For those who have pale skin color, it’s normal to have those days when you just want to look a little bit tan and sun-kissed. Naturally, the first option would be to get drawn to the sun. Prolonged sun exposure, however, isn’t worth doing in the name of beauty. The risk of getting cancer is high. And if you overdo it, you’ll be all red and painful, not tan due to intense sunburn.
Or perhaps you’re reading this post from a part of the world where the amount of sunlight is sparse? Either way, don’t feel hopeless about that desire to have a tan. Modern beauty has made it possible to get that golden glow sans over-exposure to the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Learn more about a few of those different ways by reading below.
- Learn How To Stay Safe Under The Sun
It’s best to first go back to basics. By ‘without the sun,’ this doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding sunlight completely. Say, you have a beach trip scheduled this month. You don’t have to spoil the fun by staying in the shade and being so conscious to stay away from the sun. After all, the best glow is still that sun-kissed effect.
You can stay under the sun for as long as you know how to practice safe sun exposure. This draws the line between what’s acceptable and what’s too much: being under the sun the whole day without any means of protection.
With that, don’t forget these practices:
- Always use sunscreen before sunbathing, ideally one with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 50 and above. Whatever sunscreen brand you apply, go a step further by choosing a water-resistant one so it stays on your skin when you sweat and especially when you bathe in the sea.
- Eat lycopene-rich food during your beach trip as that gives your body added protection against harmful UV rays.
- When sunbathing, change positions regularly so you can avoid imbalanced skin exposure.
- Don’t forget your sunglasses and hat when it gets too hot.
- Know your tanning time so you don’t overdo it. This cut-off point refers to that timeframe when the body can no longer produce melanin or the tanning pigment. A dermatologist can help you get the right number. For instance, those with pale and white skin typically have a maximum threshold of three hours or less. Anything beyond that means your skin is already taking in harmful UV.
- Avoid the peak heat which are those hours between 9 in the morning to 4 o’clock in the afternoon.
- Hydrate your skin after sun exposure, as proper hydration can also give your new tan a chance to stick and last longer on your skin. Moreover, after-sun hydration products can soothe it to prevent peeling and blisters. Your tan won’t just last longer, but it’ll look better sans the ugly peeling.
- Rub On Self-Tanning Products
All it takes is a quick visit to a beauty store and you’re sure to come across hundreds of self-tanning products you can choose from. They’re popular because they’re effective, albeit temporary. Grab one from the store and then prep your skin for it.
Here’s how:
- Exfoliate your skin with an exfoliating product that doesn’t have any microbeads in it. You can even make your own concoction with recipes online like this one: mix one part fine sugar with one part almond oil, then rub it on your skin.
- Dry your skin well after exfoliating, then apply the self-tanner.
As much as possible, you’ll want to give yourself that extra precaution of using only an organic self-tanner. Otherwise, you’re still exposing your skin to a lot of harmful chemicals that may just be as dangerous as direct sun exposure. In that case, you’re defeating the purpose of skipping the sun.
- Use A Non-Streak Bronzer
Apart from self-tanning creams and lotions, you can also opt for a more solid formulation through bronzers. Usually, these types of tanning products are applied on the face and other smaller areas of the body. Some beauty gurus may also use it for additional contour to sculpt the face and body even more.
When you know how to apply bronzers the right way, you can make your body and face look more defined. That’s the secret to achieving those perfect sun-kissed beach photos. If you don’t fancy using bronzer sticks, you can choose the mousse and foam variations which are also just as effective as the bronzers are.
- Slather Your Skin With A Tinted Dry Oil
Compared to self-tanning lotions and bronzers, tinted dry oil may not be a long-term solution for your tanning woes. But, it’s that perfect add-on to your skin if you already have that sun glow or a faux tan. Your fake tan will look more realistic when it has a hint of oiliness in it, as healthy skin would usually have.
A good tinted dry oil will be made of a formula that dries quickly for that non-greasy and shiny skin. The bonus is it can serve a dual purpose as you can apply it to your hair as well.
- Spray Airbrush Makeup On Your Skin
Makeup brands have taken it up a notch higher by now having airbrush makeup options that you can spray on your skin. This is perfect to cover bigger parts of your body like your legs and arms, for instance.
To make it more realistic, choose a skin color that’s a maximum of two shades darker than your current skin color. Moreover, learn how to position the nozzle the right way so it can reach even the difficult spots. This prevents you from having awkward areas where some parts of your body are obviously darker than others.
As a reminder, be quick with spreading as this type of airbrush makeup also usually dries up in around five minutes.
Now That Perfect Tan Is Within Reach
Whether you’re after over-the-counter products to help you achieve that tan or you’re willing to spend more on dermatological procedures, the most important thing to remember is to ensure you’re not sacrificing your health and safety. Whenever you’re unsure, check with your trusted dermatologist first. This enables you to have that perfect balance of a gorgeous tan while not putting your health at risk.
