, both of which can hinder the tanning process. Therefore, it is recommended to consistently apply sunscreen before exposure and to reapply every two hours or in case of swimming and heavy perspiration. This skincare product forms a protective filter against UVA and UVB rays, preventing them from penetrating the skin and generating free radicals that damage cell membranes, DNA, and proteins.
Sunscreen is most often chosen based on its protection factor (SPF). It is particularly recommended for individuals with fair skin to opt for an SPF 50 sunscreen, while those with darker skin can choose between an SPF 30 or SPF 50 cream. At Typology, we have a whole range of sun care products (SPF 30 and SPF 50) for the body and face. They effectively protect against UVA and UVB rays thanks to a combination of carefully selected organic and mineral filters.
Tip No. 5: Do not shower before exposing yourself to the sun.
Long exposure to hot water tends to dry out the skin and weaken the hydrolipidic film on its surface, making the skin more sensitive to the sun's rays. The hydrolipidic film is a protective veil that reduces the risk of skin dryness and penetration of external agents. By removing it, hot water makes the skin more prone to insensible water loss, and therefore to dehydration. To tan safely, it is preferable to take a shower after sunbathing. This will also remove all sunscreens and any particles of sand, salt, or sweat from your skin.
Tip No. 6: Gradually expose yourself to the sun.
For a lasting and even tan, opt for a gradual exposure. A few minutes of tanning each day are enough for the skin to initiate the melanogenesis process. Moreover, it's crucial to allow the skin time to acclimatise and rehydrate after being dried out by UV rays. In the following days, you can gradually extend the exposure duration, but never exceeding one to two hours per day, depending on your phototype.
Tip No. 7: Avoid exposure between 11am and 4pm.
It's important to note that certain times of the day are more conducive to tanning than others. To enjoy a pleasant relaxation session, avoid UV rays between 11am and 4pm. This is the time of day when they are most intense and energetic, hence the most dangerous. Instead, expose yourself between 9am and 11am or late in the day, this will promote the achievement of a tanned complexion without sunburn.
Tip No. 8: Regularly change your position while tanning.
In order to ensure an even tan, it is important not to forget to move regularly during your sun exposure. Moreover, staying in the same position for a long time increases the risk of sunburn, especially for those with fair skin. Start by lying on your back, then turn onto one side, then the other, and onto your stomach, according to your preference. Moving around by engaging in outdoor sports such as beach volleyball or badminton is also an excellent way to ensure an even tan.
Tip No. 9: The self-tanner for perfecting the tan.
Following a tanning session, it is possible that the bronzed complexion may not be entirely uniform. Depending on the clothing or the shape of the swimsuit, the skin may show some unsightly demarcations. The application of a self-tanner is one of the tricks that can help to diminish these marks.
A self-tanner is a skincare product that imparts a brown colouration to the skin, similar to the one achieved when tanning, without the need for sun exposure. It often contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA) or erythrulose, molecules that react with the amino acids in the stratum corneum to form melanoidin, a brown pigment.
However, it is crucial to apply self-tanning products sparingly to avoid the risk of achieving the opposite effect and accentuating overly tanned areas. At Typology, we have formulated two treatments that provide a natural and gradual tan: a self-tanning serum for the face and a self-tanning gel for the body.
Sources
WILLIAMSON G. & al. Skin bioavailability of dietary vitamin E, carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, zinc and selenium. The British Journal of Nutrition (2006).
HEVERTS H. & al. Vitamin A in skin and hair: an update. Nutrients (2022).
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