How to Keep Your Face Tanned During The Colder Months

As the golden summer days start to fade and autumn creeps in, it’s easy to feel like your glow is fading right along with the sunshine. But just because the weather is cooling down doesn’t mean your skin has to lose its sun-kissed radiance. 

Keeping your skin looking naturally tanned during the colder months is totally possible. With the right skincare routine, you can maintain that healthy warmth even when the sun is a distant memory. Keep reading to discover how you can keep that tan glowing right through the autumn and winter months. 

Keep Your Skin Hydrated and Healthy

During the colder seasons, our skin often becomes drier due to the drop in humidity and constant exposure to heating systems. Dry skin can make your complexion look dull, which is the opposite of what you want when trying to keep that bronzed glow alive. 

One of the simplest ways to keep your skin healthy-looking is to focus on hydration. Drinking plenty of water is, of course, key, but equally important is using hydrating skincare products. 

A nourishing moisturizer helps lock in hydration and keeps your skin looking plump and smooth, which is essential for maintaining a healthy, radiant look. Look for formulas with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which attract moisture to the skin and help create that dewy, youthful appearance. The aptly-named Osmosis Quench Nourishing Moisturizer is an excellent choice, containing hyaluronic acid and shea butter.

Reach For the Self-Tanner

Let’s be real––with fewer sunny days ahead, achieving a natural tan becomes nearly impossible in the fall and winter. But who says you can’t fake it until you make it? Self-tanners have come a long way in recent years and can give you that subtle, sun-kissed color without streaks or that dreaded orange tint. 

When applying self-tanner, it’s all about the prep. Exfoliating beforehand is crucial to ensure an even application, so your tan looks smooth and natural. 

Start with a gradual self-tanner if you're aiming for a more subtle look. Over time, you can build up the color until you reach your desired shade. 

It's important to choose a self-tanner that works with your skin tone, so look for one that promises a natural finish. And voila! You’ve got a glowing complexion that looks like you've just returned from a tropical getaway. 

Don’t Skip the SPF 

It might seem counterintuitive to apply sunscreen during the colder months, but even when it's cloudy, the sun's harsh UV rays can still damage your skin. Protecting your skin from UV damage not only keeps your skin healthy but also helps maintain your tan longer. That’s because sun damage can lead to uneven skin tone and cause your skin to look patchy or dull. 

By keeping sunscreen in your daily skincare routine, you're preventing premature fading of your tan and ensuring that your skin stays even-toned and glowing. If you’re the busy or forgetful type, opt for a daily moisturizer with SPF to make sun protection a seamless part of your morning routine.

Glow with the Right Skincare

In addition to self-tanner and sunscreen, another way to keep your skin glowing throughout autumn and winter is by focusing on brightening skincare products and ingredients. Products containing ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can brighten your complexion and even out skin tone, giving you that naturally radiant look. 

Vitamin C, especially, is an excellent addition to your routine if you want to brighten up dull skin and maintain an even tone. Plus, it helps with any dark spots or hyperpigmentation that might occur as your tan starts to fade. Incorporating a vitamin C serum into your routine not only enhances your skin’s warmth but also protects it from environmental stressors.

Exfoliation is another key step to glowing skin in the colder months. Gentle exfoliation helps slough off dead skin cells, revealing fresh, healthy skin underneath. This process ensures that your complexion stays smooth and luminous, ready to soak up all those glow-enhancing products you’ve been applying. 

Warm your Complexion with Makeup 

Sometimes you need a little extra help, and that’s where makeup comes in. Bronzer is a go-to for adding warmth and dimension to your face when you’re missing that summer glow. 

Choose a bronzer that has a natural finish and isn’t too sparkly for a more authentic sun-kissed look, like the rich Jane Iredale PureBronze Matte Bronzer. Lightly apply the bronzer to the areas of your face where the sun would naturally hit––like your forehead, nose, and cheekbones. 

Another tip for faking that post-summer glow? Opt for a creamy blush in peachy or warm pink tones. 

Cream-based products tend to give a dewier finish, which mimics the look of naturally flushed, sun-kissed skin. Combine that with a touch of highlighter, and you’ve got yourself a glowing, sunny complexion so you can remember summer all year long. 

Keep the Glow Going 

Establishing a routine that includes hydration, regular exfoliation, and using the right products is key to helping your tan last longer and maintaining a glowing complexion.

With the right approach, you can keep that bronzed, beachy look even when the temperature drops. So, embrace the cooler months and keep glowing like it’s summer all year round. A little TLC, a few clever tricks, and you’ll be the picture of radiance, no matter what the season.

Do you want more skincare advice? Here are six superhero antioxidants your skin will love.