Does sea water help you tan?

Sea water itself does not directly contribute to tanning; rather, it's the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays that cause skin tanning. However, spending time at the beach can increase your sun exposure, which can lead to a tan. Additionally, the salt in sea water can make your skin feel dry, possibly leading some to mistakenly think they've tanned more quickly. It's important to use sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation while enjoying the sun.