Growing up in South Florida there are a few things you learn how to do- get a proper tan and keep it.
So how can I keep my tan for as long as possible? Follow these simple steps and your tan will be glowing longer than everyone else!
Aloe is your best friend
Aloe Vera is extract from an Aloe plant, you might see it in different colors but it’s true form is a clear-like gel. Try and stay away from the green gels and especially the blue! The blue has lidocaine, which helps burns so your tan will peel right off. I recommend Fruit of the Earth Aloe in Crystal Clear– you can find this at any drug store. Put it on after your shower *Plus this is great for your skin and should be put on your face daily (tan or no tan)
Lotion
Especially now that the weather outside is miserably cold, your skin will start to crack. And when your skin cracks and dies out your body will want to replace those dry cracked skin cells, which sheds your tan. The lotion brand I recommend is St. Ives in Oatmeal & Shea Butter. Put this on after your aloe has dried into your skin.
Stay away from exfoliates
The job of exfoliates are to remove dead cells away from your skin so fresh cells are surfaced. While exfoliating is normally something a college-age girl should do, keeping a tan is not possible while constantly exfoliating your skin. If you’re like me, you use exfoliates on your face, so instead stick to using cleansers and face lotion instead. Try Neutrogena Liquid Facial Cleanser, which can also be found at any drug store.
Don’t burn on top of a tan
For those who wish to keep you tan up by hitting the tanning bed, you should not be using it more than 6 minutes per week. Your tan will maintain itself but anymore time than that and your will start to burn on top of your tan, which will cause your skin to peel and your natural tan to go away.
If you can go an extra day…
Let’s be honest, no one is wearing shorts in this 35-degree weather. If you can go an extra day without shaving don’t do it. Shaving takes away the top layer of your skin, which is where your tan lies. The more you shave, the more layers you wipe away- the faster your tan leaves.
Photo Credits:
http://www.drugstore.com/fruit-of-the-earth-aloe-vera-aloe-gel-crystal-clear/qxp213355