Self-Tanner Routine for Long Lasting Tan

Summer time means tan lines. On this post I’ll walk you through self tanners products, what you need to think about and my self-tanner routine for long lasting tan. I used to tan a lot when I was young before I went to aesthetic school and I understood why it is so bad for your skin. Both UVB and UVA can damage your skin cell’s DNA producing premature aging and skin cancer. UVB affects mainly the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) by burning it.

Since then, I have looked for ways to give myself a little color that looked natural without laying in the sun. I used to get professional spray tanning which I liked. However, because of the COVID19 pandemic, I have been staying home and skipping on the pro tan. But tans make you look glowy and more toned. So, I decided to tried self-tanning. I remember trying  drugstore self-tanners and I didn’t like them at all. I didn’t like the smell, they felt sticky and left my skin dried, patchy with streaks. This time, I started by doing a little research.

Gradual Tan vs. Self Tanner

? The gradual tan is a moisturizer that contains less tanning agent (DHA). DHA is a colorless chemical (it is derived from glycerin) that interacts with the amino acids in dead skin cells to produce a brown color change. DHA is not absorbed through the skin into the body and it has no known toxicity

? Gradual tanner gives a natural more controlled way to get a tan because you can use every day or every other day until you get the colored desired. It gives no strikes and it is safer option if you feel nervous about self-tanners

? Self Tanners have a high concentration of DHA which can provide a tan that lasts around 7 days.

Color Depth

Some self-tanners in the market let you choose the intensity of the tan you want to accomplish. They are straight forward light, medium, tan and extra tan. The names vary from brand to brand. The color you choose depends on the color of your skin. If you have a very fair skin tone, you could try light. I actually chose a couple of tones for myself. I chose a light for my face and medium for my body. If you have really light tone skin, I wouldn’t recommend going too dark. You can build up to medium but the key is to stay closer to your skin tone for natural results.

Step 1 – Prep the Skin

Take a shower the night before. Gently exfoliate the skin with a loofah for the skin to remove all the dead cells. Shave your legs and I use a creamy body wash that hydrates the skin. Skip the after shower lotion.

Self-tanning Routine

I used three types of self-tanners:

1. Express Self-Tanner Mist
2. Gradual Self-Tanner Lotion
3. Self-Tanner Drops for the face

Body:

Before starting the process, it might be best to apply in the shower or on top of a towel as there might be over spray. I used the express self-tanning mist first. I started on my legs spraying in a continuous motion. Using a  self-tanning mitt  to rub the mist into the skin. The spray is so fine you can barely see it on the skin. So, avoid over spraying in the same area. Wash your hands immediately if you get any mist on your hands. Continue misting the rest of your body and avoid the face.

Once all the self-tanner was dried, I used the gradual tanning lotion as a body moisturizer. I applied on my skin using my hands and immediately washing with soap and water. The one I picked smelled like watermelon. This self-tanner takes 4 hours to develop; therefore, take a shower once those 4 hours have lapsed.

Face:

I wanted some color of my face so I could match my tan so I picked light self-tanning drops. It is really simple to use. Take your favorite moisturizer and put the amount you are going to use on the palm of your hand. Use the dropper to add one or two drops of the self-tanner. Mix it with your fingertips and gently apply on the face and neck.

To maintain the tan color use the gradual tanning lotion every other day or everyday if you want to deepen the tan.

Tanologist

Created by makeup artist Lottie Tomlinson. She created the line because she was frustrated with the products in the industry that used to make her break out or making feel that her pores were clogged, the fake tan smell. She created the line to deliver a flawless glowing skin with a clean, clear and streak-free formula.

St Tropez

It is a leading tanning brand preferred by celebrities, influencers and professionals. The company claims that it contain 100% natural tanning agent, as well as our bestselling scents for no self tan smell.