Key Takeaways:
- Wear a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 25 or higher and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
- A sun tan takes a couple of days to show, so extra hours outside add risk without speeding up your color.
- UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so plan your sunshine for the morning or late afternoon.
Golden skin with zero lobster vibes by dinnertime is the beach-day dream, and it's easier to pull off than you'd think. Learning how to tan safely comes down to a few simple habits: wear a broad-spectrum SPF 25 or higher, reapply it every two hours, plan your time outdoors around the midday peak, and ease into your time outdoors.
At Coco & Eve, we love a glow that comes with protection built in, so we've rounded up our favorite tips to help you tan quickly in the sun while keeping your skin happy.
Exfoliate Before Tanning
Remove dead skin cells by exfoliating before tanning to achieve a more even and long-lasting tan.
Apply & Reapply SPF for a Faster Tan!
Let's be perfectly clear—no tan on earth is worth risking a sunburn! To build a natural color the sun-smart way, always apply a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen before sun exposure. Not only will this protect you against burning UVB rays, but it will also shield you from prematurely aging UVA.
Dermatologists recommend a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 25 or higher. You’ll generally want to use about one ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass, to cover your body.
Reapply sun protection, such as our Sunny Honey Tan Boosting Anti-Aging Body Oil SPF 45 or Coconut Milk Body SPF 50, every two hours, as well as after swimming or sweaty activity.
Which Spots Should You Be Careful About With Sunscreen?
Certain spots can be easy to forget during your sunscreen routine. The tops of your feet, the backs of your ears, your hair part, and your lips all catch plenty of sun, but are commonly forgotten. Give each of these areas a generous swipe of SPF (or SPF lip balm for your lips), and toss on a hat to easily cover your scalp.
Use a Tan Accelerator to Tan Faster Without Burning
Instead of sun baking with bare, unprotected skin, build your natural glow the smart way with a tan booster with SPF. Formulated to boost your natural tanning effect while protecting skin against damaging UVA and UVB rays, our Tan Boosting Anti-Aging Body Oil (available in SPF20 and SPF45) is the perfect product to stash in your beach bag.
With a non-sticky, fast-absorbed formula, it contains a tan-boosting Peptide Complex that helps increase the skin’s natural ability to tan. It glides on with a silky, weightless feel and smells like a tropical mango smoothie, so reapplying feels more like a treat than a chore. Our guide to using a tan-boosting body oil covers the easy mistakes to skip.
Tan Faster, Not Longer - Remember that More Isn't Always More
2 hours good, 5 hours better, right? Not exactly. A sun tan can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours to show, so the color you see when you pack up your beach bag isn't actually the final result.
Spending longer in the sun won't get you any more tanning gains and could lead to dehydration and sun damage—especially if you're not vigilant in reapplying your SPF. So, when your time's up? Call it a day.
Tan Without Burning by Avoiding (or Taking Extra Care) During Peak UV Periods
For sun-smart tanning, consider heading outside in 'off-peak' UV hours. The sun is at its hottest, and UV radiation at its most intense, in the middle part of the day. Depending on where you live and the season you're in, the timing may differ by an hour or so. But, as a general rule, consider doing most of your tanning before 10am and after 4pm, particularly if you're ultra-fair.
If you're out in the middle of the day, limit your time, regularly reapply your SPF, and take breaks in the shade.
How Can the UV Index Help You Plan Your Sun Time?
The National Weather Service predicts UV levels on a scale from 1 to 11+, and the higher the number, the faster unprotected skin can burn.
Once the UV index reaches 3 or higher, it's time to protect your skin — and that’s especially true near water and sand, which bounce UV rays right back at you. A quick look at your weather app before you head out takes about five seconds and helps you plan the sunniest parts of your day.
You can also try the shadow trick. If your shadow is shorter than you are, UV levels are high, so that's your cue to keep your sun time short.
Switch Up Your Position Frequently to Avoid Burning
For an even, all-over tan, switch up your position on the reg. As well as ensuring your back matches your front, this will help prevent you from getting too much sun exposure in any one area.
Roll over every 15-30 minutes—and consider setting an alarm so you don't drift off.
