During winter, your skin faces an extra challenge. The dry air, colder temperatures, and indoor heating can leave your skin feeling parched, tight, and flaky. And while you may be cozying up inside, your skin needs more love and hydration than ever, especially when it comes to maintaining a flawless, long-lasting tan. Whether you're getting your glow on with Chocolate Sun or just want to keep your complexion radiant throughout the season, hydration is key to extending the life of your tan and preventing your tan from fading unevenly.

Why Your Skin Needs More Hydration in Winter

In the colder months, your skin naturally loses moisture at a quicker rate. The lack of humidity in the air can strip away the moisture that keeps your skin soft and supple, leaving it dry and dehydrated. This is particularly important to address when you’re using self tanners, as dry skin can cause your tan to develop unevenly and fade faster.

In the winter, it’s essential to give your skin the extra hydration it needs to stay balanced and healthy. By incorporating more moisturizing products into your daily routine, you’ll not only prevent dry patches and irritation but also ensure that your tan looks smooth and lasts longer.

How Hydration Impacts Your Tan

When you apply Chocolate Sun self-tanner, your skin absorbs its bounty of hydrating ingredients, and the eco-certified plant DHA reacts with your skin’s amino acids to create that gorgeous golden color. However, if your skin is dry and flaky, the self-tanner will cling to those dry spots, causing an uneven, patchy tan.

This is why hydration is essential both BEFORE and AFTER applying your tan. By moisturizing regularly and keeping your skin hydrated, you provide a smooth, even surface for your tan to develop. A well-hydrated body will absorb your tanning product more evenly, giving you a flawless, consistent glow.

1. Days Before Tanning: Use a natural hydrating lotion in the days before applying your self-tanner to ensure your skin is soft and ready for an even application. (DO NOT moisturize directly before tanning though!) Focus on areas that tend to be drier, such as elbows, knees, and ankles, to prevent the tan from developing uneven in those areas.
2. After Tanning: Chocolate Sun tanning products are formulated to be naturally, deeply hydrating first, bronze second. After your tan is applied, fully developed and you have taken your first shower, be sure to keep your skin moisturized daily to extend the life of your glow. Dry skin naturally exfoliates faster, which can cause your tan to fade unevenly. By moisturizing daily, you’ll lock in hydration and slow down the exfoliation process, helping your tan stay fresh and even for longer.

How to Maintain Hydration and Keep Your Tan Flawless in Winter

To maintain both healthy, hydrated skin and a flawless tan in the winter, make sure you do the following:

1. Drink plenty of water: Hydration starts from the inside out. Make sure you're drinking enough water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and glowing.
2. Moisturize regularly: Apply a nourishing moisturizer right after showering to lock in hydration.
3. Use hydrating ingredients: Choose self-tanning products and moisturizers with skin-loving, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera or shea butter which help keep your skin soft and smooth.
4. Avoid harsh scrubs: If you’re exfoliating prior to tanning, use a gentle exfoliant to avoid stripping your skin of moisture, such as our Body Scrubs which contain naturally hydrating plant oils. Harsh scrubs can irritate dry winter skin. DO NOT use any scrubs or exfoliating products during the life of your tan

Quench your skin’s thirst

Winter doesn’t have to mean losing your glow! By focusing on hydration and taking extra care of your skin during the colder months, you can keep your tan flawless, natural, and lasting longer. At Chocolate Sun, we’re committed to helping you maintain a radiant, sun-kissed glow, no matter the season. So, hydrate, moisturize, and glow with confidence all year long.