For many of us, the epitome of the summer look: sun-kissed, evenly tanned skin.
Unfortunately, however, this often does not last as long as we would like. This is because human skin, or rather our top layer of skin, completely renews itself about every four weeks. This process is unstoppable and happens even faster in young people. However, there are a few tricks to “preserve” the summer tan at least a little longer. We have collected them together:
Correct tanning is the beginning
To ensure that the tan lasts as long as possible, there are a number of things to bear in mind when tanning. A peeling before sunbathing frees the skin from dead cells, which makes it easier for the sun to reach the skin and create an evenly tanned complexion.
It is equally important to tan slowly: those who lie down in the blazing sun from day 1 and for hours on end risk serious skin damage and also shedding their skin – counterproductive. So it’s better to take the sunbathing slower and apply sunscreen regularly and with a high sun protection factor. Don’t forget to reapply regularly, even to areas covered by clothing, and avoid the aggressive midday sun.
Just do not dry out!
After sunbathing, the main thing is to moisturize our skin. Mild lotions and aftersun, but also natural products such as aloe vera reliably perform this task. On the other hand, it is important to moisturize and not to dry out our skin unnecessarily. Alcohols in creams, deodorants, and perfumes have exactly that effect, so always pay attention to the ingredients and, especially in summer, always apply fewer products.
Perfume also often has a drying effect, so it’s better to spray it into your hair if you want to protect your skin. If you want to keep your tanned look as long as possible, you should also avoid long and hot showers. Chlorinated pool water also stresses our skin, so it’s better to go to the sea or swimming lake.
Care from the inside
“Drink a lot of water” – the beauty “secret” of almost every Hollywood great 😉 But there is something to it! Only if the body is sufficiently supplied with water does the skin look fresh and keep its tan longer. Foods that are rich in carotenoids can provide additional support. In addition to carrots, these include sweet potatoes, tomatoes, red peppers, mangoes, and apricots. For the beta-carotene contained to be better absorbed by the body, they should be taken together with a small amount of oil, since carotenoids are fat-soluble as a precursor of vitamin A. Olive oil or avocado oil are ideal.
Cheating allowed!
If you want to show off your tan even better, accentuate cheekbones and décolleté with bronzing powder for that extra glow. White or brightly colored clothing is another easy trick to highlight your tan even more.
However, when the summer tan finally fades, self-tanners help the glow last a little longer. Thanks to the development progress of recent years in the field of cosmetics, this now also works completely streak-free 😉
