I know that with fall just around the corner, many of you might be mourning the loss of summer, more accurately, the loss of your summer tan. Maybe you worked for months to perfect that beautiful bronze color your skin now possesses. Perhaps you laid by the pool for hours each day, just so that you could get that natural glow. And now fall and winter are just going to take that from you, and you are going to be left with the pale skin you had before. Now, wait a minute! Though it can be hard to keep up the tan you got this summer without a ton of sun, there are plenty of ways you can prolong the life of your summer tan.

1. Drink Plenty of Water

By staying hydrated, you will help to keep your skin healthier, longer. Plus, if you have been spending excessive amounts of time in the sun, you might need that extra bottle of water.

2. Moisturize Your Skin

After you tan, or now that you are finished tanning, make sure that you are moisturizing your skin regularly. At least once a day. This will help your skin to resist the urge to peel all the beautiful layers of tan that you so carefully cultivated

3. Eat Carrots

Studies have shown that beta-carotenes, an ingredient found in sweet potatoes, apricots, mangos, and of course, carrots, help create a sun-kissed glow on your skin. So make sure that you stock up on these food groups during the first couple of weeks in September.

4. Go Tanning

Are you serious about keeping your tan year-round? Then you are going to have to pay for it. That means that you might want to think about investing in a tanning salon, a spray tan, or using the tanning bed at your local gym. There can be serious risks to some of these tanning regiments, so make sure that you do your research before you commit.

5. Cold Showers

I know that you hate them, but cold water can help you to retain your tan longer. Hot water can dehydrate your skin, which can cause it to begin peeling. So suck it up, and try a cold shower after every time you soak in the sun. 

6.  Try Having A Gradual Tan 

You want to have a solid tan foundation as we start heading into those cooler months. So, though it might be a little late now for some of you, try to tan slowly over the summer months. Be consistent with the times you are tanning each week. Don’t just go on vacation to the beach, get a dark tan, and then never tan you skin again for the rest of the summer. 

7. Don’t Be Afraid To Invest In Some Extra Help

That means using bronzers, sun sprays, or any spray tan. Sometimes we can’t keep our tans as long as we would like, but luckily for us, there are plenty of products on the market that can help us appear as if we did. Don’t be afraid to buy facial tanner to make your face glow, or bronzer to even out those spots that are starting to fade.

In conclusion, we can’t always keep the summer tan that we worked so hard on. But, by following these steps, we can strive to avoid the inevitable. And, hey, once your tan fades you’ll be ready to enjoy sweater weather!

For tips on reducing stretch marks on your skin, check out our article here.