Spike in whitening cosmetics sales courtesy of New Moon

It seems the trend for tanned skin is finally on its way out and it’s all thanks to those pasty vampires that keep invading our movie screens and TV sets.

Yes, the days of frying ourselves on the beach or at the tanning salon and slathering ourselves in orange day-glo fake tan are over as women take inspiration from the latest Twilight film New Moon.

And cosmetic companies couldn’t be happier.

Sales of pale make-up rose 200 per cent over the past month, according to online beauty shop FeelUnique.com.

Top seller was their fine, pale pink illuminating powder by Bare Essentials called Mineral Veil.

L'Oreal has also reported a spike in sales of its True Match powder in rose ivory.

Kristen Stewart’s pale skin and gothic vampire friends are paving the way for fair-skinned beauties to chuck out the fake tan and parade their porcelain complexion.

This can only be a positive step towards combating the harmful effects of UV rays and campaigners against exposure of cancer-causing sun can finally breathe a (small) sigh of relief.

Other celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Nicole Kidman and Anna Friel have also contributed to the penchant for pale skin.