Our 7 fail-safe tanning tips for beautiful golden glow

Never skip on sunscreen (even when you are already tanned)

Going out in the sun without sunscreen, even when you have a tan, is about as protective as using an SPF2, i.e. nothing at all. Rather than getting burnt and crossing your fingers that your skin will eventually go brown (and to reduce the risk of skin cancer) you should always use a high SPF.

The ultra-fluid sunscreen with anti-ageing protection: Oh My Cream Skincare Sun Fluid SPF50

And to even out the complexion: Odacité Mineral Drops Tinted Sunscreen SPF50

The easy-to-carry clean duo: Oh My Cream Skincare Sun Stick SPF50+ & Sun Water SPF50+

Good timing

The best time? Ideally before noon or after 4 pm. And don’t go crazy on day one. Build up sun exposure according to your skin type and where you are. For example, it only takes 15 minutes for pale skin to burn if the heat is extreme.

Exfoliate to boost radiance

To restore and prolong a luminous, even, long-lasting tan (and also before applying self-tanner), the trick is to remove dead cells from the skin's surface. For the body, as for the face, once or twice a week is more than enough. And remember to include an exfoliation session before your holidays, for a more even tan.

The easy exfoliant: Antipodes Aura Gold Manuka Honey Radiance Mask

The addictive body scrub: Goop Beauty Microderm Instant Glow Gommage Corps

When in doubt, use a little help

To resist the temptation of too much sun while still giving your skin that perfect summer glow, just add a few drops of Pai Skincare The Impossible Tan—a 100% natural, hydrating self-tanner—into your daily moisturizer. For the body (arms, legs, chest…), mix a pump of Rudolph Care The Classic Hint of Summer Glow Self Tanner with your favorite body lotion. Bonus: it also helps to soften those pesky swimsuit lines. ;-)

The exfoliating tip that boosts circulation

Sometimes, all your skin needs is a good detoxifying ritual that also serves as an exfoliation that boosts circulation and leaves your legs light and your skin soft! So, before running to the beach, grab your Oh My Cream Skincare Dry Body Brush and start brushing your feet and work your way to the top, to detoxify and stimulate the lymph system while also getting rid of dead cells. And be careful not to over-exfoliate your skin! Make sure not to exfoliate your skin on the same day or before doing your dry brushing ritual.

Supplements to the sun’s rays

And to prepare your skin while also protecting it from the sun’s damaging effects, opt for a multi-actions supplement capable of boosting the skin’s hydration while revealing its glow with Combeau L’Essentiel Peau Skin Supplement. It is ideal to help prepare the skin for sun exposure, it reinforces its natural defences and helps prevent blemishes caused by sun exposure.

More moisture

There is no doubt that skin that is exposed to the sun suffers from dehydration. To avoid dull, rough skin there are two solutions: drink plenty of water all day long and quench thirsty skin with a super hydrating cream after a day in the sun.

For the body: Goop Beauty Afterglow Body Oil for oil fans who also want to boost their skin's glow.

And to soothe the skin after a day in the sun: Rudolph Care Aftersun Shimmer Sorbet, a refreshing aftersun that leaves the skin with beautiful golden highlights while moisturising.

For the face: To deeply hydrate, add Susanne Kaufmann Moisturising Mask to your routine. This deeply nourishing mask softens, repairs and smooths for plumped skin all summer long!

And if your skin really lacks moisture: Antipodes Baptise HDO Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel, this ultra-hydrating gel quenches all skin while leaving a light and comfortable finish.

Finish with a bronzing powder

To highlight your features and enhance a sun-kissed glow, apply a few touches of the Ilia Lightshift Cream Highlighter on the high points of the face. This creamy highlighter delivers a natural glow, guaranteed without any glitter. To sculpt the features while mimicking the sun's effect on the skin, use the Ilia Sunshift Cream Bronzer. This creamy bronzer adds warmth and depth to the face.

Which active ingredients help you tan?

Certain active ingredients, such as amino acids and antioxidant,s can promote tanning by activating melanin production, particularly by promoting melanocyte activity, for a more even, longer-lasting tan.

Marine oligosaccharides mimic the action of endothelin, a hormone released naturally by sun-exposed skin, and stimulate the enzyme responsible for melanin production, encouraging the creation of pigment without the need for UV exposure.
Peptides, often found in tan-activating skin care products, boost melanin synthesis.
Carrot oil is rich in vitamin A and prepares the skin for the sun, encourages melanin production and prolongs tanning while providing an immediate ‘healthy glow’. It is found in the Odacité CaR Vital Glow Serum Concentrate.
Buriti oil stimulates the skin's production of melanin and also has antioxidant and photoprotective properties. It is found in RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer.
Karanja oil works on the same principle as Buriti oil. It is found in Pai Skincare British Summer Time SPF30 Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin.
Dihydroxyacetone or DHA is often used in self-tanning products (particularly the Rudolph Care range) as it reacts with the skin's own amino acids to create a ‘light’ colour.

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