Applying moisturiser is the best tip for prolonging the holiday tan
Prepping our skin before our holiday has become a ritual, soft, smooth skin that will tan easily and is protected from ageing and sun damage.
But what about when we land back on UK soil. We crave to keep hold of the tan for as long as possible and make sure that the post-holiday glow sticks around for more than a couple of weeks.
But just what can you do to help pro-long this? And what about if you've burned, how can you play down the redness?
Simple have an aftersun balm which is the perfect base for make-up. The creamy formula is crammed full of canola oil which is great for locking in moisture so can help revent peeling and that tight dry feeling, as well as protecting and soothing the skin.
Antonia Mariconda, the cosmedic coach, health and beauty expert advisor and author, says: "Treating skin when you're back from holiday requires as much tender loving care as when you're on holiday, protecting the skin itself."
She advises for treating flakiness and peeling skin, to use nourishing items like oils that are rich in natural nutrients, such as Almond oil, Vitamin E oil and Rosehip oil.
Remember not to use too much though, as it'll leave the skin looking shiny and feeling greasy. A couple of drops will suffice and leave your skin looking radiant.
Antonia suggests that serums can also be useful in reducing the appearance of flaky skin. She says that Obagi Professional Vitamin C serum use stabilised L-ascorbic acid - which is the only form of Vitamin C that can be effectively absorbed by the skin. This reduces the appearance of flaky, peeling skin as well as nouishing with anti-ageing properties and antioxidants.
She says: "Oils and serums are best applied after exfoliating, because peeling skin is dead skin that needs to be banished. You can make you own with some sugar and honey mixed together, do it once a week, and if it's still present increase this to two or three times a week."
To cover up redness the best product out there has to be the M.A.C cosmetics Prep and Prime Skin Base Visage. The ultra-fluid lotion is formulated with special-effects silicones which calm and soothe the skin. Application after moisturiser blots away any excess oil and evens out skin redness. This wonder-product makes it the perfect base and improves the laydown and application of foundation or powder.
It also comes with SPF 50 protection to make sure that your skin is well protected all-year round.
Prolonging the tan is something that we certainly strive for after our couple of weeks in the sun. But even if you've only managed to catch a few rays in the back garden these tips from Antonia can help you keep that healthy look a little while longer.
She says: "A tan is the result of the increase in the dark cells or the brown cells on the surface of your skin, but everyday through natural exfoliation those cells shed naturally, thus our tans can diminsh pretty fast after you've spent such effort in building up your bronzed goddess glow.
"If you want to prolong your tan the smartest way is to slow down those dark/brown cells shedding."
The easiest way this is done is by reducing the amount you exfoliate the skin - bad luck if it's already starting peeling. Whilst having your tan Antonia advises easing off the chemical exfoliators, microdermabrasions or shaving aggressively with a razor - she hints that you should try using an electric one instead as this removes fewer dark cells.
She also suggests avoiding abrasive materials like loofahs and exfoliating gloves. Plus, the best thing you can do is moisturise.
"Moisturise everyday as much as you can, hydrated dark cells shed a lot slower than dehyrated skin, so the trick is to put as much moisture into you skin possible whilst you have that lovely golden glow that you want to keep."
The final tip that we can offer - self tan at home. As the holiday tan starts to fade start using your favourite gradual tan. No one will ever know the difference.
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
Tagged in The Holiday