How To Get A Golden Tan (Not Brown)
When tanning, most of us want a golden, bronzed glow, rather than a brown tan color.
That radiance that the tan gives, whether from the sun, a sunbed, or a self-tanner, will make you look like you’ve spent time basking on a tropical island.
But how do you get a golden tan without turning dark brown?
The best way to get a golden tan without turning brown will depend on how you plan to tan. With all the tanning methods available, it’s essential to properly prepare your skin beforehand and ensure that it remains moisturized and nourished to allow your tan to shine.
To help you achieve a golden tan without too many brown tones, we have compiled the top tips on how to do so, covering all the types of tanning available.
How To Get A Golden Tan With Self-Tanner
Self-tanner is one of the easiest ways to achieve a golden tan without exposing your skin to the sun’s damaging effects.
The problem with self-tanner, especially those of low quality, is that they can be unpredictable, and many people find themselves with unwanted tones once the self-tanner has developed.
Here is how you can try to get a golden tan from self-tanner, rather than brown tones:
Choose The Right Self-Tanner
One of the most important steps is choosing the right self-tanner to achieve a golden radiance (we love this one from Suzanne Jackson).
There are many different self-tanners to choose from, such as sprays, gels, mousses, and foams, and most of it comes down to personal preference.
A good option to develop a golden glow is a gradual tanner. These are applied over a few days and gradually build up to a golden tone that you are comfortable with.
Also, ensure that you match the self-tanner color to your skin tone and avoid choosing one that will develop too dark on your skin.
Exfoliate Your Skin
Self-tanner works by reacting with the top layer of dead skin cells; therefore, it is essential to exfoliate the day before applying the self-tanner to your skin.
If there is a build-up of dead skin cells in certain areas of your skin, you might develop darker brown spots in some sections.
By exfoliating your skin, you remove the buildup of dead skin cells, thereby reducing the likelihood that your skin will turn brown.
Moisturize
Moisturize your skin to prepare it for self-tanner. Dry skin soaks in self-tanner more easily, which can cause darker spots and patches.
Hydrated skin will hold onto a tan much better, allowing the tan to glow rather than appear dull and lackluster.
Mix Self-Tanner With Moisturizer
If you don’t want a too dark color, but instead want to benefit from the glow given by self-tanners, then you can mix self-tanning lotion with a moisturizer.
This will lessen the deep color on your skin, but you will still be given the radiance of the self-tanner.
Do Not Overdo It
Applying too much self-tanner at once and not waiting between applications is a sure way to develop an overly dark color and not benefit from the glow a self-tanner would provide.
Self-tanners can take up to 2 days to fully develop on the skin, so don’t reapply them hastily, thinking they haven’t worked.
How To Get A Golden Tan In The Sun
If tanning in the sun is your preference, there are some things that you can do to prevent developing too dark a tan, but still have that sun-kissed glow:
Use Sunscreen
Using sunscreen is essential when tanning outdoors.
Not only will sunscreen help to prevent your skin from burning, but it can also help you develop a golden tan, rather than a brown one.
The sunscreen, an SPF 15 or an SPF 30, will prevent excessive melanin production in the skin, meaning it will not become too dark after exposure to the sun.
Instead, it will allow just enough UV rays to penetrate your skin, giving it a golden finish rather than simply darkening it uniformly.
Tan Slowly
Tanning slowly and gradually will be one of the best ways to develop a golden tan. Spending too much time in the sun too often will only lead to your skin burning.
If you are naturally darker-skinned, your skin may turn a deep brown after prolonged exposure to the sun.
To develop a golden tan, spend short periods in the sun occasionally.
Exposure to the sun for up to 15 minutes every 3–4 days will be more than enough to develop the tan you are looking for, but be sure to still use sunscreen when in the sun.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated can help your skin glow after a tan. Hydrated skin holds onto a tan much better, and when hydrated, your skin is less likely to burn and peel.
Use Bronzer
To achieve a golden glow while you work on your natural tan, consider using a bronzer.
There are varying tones of bronzer to choose from, so you can pick one that gives you a subtle glow, rather than turning your skin a brown color.
How To Get A Golden Tan In A Tanning Bed
Tanning beds offer a convenient way to tan using UV lights, without having to spend time sitting outdoors, hoping the weather cooperates.
Following the tips below in a tanning bed will help you achieve a golden glow, with minimal brown tones:
Use A Tanning Lotion
There are some excellent tanning lotions specifically designed for use in a tanning bed.
These are formulated to help your skin make the most of the UV rays in the sunbed and keep your skin nourished throughout.
These lotions accelerate the tanning process, allowing you to achieve a sun-kissed tone more quickly and spend less time on the sunbed.
Choose a tanning lotion that helps you achieve a more golden tone, rather than one that gives you a dark color.
Have Regular Sessions
You need to work on your tan, and one tanning session is not enough to build a golden tan.
Speak with your tanning technician at the salon to determine a tanning schedule tailored to your skin type, and share your tanning goals with them so you can develop an effective and safe plan.
Make sure to leave a few days between sunbed appointments to allow your skin to recover and prevent burning.
Use Sunscreen
Use a low SPF when in a tanning bed and apply it all over your skin, focusing on sensitive areas such as your face and neck.
The sunscreen will help to filter out both UVA/UVB rays (if it is a broad-spectrum sunscreen), but still allow you to tan.
This will prevent your skin from burning or tanning too dark and will help you develop a golden glow instead.
Moisturize After Tanning
Keep moisturizing your skin after spending time in the tanning bed. The UV rays can continue to dry out your skin, even after you are out of the sun’s rays.
Hydrating your skin will help develop radiance and prevent it from becoming dry, red, and peeling.
There are post-tan moisturizers (like this sun-sealer from Maui Island Secret) specifically designed for this purpose, which can help extend the life of your tan as well.
How To Get A Golden Tan
There are several ways to achieve a golden tan, rather than a brown tone.
To prepare your skin for tanning, exfoliate and moisturize it, and then apply the tips from above for the specific type of tanning you will be using.
When it comes to developing a golden tan safely, the best way to do so is by using a self-tanner.
If you want to tan in the sun or on a sunbed, use sunscreen along with a tanning lotion to protect your skin and make the most of your tanning time.
Related Questions
How many days does a tan last?
A tan will last between 7–10 days. The tan develops on the top layer of your skin, which naturally exfoliates and sheds off after a week.
Once these skin cells are shed, the tan disappears along with them.
You can use tanning extenders to prolong the life of your tan, but they will only keep your tan going for a few days longer. They also help the tan fade more evenly.
How long does bronzer last?
A bronzer, whether found in self-tanning formulas or in tanning lotions, will only last as long as it takes you to shower.
Bronzers provide a temporary dark glow to the skin while your tan develops underneath. Once you shower or get wet, the bronzer will wear off and wash away.
Bronzers work well as a guide to show where you have applied self-tanning lotion to your skin, which is why they are so popular.
