How to Tan Safely?

Summer is in full swing, and sun-soaked days are calling for a tan. It can be beneficial, healthy, and besides vitamins it can boost your mood—but nothing should be overdone. So how can you tan safely and enjoy a golden-brown color without consequences and without damaging your skin? Your skin will reward you for proper care!

The Downside of Sun Rays

In the past, pale skin was popular and desirable; the popularity of tanned skin didn’t begin until the 20th century. Back then, it was discovered that sunlight is a great source of vitamin D—this helps with healing wounds and eczema and provides overall support for immunity and mental well-being. 

Today, however, we also know that sunlight has its “shady” side—some types of UV radiation, such as UVA and UVB, can irreversibly damage the skin. They can cause sun allergies, dryness, or premature skin aging, and in the worst cases even skin cancer. What’s more, the skin remembers all our sun mishaps well, so the likelihood of melanoma increases with every sunburn. 

That’s why it’s important to strictly follow safe tanning rules to minimize risks. The basics are, of course, regular hydration and protecting your eyes with sunglasses and your head with a hat.
But how can you tan responsibly, healthily, and quickly—while still protecting your skin? 

Preparation Matters

The path to a beautiful tan doesn’t start with time in the sun. Preparation before you step into the sun is important, too. First, remove all dead skin cells with a scrub—try, for example, a natural body scrub with premium ingredients and the scent of cherry blossom or pink grapefruit Kundal Macadamia & Sugar Body Scrub or a fresh body scrub with sea salt that nourishes the skin and leaves it soft and supple LADOR La Pause Deep Sea Body Scrub.

Your face will also benefit from a good exfoliation—try letting a gentle peeling gel work, such as Skin79 Jeju Aloe Aqua with aloe vera from Jeju Island, ground apricot kernels, and a range of plant extracts that softens and soothes the skin or a gentle lemon peeling gel for radiant, healthy-looking skin Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel.

Thanks to exfoliation, your tan will last longer and won’t start peeling.

Beta-carotene with vitamin A, which you can buy at a pharmacy, can also help you achieve a beautiful brown tan. 

Everyone Is Different

It’s important to tailor tanning and care to your skin phototype. Phototype is determined by the intensity of pigmentation—your natural skin color and the amount of melanin. It’s determined by your reaction to midday sun exposure. This is related to skin pigmentation and eye and hair color. 

We recognize four phototypes—phototype 1 is characterized by fair skin, freckles, blue eyes, and red hair. The skin is sensitive and reddens easily. Phototype 2 has fair skin, blue-green eyes, and blond to brown hair. These people often get sunburned. Phototype 3 is the most common; it’s characterized by light brown skin, brown eyes, and brown to dark hair. It tans easily but only rarely burns. Phototype 4 has dark skin and very dark hair, as well as eyes. It practically never burns. 

Keep your phototype in mind when choosing products and when deciding how long you’ll expose yourself to the sun’s rays. There’s no need to lie in the sun all day—after a certain time, the skin reaches its maximum melanin production. The maximum length should not exceed 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on your skin type. Also avoid being in the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. 

Apply Sunscreen Products

We already know that sunlight can be dangerous and tricky, so we should always have a suitable tanning product applied. 

Choose based on your phototype and preferences. 

Phototype 1 should protect their skin the most, with products with SPF 50+. Try, for example, the tinted sunscreen Holika Holika Make Up Sun Cream SPF50+, whose fruit blend soothes and hydrates the skin and nourishes it.

Phototype 2 should reach for SPF 30–50. For everyday protection against UV radiation, try the moisturizing sunscreen Skin79 Waterproof Sun Gel. For effective protection and deep hydration, try TonyMoly UV Master Kids & Mum Sun Cream, which can also be used for babies.

For everyone else, products with SPF 30 should be enough, such as a lightweight sunscreen base under makeup Yadah Oh My Sun Protection Tone Up Base, which brightens the skin and evens out its tone.

Also don’t forget that the sun tans you even in the shade! UVA radiation penetrates glass and even clouds. So protect yourself every time, not only when you’re in direct sunlight.

After-Sun Care

You need to care for your skin even after you finish your time in the sun. Always use an after-sun product that soothes, regenerates, nourishes, and helps your tan last. Try, for example, a cooling and hydrating gel with a fresh watermelon scent Holika Holika Watermelon 96% Soothing Gel, a light and soothing gel with aloe vera Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel, a soothing gel with a high content of coconut pulp suitable for face and body Skin79 Real Coconut Soothing Gel or a multifunctional hydrating gel with cactus extracts suitable for all skin types Yadah Cactus Soothing Gel. 

You can find more Korean cosmetics in the Sun ☀ category HERE