Ah, the sun-kissed glow under the summer rays! Who's already dreaming of lounging beachside with a classic summer anthem playing in the background? 

As summer rolls in, the irresistible urge to flaunt a gorgeous golden tan grows. But before you rush to hunt down those quick-fix remedies promising a "deep dark tan" in no time, hold up: your skin's health and youthfulness are worth way more than a brag-worthy tan at the end of the day with friends. Thanks to Rhea Cosmetics and the right care before, during, and after sun exposure, you can bask in the sun's beauty while respecting your skin.

Get ready for the essential guide - in 6 simple steps - to enjoy summer with no compromises: healthy skin on one side, a radiant bronze on the other. Ready to shine? Here's how to do it!

1. Prepare your skin for sun exposure

Just like you wouldn't head off on vacation without packing your suitcase, your skin needs its own tailored essentials to enjoy the sun and well-deserved holidays without regrets! Rhea Cosmetics Laboratories have developed a range of preparatory products that seamlessly integrate with sunscreens and after-sun care to protect, prevent, and treat the damages caused by UVA and UVB rays. The goal? Ward off signs of photo-aging, prepare your skin for sun exposure, enhance protection, and intensify your tan. Pretty impressive, right?

For mature and devitalized skin, for instance, RevitalSummer is a must-have: an intensive treatment designed to preserve skin health before and during sun exposure. It consists of 2 vials for enhanced efficacy before and after sun exposure, whether you're by the sea or in the mountains. Start with the preparatory blend 2 weeks before tanning to stimulate melanin production and benefit from its antioxidant and regenerative properties. Then, from the first day of sun exposure, apply the repairing blend for 15 consecutive days to maintain cellular vitality, even out your tan, and repair photo-induced damage. Its revitalizing hydrogel formula, recognized and awarded at the COSMOPROF AWARDS 2024, ensures cellular longevity by promoting turnover!

Also, try our beloved ReviSun, the revitalizing face cream for pre and post-sun care that nourishes, repairs, and strengthens the skin's natural defenses. Or, opt for AgeDefender, our photoaging treatment for eyes and lips, which protects these delicate facial areas from photo-aging, boosts collagen synthesis, and plumps wrinkles. Apply both before sun exposure, prior to your SPF protection.

Rhea's beauty tip: remember to regularly exfoliate your face and body to remove dead cells and impurities, ensuring a more even and radiant tan.

2. Choose the right sun protection for your skin type

When under the sun, it's crucial to select a sunscreen with an SPF appropriate for your skin type and color, and the type of exposure. Opt for a high SPF, especially if you have fair skin or sensitivity. If you're unsure about your skin phototype, dispel any doubts with our Skincoding® test: in just a few minutes, answer targeted questions about your complexion, eye and hair color, tendency to sunburn, and redness to pinpoint the perfect, customized sun treatments for you.

Choose from an invisible spray with immediate absorption like InvisibleSun, or a hydrating face and body cream spray for a seamless tan like CreamSun. Or, opt for a cream that defends against sunspots and discoloration while providing powerful anti-aging benefits like YouthSun. Whatever your beauty desires or skincare routines... we truly have an answer for every preference! One thing remains certain across all our Sun Care products: we've encapsulated the best in photoprotection to shield your skin from UVA, UVB, and IR rays, preserving its health and youthful appearance. Our formulations also include proactive measures against deep and visible skin damage and aging caused by sun exposure. Plus, our filters are Reef Sea Ocean Friendly, respecting coral reef vitality in compliance with the 2021 Hawaii Act (Act 104).

Rhea's beauty tip: apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going out, not directly under the umbrella, to ensure effective protection and avoid sunburn even during transit. Reapply every 2 hours or after swimming for continued protection.

3. Don't forget to protect the most delicate areas of your face and body

How many times have you ended up with a burnt nose, ears... or the tops of your feet? Certain areas of the face and body are more prone to burning, with specific sensitivities that require targeted sun protection. These are typically areas prone to redness (like the nose, ears, and tops of feet), with skin imperfections (such as acne, moles, stretch marks, spots, wrinkles, and broken capillaries), or even healing wounds (like tattoos, microblading, scars, or cuts).

