5 Tips for Using Tanning Oil with Sunscreen Without Damaging Your Skin

5 Tips for Using Tanning Oil with Sunscreen Without Damaging Your Skin

Sunny days invite not only refreshing plunges but also are perfect for those looking to “work on their tan.” It’s common to want to achieve a sun-kissed glow during the summer, but this process should not compromise your skin’s health. So the question arises: how can you achieve that much-desired summer color without harming your skin? And since we at Fahma don’t like to leave questions unanswered, below we present 5 essential tips for using tanning oil with sun protection to achieve a beautiful, long-lasting, but, above all, safe tan.

Best Brands of Tanning Products with Sun Protection

To help you achieve an even and long-lasting tan, we highlight options from the highly regarded brands Piz Buin and Nuxe, available at your trusted online pharmacy, fahma.pt. Each brand offers a distinct but equally effective approach for those seeking a sublime tan without neglecting skin health.

Piz Buin: Tradition and Innovation in Sun Protection With over 70 years of experience, Piz Buin is a true expert in sun care. The brand originated from the need to create sunscreens that would allow safe sun enjoyment even in extreme conditions such as the alpine mountains. This heritage translates into products that combine advanced UVA/UVB protection with incredibly pleasant, non-oily textures.

When it comes to tanning, Piz Buin stands out with its innovative lines such as Piz Buin Tan & Protect Spray. This range was specifically formulated not only to protect the skin from sun damage, but also to accelerate the natural tanning process. Thanks to technologies like Illumitone™, its oils and lotions help increase melanin production—the pigment responsible for tanning—allowing you to achieve a golden color faster and more safely.

Nuxe: Sensuality and the Power of Nature Nuxe is synonymous with luxury, sensoriality, and formulations rich in natural-origin ingredients. The Parisian brand brings its expertise in face and body care to its Nuxe Sun line. Its main differentiator is creating products that turn the act of applying sunscreen into a true pleasure ritual.

Nuxe tanning and sun protection products are famous for their intoxicating fragrances of Tiaré flower and Sweet Orange and their divine textures—like their iconic dry oils. These products not only offer effective UVA and UVB protection, thanks to a patented filter system, but also nourish and beautify the skin. Rich in botanical extracts and antioxidant actives such as water hyacinth and Kau Pe flower, they prevent photoaging and ensure a luminous, long-lasting tan.

Choosing Nuxe means opting for a multi-sensorial experience that cares for the skin and awakens the senses, leaving it with a satin glow and an unforgettable summer scent. On the other hand, Piz Buin is ideal for those who are pragmatic and seek visible results, combining maximum protective efficacy with tanning optimization.

Both represent the best in the market, offering safe and effective solutions so you can confidently achieve your dream tan.

Now that you know the top brands of tanning oils and sunscreens—also available at fahma.pt—all that’s left is to follow the tips below and come back at the end of the summer to share your results with us.

Tip No. 1: ALWAYS Apply Sunscreen

The golden rule for a healthy tan is never, under any circumstances, skip sunscreen. Tanning oils—even those containing some protection—should not be seen as substitutes for a proper sunscreen. Unprotected sun exposure is the leading cause of premature skin aging, uneven pigmentation, and, in more serious cases, skin cancer.

Pro Tip: Choose a product that combines a sun protection factor (SPF) suitable for your skin type with agents that promote a gradual and even tan. Ideally, select SPF 30 or higher.

Tip No. 2: Choose High-Quality “2-in-1” Products

To streamline your beach routine and ensure maximum effectiveness, products that combine sun protection and tanning boosting are the smartest choice. Renowned brands like Piz Buin and Nuxe offer innovative solutions that care for your skin while helping you achieve the glowing, long-lasting tan you desire.

Tip No. 3: Apply Correctly—Be Generous, Even, and Early

Many tan issues arise not from the product itself, but from how it's applied. A rushed or insufficient application can leave your skin vulnerable to sun damage, even when using an SPF 50+ product. Let’s break down each aspect for flawless protection:

Apply Generously – “Teaspoon Rule” “Generously” is subjective, so here’s a practical rule recommended by dermatologists: for an average adult, about 35 ml (≈ 7 teaspoons) of sunscreen is needed to cover the entire body: 1 tsp for the face, neck, and ears; 1 tsp for the front of the torso (chest and abdomen); 1 tsp for the back of the torso; 1 tsp for each arm (including hands); 1 tsp for each leg (front and back, including feet).

Using less than this amount drastically reduces protection—this is where tanning oils with SPF can become a trap. The temptation to apply a thinner layer to allow faster tanning, thinking the product provides some protection, is a dangerous illusion that completely undermines your goal.

