Fashion

Why You Should Exfoliate Before Tanning

by Sienna Fantozzi

Feb. 22, 2016

When you make the time to apply self-tanner or get a spray tan, you want that golden glow to last as long as humanely possible. You may have heard that exfoliation is a good trick to prep your skin, but aren't entirely sure if you should exfoliate before tanning. I mean, you don't want to dry your skin out or anything, right? But don't worry about that, because exfoliating is absolutely the step you do not want to skip. Trust me, it's going to make all the difference in how your tan looks, as well as how long it lasts.

Self-tanner is way healthier for your skin than laying out in the sun, but it doesn't last as long, and there are the valid concerns about it looking fake. Womp womp. But no worries, because exfoliating is the answer to all those problems. First of all, if your skin is dry and you have flaky patches on it, the tanner will cling to it, creating an uneven appearance that obviously looks fake, explains Suvara Tanning expert Anna Stankiewicz. To slough off those dead skin cells and create a smoother, more natural tan, you need to exfoliate first.

But what about how long it lasts? That's another reason to exfoliate. Many exfoliators contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients that hydrate your skin, which will help the tanner last even longer. So conclusion: Do not be skipping this crucial step.

If you want your tan to look more natural and last longer, try these seven exfoliators before you bronze.