In all these cases, sunlight can worsen existing conditions or pose greater risks compared to other parts of the body. So, stop neglecting these areas and protect them effectively with us. For summer 2024, Rhea Cosmetics has launched the beauty ally you've been waiting for: introducing SunStop SPF 50+, a targeted sun stick formulated to protect the most delicate, exposed, and vulnerable areas of your face and body. It shields against UV rays, combats photo-aging, and guards against oxidative stress from free radicals, ensuring hydration and elasticity for your skin!

Rhea's beauty tip: apply SunStop SPF 50+ on your lips and around the lip area like a lip balm to prevent uncomfortable sunburns, spots, or wrinkles. For enhanced protection, layer it with AgeDefender, which acts as a booster when applied before the stick.

4. Avoid the hottest hours and... hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

We'll never tire of saying it: the sun is strongest - and therefore harsher on your skin - between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Try to avoid direct exposure during these hours, or at least minimize it. If you must be outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes. Additionally, remember that the sun can dry out your skin, so drink plenty of water and keep yourself well-hydrated throughout the day. Have 1 or 2 glasses of water before bedtime and in the morning, adding a few drops of lemon to aid digestion.

Rhea's beauty tip: supplement your hydration with food! Opt for a diet rich in antioxidants at meals, including foods like zucchini, broccoli, seeds, and berries, packed with vitamins A, C, and E. These are excellent for shielding your skin from sun damage and combating free radicals produced by UV rays. Lettuce and celery are also hydration champions, with detoxifying and diuretic properties.

5. Keep taking care of your skin even after sun exposure!

For a longer-lasting and radiant tan, don't underestimate the importance of after-sun care: Rhea Cosmetics' post-sun formulas soothe, repair, and provide comfort to skin exposed to UV aggressions, as well as harsh elements like wind, saltwater, and chlorine.

Following the success of our best-selling face and body products like AfterSun and ButterSun, this year introduces a new irresistible post-sun companion: introducing SummerNight, the leave-on overnight mask that delivers calming, anti-aging, and refreshing benefits to your skin during its peak metabolic phase while you sleep. It helps mitigate UV exposure effects such as redness and sensitivity. By morning, your face will be smooth, perfectly hydrated, and looking younger and more radiant, ready for another sunny day!

Rhea's beauty tip: at the end of the day, before your after-sun treatment, opt for a shower with cold water to reinvigorate your skin cells. We've already covered the rules for the perfect shower in this article!

6. Adapt your cleansing routine to the tanning season!

The sixth and final secret to prolonging your tan lies where you'd least expect it. Any guesses? It's often underestimated and neglected in daily skincare rituals, yet essential for maintaining a vibrant, even complexion. Then, if you follow Rhea's 3-step approach, the results on your face will leave you amazed!

You've got it: cleansing! Find your nearest Rhea Cosmetics partner center and discover your personalized Summer Clean Routine. This summer-proof facial cleansing routine rebalances your skin's microbiome and revitalizes its vitality, especially as temperatures rise. Whether your skin is dehydrated, oily, mature, sensitive, or any combination thereof, you'll find a tailored cosmetic combination consisting of 3 essential steps:

- Step 1, Makeup Remover: cleanse and remove makeup gently with the iconic MagicMousse or WonderWater, effectively eliminating impurities and traces of makeup.

- Step 2, Exfoliator: CandyScrub is ready to become your essential detox face scrub, offering a gentle detoxifying and purifying action, perfect for the most sensitive skin. It promotes the removal of dead skin cells, leaving your complexion radiant, smooth, and even!

- Step 3, Toner: choose your favourite from the brand-new EnergyMist and SofTouch, inspired by K-Beauty, which provide a hydration boost to the skin, rebalance the complexion, and prepare it for subsequent treatments. The first is an energizing spray lotion with a watery texture, perfect for quick application anytime, anywhere, to invigorate your skin. The second is a silky lotion with an ultra-fluid gel texture that soothes and calms the skin, enriched with mattifying powders and soft-focus effects for a more even complexion.

Visit our institute to discover the perfect Summer Clean Routine tailored to your skin, along with valuable tips for a beautiful summer and tan... and to uncover all the fantastic surprises we have in store for you!