Ok so you’ve probably been wondering why yours truly has been M.I.A for the last 3 weeks….well I’ve been having some well deserved fun in the sun.
While everyone else had to endure nightmare storms and floods, I was enduring scorching 40 degree heat and mini earthquakes in sunny Cyprus!
Normally I don’t do tanning (for fear of the sun’s skin damaging and aging qualities) but somehow this year I gave in to peer pressure and decided that I had to come back a brownie as was expected. While I wanted a lovely golden brown tan I realised that it didn’t have to mean frying myself and risk skin damage or worse……wrinkles! Yikes!
If you’re gonna do it you might aswell do it sensibly, boring as it may sound I know I’ll thank myself one day!
So here are my tips for tanning naturally and safely.
1. Start off by staying in the shade using nothing less than factor 30 - under a tree or umbrella. You can still get a great tan even if you’re not in direct sunlight as the sun’s rays can still catch you (and yes you can still develop a gorgeous colour with factor 30). Never think you are safe in the shade - afew years ago I didn’t use any sun protection and got badly burnt even after sitting under a brolly!!!
2. After a couple of days your skin should be a little more used to the sun. You can reduce your SPF to 25 or 20 depending on how dark your skin is.
3. If you have to expose your skin to the sun do it after 3pm when the rays aren’t so harsh. Remember if your shadow is smaller than you the sun is at it’s most dangerous.
4. Reapply Sunscreens every 3 hours and especially after swimming even if it claims to be waterproof.
5. Use After Sun on your body religiously! Apply at the end of the day especially after showering. This will prolong your tan and replace lost moisture. Use it even when you are back home.
6. For the face only use products specific to the area to avoid too much grease which is more than likely to cause break outs.
Recommended products are Murad’s Age Proof Suncare range, they are oil free but intensely moisturising. Also in this range is the amazing Pomphenol Sunguard Dietary Supplement using the powerful qualities of pomegranates will boost your skin’s natural defenses and help prevent free radical damage.
For the face I’ve been using Murad’s Essential-C range formulated to diminish the signs of extrinsic aging ie. damage to your skin from sunlight exposure, smog, pollution and everyday living. Luckily I purchased the entire range - which includes a cleanser, a toner, 2 treatments, day moisturiser, night moisturiser and an eye cream with SPF 15 - just before I went away. It helps prevent pigmentation and uneven skin tone aswell as keeping wrinkles at bay.
Without these tips and products I’m sure my tan would have faded away by now!
