How To Get A Natural Summer Tan (with no skin damage)

I have naturally pale skin and while there is absolutely nothing wrong with this, I do like to have nice, sun-kissed skin for the summer. When my skin is tanned, it looks healthier and more radiant and in turn, I feel more confident. Especially if I am off to a sunny destination and want to bare my legs in shorts then I definitely feel sun-kissed skin is in order. And a natural summer tan is what I really want at this time.

Despite being a sun lover, I am very much aware of the negative effects of lying in the sun, therefore I religiously wear SPF everyday and also use fake tan when I want to get that ‘just spent two weeks in Spain’ look, when in reality I’ve just been sitting indoors at my desk. And it’s just so much easier and faster right? To be honest with you, spending hours in the baking sun might sound nice in theory but in reality it’s uncomfortable, sweaty and hurts the next day because you got yourself a second-degree sunburn which might turn into skin cancer. To put it simply, it’s dangerous and not at all good for you to bake in the sun.

In the colder months I like to use a gradual tanning lotion for a natural glow and in the summer I like to use it to top up my tan base that I’ve already got from natural sun exposure. Using fake tan (due to some of the ingredients) often dries out my skin so I find that the gradual tanning lotion gives the skin back the hydration it needs whilst still giving that gorgeous glow.

Lately, I’ve been using the which actually mimics the colour of your own skin’s melanin (smart right?) thanks to its hero ingredient, plant allo-melanin. This natural extract has been clinically proven to give a more natural-looking tan when compared to other tanning agents, meaning there’s no risk of an undesirable orange hue! It’s also buildable as well, so with multiple applications you are naturally going to get a deeper tan (this particular product is suitable for fair to medium skin tones) after several uses. If you are a newbie to using a tan enhancer then this is a FAB product to start with because it’s a beginner’s dream. It’s simple and easy to use and if you are worried about using fake tan then using a gradual tanning lotion is your best bet because you are almost guaranteed NO STREAKS! You can apply the lotion with a mitt if you want or use your own bare hands. Just start from the feet and work your way up.

Alternatively, if you are a seasoned pro at using tanning agents at home for a DIY tan then the Summer Skin Gradual Tanning Lotion is also great because it keeps your base tan topped up so you don’t lose it so easily. I love how nourishing the lotion is as well with coconut oil, mango butter and beetroot amino acid. It also smells fabulous too – think coconut and lime – so if you are one of those people who hate the smell of fake tan (I am one of those people too) then the Summer Skin Gradual Tanning Lotion is also a great alternative.

The lotion contains natural caramel extract which acts as a colour guide so you know where you are applying the cream (this will wash off in the shower). The tan will develop over the next 8-10 hours (you will start to see the results from 1 hour in) so this is great to use at night and then just wash off in the morning. And the fabulous thing is that it does not stain your sheets or PJs!

I like that the Gradual Tanning Lotion is 100% naturally-derived, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. There are no harmful chemicals in Tropic products so you know that whatever you choose its going to be safe to use.

also has some other products that can give a natural summer tan or give an instant glow like the (which I love). You can use this daily as a body oil or on special nights out. I like to warm the oil in my hands and use as a body highlighter – on the shins and on the tops of shoulders. This is a great product to use before and during your holiday – a must have holiday beauty essential if I may say so myself.

For more information on Tropic and their vegan-friendly beauty products see .

*This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Tropic Suncare. As always, whether a post is sponsored or not, my opinions and reviews are my own.