7 Safe Ways to Maintain Your Tan Skin Color

Tanned skin or it didn’t happen? Whether you’re coming from a beach getaway with a fresh golden glow, or you just love rocking that bronzed and baked look all year long, you’re likely to want your gorgeous tan to last long. While tanning isn’t exactly good for your skin, there are safer ways to maintain your sun-kissed look. Keep reading for more tips on how to make your tan skin color last without compromising your skin’s health.

Your flawlessly tanned skin will only last you for a few days. What a bummer! That’s because tans are bound to fade as the skin naturally renews itself (read: by shedding old skin cells). According to studies, it takes about four weeks for new skin to surface, so expect your skin to revert to its original color around this time.

You’ve worked hard to get that perfect tan, now it’s time to keep it glowing – and safely so. Remember that maintaining a tan is fine, as long as you don’t overexpose your skin to harmful UV rays in the process. Check out some of these helpful tips for tan skin to preserve your new color without burning or damage.

Making sure your skin is well-hydrated is essential to prevent it from drying and peeling, which helps prolong your tan. Treat your skin with extra-hydrating products after a tanning session. Try rich body oils, lotions, or creams packed with ingredients such as hyaluronic acids or glycerin. Shea butter and aloe vera are also known for their moisturizing properties.

Think exfoliating your skin will make your tan fade? On the contrary, exfoliating helps get rid of dead skin cells that can make your tan skin color look patchy or ashy.

Just remember to exfoliate with care and don’t overdo it. You can try Dove Bar Gentle Exfoliating to slough away unwanted dead skin without stripping your skin’s natural moisture. Its gentle formulation leaves your skin soft and smooth with that glowing tan.

Showering with hot water can only dehydrate your skin and cause it to shed quickly. You’d want to skip the sauna, too. Instead, shower with cool or lukewarm water. As an extra step, include nourishing bath oils, creams, soaps, and body washes to your routine to lock in moisture to your skin and prevent your tan from fading at once.

A good choice is Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Body Wash, which has a lightweight formula infused with refreshing cucumber and green tea extracts. This helps keep your skin refreshed throughout the day.

Drinking plenty of water prevents dehydration and helps regulate your body temperature. Plus, it makes your skin plump, more elastic, and less prone to dryness. Dehydrated skin can lead to flaking, which in turn can make your tan fade faster.  

Beta-carotene is a great antioxidant that can help slow down skin aging and prevent sun damage. You can get beta-carotene in the form of supplements, or foods such as carrots, mangoes, watermelons, and greens like cabbage, spinach, and lettuce.

Studies show that when applied topically, tanning skincare products containing beta-carotene can help stimulate melanin production while limiting the risks of sun-induced irritation.

You can prolong your tan skin color with a tanning serum or an illuminating lotion. Self-tanning serums can work overnight. While you won't get a total skin color transformation, you will wake up with a subtle, sun-kissed glow. These serums can also help revive a fading tan and restore back your glowing radiance.

A note of caution: Refrain from using a tanning serum if your skin is rough or peeling. You could end up with a patchy, uneven tan, or irritated skin.  

Spray tans are an option that’s generally safer on the skin. That’s because these don’t use harmful UV rays (such as in sun tanning or bed tanning) to darken your skin. Spray tans contain DHA or dihydroxyacetone, the active ingredient in tanning products. DHA reacts with the skin to produce a faux tan.  

Note that the FDA has approved DHA for topical application on the skin – and not on the other parts of the body. Practice extra care when using a spray tan, as DHA can cause a reaction if it accidentally gets into your eyes or is inhaled or ingested.

Maintaining that golden glow requires more than just putting on sunscreen (though this is also a must!). Keep your tan skin color looking radiant by trying out these tan-boosting tips. Your skin – and golden complexion – will thank you!