This article was co-authored by Diana Yerkes. Diana Yerkes is a Skincare Professional and the Lead Esthetician at Rescue Spa in New York City, New York. With over 15 years of experience, Diana helps others with their skin care needs by incorporating natural and high-performing products and treatments into their routines while providing nutrition insights and educating clients on better skin care habits. Diana is a member of the Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) and holds certifications from the Wellness for Cancer and Look Good Feel Better programs. She received her esthetics education from the Aveda Institute, the International Dermal Institute, and the Biologique Research Academy.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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A deep, bronze tan can make you look healthy and glowing, but what's the best way to get one? Don't worry—this article will walk you through the best (and safest) way to get a dark, dazzling tan this summer, no slathering aloe vera onto burned skin required.
Steps
Preparing Your Skin
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1Exfoliate your skin the night before. Gently scrub the skin with a loofa, bath sponge, or natural scrub product in order to remove dead skin and achieve an even and dark tan. Don’t rub so hard as to make your skin raw or irritated.
- For a natural exfoliating scrub, try coarse sea salt, granulated sugar mixed with honey, or coffee grounds mixed with olive oil.[1]
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2Moisturize with lotion. Choose a rich lotion and apply it all over your skin, focusing on spots that tend to get dry easier. Also drink plenty of water to keep your skin and entire body hydrated. This will allow your skin to get darker over time because each layer of darkened skin will not get dry and flake off as easily.[2]Advertisement
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3Wear sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is 15 SPF or higher, and rub it into your skin evenly and all over your body. Have a friend apply it to your back or other areas that you can’t reach easily yourself. You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside.[3]
- Water-resistant sunscreen is great for many outdoor activities for which you’ll be getting wet or sweaty. You still need to reapply it regularly.
- Don’t listen to the common myth that you will tan better or faster without wearing sunscreen! Getting a sunburn from lack of sunscreen actually kills the skin cells that you are trying to darken, prohibiting you from getting a dark tan and increasing your risk of skin cancer.[4]
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4Try a tanning accelerator. Buy a tanning accelerator lotion or pill to increase your tan. Use sparingly before going out in the sun, and test it for a small amount of time to make sure there are no adverse side effects.[5]
Spending Time in the Sun
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1
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2Read a book or play a sport. Pass the time in the sun by laying out with a good book or music, playing a sport, or simply getting outdoor chores like mowing the lawn done.
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3Reapply sunscreen and drink water while you’re out. Ideally you should be out in the sun for only an hour or two at a time, but if you are out longer, reapply sunscreen every two hours and after every time you get wet (from swimming, showering, or sweating a lot). Drink plenty of water to keep hydrating the skin so you don’t lose your tan.
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4Change positions to tan evenly. If you’re lying down or in a chair, change positions between your front, back, and sides every 15 to 30 minutes so you get darker all over.[8]
- When lying on your back, place your arms above your head and your head tilted slightly back to expose your inner arms and neck. When on your front, put your arms out so the top of your shoulders and forearms get sun.
- Remember that if you’re playing a sport or doing anything else standing up, your nose, shoulders, arms, and back of the neck will likely get more tan than anything else, as they are facing the sun more directly.
Maintaining Your Tan After Sun
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1Shower off. Hop in the shower after you spend time in the sun to remove excess sunscreen, sweat, or sand and dirt.
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2Hydrate the skin. Keep drinking plenty of water and apply lotion topically to fully hydrate your skin for the best tan. Use aloe vera gel for a good way to soothe the skin. Continue to apply lotion regularly, both right after sun exposure and before bed.[9]
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3Continue your sun exposure. Spend just an hour or two in the sun per day, but do this every day. Build up your tan more gradually for a safer, longer-lasting, and more consistent dark tan.[10]
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow many hours do I have to be outside in order to get a tan?
Lauren PhamCommunity AnswerIt varies from person to person. It can depend on ethnicity, skin sensitivity, what season it is, and genetics. Usually, it will take about an hour to and hour and a half to tan. Remember, even after you get out of the sun, your body continues to tan. Do not stay in the sun for too long! Although it is tempting, do not exceed 3 hours in the sun because your body stops producing melanin after 3 hours. -
QuestionCan I put lemon eucalyptus oil in my suntan lotion to prevent mosquito bites?
Community AnswerDo NOT put essential oils in suntan lotion. Most essential oils combined with ultraviolet light will give you severe burns. Find a bug spray instead. -
QuestionWhat is the best accelerator to use and what lotion to hydrate? What towel is reflective?Community AnswerBody oils are the best accelerator for tan, and they also hydrate and nourish your skin. You can purchase tanning oil with FPS sun protection, while still getting tanned. A white or bright towel is the most reflective.
Warnings
- If you have very pale skin and have a hard time tanning without burning, be safe and opt for a sunless tanning lotion instead.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Don’t stay in the sun too long or too often, especially without reapplying sunscreen. Sun exposure is associated with the development of skin cancer, as well as more minor but undesirable skin conditions such as wrinkles, skin discoloration, and blood vessel dilation.[11]⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Lotion and/or aloe vera gel
- Loofah, bath sponge, or natural exfoliant
- Tanning accelerator (optional)
References
- ↑ http://www.rivertea.com/blog/the-secret-of-the-perfect-tan-8-tips-to-getting-your-dream-bronze/
- ↑ Diana Yerkes. Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.
- ↑ http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/sunscreens-explained
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20140530/5-or-more-bad-sunburns-while-young-tied-to-higher-melanoma-risk
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25458018
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18348449
- ↑ http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/Shade
- ↑ http://www.rivertea.com/blog/the-secret-of-the-perfect-tan-8-tips-to-getting-your-dream-bronze/
- ↑ Diana Yerkes. Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.
- ↑ Diana Yerkes. Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/beauty/sun/sun-exposure-skin-cancer
About This Article
If you want to get a dark tan from the sun, prepare ahead of time by exfoliating your skin the night before with a loofah or bath sponge. Once your skin is scrubbed, moisturize with lotion and drink plenty of water so when you get a tan, it’ll take longer for the darkened skin to flake off. While plenty of people might tell you not to wear sunscreen when tanning, you should apply a sunscreen of 15 SPF or higher 30 minutes before going outside. Otherwise, you could get a sunburn, which will keep your skin from tanning. To get the most out of your time outside, go out around noon when the sun is at its strongest. If you’re lying down, change positions every 15 to 30 minutes so you tan evenly. For more tips, like how to maintain your tan, read on!
