Even though UV rays can still penetrate through clouds, some people find it impossible to get a tan in the winter, let alone a decent one.
Nothing should stop you from maintaining glowing, bronzed, and makeup-free skin, no matter the season. Plus, tanning through alternative methods, other than the sun, is better and safer for your skin because of harmful UV rays.
That’s why it’s handy to know some tips and tricks that’ll have everyone questioning whether you just got back from some sort of sunny vacation.
#1 Spray Tan
Spray tans are actually one of the safest ways to get a tan in general because it only affects the top layer of your skin and does not expose it to any harmful UV rays.
There’s a common misconception that self tanners can only last about a week, but the truth is that it depends on a number of different factors. There are plenty of things that can be done to increase this duration, such as waxing or shaving 24 hours beforehand, showering 8 hours earlier than your appointment, staying dry, and lots of other tips and tricks.
Spray tan is a great way to get a tan during the winter months without having to spend time in the sun. With a face tanning spray, you can easily get a natural-looking tan without the damaging effects of the sun. This product is designed to give you a subtle, healthy glow and can be used on all areas of your face. Once applied, it will dry quickly and last up to a week. For best results, follow the instructions on the product packaging and make sure to apply an even layer of the face tanning spray.
There are various different types of spray tanning and to find out how much some of the most common types would cost, as well as other factors to consider that could also have an influence on price, you can read more here – how much does a spray tan cost. There are also all sorts of related questions included in that article, making it a very interesting read for any tan enthusiast.
#2 Tanning Beds
If spray tan isn’t your thing for whatever reason, then tannings beds are your way to go. What’s great about them is how little time you need to spend to get tanned. In fact, you should never spend more than 10 minutes to avoid overexposure, which leads to sunburn and damage. You should start out by tanning just for 5-10 minutes to start on each side, up to three times a week at most for the best results.
Remember that less is more, especially in winter. Your tan shouldn’t be as dark as you would usually have it in summer, this simply isn’t realistic and can cause your tan to stand out, but not in a good way. So, dialing it down a bit is a good thing to keep in mind.
#3 Exfoliate
Gently exfoliate your skin about 24 hours before you plan on applying any tanner. This ensures that your skin is smooth and clean so that it’s even in tone. Doing this helps achieve a flawless finish and prevents patches, which is even more important to do in winter since skin is drier at that time.
Use circular motions to gently massage with a body exfoliator of your choice, working your way up from your legs, paying special attention to your dry areas, giving them extra care just like you would with moisturizer.
Your face should always be approached with more caution than the rest of your body but tanning that area comes with a lot of benefits, such as making your eyes appear brighter and your teeth whiter while masking any redness or puffiness in the skin.
#4 Avoid Products with Alcohol
Some tanners contain alcohol, and this can dry up your skin even more than it already is due to the cold weather. This is because alcohol makes skin cells break down faster, resulting in a scaly tan that does not look good or natural.
Thankfully, there are plenty of options out there that don’t contain alcohol, so they are not difficult to find.
#5 Moisturize
Keeping your skin hydrated is more important during the winter but this also ensures for an even tan as well since with dry skin comes cracking – a tanner’s nightmare.
The hands, elbows, knees, and feet are the most susceptible to this so paying careful attention to these areas with some moisturizer goes a long way.
It’s also beneficial to apply some moisture to your lips, nails, and cuticles so that it can absorb any tanner if left to dry in these areas.
