Here’s how to get bronze-y or golden brown skin, and not beet red, sunog brown, or patchy-patchy!
BEFORE
Moisturize in all ways possible.
Especially on the night before your first sunbathing session, slather on generous amounts of moisturizing lotion, particularly on areas that are rough, dry, and patchy. Also, hydrate internally by drinking plenty of water. Honestly, I believe this moisturizing advice should be applicable to everyone, tanning or not.
Don’t flake. Exfoliate.
Tanning takes effect on your skin’s topmost layer, which is dead skin—if you don’t exfoliate. Your dead skin will eventually flake off and leave you with an uneven tan you definitely wouldn’t want to show off.
So it’s best to come out into the sun with newly-scrubbed skin! Be light and gentle, so you don’t leave with extra sensitive skin that may easily burn with tanning.
Savor the SPF.
Please, please, please spread the word that SPF doesn’t prevent a tan—it prevents your skin from burning. What SPF does is it filters the harmful rays of the sun and blocks it, which is healthy for your skin. A minimum of SPF 30 before a tanning session is advised and don’t forget to re-apply!
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DURING
Time is gold.
…And so is your skin, supposedly, if you would stick to a healthy tanning routine. It’s best not to tan between 10am until 4pm, as the sun’s the harshest during this period. What may be good for your laundry isn’t necessarily good for your skin.
Please also accept that you can’t be gloriously tan in one go. Schedule tanning sessions, and limit each day’s sun exposure to an hour or two, allotting approximately 30 minutes each side, alternately lying on your back and on your stomach.
Take breaks.
Believe it or not, it will make your tan more natural and healthy-looking, not to mention the reality that you do need to go for bathroom breaks, make yourself a mango shake, prepare a snack, et cetera.
Gear up.
Huh? Well, I don’t mean a scuba suit or a life vest. For an overall even-toned tan, try a reflective blanket and a browning lotion, so you’ll tan much faster, especially on the parts that aren’t as exposed to the sun!
Also, mind your face, hair, scalp, eyes, and lips. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and don’t forget to apply an SPF-infused lip balm, too.
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AFTER
Shower.
…Well, it goes without saying. But I’ll be your kulit tita and point out again that showering washes away all the sins involved in tanning, e.g. dirt from the water, the sand, and the products you’ve used. Aloe vera-infused products, which are calming on the skin, are your BFFs post-tan!
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Eat healthy.
Okay, so there are certain foods that promote your natural SPF and your skin health, and here’s a quick list: tomatoes, fruits and vegetables with lycopene, green tea, and dark chocolate. You know what to do!
Text by: Tita Pacita