How to keep your tan for a long time?

How to maintain your tan? Our beauty tips for a long-lasting tan

Would you like your beautiful golden vacation glow to last much longer? A natural tan is one of the little pleasures of a break in the sun, and many of you are wondering how to maintain a tanned complexion for as long as possible. The good news is that it's entirely possible to prolong your tan with the right habits and care. Discover all our tips for making your healthy glow last and showing off radiant skin even after the holidays are over.

Why does skin tan?

Before we move on to tips for maintaining a beautiful tan, it's helpful to understand how tanning works.

When exposed to the sun, the skin produces melanin, a pigment that causes the epidermis to turn brown. This melanin is synthesized by melanocytes to protect the skin from UV rays. Tanning is therefore a defensive reaction.

Why does tan fade over time?

The skin renews itself on average every 28 days, which naturally causes the tan to gradually fade. To maintain your tan, you need to slow down this peeling process without blocking skin regeneration.

How to keep your tan?

Once acquired, the beautiful golden hue of skin often disappears far too quickly for our liking. Fortunately, there are simple steps and targeted treatments to prolong your skin's radiance after sun exposure. From pre-departure preparation to your post-vacation routine, every step counts to maintain that luminous tan for as long as possible. Here's everything you need to know to maintain your tan and keep your post-vacation glow until the start of the school year (and beyond!).

Secret #1: Prepare your skin well before exposure

Preparing your skin before sun exposure is one of the keys to a long-lasting tan.

Gently exfoliate

Do a gentle scrub Before going on vacation, removes dead skin cells, allowing the tan to develop on healthy skin. But be careful not to strip the skin too much: opt for natural exfoliation with fine grains or enzymes, which refines the skin texture without damaging it.

Boost melanin with supplements

Sun food supplements Rich in beta-carotene, lycopene or vitamin E effectively prepare the skin for the sun and promote a more even and lasting tan. Opt for a treatment 2 to 3 weeks before departure.

Secret #2: Tan smartly

Here are two major fundamental principles during your exposure period.

Use suitable sun protection

Contrary to popular belief, applying sunscreen doesn't prevent tanning. On the contrary, it allows for a gradual, more even, and longer-lasting tan, without burning. Moreover, protecting your skin is one of the firstanti-aging habits you should adopt to limit the effects of time.

For your face, opt for an SPF 50 serum, for example, without forgetting sun protection for your lips.

Intensely hydrate

The sun dehydrates the skin. Using moisturizers daily helps maintain skin suppleness and prevents flaking (peeling). Also, don't hesitate to overuse moisturizing balms ,after-sun mists, and facial serums to soothe and deeply nourish the skin.

Secret #3: Maintain your tan after the holidays

Once you get back home, your post-sun beauty routine becomes essential to preserve your tan's radiance.

Continue moisturizing morning and evening

Again, hydration is your best friend. Use nourishing natural body care products or a body oil after showering to lock in your tan.

Focus on tan-prolonging treatments

Some products are specially formulated to prolong the tan's life. They often contain small amounts of self-tanner or melanin-stimulating active ingredients. Their formula, enriched with natural DHA and vitamin E, helps enhance the skin while prolonging the complexion's radiance.

Don't stop exfoliating, but adapt it

You shouldn't stop exfoliating your skin after the holidays; on the contrary, a gentle exfoliation once a week removes dead skin cells without stripping the skin, helping to maintain an even and luminous complexion.

Secret #4: Adapt your diet

What you put on your plate plays a crucial role in the quality of your skin… and the longevity of your tan. Certain foods, rich in specific nutrients, help support melanin production and protect the skin from oxidation caused by UV rays.

Opt for foods rich in beta-carotene

Eat carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, spinach, and even melon: all of these foods promote the production of melanin thanks to their richness in provitamin A.

Prioritize good fats and antioxidants

Essential fatty acids (found in nuts, oily fish, and vegetable oils) strengthen the skin barrier and limit dehydration. Antioxidants, meanwhile, fight free radicals responsible for premature skin aging.

Focus on food supplements

Alongside a balanced diet, moisturizing and sunscreen supplements are a real boost for a longer-lasting golden complexion. Rich in beta-carotene, lycopene, copper, selenium, and vitamin E, they support melanin production and protect the skin from within. Ideally, they should be taken before, during, and after sun exposure for a visible, prolonging effect.

Secret #5: Cheat a little, without guilt

If, despite everything, your tan starts to fade, don't panic! There are ways to revive your complexion without UV rays.

New generation self-tanners

Today's self-tanners offer a natural, streak-free, and gradual result. Choose a light mist, a tinted cream, or a self-tanning serum to give your skin a boost of radiance.

The “healthy glow” effect makeup

Use a lightly golden BB cream, highlighter, or bronzer to recreate a natural, sun-kissed glow without exposure.

In summary: the 10 golden rules for making your tan last

1. Exfoliate skin before exposure.
   
   

2. Take sun supplements before, during and after
   
   

3. Tan gradually with good protection.
   
   

4. Moisturize your skin every day, even in the sun.
   
   

5. Use a nourishing after-sun.
   
   

6. Adopt a diet rich in beta-carotene and good fats.
   
   

7. Continue gentle exfoliation after summer.
   
   

8. Choose tan-prolonging treatments.
   
   

9. Moisturize morning and evening after sunbathing.
   
   

10. Out of season, rely on self-tanners and makeup to maintain a healthy glow.

As you've probably guessed, maintaining your tan for a long time means, above all, taking care of your skin regularly and gently. Proper preparation, optimal hydration, and a few simple steps are all you need to prolong the sun's rays and maintain a tanned, radiant complexion.

Discover Day+ skincare for a luminous complexion all year round!

A tan that lasts means healthy, hydrated skin that's pampered with quality skincare. All Day+ products are made in France and formulated with natural ingredients, without compromising on effectiveness or user pleasure.

• Our moisturizing treatments work deep down to nourish the skin, prevent dehydration and enhance the complexion's radiance.

• Our gentle exfoliants, made from natural grains or fruit enzymes, help refine skin texture without altering your tan, for an even, radiant tan.

• Our sun care products and sun food supplements support the skin in all phases of exposure, stimulating the production of melanin while protecting it from free radicals.

Discover our products now and give your skin the care it deserves!