The science behind SPF is clear: the indicated value on the packaging is only guaranteed with a generous application—about 2 mg per cm². Using half that amount doesn’t yield half the protection; effectiveness drops exponentially. A tanning oil labeled as SPF 30, when applied at half dosage, doesn’t offer SPF 15—it drops to around SPF 5 or 6.

So what does this mean for your tan? With such low protection, your skin moves from "safe tanning mode" to "damage mode." UV rays stop gently stimulating melanin to create a golden tone and begin burning and harming skin cells. Instead of achieving a beautiful, even tan, you’ll likely end up with:

• A painful sunburn that prevents further sun exposure for days;

• Peeling skin within a few days that sheds away the tan;

• An uneven, patchy tan—the opposite of the uniform look you wanted.

In short, being "economical" with your application sabotages both functions of the product. It prevents the protective component from working—and thus stops the tanning component from acting on healthy skin to create that beautiful, lasting tone. Generous application isn’t just safe—it’s the assurance that the product you bought delivers the results it promises: a sublime tan, not a burn.

Apply Evenly A luxurious tan is above all an even tan. The difference between a “beach tan” and a “magazine-cover tan” lies in meticulous application. Think like an artist: every inch counts.

Pay special attention to common “missed zones”:

• Ears: A golden face contrasts poorly with pale or red ears. Ensure tops and backs are covered for smooth transitions.

• Eyelids: Use good UV-protective sunglasses to avoid an "inverted panda" effect (dark eyes, white lids).

• Neck and nape: Essential for short or tied-up hair—pale nape breaks the visual continuity of a tan back and shoulders.

• Instep and toes: Feet are visible in summer. A tan that stops at the ankle or shows sandal marks is an aesthetic fail. Spread product evenly to the toes.

• Back of knees: A classic overlooked zone, creating an unsightly white horizontal band, especially visible when walking.

• Hairline: Avoid a “pale halo” around the face by carefully blending along the hairline. Fine hair benefits from sprays that add color and protection without greasiness.

• Backs of hands: Hands are constantly in view. For a cohesive, sophisticated tan, give the backs of your hands equal attention to match your arms—the finishing touch to a truly polished tan.

Apply Ahead of Time Your dream tan begins well before the beach. The golden rule of applying tanning oil or lotion 20 to 30 minutes before sun exposure is not a mere detail—it’s the first step of your summer beauty ritual. This is the time your product needs to fuse with your skin and “prepare the canvas.”

Reapply Frequently Achieving the perfect golden tone is only the beginning. The real mastery lies in maintaining that color and ensuring it evolves uniformly throughout the day. Your tanning product, no matter how advanced, is constantly challenged by:

• Sweat

• Toweling off

• A refreshing dip

These elements compromise the product layer on your skin, creating “holes” that ruin clarity.

The 2-Hour Rule for a Perfect Tan Think of your tan as art that needs retouching. Regardless of SPF, the golden rule for rich, homogeneous color is to reapply your tanning oil every two hours. This gesture not only renews protection but reactivates and evens out the tanning enhancer. It ensures your skin always has optimal conditions to produce balanced melanin, resulting in a deeper, luminous tan without surprises.

Mandatory After Every Dip Swimming is the litmus test for your tan. Even “water-resistant” formulas lose some efficacy and—more importantly—uniformity. Drying off with a towel inevitably removes parts of the tanning film.

Skipping reapplication after getting out of the water is a recipe for aesthetic disaster: patchy tan zones, darker than others—or worse, a burn that ruins all your work. The rule is clear and non-negotiable for perfection: exited the water and dried off? Reapply immediately. This restores the “canvas,” ensuring your skin continues tanning harmoniously.

Following these reapplication steps diligently is the true secret to spectacular tans. It lets you harness the sun’s power to your advantage, actively enhancing your tan to achieve that deep, golden, incredibly even tone you crave.

Tip No. 4: Respect Safe Sun Hours

Even with adequate protection, it’s essential to avoid the hottest, most intense UV hours. Sun exposure between 12 PM and 4 PM is more aggressive and harmful. Favor morning sun (up to 11 AM) and late afternoon (after 4 PM) for a safer, longer-lasting tan.

Tip No. 5: Hydration Is Essential Post-Sun Care

A beautiful tan begins and ends with well-hydrated skin. Sun exposure tends to dehydrate your skin, which can lead to peeling—and consequently, loss of your tan.

Pro Tip: After showering, apply a good after-sun cream or lotion. The Piz Buin After Sun line, also available at fahma.pt, provides creams that not only soothe and refresh skin but also contain ingredients to intensify and prolong your tan. And don’t forget—drink plenty of water throughout the day to hydrate from within.

Visit fahma.pt to explore the full range of sun care and tanning solutions your skin deserves.

Se quiser adaptar este texto para PDF, web ou redes sociais, é só pedir—posso ajudar com isso também!