Few things spoil a holiday glow like stark white tan lines criss-crossing your shoulders and hips. The good news: with a few simple habits — and the right swimwear — you can get a much smoother, more even tan. Here are eight practical tips.
Why do tan lines happen?
Tan lines appear because ordinary swimwear fabric blocks UV light completely, so the skin underneath stays pale while everything exposed tans. The sharper the contrast between covered and uncovered skin, the more obvious the line. Most of the tips below work by softening that contrast.
1. Adjust and rotate your straps
If you're sunbathing for a while, gently reposition shoulder straps and tie sides now and then so the covered lines shift slightly rather than baking into one hard edge. A one-shoulder style naturally breaks up the classic two-strap line.
2. Choose tan-through swimwear
This is the big one. Tan-through swimwear is made from a micro-perforated fabric that lets a controlled amount of sunlight pass through the material, so the skin underneath tans gently too. The result is a far more even tan with softer lines — without going topless or constantly fidgeting with your straps.
3. Exfoliate and moisturise first
A smooth, hydrated base tans more evenly and holds colour for longer. Exfoliate a day before sun exposure and moisturise daily; dry patches and dead skin cause patchy, uneven results.
4. Change position through the day
Don't lie in exactly the same pose for hours. Alternate between your front, back and sides so the sun reaches your skin more evenly and no single area over- or under-tans.
5. Be smart about timing
UV is most intense in the middle of the day, which is also when burning is most likely. Shorter sessions earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon give a gentler, more controllable tan and are kinder to your skin.
6. Wear — and reapply — SPF
This matters most of all. Tan-through fabric offers only partial sun protection, so apply a suitable broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen over your whole body, including the areas covered by your swimwear, and reapply regularly — especially after swimming. Protecting your skin doesn't stop you tanning; it stops you burning, and burnt skin peels and tans unevenly anyway.
7. Even things out with a gradual self-tan
If you already have a few lines, a light gradual self-tanner can help blend the contrast between paler and darker areas for a more seamless finish.
8. Look after your skin afterwards
Cool showers, plenty of water and a rich after-sun or moisturiser help your tan last and fade evenly rather than flaking into patches.
The easiest win of all
Most of these tips take effort every single day of your holiday. Tan-through swimwear does the work for you. Explore our UK-designed, statement tan-through swimwear collection — one-shoulder swimsuits and mix-and-match bikinis in bold prints, all made to help you tan with fewer lines.
Always tan responsibly: use SPF, stay hydrated, and avoid prolonged exposure during peak UV hours.