Hydrate Your Skin to Prevent Burning!
Once your color starts to build, you want to make sure it sticks around. So, keeping your skin well-hydrated and moisturized is essential to avoid any unwanted peeling or natural shedding of parched, dehydrated skin cells. It's also a good idea to up your exfoliation routine before attempting to tan, as a smooth canvas can help you keep that sun-kissed look for longer.
Delivering lightweight hydration, our luxurious Sunny Honey Firming & Tan Prolonging Peptide Body Oil will keep skin soft and supple, while prolonging the life of your glow. This formula features hyaluronic acid to hydrate and moisturize skin, incha inchi oil to preserve skin with rich omega-3 fatty acids, and vita-tropical oil, a nourishing blend of coconut, papaya, mango, and passionfruit oils rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Boost Your Tan Naturally with Beta-Carotene-Rich Foods
If you're wondering how to get a tan that develops beautifully and lasts longer, your diet can play a surprising role. Consuming foods rich in beta-carotene—like carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, spinach, and apricots—can help enhance your skin's natural melanin production, which is what gives skin its tan.
Beta-carotene converts into vitamin A in the body, supporting skin health and potentially helping you tan more evenly. While this isn't a replacement for sun protection, combining a tan-friendly diet with a smart SPF routine can support a longer-lasting glow from the inside out.
For best results, start including beta-carotene-rich foods into your meals a few days before extended sun exposure, and maintain the habit throughout the summer to prolong your bronzed look.
Know your limits
Pay attention to your skin's response and avoid prolonged exposure if you start to feel uncomfortable or notice signs of burning.
What Should You Do if You Get Too Much Sun?
Even the most diligent sun lover gets caught out now and then. Head inside and cool off with a lukewarm shower, then smooth on a soothing aloe gel or a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer. Drink plenty of water and give the burned area a break from the sun until it settles. Next time, keep your SPF within arm's reach so reapplying is always easy.
Does a Base Tan Protect You From Sunburn?
A base tan is one of the most popular beach myths around. The extra melanin in tanned skin works out to roughly SPF 2 to 4, which is nowhere near enough to stop a burn. Even when you're already golden, your sunscreen is still just as important.
Can You Get a Golden Glow With Zero UV?
With Coco & Eve, you can get the perfect golden glow without any UV exposure. Our Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam develops over 6+ hours into a natural-looking bronze with no orange tones. In a hurry? Our Express Tanning Antioxidant Mousse rinses off after just one hour.
Mix and match your favorites from our tan and SPF collection to build a routine that covers your glow and your protection, then go enjoy the sunshine.
Got All That?
Now you're ready to master how to tan the fast, sun-smart way with our tan-accelerating body oil! For more skin and tanning tips, check out our blog.
FAQs About How to Tan Without Burning
How long does it take to get a tan?
It depends on your skin type, melanin levels, and UV exposure. Lighter skin tones may tan more quickly but are also more prone to burning, while darker skin tones take longer but develop deeper tans. For best results, start with short sun exposure and always wear SPF to tan safely.
What is the proper way to tan?
The safest and most effective way is to exfoliate before sun exposure, moisturize daily, and always apply broad-spectrum SPF 25 or higher. Avoid peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), change positions often, and take shade breaks. If you're just learning how to tan, consistency and protection are key.
Can you still tan with sunscreen on?
Yes. Sunscreen filters out most UV rays, and your skin can still pick up color gradually while it stays protected from burning. That's the whole idea behind our tan-boosting oils.
Can you get sunburned on a cloudy day?
Yes. UV rays reach your skin through clouds, so keep your sunscreen routine going even when the sky looks gray.
Does self-tanner protect you from the sun?
No. Self-tanner changes the color of your skin without adding UV protection, so wear sunscreen over your glow. Our guide to tanning while wearing self-tanner breaks it all down.
Is it safe to tan every day?
Your skin does best with breaks between sunny sessions, so give it a day off now and then. On your off days, a quick layer of self-tan keeps the glow going.
Sources:
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation | Division of Research Safety
Sun Safety Facts | Skin Cancer | CDC
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Sun Exposure | US EPA
