How to Get a Natural Tan Without Damaging Your Skin

When we are tanned, many people will compliment you on how great your glowing skin looks. Unfortunately, there are many negative side effects of getting a natural tan, which leads to people focusing on building a fake tan.

Using fake tanning products does come with its rewards, but some people just don’t have the time, money, or patience required to maintain a good fake tan. Fortunately, with the right care and research, there are ways to get a natural tan without damaging your skin, and here are some of them.

Use Food

Using food to your advantage can support naturally tanned skin without damaging it. Consuming food that is rich in carotene, which is an antioxidant that can boost the pigmentation in your skin, can help you to have naturally glowing skin without having to sit out in the sun.

Kale, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, and tomatoes are all examples of foods that contain high levels of carotene and offer other positive health benefits, too.

Wear Sunscreen

Wearing sun protection in the form of hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen is essential when it comes to tanning safely. Sunscreen doesn’t stop you from tanning naturally; it just slows down the process and protects your skin from burning due to overexposure to harmful UV rays.

According to dermatologists, there are ingredients in sunscreen that are good for your skin, and to prevent aging and maintain healthy skin, you should wear SPF on your face all year round.

Take Breaks

Spending long periods of time in the sun can lead to dehydration, heatstroke, and skin damage. After you are exposed to the sun for a long period of time, you should take a break and cool down before you go out in it again.

Just like you need breaks from exercise or work, your skin needs a break from the UV rays emitted from the sun. Even if you don’t feel too hot, dehydrated, or sunburnt, taking breaks is essential when building a natural but healthy tan.

Don’t Overexpose

As well as taking breaks, you should avoid sitting out in the sun during peak periods of UV exposure. If you choose to lie in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, then you should only sit out for 30-60 minutes. This will give your skin enough melatonin to boost your tan without causing an extensive amount of damage. Your skin type will also play a huge part in how much time you spend in the sun, so using a sunbathing calculator is recommended.

Avoid Oil

Many people use tanning oils when they sit out in the sun; however, these often contain a high amount of irritating preservatives, artificial dyes, and chemicals, which are not good for your skin. Tanning oils tend to be better at drying out your skin than making it tan, so they should be avoided. If you want to oil up, then a layer of coconut oil, aloe vera, olive oil, or homemade remedies can be applied under your layer of sunscreen.

Getting a natural tan without damaging your skin does require some effort. Still, you can always prevent that damage; wear sunscreen, and avoid setting in the sun for long periods of time. This will protect your skin from sunburn, heat rash, premature aging, and skin cancer.