Many people are looking for a tanned complexion, which is why they go for sunbathing and tanning sessions one after the other. In the rush, however, clothing and accessory marks can sometimes alter the evenness of the tan, leaving a tan line or one area more tanned than another. How to even out a tan that is patchy? If time and patience are your best allies in this case, here are a few solutions to limit the damage before it fades away on its own.
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How to Even Out a Patchy Tan.
Summary
Published February 29, 2024,
by
Pauline, Head of Scientific Communication
—
6 min read
1. Moisturize Your Skin.
Whether the tan is even or not, the skin needs hydration and nutrition after a tanning session. Sun exposure weakens the epidermal stratum corneum, which acts as the skin's first barrier, and destabilizes the cohesion of the lipids that act as intercellular cement.
Replenishing lipids with skincare products will also improve cell regeneration. Once moisturized and nourished, the skin is more likely to produce an even tan. Some tan lines are the result of sunburn. Relieving this type of burn is another reason to give priority to good moisturizing for skin care. For this reason, we recommend the daily use of moisturizers on the face and body.
2. Gently Exfoliate.
Moisturizing has soothed the skin, which can now be exfoliated in the area of uneven tanning. Exfoliation removes dead cells from the surface of the epidermis and stimulates cell renewal, which in turn reduces the appearance of marks. In the weeks following your tanning, you can concentrate on the uneven area. Be careful, however, not to exceed one or two exfoliations per week, at the risk of irritating your skin.
Our product recommendations:
Composed of an exfoliating complex based on four AHAs and a PHA, our peeling mask eliminates dead cells to unclog pores and refine skin texture. It leaves the complexion even-toned and skin texture smoothed. Over time, it helps reduce the presence of blackheads.
Based on sweet almond oil (INCI name: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil) with nourishing properties, and lavandin super essential oil (INCI name: Lavandula Hybrida Herb Oil), recognized for its regenerating and healing properties, our nourishing body scrub rids skin of dead cells thanks to apricot kernel micro-grains. Exfoliated and nourished, skin is soft, supple and comfortable.
3. Use Self-Tanner.
While moisturizing and exfoliation skincare can help reduce the appearance of it, they can't get rid of a tan line completely. To truly correct a non-uniform tan, we recommend using a self-tanner. This treatment is applied to the skin and gives a tanned complexion without exposure to the sun. It generally contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a molecule capable of reacting with the amino acids in the horny layer of the epidermis (Maillard reaction). The result is the formation of melanoidins, brown pigments.
Applied to strategic areas, self-tanner helps even out skin tone. However, it's important to keep a light hand when applying self-tanner, to avoid the opposite effect of darker marks. In fact, it sometimes happens that an uneven tan is actually due to a non-homogeneous application of self-tanner. At Typology, we've formulated two products that deliver a natural, gradual tan: a self-tanning serum for the face and a self-tanning gel for the body.
4. Even Out With Tinted Skincare.
Sometimes, while the skin regenerates and the complexion evens out again, it's best to simply cover up non-uniform tanning with tinted skincare products. Most are intended for the face, but can also be applied to the body. They help camouflage marks or spots, whether permanent or temporary like a non-uniform tan.
However, while this type of care is quite practical and effective on the face, it is generally less so on the hands or legs. These areas are prone to rubbing, which can quickly fade the color.
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