Holiday · How to · Tanning tips ·

How to Build a Proper Tan Before Your Holiday

How to Build a Proper Tan Before Your Holiday - Delux Tanners
Holiday guide

How to build a proper tan
before your holiday.

The people who step off the plane already glowing are the ones who started early. Building a base in the weeks before you travel means you arrive with colour, develop more evenly in the sun, and spend less of your holiday going from pale to pink.

2-3weeks out is when to start
1week out, stop the heavy exfoliating
1tube in the case, every time
0SPF in an accelerator, so pack sunscreen too
12-3 weeks before2Pick your formula3The week before4While away5Sun-safe6From the inside
2 to 3 weeks out: exfoliate, moisturise, start your accelerator.
1 week out: keep sessions consistent, skip heavy exfoliating.
While away: keep applying, moisturise every evening.
Always: sunscreen on top, never overexpose.

Two to three weeks before

Lay the groundwork

This is where the groundwork happens. First, get your skin in good condition: exfoliate to clear away dead skin and moisturise daily so your skin is smooth and hydrated. Then start using your Delux accelerator consistently alongside your sunbed sessions or your time in the sun, building your colour gradually. Regular, moderate sessions beat occasional long ones every time.

Choose

Pick the formula that fits your goal

For the deepest, richest colour, Go Dark is the classic choice, while Island Coconut, Electric Melon and Bubblegum Mania are our Next-Gen creams and Sun Sauce is a lightweight tanning jelly. If you are unsure, our Find Your Formula guide will match you in under a minute.

Holiday cream

Island Coconut
Melanin activesCoconut, aloe, sheaGoes under SPF

Built for exactly this routine. The one most people pack.

or

Holiday jelly

Sun Sauce
Water-basedLounger glossFast absorbing

For heat, humidity and the glossy poolside look.

The week before

Hold the base

By now your base should be coming along nicely. Keep your sessions consistent, stay well moisturised so your colour looks even, and avoid any last-minute heavy exfoliating that would strip away the tone you have built.

While you are away

Keep the momentum going

Carry on using your Delux accelerator while you are in the sun to deepen and maintain your colour, and moisturise every evening, especially after a day outdoors, to stop your tan drying out and fading. Pack a tube in your case so you are never without it.

Start before you fly, not when you land.

Always

Stay sun-safe

One important note: a tan accelerator is not sun protection. It does not contain SPF and will not stop you burning. Always wear a suitable sunscreen, reapply it through the day, follow sensible sun-safety advice and your salon's guidance, and never overexpose your skin. A deep tan is only worth it if your skin stays healthy.

Bonus

Support it from the inside

To round out your routine, our Tanning Gummies are designed as glow support to sit alongside your tanning in the run-up to your trip. Think of them as a supporting act, not a substitute for your accelerator and good prep.

Holiday coming up?

Give yourself a few weeks and land with a base you love.

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