Self-Tan: Preparation and Application

BEAUTY · GLOBAL

Self-Tan: Preparation and Application

How DHA works, exfoliating and moisturising, applying evenly and fixing mistakes

Self-tan goes wrong at the preparation stage far more often than at the application stage. Getting the first part right makes the rest straightforward.

How it works

Dihydroxyacetone reacts with amino acids in the outermost layer of skin to produce a brown pigment. The colour develops over several hours and fades as those cells shed, which is why it lasts about a week.

It is not sun protection. Self-tan provides essentially no meaningful barrier to ultraviolet, so daily sunscreen is still required.

Preparation

Exfoliate the day before rather than immediately before, and remove any hair at least a day ahead so pores have closed. Shaving after applying removes the tan in stripes.

Apply to clean, completely dry skin with no moisturiser, deodorant or perfume on it.

Moisturise the dry areas

Knees, elbows, ankles, wrists, knuckles and feet absorb more and go darker. A thin layer of moisturiser on those areas first is the single most effective trick in self-tanning.

Applying it

Use a mitt, work in sections in long sweeping motions, and go lightly over hands and feet at the very end with whatever is left on the mitt.

Blend down onto the neck and behind the ears. A line at the jaw or wrist is the commonest giveaway.

While it develops

Loose dark clothing, no exercise, no showering and nothing tight for the stated time. Sweat and water both cause streaking during development.

Maintaining and removing

Moisturise daily so the tan fades evenly rather than patchily, and exfoliate to remove it rather than layering over a patchy one.

Swimming, long hot baths and heavy exercise all noticeably shorten how long it lasts.

Face and gradual products

A gradual tanner with a lower concentration is far more forgiving on the face, where mistakes are visible. Leave a day either side of using acids or retinoids, which remove tan faster and cause patchiness.

Before an event

Build colour over several days rather than applying heavily the night before, and shower once to rinse off any guide colour before dressing. Allow the full development time stated.

Test any new product on a small area at least a week before anything important.

Tanning safely

Self-tan is the only genuinely safe way to look tanned. Sunbeds increase skin cancer risk substantially and are banned for under-eighteens in many countries.

Fixing mistakes

Exfoliate the patch, use a dedicated tan remover, or a little lemon juice and bicarbonate. Wash bedding and towels promptly, since DHA stains fabric.

Patch test on a small area first, since reactions to DHA and to added fragrance do occur.

WHERE TO BUY

Ready to shop Vita Liberata? Use the link below to visit the official store.

→ Shop Vita Liberata — official site

Visit this site