Tuck in to turkey and six other tan hacks you never knew to make that summer glow last

There's SO much more to keeping your tan than exfoliating and moisturising

sara oldfield

Published: 16:03, 27 Jul 2016
Updated: 17:10, 27 Jul 2016

IT'S been a typically British summer: Wet and rainy.

So, naturally, last week's heatwave threw us into a frenzy of waxing, toenail painting and preening in readiness to showcase our brilliant-but-barely-worn summer wardrobe before the sun disappeared again.

When all we get is a few precious days of sunshine a year, preserving that golden glow for as long as possible is crucialCredit: Getty Images

And, if it's anything like usual, that will be the last time we get any vitamin D for weeks - so how to make our newly-acquired tans last until then?

We all exfoliate 'til we're raw before sunning ourselves and then moisturise to the max afterwards - but it's just not enough to keep that golden glow.

Here, we reveal the tan hacks to channel your inner bronzed goddess for longer than ever.

We all know to moisturise to keep our skin hydrated and preserve our tanned skin cellsCredit: Getty Images

#1 Nosh on turkey

The primary raw material that our melanocytes (a pigment-producing cell) need to make melanin is an ingredient called tyrosine.

According to dermatologist Dr Howard Murad, eating foods rich in tyrosine like turkey, egg whites, cottage cheese, salmon, soy, almonds and avocados encourages melanin production and, consequently, a tan.

Get munching!

#2 Ditch shower gel

Shower gel can be harsh and leave our skin feeling dryCredit: Getty Images

Shower gel can strip your skin of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry and tight.

Switch to shower oil which does its cleaning job just as well but intensely moisturises at the same time.

Your tanned surface skin cells will love you for it.

#3 Lather on the oil

Channel Nicole and get your legs glistening with body oil to bring out your tan even moreCredit: Rex Features

Nicole Scherzinger on the X-Factor is pretty much a how-to guide in glistening legs.

Not only does oiling up make your limbs look leaner, but it also illuminates your tan for that deeper glow.

Win win!

We love the hydrating and beautifying coconut body oil from , £10.

#4 Crave carrots

Stock up of foods rich in beta-carotene to get a tan 'from within'Credit: Getty Images

Never has the saying 'you are what you eat' been more relevant.

Various research shows munching on foods rich in beta-carotene (a type of red-orange pigment) can emulate a tan. Yes please!

Carrots have particularly high levels of beta-carotene but foods like sweet potatoes, apricots and mangoes (are you seeing the orange theme here?) are also rich in it.

Not a fan of carrots? Beta-carotene capsules might be for you. sell them for £16.99.

#5 Drink water

Keep hydrated with water and cut down on alcohol and coffeeCredit: Getty Images

No matter what the lotions say, there's nothing like hydrating from the inside out to keep your skin plump and smooth.

Drinking water prolongs the life of cells so it keeps those nicely tanned ones in action for longer.

Steer away from the lattes and other caffeinated drinks like Coke and opt for water or super-hydrating (sugar free) coconut water instead.

Remember that alcohol is also dehydrating so, if you've been on an all-nighter, don't forget to overload on the H2O the next day!