The Importance of Hydrating the Skin Before, During, and After Tanning

Hydrating your skin, in general, is super important to ensure you have long-lasting, crack-free and soft skin for years to come. Due to recent studies, many people are now hydrating their skin more than ever, specifically before, during, and after tanning. So why is hydrating your skin important when tanning? In today’s article, we take a look at why you should care about moisturizing when tanning.   

Why moisturizing your skin is important?   

Even though it might not seem like it, our skin is one of the most vulnerable parts of our bodies and can have the most problems in people’s lifetimes with rashes, dryness, spots and ingrown hairs. Our skin is super sensitive, and keeping it hydrated with creams can help prevent common skin conditions, such as acne.   

Why Hydrate your Skin Before, During, and After Tanning?  

Tanning can be quite harsh on your skin, regardless of if you tan with sun beds, the natural sun or using lab-created hormones such as Melanotan. Tanning (naturally or through sunbeds – I.e UV) can be dangerous when done for a long period. Keeping your skin hydrated throughout the whole process can not only prevent skin conditions but can also keep you looking amazing.   

Before tanning, you should use an oil-free moisturizer, which can create a small but limiting barrier from the tan source. This wouldn’t only help keep your skin hydrated, but will help with absorbing the tan, as having hydrated skin can tan much better than dry skin – and can even lead to dryer skin/skin cracking.   

During tanning, using something like sun cream will limit your tan but will keep your skin tight and hydrated to ensure that your tan is even and safe without the worry of any skin effects, other than darkening. You could also use an accelerator at this stage if you want to bronze up.   

After tanning is one of the most crucial times to hydrate your skin. Have you ever been on holiday to a hot country and come back with sunburn and skin peeling? This can all be prevented with a good quality skin moisturizer that can keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness and peeling. It’s also been shown to keep a tan looking better for longer, so it’s well worth the investment!   

Best ways to Hydrate your Skin when Tanning  

There are a few ways you can keep your skin hydrated both naturally and with products, but the best ways to keep your skin hydrated are these.  

• Take Luke-warm showers for 5-10 Minutes every day.  

• Use gentle cosmetic products, shampoos and shower gels, and even laundry detergents.   
• Get a humidifier for the Winter months.  
• Drink more water than you normally do.  
• Use products that contain Emollients, Occlusives, and Humectants (skin hydration, and moisturizers).   

If you go down to a pharmacy or cosmetics store – you will more than likely find plenty of different products that claim to moisturize and hydrate your skin, but you could always ask an employee to see what they would recommend for you and your skin type.   

Conclusion  

Overall, hydrating your skin, in general, is beneficial, but is crucial when tanning. Ensuring that you have the perfect tan with hydrated skin can make all the difference to your tan, and skin health.