Contents:
UVA rays penetrate the deep layers of the dermis, causing photoaging, and UVB rays affect the surface layers, causing burns. After sunbathing, the skin needs special care to minimize damage, restore the hydrolipid balance and maintain a bronze tint. In this article, we'll cover in detail how to properly care for your skin after tanning (step-by-step recovery), how to choose effective products, and how to prolong your tan.
How to Care for Your Skin After Tanning
The First Hours After Sun Exposure: Cooling and Relieving Inflammation.
Immediately after sun exposure, your skin may feel hot, flushed, and dehydrated. Overheating increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and inflammation accelerates collagen breakdown.
A cool shower can help your skin recover quickly, but avoid an ice-cold one, as a sudden change in temperature will only increase stress on the body. Use thermal water, which soothes and restores pH, and aloe vera gel, which relieves heat and moisturizes. Also avoid scrubs and washcloths, because the skin is extremely vulnerable after exposure to UV radiation.
First day: intensive hydration and healing.
3-6 hours after sunbathing, the skin begins to actively lose moisture, so you should avoid alcohol-containing tonics and thick, greasy creams to avoid overdrying the epidermis and creating a greenhouse effect.
What should you use:
Panthenol (5% and above) - stimulates regeneration, relieves redness (for example, Librederm Panthenol spray-foam 5%);
Hyaluronic acid - attracts and retains water in the skin (for example, Librederm Panthenol spray-foam 5% + hyaluronic acid);
Ceramides and oils (shea, jojoba) – restore the lipid barrier.
Second-third day: restoration and antioxidant protection.
By this time, the effects of UV stress appear: dryness, peeling, and possible hyperpigmentation. During this period, it is important to help your skin fully recover.
What should you use:
Serums with vitamin C (10-20%) - neutralize free radicals, lighten spots;
Serums with vitamin E - soften and protect against photoaging;
Niacinamide (B3, 4-5%) - reduces redness, strengthens the protective barrier;
Light acids (lactic, mandelic 5%) - gently exfoliate, but do not damage the tan.
How to choose an after-sun product
When choosing an after-sun product, you need to be guided by your skin type so that its textures and key components not only have the desired effect on it, but also suit it as much as possible.
Criteria Skin Type Selection
| Skin Type | Recommended Texture | Key Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Dry | Balms, Butter Creams | Panthenol, Shea Butter, Squalane |
| Oily | Gels, fluids | Aloe vera, hyaluronic acid |
| Sensitive | Fragrance-free emulsions | Ceramides, thermal water |
| Traumatized | Foaming/Cooling Products | Allantoin, Centella extract |
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What should be in an after-sun product:
Hyaluronic acid, urea, glycerin – moisturizing ingredients;
Panthenol, bisabolol, ceramides – restorative ingredients;
Vitamins C, E, green tea extract – antioxidants.
Avoid products containing alcohol and perfumed fragrances (limonene, linalool – can cause irritation). and mineral oils, as they clog pores and prevent the skin from "breathing."
How to prolong your tan
To make your golden hue last longer, it's important not only to tan properly, but also to care for your skin afterward.
Moisturize and gently exfoliate.
Dry skin peels faster, and your tan fades along with it. To prevent this process, use an enzyme peel 2-3 times a week, lactic acid (5%) for non-aggressive epidermal renewal once every 10 days, and creams with urea (5%) daily.
Self-tanning and toning agents.
There are natural ingredients that create a "self-tanning" effect on the skin:
Creams with erythrilose (a natural bronzer, gives an effect for 2-3 days);
Light oils with shine (coconut, macadamia) - emphasize the tan.
Diet to maintain melanin.
Melanin is a natural pigment responsible for the color of the skin, hair and eyes. Its production depends not only on UV radiation, but also on nutrition. Some foods increase melanin synthesis, helping to keep your tan longer and protecting your skin from photoaging.
Substances that stimulate melanin production:
Beta-carotene (provitamin A). Converts to retinol, which accelerates the formation of melanocytes. Found in carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, spinach, and mango. For better absorption, it is better to combine with fats - olive oil and avocado.
Lycopene. Works as a powerful antioxidant, protects the skin from UV damage and enhances the golden hue. Found in tomatoes, watermelon, goujon, and pink grapefruit.
Tyrosine (amino acid). Participates in the synthesis of melanin. Found in cheese, cottage cheese, salmon, tuna, almonds, bananas, and avocado.
Omega-3 fatty acids. Maintain skin elasticity and reduce inflammation after sun exposure. Found in fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), flax seeds, and walnuts.
Vitamin E. Protects cells from oxidative stress, prolongs tanning. Found in nuts, sunflower seeds, and spinach.
Vitamin C. Enhances the effects of vitamin E, lightens age spots, but does not reduce tanning. Found in citrus fruits, kiwi, bell peppers, and rose hips.
Proper post-tanning care is not just a cosmetic procedure, but a real necessity for healthy skin. Restoring the hydrolipidic barrier, protecting against free radicals, and choosing the right products will help maintain a beautiful shade and prevent peeling.