So you've just nailed that fake tan and you're radiating a sun-kissed glow. *Chefs kiss*. Moisturising is the best way to extend that tan's stay on your skin, locking in colour and maintaining your skin's hydration to stop any unwanted peeling or flaking.
Moisturising the skin everyday is the key to a longer lasting fake tan as it prevents the tan from cracking and flaking.
1: Lock in hydration
The best natural way to keep your holiday tan for longer is to hydrate your skin well. Avoid drying ingredients such as ethanol alcohol and invest in a moisturising after sun that cools and rehydrates your skin after sun exposure.
Moisturise & Maintain!
Moisturising is an essential step in achieving a long-lasting tan. Prior to tanning, we'd recommend applying moisturiser to typically dry areas like your hands, feet, elbows and knees to prevent tan from clinging to any dry patches, resulting in a flawless result.
Avoid using a moisturiser on the day of tanning as this can cause a barrier which affects how the tan absorbs. Instead, only moisturise dry areas such as elbows, knees, ankles and hands. This will prevent the tan from clinging and appearing darker giving a more natural look.
The best moisturiser to prolong fake tan is an oil-free moisturiser like Purity Repair Skin Conditioning Treatment will help keep lock in moisture, and help to keep the skin nourished and hydrated. While also extending the life of your self-tan by up to 48 hours.
DO moisturise regularly using an oil-free moisturiser as this keeps your spray tan longer. DON'T get in contact with leather until you have showered - it will stain. DO exfoliate after 5 - 6 days if you need to, only on rough areas like knees, heels and elbows.
Your skin type: If your skin is more on the dry side or it's winter and you're a little more drier than normal your dead skin cells can shed faster which can result in your fake tan fader faster.
To keep the drier areas from going patchy, make sure you moisturise all over and pay extra special attention to these troublesome areas. Try to leave the moisturiser to sink in for at least half an hour before you start the application stage of your fake tan routine.
Step 3: Serum and moisturiser
Did you know that serum can promote cell renewal, causing tan to fade faster as new cells work to replace older tanned skin? Applying moisturiser twice a day to keep skin hydrated also promotes an even fade, an important step in removing fake tan.
YOU TOOK LONG, FREQUENT SHOWERS.
But did you know that doing so will actually dehydrate your skin, which again, will cause your skin layers to flake away faster! The hot water will actually soften the look of your tan, making it appear lighter and sometimes even patchy!
Yes! Moisturising is key to a long-lasting, streak-free tan. Moisturise daily post-tanning to lock in hydration and leave your skin buttery smooth.
If you showered after just a few hours, you might notice your skin is not as tanned as you'd expected. Don't fret! Your colour will continue to develop and darken for a few hours (and a spray tan takes up to 24 hours to develop fully). That brown water disappearing down the drain?
The Two-Day Rule: When it comes to tanning before an event, it is generally recommended to have a spray tan or apply your own tan two days prior to the occasion. The reason behind this is that all tans take approximately 24 hours to fully develop, even after rinsing off the initial bronzer.
suggests that higher melanin production results in a longer-lasting tan. Particularly, people with eumelanin (a subtype responsible for black and brown pigmentation) develop deeper and more durable tans. UV exposure stimulates melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) to produce even more melanin.
Immediately after applying your chosen tan, use the Mitt to blot away any excess tan by gently rubbing darker patches on the skin. Top Tip: To prevent a patchy tan and product from settling onto dry areas, always moisturise with an oil-free moisturiser just before applying fake tan.
So, does the tan go away or not when you exfoliate the skin? Not only does it not go away, but it also makes it last longer and makes your skin look softer and more beautiful. Your tan has to do with melanin pigmentation and exfoliation does not affect this at all.
Consistent moisturisation extends the lifespan of the fake tan, allowing you to enjoy your bronzed glow for longer. It can enhance the overall appearance of the tan, giving it a more natural and radiant finish.
After tanning, you will produce a little bit of sweat, but that's it. There is no reason to shower right away because water does not affect the tan. This is another myth that has been around for ages. The truth is, showering right after getting a tan will not cause staining of your skin.
Apply Vaseline on your brows and hairline
Applying a thin layer of Vaseline to these areas acts as a protective barrier, preventing the fake tan from clinging to your eyebrows or staining your hairline – especially if you're blonde.
Regardless of when you wash the colour guide off, we highly recommend you don't moisturise until the 8 hour mark.
I have found the best lotions to use are Aveeno, Cetaphil, Hempz, and CeraVe. Lotions with perfumes contain high alcohol levels and tend to dry out the skin.