Everything to know about tanning

Why Do We Tan?

The skin knows how to defend itself, naturally, against UV rays. Though be careful, as its defensive mechanisms are helpful but insufficient. Sunscreen is essential to help it perfectly protect itself. But what is the natural protection we were talking about? Firstly, under UV radiation, cells called keratinocytes in the outermost layers of the skin multiply, making the epidermis thicker and, therefore, less penetrable by solar radiation. Secondly, human skin of every complexion tans to protect itself from the sun’s rays. Tanning is the result of increased stimulation of melanocytes (epidermal cells that produce melanin) which activates higher melanin production. Melanin absorbs UV radiation, particularly UVB, protecting the skin. This process gives your skin that much-desired bronze tone.

But melanin is also the reason not everyone is equal under the sun. Indeed, the less melanin you produce, the lighter your skin will be and, inversely, the more, the darker. That is why you must adjust your sunscreen product usage to your skin color – and age. You read that right, unfortunately, after age 30, the number of melanocytes decreases 10 to 20% every decade, making it harder to tan.

How Do You Get a Good Tan ?

By now, you will have understood that tanning has both beneficial and adverse effects that you need to be aware of to get the most out of the sun without damaging your skin.

The fundamental basis of tanning is keeping your body and skin well-hydrated. To do so, make sure to drink regularly and apply moisturizing products on your face (and body if it will also be exposed). Ideally, use moisturizing products with antioxidants that counter free radicals, like our HYDRA-PROTECT + skincare range with Alga-Gorria®.

Depending on your skin type and the extent of exposure (moderate, high, or extreme), help your skin protect itself by using an appropriate sunscreen product. For a day out in the city, a Tinted Face Sun Cream and another type of suncare on your body are perfect. A day of surfing, skiing, or lounging about in the tropics requires applying an SPF30 or SPF50/50+ cream or even wearing protective clothing if necessary. In any case, we recommend avoiding overexposure between 12 and 4 pm.

To get a beautiful, long-lasting tan, you need to avoid sunburn – which requires adequately protecting yourself . Don’t forget sunscreen because even with SPF50+, the skin can tan.

How Do You Get Tan Without Going Out in the Sun ?

Of course, at the end of a sunshine-poor winter, your skin will have lost its tan entirely. To get a healthy complexion and bronze tone quickly, Laboratoires de Biarritz envisioned a product that gives the skin a golden, natural-looking, luminous tan: the certified Organic Face & Body Self-Tanning Drops.

Containing our patented Alga-Gorria® antioxidant, the Self-Tanning Drops easily melt into your habitual routine for a made-to-measure, uniform result while preventing premature skin aging. A few drops combined with your Face or Body* skincare provide a customizable color effect at will: 1 to 3 drops for a light to medium effect, 4 to 7 for more intensity. In this way, you get all the benefits of your usual skincare with an added subtle tanning effect.

A little secret ? Thanks to this product, even people with sun-sensitive skin who generally cannot stand sun exposure can get a sublime-looking tan !
Don’t forget to use a suncare product suited to your complexion for beautiful and healthy skin all year !

*Laboratoires de Biarritz skincare