For many, getting a nice bronze tan is a key component of any summer holiday. A sun-kissed tan can give you that radiant glow and boost your confidence, not to mention let others know you’ve been enjoying the glorious sunshine.

The duration of your tan will depend on factors such as your skin type and colour, the intensity of exposure to the sun, and how well you take care of your skin post-tanning.

Many see their tans quickly fade after exposure to the sun is reduced. Fortunately, however, there are a number of steps you can take, both before and after tanning, to stay bronzed for longer.

Exfoliate and Moisturise Before Tanning:

Before you step out to catch some rays, it’s important to properly prepare your skin for tanning. Rubbing exfoliator onto your skin helps remove any dead skin cells and ensures a smooth surface for an even tan. We shed millions of skin cells every day and this is part of the reason we lose our tan, so exfoliating helps prolong the life of your tan by starting with a fresh canvas.

Moisturising your skin before tanning helps to keep it hydrated and nourished, allowing for a more even and longer-lasting tan. It’s important to choose a moisturiser that doesn’t contain any oils or heavy fragrances, as these can interfere with the tanning process.

Apply Self Tanner

Protecting yourself from the sun’s damaging rays is absolutely essential, so applying sun cream is a must. One downside of higher protection sun cream is that will make it harder to tan compared to lower factor protection, meaning even prolonged periods in the sun can result in limited tanning. A good way to boost any tan is to apply self tanner, this enhances the colour of your tan while also helping avoid extra exposure to the sun.

Avoid Bathing and Swimming in Hot Water

Hot water can dry your skin out, causing it to shed. Completely submerging your skin in hot water, such as in a bath or hot tub, can therefore accelerate the fading of your tan. If you want your tan to last as long as possible, showering in cooler water is the way to go.

Drink Plenty of Water

Like moisturising, drinking water helps keep your skin hydrated, reducing flakiness. It also helps to reduce toxins in the body and improve circulation, all contributing to healthier, better-looking skin.

Avoid Peeling

Sunburn will cause your skin to peel, removing your tan. Applying suncream is therefore important not only from a skin protection standpoint but also to preserve your tan. Factor 30 sun cream is a good option for those looking for good protection and tanning potential. The higher the factor, the greater the protection, which will mean tanning will be slower and more gradual.

Watch What You Eat

A more surprising way of boosting your tan’s longevity is to monitor more carefully what you eat. Some nutrients like beta-carotene, lycopene, and vitamin C and E, help your skin digest the sun’s rays better.

Red and yellow fruits and vegetables help reduce UV-related skin irritations and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower provide plenty of sun-protecting antioxidants.

Turkey, egg whites, almonds, salmon and avocado are all rich in tyrosine which helps activate melanin production, further protecting your skin from the sun. To sum up, you should take steps prior to sun exposure in order to get the most out of your tan. These include exfoliating, moiturising, and applying sun cream. After tanning you should avoid bathing in hot/warm water where possible, and apply self tanner if you wish to do so. General good habits like drinking plenty of water and eating food with plenty of vitamins will help improve your skin’s health and make prolonging your tan an easier job