To get your longest-lasting tan, you should start with a fresh base. That means, make sure you exfoliate your skin to get rid of any dead skin cells and apply your tan to clean, freshly showered skin. Never apply your self-tanner over makeup or deodorant.
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.
You can make it last longer by using a good quality indoor tanning lotion during each tanning session, washing your face and body with milder soaps, and moisturizing your skin daily (they make moisturizers specifically designed to extend the life of your tan which may be worth a try).
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.
Maintaining Your Fake Tan
Moisturising well and using a bronzer is a good start: Moisturise using a non-oil-based moisturiser every day to keep your skin hydrated and therefore avoiding any cracking or flaking. Carefully pat your skin dry after baths/shower/swimming rather than rubbing.
With a high water content, Aloe Vera helps to hydrate dry skin, resulting in a more even and longer-lasting tan – but that's not all. Other skin benefits of Aloe Vera include: Moisturizing: Rich in Amino Acids and boasting a 99.
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.
Soak in oil and buff with an exfoliating mitt
Oils, on the other hand, break down DHA and can fade fake tan faster. It does, so lather up or soak yourself in oil. You can also use coconut or olive oil, which should be left on the skin for 10 minutes before washing off.
Many fake tans can be drying, so be sure to lock in moisturise with a super-hydrating body lotion or cream (more on this later). Avoid anything with anti-acne or anti-ageing ingredients like salicylic acid or retinol and apply your moisturiser to the skin while still slightly damp.
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. The best way to extend the tan's stay on your skin? It's moisturising after your tan.
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.
Applying at night gives your self-tanner time to develop a natural tan look. Things like showering, rain, or tight clothes can mess up your tan when it's trying to settle. And some tanning products will also stain! As the self-tanner process can take up to eight hours, applying right before bed is super convenient.
Opt for Gentle, Moisturizing Products: Avoid harsh soaps and scrubs right after tanning. Instead, use a mild, hydrating body wash to prevent dryness and peeling, which can dull your tan. Pat Dry, Don't Rub: Vigorous towel drying can be too abrasive. Patting your skin dry is gentler and helps avoid exfoliating too much.
Drink water — water helps to keep your skin cells hydrated, therefore prolonging their lifespan. Eat foods rich in beta-carotenes — these are foods that include a red-orange pigment, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots and mangoes. Wear sunscreen all year round — to help protect your skin from sun damage.
No, cold water doesn't remove tan but can soothe sunburned skin and reduce redness. It helps calm inflammation but won't lighten dark spots.
Keep skin moisturized for a lasting tan. As your top layer of skin dries and flakes, so does your tan. You can make it last longer by rubbing lotion on every day and using sunscreen to protect your tan from the sun's drying and damaging rays. Thoroughly exfoliate at the end of the week.
Here's a few things to consider if you want to your fake tan to last longer: 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.
Use baby powder. After applying your sunless tanning product, dust a little baby powder on your skin to help absorb and limit odour.
Neglecting the aftercare
Another self-tanning mistake is taking your faux glow for granted. To ensure an even, natural-looking fade, repeat after us – hydration, hydration, hydration. This means smothering your skin in moisturiser each time you shower (or twice a day if you're super keen).
pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse is a super fast drying tanning mousse with pHenO2 Technology for the longest lasting, natural-looking tan result with instant colour and a tan that develops over 4-8 hours that lasts up to 2-3 weeks.