IN THE GLOW

Be older and wiser by finding the secret formula to self tanning when you're over 50. By LARA OWEN

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A LOT of self-tan branding seems to be aimed at the likes of Love Islanders and Gen Z influencers, but as the dangers of getting a real tan increase with age, the importance of faking a glow over 50 has never been so important.

But mature skin requires a different approach to younger routines - one rooted in hydration, gentle formulas and strategic application.

Here, some of the UK’s leading tan experts share their tips for faking the perfect fake tan over 50.

Mature skin needs more prep

Skin over 50 naturally produces less oil and fewer ceramides, making it more prone to dryness and patchiness. So a tan may now grab unevenly or deepen in unwanted places.

Bare by Vogue's senior educational manager Niamh Walshe, says that hydration is the first and most important step: “A hydrated outer layer of the skin lets DHA react uniformly with surface proteins, delivering a smoother, ‘no streaks, no patches’ glow that rivals a real holiday”

“You don’t want to go too dark, so you want to use a product that has less than 4% DHA,’ says celebrity tanner and founder of Self Glow, James Read.