When summer is over or we return from vacation, we want to maintain our sun-kissed complexion as long as possible, as a reminder of the good times spent in the sun. However, we see it fade, week after week. To slow down this process and prolong our tan, it is possible to adopt simple habits.
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How to prolong your tan?
Summary
- Applying an after-sun care product
- Intensely hydrating and nourishing your skin on a daily basis
- Perform gentle exfoliations
- Consume foods rich in carotenoids
- Daring to use self-tanning skincare products
- Sources
Published February 17, 2022,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Pauline, Chemical Engineer
—
7 min read
Applying an after-sun care product.
Before any exposure to the sun, it is necessary to apply a broad-spectrum sun protection to shield oneself from UV rays.
Applied just after exposure to UV rays, after-sun care products help to soothe minor burns while extending the tan. Moreover, they help to restore the hydrolipidic film of the skin, which is compromised by the drying effect of the sun, and prevent it from peeling, which could accelerate the loss of your tan. Thus, the function of after-sun care is to regenerate the skin and strengthen the epidermis. Several formulations are common on the market, such as gels, milks, and mists.
Intensely hydrating and nourishing your skin on a daily basis.
To prevent dryness and flaking of the skin after prolonged exposure to UV rays, it needs to be moisturized and nourished. Indeed, after being exposed to the sun, the epidermis is weakened and needs to be replenished with lipids. Therefore, it is appropriate to choose a moisturizing cream according to your skin type and apply it daily, morning and evening. This type of care contains humectants, capable of retaining water in the epidermis, and film-forming agents, strengthening the skin's hydrolipidic film.
For the face, you can use our hydrating facial cream with 9 ingredients. Enriched with hyaluronic acid (INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate) and organic coconut oil (INCI: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil), it's a minimalist formula that hydrates and nourishes the epidermis. If your skin is dry to very dry, you can turn to our nourishing cream, which is richer. For the body, opt for the body hydrating cream with 10 ingredients, which hydrates all skin types.
Perform gentle exfoliations.
When exposed to the sun, the skin naturally tends to thicken and take on a brown coloration to protect itself from UV rays. Contrary to popular belief, exfoliating your skin does not erase your tan. Performing one to two exfoliations per week is even beneficial and allows for the removal of dead cells present on the skin's surface, while brightening the complexion. These treatments thus help to enhance your tan.
Furthermore, in response to sun exposure, the thickness of the skin tends to increase as a protective measure. Exfoliation also helps prevent this phenomenon from dulling your complexion. To support you throughout the year, including during the summer, Typology offers several exfoliating treatments:
Composed of an exfoliating complex based on four AHAs and one PHA, our peeling mask eliminates dead skin cells to unclog pores and refine skin texture. It leaves the complexion unified and the skin texture smoothed. Over time, it helps to reduce the presence of blackheads.
Formulated withsweet almond oil (INCI name: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil) known for its nourishing properties, andsuper lavandin essential oil (INCI name: Lavandula Hybrida Herb Oil), recognized for its regenerative and healing virtues, our nourishing body scrub rids the skin of dead cells thanks to the micro-grains of apricot kernels. Exfoliated and nourished, the skin is soft, supple, and comfortable.
Consume foods rich in carotenoids.
Diet also plays a role in maintaining a tan. Carotenoids are pigments synthesized by plants that give them their red and orange colors. These compounds are involved in numerous metabolic reactions, including the melanogenesis process, which is the synthesis of melanin that allows for tanning. Therefore, consuming carrots, tomatoes, peppers, peaches, or apricots helps maintain a sun-kissed complexion.
Bonus : carotenoids also have antioxidant properties. They effectively combat the damage caused by repeated attacks of free radicals on the body's cells and proteins. As a reminder, free radicals are highly reactive compounds naturally produced by the body but generated in excess by certain factors such as stress, pollution, and exposure to UV rays.
Daring to use self-tanning skincare products.
When your complexion begins to fade, you can opt for a self-tanner to extend the tanning effect : the benefit of a tanning session without the fear of UV rays. This type of treatment typically contains a molecule called dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
When applied topically, this compound induces a tanned complexion in brown tones within 4 to 6 hours, by reacting with the amino acids in the corneal layer of the epidermis through Maillard reaction to form pigments, the melanoidins, which are responsible for skin coloration.
We also often encountererythrulose in self-tanners, a sugar found in red fruits. This compound acts similarly to DHA but more slowly. TheDHA-erythrulose combination allows for a more natural and uniform tan. Moreover, erythrulose has moisturizing properties that counterbalance the drying power of DHA.
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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