You've picked your SPF, you've packed your bag, you've booked that holiday! Whether you're heading to the the beach, the pool, or somewhere with a bit more guaranteed sunshine, you've thought about the tanning part. But have you thought about what happens after?
Most people haven't. And that's exactly where a great tan turns into a mediocre one.
Moisturising after sun exposure isn't just a nice-to-have. It's the step that decides how long your colour actually lasts, how even it looks as it settles, and how your skin holds up over a whole summer of tanning. Skip it, and you'll always be chasing your colour rather than keeping it.
Why the Sun Dries Your Skin Out More Than You Think
Time spent in the sun, even with SPF on, draws moisture out of your skin. UV exposure breaks down the skin's natural barrier over time, leaving it dehydrated and more prone to peeling. That's why your skin can feel tight or dry after a day outside, even if you haven't burned.
And here's the thing: dry skin sheds faster. Your tan lives in the outer layers of your skin, so as those cells break down and flake away, your colour goes with them. Well-hydrated skin holds onto those cells for longer - which means your tan sticks around for longer too.
It's not just about fading either. Dry skin tends to fade unevenly, peeling away in patches and leaving your colour looking blotchy rather than golden. If your tan always seems to look great for the first few days and then go a bit patchy, dehydration is almost certainly the reason.
Before You Go Out: Hydration Starts Here
Moisturising isn't just an afterthought, it should be part of your prep too. Going into sun exposure with well-hydrated skin gives you a much better base to work with. Skin that's already dry and rough won't tan as evenly, and it'll fade faster once it does.
The morning of a tanning day, make sure your skin is smooth and moisturised before you head out. Exfoliate the night before if you can, focusing on elbows, knees and shins, the areas that tend to hold onto dry skin and end up looking uneven.
What a Tan Extender Actually Does
standard moisturiser will help, but a tan extender does the job properly. These are formulated specifically to work with tanned skin — feeding and repairing the skin barrier without stripping your colour or leaving any residue that interferes with future tanning. Think of them as aftercare designed with your tan in mind, rather than a generic lotion that happens to hydrate.
The Australian Gold Hemp Nation range does exactly this. Built around hemp seed oil and deeply nourishing natural ingredients, the Hemp Nation tan extenders restore moisture after UV exposure and help your colour look its best for as long as possible. They also smell genuinely brilliant, the kind of thing that makes the whole routine feel less like maintenance and more like a treat.
There's a wide range of scents depending on what you're into:
Hemp Nation Tropical Seltzer - fresh and light, brilliant for summer. If you want something that feels clean and easy rather than heavy, this is the one.
Hemp Nation Arctic Berries and Prosecco - a fun, fruity option that's a bit different from the usual. The kind of scent people ask about.
Hemp Nation Agave and Lime - zesty and bright. Perfect if you prefer your skincare to feel refreshing rather than thick.
Hemp Nation Vanilla Bean and Pistachio - warm, sweet and deeply moisturising. A popular one when you want something more nourishing.
How Often Should You Actually Moisturise?
Every day. Not just after a tanning session, but consistently, skin that's regularly moisturised holds a tan significantly better than skin that only gets attention occasionally.
After a day in the sun, let your skin settle and cool down before applying your tan extender. Apply it on slightly damp skin if you can - it absorbs better and you'll get more out of the product. Pay extra attention to the areas that dry out fastest: elbows, knees, shins and anywhere that gets a lot of sun exposure directly.
One more thing worth knowing: avoid long, hot showers straight after sun exposure. Hot water strips moisture from your skin quickly and can cause colour to fade faster. A cooler, shorter shower followed by a good tan extender makes a real difference.
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