Self-tanners and how to apply them correctly

Although we have all heard of self-tanners, there are many doubts about how to use them, how they look, if they last or not, if they stain, protect the skin...

In this post, I will try to clarify these doubts and recommend the most natural and easiest to apply.

WHAT IS A SELF-TANNING?

It is a cosmetic that, when applied to the skin, provides the tone of the natural tan for a while.

Self-tanners can be more or less permanent, depending on their composition and mode of action.

Some are removed directly with soap and water, in a way they are dyes or makeup for the skin, and they last a day.

And those that are more durable and are not so easily removed, due to their DHA composition, provide more permanent color to the skin and we can find a wide variety of them.

DHA, dihydroxyacetone or glycerone, is a carbohydrate, which is obtained naturally from beets or sugar cane. It can also be obtained synthetically by oxidation of glycerol.

Around 1920, German scientists observed that X-raying skin to which DHA had been applied caused it to tan.

Although the first self-tanning cosmetics appeared around 1960 when Coppertone released QT (quick tan), until now these cosmetics have evolved a lot.

The action of DHA is a chemical reaction in which this substance reacts with the keratin layers of the cells of the stratum corneum of the skin (the outermost cells of the skin).

The keratin of the skin is made up of proteins, and these proteins in turn are made up of amino acids.

DHA reacts with these amino acids forming dark pigments that will give the skin a tanned tone. Thus, particles called melanoidins, similar to melanin, are formed. However, this chemical reaction does not require exposure to UV rays.

There is another component called erythrulose that is also part of the composition of self-tanners. Erythrulose is another saccharide with a ketone group just like DHA.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

DHA takes 45 minutes to react on the skin. From that moment, the full effect is found within two hours of use. It is the time of drying and reaction of the skin. However, you should not shower or wash for at least 4 hours.

DHA reacts with the outermost cells of the skin, these cells are the ones that are continually renewed every 3 to 10 days, which is why this will be the time that a self-tan will last unless it is exfoliated before.

As the cells are progressively renewed, the self-tan is also lost at the same rate. The cell renewal time is what will mark the need for product renewal.

I recommend applying the self-tanner again every three days and if you want it to last longer, the key is to hydrate your skin a lot, with this we will be able to reduce its natural peeling rate. That is, the cells remain hydrated for longer.

The skin is completely renewed every 35 to 40 days and this is the time it will take for the product to be completely lost if it is not removed in some other way beforehand.

Current self-tanners do not leave the color as orange as the old ones, it is a good option to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

WHAT TYPES ARE THERE?

There are many different types of self-tanners, depending on the type of composition, and the concentration of these products, which usually ranges from 1 to 15%, although the most common is 3 to 5%.

Those that contain, in addition to DHA, contain erythrulose. The tanning process is slower or faster.

Depending on the mode of application:

in spray

They can be used at home, with the product already prepared in a pressurized bottle, or in professional booths where a product diffuser is used.

They are quick and convenient to use since the product dries very quickly, it is liquid so you can get dressed right away without losing the effect of the product on your clothes and it is not necessary to use gloves.

Although the drawback is that it dries the skin somewhat, it is important that it is well hydrated before applying it.

If a very dark tan is desired, it will need to be applied more than once.

in foam

Like the spray, it is easy to apply, although it is necessary to use gloves for it. The advantage as the spray is that it also dries very quickly, however it does not dry out the skin as much since it does not usually contain alcohol in its composition.

The effect is in between the lotion or cream and the spray.

In lotion, cream or gel

This is perhaps the most cumbersome product to apply and the one you will have to wait the longest for it to dry before getting dressed. However, as it is applied as a cream or lotion, it will also contain moisturizing active ingredients that will allow the self-tanner to remain in contact with the skin for longer. It is the one that will give the most intense and permanent color.

It is important not to apply it without gloves because in the same way that it will tan the skin where it is applied, it will also do so on the palm of the hands and more permanently.

on stick

The stick is also a cream that contains waxes, as if it were a lipstick.

