Do I need to use sunscreen after fake tanning?

Although some fake tans contain sunscreen, their Sun Protection Factor (SPF) wears off just like it does in regular old sun cream. Even if your golden glow lasts for a week, your SPF won’t so we always recommend applying sunscreen over your fake tan daily to protect your skin from harmful UV & UVA rays.

Immediately before and after fake tanning, your skin should be free from all cosmetic products, perfumes, lotions and antiperspirants to prevent a patchy finish. But once your tan has fully developed and been washed off in the shower you can apply your SPF as normal to reduce the risk of developing sunburn, wrinkles, premature ageing and skin cancers that occur from overexposure to the sun’s rays.

You might even like to apply a moisturiser that contains an SPF to double up on your protection and lengthen the lifespan of your tan in one fell swoop.

This heatwave is showing no signs of letting up so you must protect your skin from the sun every day by applying a sunscreen that has a high SPF (remember, the higher the number the stronger the protection). It’s also a good idea to stay in the shade during the hottest parts of the day, wear a sunhat and opt for loose cotton clothing that will keep you cool and offer a small amount of extra protection from direct sunlight.