Some tips for a lovely, even tan that respects your skin

When summer is here, we are all after one thing - sun! As soon as it pokes its nose out, we charge outside to the terraces, parks and (for the luckiest of us) beaches, our goal being to top up on vitamin D and colour while taking care of our skin.

But how do you take care of your skin in the sun?

Prepare your skin for a tan through a healthy diet

Prioritising certain foods will help give you a radiant complexion. So what are these famous foods?

• Citrus fruits: rich in vitamin C, also natural allies for combatting ageing of the skin.
• Tomatoes contain an enormous amount of antioxidants - ideal for skin glowing with freshness!
• Apricots: help with the production of vitamin A, thanks to which our skin can fight external harmful effects such as pollution and UV radiation.
• Oil seeds: a source of fatty acids and antioxidants, they restore our skin's vitality and stop us from looking tired!

There are many other foods that help our skin catch the sun in a harmless way.

Today we are suggesting ideas for breakfast!

Do you have a sweet tooth in the morning?

• Take a low-fat yoghurt or some cottage cheese.
• Add around 100g of fruit (kiwi, strawberries, mango, blueberries, whatever you like!).
• Add around 50g of oat flakes for consistency.
• Add 1 dessert spoon of grated coconut and 1 dessert spoon of flaked almonds for flavour.
• Finally, add a few nuts for crunchiness!

No time in the morning? Cut up the fruit the previous evening and store it in the fridge. Prepare the yoghurt-based mixture and store this as well. Mix the fruit and the yoghurt just before you head out!

Do you prefer savoury food in the morning?

What would you say to a croissant cut lengthways and filled with fromage frais, chives and a good slice of salmon? Fantastic! And if you need a bit more, you can always add a boiled or fried egg!

A faster tan thanks to a healthy diet

Now that you know what to eat to keep your skin beautiful, let's take a look at what we need to eat to get some colour more quickly. Foods that belong to the carotenoid family help the skin get some colour, but what are they? Carrots, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, apricots, rocket, spinach, green cabbage, etc.

Fancy a small salad for lunch?

• Prepare around 100g of fresh spinach and 100g of rocket
• Slice two tomatoes
• Add a little mozzarella to give it some freshness
• Hard-boil two eggs, cut them into pieces and add them to your salad
• Add a little grated carrot to give it some colour and texture
• Season with balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.

What are the best habits when getting a tan?

So, you've made your choice from the foods suggested above and your skin is now ready on the inside. Great! Now let's see how to prepare the outside!

Don't forget to protect your skin with a cream suitable for your skin type and with a high protection factor. Forget received wisdom - a high protection factor doesn't stop you getting a tan! So stop hesitating!

If you are planning on exposing your legs to the sun, don't forget to wax them the day before. It will stop your skin turning red. This is because pulling out a hair causes slight inflammation of the hair follicle. If you expose your legs directly to the sun, it could cause pigmentation due to inflammation.

Happy with your tan? Now look after your skin!

You've done your sunbathing and you're looking good, but you're not sure how best to keep your new tan... Don't panic! Here are some simple tips:

• Exfoliate your skin two or three times a week. For your face, why not use our Lucea for perfect cleansing?
• Moisturise your skin with a suitable product. Use different creams for your face and your body.
• When you moisturise your skin after sunbathing, use an after-sun cream. These are the most suitable products for soothing skin stressed by the sun.

Want to know more about keeping your tan?

Want a fast tan without the sunbathing?

There is an answer! If you want a fast, natural, even tan, forget sunbeds - use Lanaform's self-tanning wipes ! They will give your skin a natural tanned look. They are easy to use, guarantee a uniform tan and have a subtle aroma.

Pssst... A little bird told me that some of these products are on offer!