Master the Art of Self-Tanning with these Tips and Tricks
With warm weather just around the corner, we’re pulling out our shorts, bathing suits, and mini dresses from the depths of our closets. With this wardrobe change comes tanning season. Who doesn’t want to be tanned and glowing for their spring and summer festivities? However, laying out at the pool or beach isn’t an option for some of us, and others may be concerned about sun damage. While there are a variety of sunless tanning products on the market to choose from, a lot can go wrong when using self-tanners improperly. No one wants their sunless tan to look orange or patchy. If you’re wondering how to achieve the best natural-looking sun kissed glow, look no further. These are our top picks for self-tanning products as well as the best tips and tricks for achieving the most natural fake tan.
Unfortunately, most self-tanning products contain synthetic dyes that may be harmful to human health, as well as synthetic forms of dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the ingredient that tints the skin. These dyes can enhance the absorption of DHA into the bloodstream. Therefore, it’s important to seek out dye-free tanners containing plant-based forms of DHA. Enter, Beauty by Earth. Their sunless tanning products are plant-based and dye-free, so there is no need to worry about negative health effects or staining your sheets. But before you jump into applying your tanning lotion or mousse, follow our skin prep recommendations for the best tan.
The first step in any self-tanning routine should be exfoliating the body to remove any dead skin cells that may cause the tan to appear patchy. A sugar scrub, like the Revive Body Polish, is a great option for a hydrating exfoliant. Next, shaving will further exfoliate and smooth the surface of the skin. However, applying sunless tanning products on freshly shaven legs might cause the product to soak into the hair follicles, leaving behind the appearance of darker dots on the skin. For the most even tan, apply your tanner of choice about 12 hours after shaving.
When you’re ready to put on your tanner, apply a body lotion or oil to dry areas of the skin, like the knees, hands, and ankles. The Josh Rosebrook C Body Cream is perfect for ultra-dry skin. It’s important to apply a moisturizer to dry regions because tanner tends to stick to dry skin, making it appear darker in certain areas. Applying too much lotion to the whole body, however, can inhibit the tan from deepening, so don’t apply moisturizer where you don’t need it. Now you’re all set! It’s time to apply your self-tanner.
If you’re looking for a more instant tan, try the Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Mousse. Use a tanning mit to apply it evenly all over the body, and you’ll be left with a natural tan in four to six hours. If you prefer a lotion consistency, try the Self Tanner Tanning Lotion. This one takes six to eight hours to develop and should also be applied with a mit. Lastly, the Self Tanner Tanning Drops are a more concentrated, serum-like product. Simply mix a few drops into your face and/or body moisturizer and apply in circular motions with your hands. Make sure to rinse off your hands after application to avoid orange palms! The dropper format allows you to customize the depth of your tan; the more drops you mix into your lotion, the deeper the tan. For all of these products, we recommend washing the product off of the hands and feet after about an hour or two because it develops much quicker on these regions.
Once your tan is applied, put on your favorite pair of loose sweats to avoid too much product from rubbing off of the skin. You can go to sleep, hang out around the house, or go about your usual day once the product has fully dried down. Luckily, the Beauty by Earth products are weightless on the skin, so you won’t be bothered by them while your tan is developing. With the right products and techniques, self-tanning can be easy and fuss-free. You’ll be ready for whatever the warmer months have in store for you in no time!
