Tanning Safely: Your Guide to Getting a Bronzed Summer Glow

It’s no secret that too much sun exposure harms the skin. The sun contains UVB and UVA rays that can burn skin, trigger premature ageing and even cause cancer. But getting a healthy tan isn’t unachievable if you take the proper precautions.

SPF and tanning: what are the facts?

A common SPF myth is that you can’t tan when wearing sunscreen. However, that’s not true. No sunscreen completely blocks UVB and UVA, which means you’ll tan regardless. But the correct factor blocks enough rays to prevent burning and premature ageing. 

Opt for SPF 30 to tan safely. It shields your skin from overexposure so you can tan gently and avoid skin damage for a sun-kissed look. 

Exfoliating is a must if you want to make your tan last as long as possible. But knowing when to exfoliate can make or break your tan.

Should you exfoliate before applying a fake tan?

Yes. Exfoliating before tanning is critical for a long-lasting golden glow. This is because your skin cells are constantly regenerating. And if you don’t exfoliate beforehand, your dead skin cells will shed, taking your tan with them.

Does exfoliating remove tan?

If you exfoliate immediately after you tan, then your tan will fade faster. After all, you’re buffing away the tanned surface layer of your skin. We suggest leaving it about three days after tanning before you exfoliate. This allows the tan to settle and even out before you remove any excess skin cells.

Best ELEMIS exfoliators

If you want to exfoliate the right way for a long-lasting and safe tan, then opt for one of our exfoliators below.

Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator – Best for uneven texture
Perfect for summer, our Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator is a physical exfoliator that removes impurities while evening skin texture. Spherical exfoliating cellulose beads (a natural plant alternative to microbeads) gently smoothes your complexion. Starflower, optima oil, elderberry and Padina Pavonica offer brilliant conditioning properties for sumptuous skin. 

Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads – Best if you’re on-the-go
Formulated with lactic acid and probiotic ferment complex, these Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads expose baby-soft skin after a simple swipe. Pop into your bag when travelling or for quick facial tanning prep.

Lime and Ginger Salt Glow or Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow – Best for the body
These mineral-rich salt scrubs sweep away dead skin and grime to make your body tan-ready. Immerse yourself in revitalising lemon and ginger or the sensuous scent of frangipani.

Pair these salt glow scrubs with our Body Detox Skin Brush to clear every impurity and reveal blissfully fresh skin. 

Once you’ve chosen the perfect exfoliator for your tan, learn how to exfoliate for maximum results. Here’s a brief run-through: 

Step 1. Double cleanse to remove all impurities
Double cleanse to lift impurities and melt makeup, oils and grime. Follow up using a luxurious body wash to cleanse your body and unveil a natural glow. 

Step 2. Gently exfoliate
Once your skin is clean, apply your chosen exfoliator to encourage skin cell rejuvenation. Choose the right exfoliator for your skin type and buff away dead skin cells using a body scrub.

Step 3. Apply serums and toners
Wash off your exfoliator and smooth on ELEMIS serums that brighten, plump and hydrate your skin for a lustrous glow. 

Step 4. Moisturise for a smooth complexion
Choose a hydrating moisturiser to seal in the goodness and protect your lipid barrier. Finish with a body moisturiser to condition your skin and get the ultimate summer glow. 

While diving straight into the summer sun is tempting, a great tan is about knowing how to tan safely. Here are some top tips for doing just that.

Apply SPF

Our tan accelerator is not sunscreen, so stop your skin from flaking and prevent fine lines and wrinkles using an SPF. Opt for SPF 30 and be liberal with your application. After all, you want a golden shimmer, not burnt and peeling skin. You can also double up your sunscreen with an SPF 30 moisturiser for our SPF 50 Fluid.

Stay hydrated

When you’re out in the sun, it’s easy to forget to drink water. Before you know it, you’re incredibly thirsty and could suffer dehydration or sunstroke. Headaches are a common sign of dehydration, along with feeling irritable and extremely tired.

Ensure you always keep a water bottle by your side when you’re tanning. You should aim for about 2.5 litres of water a day. If you’re drinking alcohol, alternate between an alcoholic drink and water. This will keep your body refreshed and minimise any hangover symptoms.

If you struggle to keep up with your water intake, then you can get a large water bottle with the daily amount on the side. However, no one enjoys warm water brewing in the sun all day. So use a special bottle designed to keep your water cool when sunbathing.

You can also eat foods high in water content and enrich your water with skincare benefits to boost your hydration levels. Here are some of our favourites:

Cucumber - This favourite summer ingredient features a high water content and antioxidants to plump up your skin for a dewy complexion. 

Lemon - Gives water a zingy taste and is an anti-inflammatory to soothe blemishes and irritated skin when consumed. Never place lemon directly onto your skin, as the natural, undiluted citric acid may aggravate your skin. 

Watermelon - Deeply hydrating, watermelon moisturises your lipid barrier and is a rich antioxidant. 

Strawberries - These summer berries give water a sweet taste and defend your skin against free radicals for a youthful appearance. 

Pineapple - Why not swap the pineapple in your Pina Colada for pineapple in a glass of water? It has a high water content to refresh your skin and is packed with anti-inflammatory properties. 

Oranges - Beautiful, bright slices of orange make an excellent addition to water. They’re rich in vitamin C to brighten and hydrate your skin. You can also switch orange out with grapefruit for a splash of pink. 

Choose the right time of day to tan

The sun is hottest between 12 and 3 pm, making it the ideal time to get a quick tan. However, the intensity of the heat also increases your risk of burning. Therefore, stay out in the sun for an hour max to get a rich, deep glow without the burn.

If you have fair skin and burn quickly, catch your rays earlier in the day when the heat isn’t as intense for a sun-kissed look.

Protect your lips

Have you ever gone for a sunny day out and come back with chapped and flaky lips? Lips can burn too, but it’s something people often forget. Ensure you use SPF to protect your lips from the rays and follow up with a moisturising lip balm.

Cover your hair and scalp

Just like the rest of your body, your hair and scalp can burn. This will lead to bleached, fried hair and a sore, itchy scalp. Use heat protection on your strands and cover with a hat to keep your scalp safe. Use a nourishing hair conditioner on your next wash day, and hydrate your scalp by drinking plenty of water. 

Seek shade when you’re not tanning

When you’re not getting that golden glow, cover up and lie in the shade to give your skin a rest. Wearing breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk will protect you whilst regulating your temperature. Taking a break in the shade also cools your body to reduce the risk of overheating.