In oil

It is applied directly and has the advantage of having an immediate flash effect, in addition to slightly tanning. Although if you are looking for a more permanent tan I do not usually recommend it.

This product is more suitable for areas that are not worn, such as necklines, legs or arms, as it takes a long time to dry and is very likely to stain clothes.

in wipes

Both the sticks and the wipes are applied to the wipes soaked in the liquid product, I prefer to recommend this product as an emergency method, like the spray or the liquids, it contains some alcohol so it will also dry the skin somewhat.

It is also very important to moisturize the skin.

According to the speed of action and permanence

instant tanners

These products contain little or no DHA itself. This type of product is limited to one action for one day until the skin is washed, it is like a long-lasting makeup or dye. They are removed with soap and water.

They usually carry carotenoids, canthaxanthins and other types of dark dyes.

We can find them in the same forms as the previous ones and also in powder form.

Gradual self-tanners

These products contain a very small amount of self-tanner, so it is necessary to apply it more often, so the tone rises, but it also lasts longer.

It is ideal on the face, since that way we get the tone that we like the most and in spring when we do not want a more discreet tone and not so tan-beach.

Also for whiter skins.

self-tanners

The classic self-tanners that we will apply every three or five days can be found in all the different forms that I have explained above.

tan extenders

Many of these products contain, in addition to highly nourishing and moisturizing active substances for the skin, a slight amount of self-tanner, with which we maintain the tan for longer.

HOW DOES IT APPLY?

If we have seen that the self-tanner binds to the outermost cells. So that the self-tanner lasts longer, the ideal is that before applying it we eliminate the cells that are about to detach, so it is advisable to exfoliate the skin.

It is very important to insist on areas that naturally have more dead cells or drier areas, such as knees and elbows.

Later we are going to keep the skin hydrated, with this we will achieve a more lasting effect since these cells that we are going to “dye” will remain longer in this layer of skin.

Finally, it is almost mandatory to wear gloves to apply the self-tanner, if we are going to use it at home and in a different way than spray, since if we are going to apply it all over the body, the palms of the hands are the ones that go the longest. to have the product applied and naturally this area does not tan so the palms of the brown hands will give us away and look very false.

Once we have properly exfoliated and hydrated the skin and with absolutely dry skin, we can start applying the product.

Some self-tanners are easier to apply than others because they are colored so you can see where it has been applied or not, unlike colorless ones.

In the body

It is important not to leave areas without applying product since where we do not put it, it will remain without tanning. That is why the ideal is to always follow the same routine from bottom to top: starting with one leg and then the other. Later the torso, the back and, finally, shoulders, neckline and down to the arm.

You have to pay attention when we are applying the product on feet and ankles, since it is easy for us to have a line.

My advice is to apply to the leg and without squeezing too much and spread it irregularly towards the foot, without pressing, you can use a mitten, cloth or soft brush (which will only be used for this).

Personally, I prefer the foot to look a little less tan, with stripes between the toes or on the ankles.

On the knees it is also necessary to apply it conscientiously and remove the excesses with the same cloth.

When we get to the arms, the same thing happens with the wrists and hands as with the feet, we also have the gloves on, as we have left it for last, we can take off a glove and gently distribute the product down from the wrist to the hand, without pressing so that the effect looks more diffuse.

It is important not to get dressed until the product is completely dry.

A trick that I usually advise is to apply it at night before going to bed and sleep in somewhat dark pajamas. So the next morning after the shower, in which the excesses are eliminated, the tan will be perfect.

And it is only necessary to hydrate the skin a lot, you can use a product such as body butter.

If we are going to apply it by spray, we must go quickly enough not to put more product in one place than another, and at the necessary distance to correctly distribute the product.

It really is just a matter of a little practice.

Face

It is also important not to leave areas without product, since this is where a white spot will remain, and to be homogeneous so that one area is not darker than another.

