Happy Thursday, friends! I’m still at the beach having the best time, and today I want to share exactly how to get the perfect summer tan with 6 easy steps for a natural glow. If you want glowing, bronzed skin without burning or streaks, keep reading for my best tips and favorite products to achieve a beautiful, natural tan this summer.

How to Get the Perfect Summer Tan:
6 Easy Steps for a Natural Glow

For the first initial steps you can do this with any type of tanning such as outdoor, tanning bed, or self tan. Whatever your vice may be. I personally like tanning outdoors because it is the most natural looking tan. This may not be a post that everyone is interested in and that’s fine, but I personally feel better and look better with a tan. Plus I’m getting lots of Vitamin D. :)

How to Get the Perfect Summer Tan

Step 1. Exfoliate Your Skin

Prepare your skin for the best tan by exfoliating in the shower or dry brushing before you shower (find out how to dry brush here). I either use a loofah that you can literally get for like 50 cents or a really nice sugar scrub. I personally love all different types of sugar scrubs but at the moment I’m LOVING the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub in Tropical Mango… it smells so so good. This is a really abrasive scrub so if you have sensitive skin this might irritate you. You can also make your own scrub by clicking here. You would need to shave before exfoliating.

Step 2: Moisturize Before Tanning

Moisturize your skin with your favorite lotion, nothing too heavy though. You want something that will quickly absorb into your skin. Well hydrated skin will tan much better than dry, dusty skin. Doing this before self-tanning will also help smooth out the area and end up leaving it less streaky.

Step 3: Always Apply Sunscreen

If you are tanning outside please put on sunscreen and you know why, but also it prevents against pre-mature aging. Plus your tan is going to stay around a lot longer if you apply sunscreen regularly like the standard 45 minutes. This will protect your skin from getting burned. Use whatever SPF you are comfortable with, you know your skin. I always use a different sunscreen for my face because I want something that is specifically designed for faces. I don’t have time for it to be clogging my pores and breaking me out.

Step 4: Using a Browning Lotion for a Deeper Tan

This is optional but I love to use a browning lotion to intensify my tan. I’ve never been a huge fan of tanning oils because I feel all gross after applying them, and I feel like once you get in the water all of that comes off. I found this really cool Browning Lotion from Maui Babe and I absolutely love it. I mean this was made in Hawaii, those people are tan right? Haha. But it’s an all natural “locals secret” type of product. It smells like brown sugar and cinnamon and once it’s rubbed in you are good to go. It doesn’t leave any residue or greasiness. And I love the fact that you can use SPF before you use this so you are still being protected. This is the outdoor formula but they make it for tanning beds, and self-tanning as well. This can be found at Ulta.

Step 5: Rotate for an Even Tan

Make sure you are turning over. If you want an even tan then you have to turn over and lay on your stomach, and sometimes lay on your sides too. I’m obviously not talking about self-tanning anymore haha.

Step 6: Shower and Moisturize After Tanning

After you’re done tanning for the day, hop in the shower to wash off all the sweat, sunscreen, and products. Once you’re out, make sure to moisturize your skin again. Keeping your skin hydrated is key because if it’s dry, your tan will flake off quickly and you’ll lose all that beautiful color you worked for.

I like to use a lotion specifically made for after sun exposure. If you happen to get burned, choose one with Aloe Vera to help heal and cool your skin. I’m not super picky with brands, but I found the Australian Gold Moisture Lock Tan Extender last year at the beach, and I really like it. Plus, I love when after-sun lotions smell beachy – and this one definitely does.

Final Thoughts

Getting a beautiful summer tan doesn’t have to mean burning or damaging your skin. With these easy steps, you’ll keep your skin healthy, glowing, and bronzed all season long. Do you prefer tanning outdoors, self-tanning, or a mix of both? Let me know in the comments below!

Shop My Favorite Summer Tanning Products:
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub
Maui Babe Browning Lotion
Australian Gold Tan Extender