Make summer last longer on your skin 

1. KEEP HYDRATED

Keeping your skin hydrated, from the inside and outside, is essential to make your tan last longer and to keep a healthy, beautiful glow.  You must use moisturising cream daily to avoid peeling and flaking. It is also important to drink a lot of water, to keep hydrated from the inside, as this directly influences the skin’s appearance and improves its elasticity.

2. EXFOLIATE

After the summer, it is recommended to use soft body exfoliators to eliminate dead skin, according to the Spanish Academy of Dermatology. These products also help moisturising creams to absorb better. They must be used at least every 10 to 12 days.

3. CONTINUE USING AFTER-SUN

PTo delay the ‘office white’ colour returning to your skin as much as possible, continue using after-sun. These lotions, as well as soothing the skin, contain active ingredients which extend tans, such as peptides and antioxidants. They can be used daily, combining them with your usual moisturiser.

4. SELF-TAN

Self-tanning products boost skin tone, thanks to a molecule, DHA, which uses the chemical reaction of oxidation when it comes into contact with the skin. You can find it both as wipes and body milk.

5. ALLY FOODS

Did you know some foods can boost your tan? Tomato, watermelon, carrot, spinach… all help to make your tan last longer:

• Carrot: this is good for tanning, but also to maintain a tan. You can take it juiced, with water. The reason is because of its high content of pro-vitamin A or beta-carotene, which makes you produce retinol, which influences skin pigmentation because it activates melanin.

• Red fruits: these contain anthocyanin, which is an antioxidant. It also helps to strengthen and preserve collagen in the body, which improves skin elasticity.

• Olive oil: for its natural fatty acids and vitamin E and K content, which enable to maintain skin elasticity and give it a healthy appearance.

• Tomatoes: these are also rich in beta-carotenes, such as lycopene, which is what gives it the characteristic red colour, as for watermelon, cherries and strawberries. Tomatoes give a healthier, softer appearance to skin.

• A lot of vitamin C, via citrus fruits and kiwis: vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which stimulates collagen formation in the skin.

• Unsaturated fats: these are ‘good’ fats, such as polyunsaturated fat, present in blue fish, nuts, salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines or soya. They aid skin elasticity.

• Cereals and pulses: because they contain manganese, a mineral which absorbs UVA rays and acts as a filter, blocking free radicals and aiding skin pigmentation. This is also found in walnuts.

6. COLD SHOWERS

Cold showers are beneficial all year round because they boost the circulation. You must keep in mind that water which is too hot may cause the skin to dry out, making it flake and peel.

5. NUTRICOSMETICS

As for skin hydration, you can also extend your tan with tanning tablets. They work by stimulating melanin and skin pigmentation without you having to sunbathe. Consult your pharmacist or beauty specialist, as they are not suitable for people with melasma (dark brown spots usually found on the face).