We will start, just like the body, with a good skin cleansing and a deep exfoliation, both with a scrub or even a cleansing brush.

The areas in which we must pay special attention are the hairline, the eyebrows and the wings of the nose, where there are usually more dead cells and it is easier for more product to accumulate, leaving a darker halo that will not look good, to avoid it, we can apply the product avoiding these areas, and then, carefully, as we have done on the feet and hands, spread it. You can also apply more moisturizer, with this we will prevent self-tan from accumulating.

It is preferable not to put on make-up if you have applied the self-tanner for at least four hours and have washed your face. Although you can put powder, like a rouge.

It is essential to keep your tan beautiful and for longer, moisturizing daily with a cream that is creamy enough or an oil.

DO YOU STAIN? AND THE SMELL?

The spots on the skin only appear when the product has been applied incorrectly, when we have left areas without applying or when we have put more product in one area than in another.

So in itself no stains or scratches will appear.

When the product is removed and is not applied again, smudges or traces may appear more brown than others, so it is preferable to remove them with a scrub-type exfoliant, by dragging the dead cells the ones that are dyed will also go away.

On clothing, at the time it has been applied and while it remains until the first time we shower, stains are likely to appear, so it is preferable to wear dark clothing that is not too tight.

Subsequently, it does not stain, although as the dead cells gradually shed, they can leave a slight trace, but the same as that left by a natural tan.

About the smell: some brands have managed to eliminate the particular smell that the oxidation of DHA has, it is lost as it has been applied for more days.

Some leave more trace than others.

HOW TO REMOVE THEM?

If it is a product for immediate use, it will suffice to wash with soap and water.

If it is a self-tanner, it is necessary to exfoliate the skin to remove it.

If we have stained ourselves when applying, it is preferable to clean the skin as soon as possible, we must avoid having the product applied as long as possible.

Hands must be washed thoroughly after application and if necessary use a small brush.

WHICH TO BUY?

Many times we want a self-tanner and we don't know which one to choose.

My advice is that, if the skin is fair, it is preferable to buy a gradual or mix the lotion with a moisturizer to diminish the tone that will result.

It is preferable to apply it twice than once and make it look bad or artificial.

If we have dark skin (perhaps it is easier), any of them will suit us.

However, if we are experts, the lotion will spread more economically.

The spray is faster but less intense, we need more applications, therefore, it is one of the useful products for subsequent applications or to maintain the color.

The foam is very easy to apply, so I recommend it when you are inexperienced.

I recommend the wipes only on legs and emergency areas, such as when we want to take off our stockings when wearing a skirt.

DO THEY PROTECT FROM THE SUN?

Although they tan us, they do not protect us from the sun. On the contrary, it is preferable not to sunbathe during the first 24 hours, since some studies indicate that the skin is more sensitive during that time.

If we are going to sunbathe and wear a self-tanner, let's not forget to apply a sunscreen since the color is not the result of the natural protection of melanin, but a much more external effect and we can burn ourselves anyway.

PRECAUTIONS?

It can cause contact dermatitis, it is preferable, if it has never been used, to apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area and wait for the skin reaction after 24 hours.

Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth or mucous membranes.

Sprays can be inhaled causing asthma.

Allergy to the product itself, or to the perfumes that contain it.

OTHER EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS?

IS IT ALSO A TAN ACCELERATOR?

tanning accelerators

Products containing tyrosine. This amino acid stimulates the formation of melanin, which promotes tanning.

the carotenes. It is also applied both in self-tanners and in tanning stimulators.

Athletes who compete in body building often use very dark dyes and subsequently moisturize their skin a lot so that it looks bright and hydrated.

SOME PRODUCTS

JAMES READ LIQUID TAN, SLEEP MASK TAN

ST.TROPEZ SELF TAN

GUERLAIN TERRACOTTA SUNLESS EXPRESS TAN

LANCASTER SELF TANNER