If you choose to tan, you can still minimize the damage to your skin by taking a few simple steps.

First of all, how long your tan lasts depends on the quality of your tan, but caring for your skin always helps.

"The more you exfoliate, the better your tan," explains aesthetician Helene Leclerc. The trick is to do a full-body exfoliation before leaving for your beach vacation, to remove dead cells and expose the layer underneath so that it can turn golden in the rays.

To avoid sunburns (or at least to minimize the risk) take a daily lycopene suppement. Start taking lycopene 4 weeks before the planned vacation, or ideally in March (if too late, start immediately). Eat lots of tomatoes, indulge in tomato sauces with pasta, and drink tomato juice.

Your skin will love the idea to supplement with beta-carotene. Not only it protects from free radical damage, it also imparts a lovely golden sheen to your skin. Eat carrots and papaya, spinach, kale and cabbage. Don't overdo with beta-carotene, or your skin turns orange. Nothing dangerous, the orange hue will go away pretty quickly, but still, why risk?

Mineral sunscreens are still the best when it comes to non-irritation factor and full-scale protection from all sun rays. But most mineral sunblocks look dull on your skin. Here's a tip: carefullu funnel some bronze/terracotta/golden shimmery mineral blush into the pump bottle, them pour or squeeze the sun cream on top. Don't be afraid to add some water to dilute if it doesn't blend well. All mineral blushers, bronzers and foundations have built-in sun protection factor, so your sun cream won't get weaker.

And don't forget to moisturize before and after exposure. Yup, you read that right: Before slathering on sunscreen, rub some nourishing aloe gel into your skin. "It will keep your skin soft and minimize the drying effects of UV rays," says Helene.

After sun session, shower and remedy your skin with soothing gel or a body oil. If you have time and amenities, prepare a black tea bath (5-6 black tea sachets per tub full). Black tea will infuse your skin with antioxidants as well as beautiful dark tan-prolonging pigments.

Have fun and take care in the sun!