We all start summer with the best intentions: we’ll drink enough water, stay moisturized, reapply sunscreen every two hours, and limit UV rays exposure. But life happens—and sometimes the sun gets the best of us. Sunburns happen to absolutely everyone, and dealing with sunburned skin or peeling skin before a spray tan can feel stressful when you have vacations, weddings, photoshoots, or events coming up.
If you’ve been exposed to too much sun or tanning beds, ended up with redness, blotchy patches, dead skin cells, or uneven tan lines, and now you’re thinking about getting a spray tan, this guide will help you understand what to do, what to avoid, and how to protect and heal your skin for a smooth, even tan.
Step 1: Immediately Hydrate Sunburned Skin
Apply goGLOW HYDRATE as Soon as You Notice a Burn
If you’re dealing with sunburn or irritated skin, the first step is moisture—lots of it. Apply goGLOW’s HYDRATE lotion right away to help replenish healing skin and prevent excessive peeling. HYDRATE works as an intense moisturizer to support the skin’s repair mode, nourish the surface layers, and help the burnt area transition into a more balanced skin tone.
HYDRATE is packed with antioxidants and Omega-6 fatty acids that help replenish moisture, support the regeneration of skin cells, and protect against inflammation. Organic rosehip oil and other natural ingredients give the skin a soothing, hydrating boost similar to what many look for in aloe vera but with even more skin-renewing benefits.
Clients, family members, and long-time spray tanning regulars often share incredible before and after stories—sunburnt skin turning into a glow instead of peeling or flaking when HYDRATE is applied consistently.
Step 2: Stay Hydrated & Avoid Heat
Hydrated Skin = Healthier Spray Tan Results
Drink plenty of water, take cool showers, and avoid hot tubs, steam rooms, or anything that overheats already sunburned skin. Heat intensifies redness, irritation, flaking skin, and peeling sunburn.
Staying hydrated internally and externally helps dry skin recover faster and prepares your skin for any future spray tan solution.
Step 3: Know What NOT to Use on Sunburnt Skin
Avoid Petroleum & Mineral Oil on Burns
Always read ingredient labels. Sunburned skin needs to breathe. Petroleum and mineral oil create a seal on the surface that traps heat and prevents healing. These ingredients worsen burns, clog pores, increase inflammation, and may even lead to long-term damage or scarring.
Many drugstore “after-sun” lotions sneak mineral oil into their formulas. Avoid them completely. Your safest alternative: HYDRATE.
Step 4: Avoid Harsh Exfoliation
Exfoliate Gently—Never Overdo It
When preparing for a spray tan, exfoliation is key—but not on sunburnt or peeling sunburn areas.
• Gently exfoliate non-burned areas 1–2 times per week
• Avoid exfoliating acids or gritty scrubs
• Don’t exfoliate irritated skin or skin already in repair mode
Over-exfoliating can cause patchy results, peeling, irritation, and uneven tan development. If your skin is still shedding layers or is not fully healed, it may be better to wait before your next spray tan.
Step 5: Understand How Sunburn Affects Spray Tan Results
Why Patience May Be Necessary
A spray tan works when the ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) reacts with amino acids in the top layer of your skin. If that layer is compromised, peeling or flaking will cause your tan to fall off in patches.
If you get a spray tan with sunburned or irritated skin, it may look:
• Streaky
• Blotchy
• Patchy
• Uneven
Your tan may fade faster, stick unevenly, and lead to unpredictable results. Waiting until skin is fully healed ensures a smooth, flawless glow.
When You Have Tan Lines But No Sunburn
If you have uneven skin tone or tan lines from sun exposure but no burn, a spray tan can help, but only to a point.
Spray tan specialists can blend, soften, and minimize tan lines, but the depth and contrast of the lines determine how seamless the result will be. Deep tan lines may require:
• A trial spray tan
• Layered application
• Self tanner blending at home
• Gradual tanning solutions
For events where an even tan is essential, a trial is highly recommended.
If You Can’t Get a Spray Tan Yet—You Still Have Options
For Daily Use – goGLOW EXTEND
If your skin is peeling or sensitive, try goGLOW EXTEND. It’s a gentle, gradual self tanner that helps you achieve a natural bronzed look while restoring moisture to dry skin.
EXTEND is ideal for:
• Filling in lighter patches
• Evening texture
• Rehydrating flaking skin
• Blending minor tan lines
Apply with a tanning mitt or q-tip for detailed blending.
For a Day Out – COLORESCIENCE BODY SHIELD BRONZE SPF 50
This wash-off bronzing lotion offers immediate color with sun protection.
Great for:
• Pool days
• Lake days
• Outdoor events
• Quick tan touch-ups
It provides SPF protection while giving the skin a temporary glow, but may transfer onto clothing.
For Weddings & Special Occasions
When you need an airbrushed finish for weddings and special occasions, without risk of streaking, consider makeup-style body bronzers like:
• Kim K Skin Perfecting Body Foundation
• Vita Liberata Body Blur
These offer instant, non-transfer, waterproof coverage.
Stay Glowing With SPF—Your Skin Will Thank You
Your best defense against sunburn and peeling is consistent sun protection. COOLA remains a goGLOW favorite for SPF because its plant-based formulas nourish the skin with antioxidants and natural fruit extracts while protecting against UV rays.
Sun protection helps prevent:
• Sunburns
• Patchy tans
• Peeling
• Inflamed skin
• Premature aging
• Uneven tone
Healthy skin = a more flawless spray tan.
Summer is beautiful—but sun damage isn’t. With proper protection, hydration, and thoughtful tanning solutions, you can maintain glowing, healthy, even skin all season.
Whether you choose spray tanning, a self tanner, or bronzing products, remember that the foundation of a great tan is healthy skin.
Stay hydrated, protect your skin with SPF, and treat sunburns gently.
With love,
The goGLOW Team
