How to apply self-tanners properly

Self-tanners are becoming increasingly popular in today's homes, whether to give paler skinned people a tanned look, or for those who prefer an artificial tan rather than exposing their skin to endless hours of sun.
Whichever the reason, self-tanners are a good choice for showing off a tanned skin all year round.

What are self-tanners?

Self-tanners are cosmetic products that are designed to colour our skin without melanin being created through exposure to the sun. The active ingredient in these products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which reacts with the corneal layer to produce melanoidin. This is a coloured compound that is similar in colour to a natural tan. The tone and intensity of the tan will depend on the formula of the self-tanning cream you choose.

Difference between tan accelerators and self-tanners

It is important to emphasise that sun cream is not the same as tan accelerators or self-tanners. Each of these products are different and we need to know about them in order to choose the one that best fits our needs.
Sun cream protects us from the sun and its ultraviolet rays, whereas tan accelerators increase the colour tone of our skin, enhancing melanin production by stimulating our natural bodily functions. Self-tanners though, are to give colour to our skin without exposing it to sunlight.
Experts recommend using sun cream protection and tan accelerators together to avoid sunburn and skin problems in the future.

7 steps to apply tanners for a natural look

1. Exfoliate: if you want a uniform result, you really need to prepare your skin properly first, paying special attention to rougher areas such as your knees, elbows and ankles.
2. Test it: before applying the product all over your body, test it on a small area to see how the colour of your skin changes. Do this at least 48 hours before final application of the product.
3. Hydrate your skin: to make the self-tanner easier to spread, we recommend hydrating your skin, particularly in rougher areas.
4. Gently and little by little: the product should be applied bit by bit all over our skin to achieve a uniform finish. Ah, and one more thing! Wash your hands immediately afterwards, or use a glove when applying it.
5. Be careful with your clothes: use loose-fitting clothes for at least 3-4 hours after applying the tanner. Although self-tanners should not initially stain, they do always release some colour and can stain clothing.
6. Browner? 24 hours after the first application, if the colour tone is still too pale for your liking, you can apply it again for a darker tone.
7. Keep hydrating: hydration is fundamental for healthy skin. For our tan to last longer we should hydrate our skin every day and exfoliate again 3 to 4 days afterwards so as to achieve a uniform colour tone. Apply the product again after exfoliating.

Types of self-tanners

• Sun mist: these are refreshing skin products that we spray over our skin, and in this case that give us a tan. They are easy to apply and feel light and fresh.
• Sun milk: these are light body creams that tan and hydrate our skin. Your skin will be soft and silky afterwards.
• Sun oil: as its name suggests, these products have an oily texture but they are not sticky. They hydrate and nourish our skin, and are usually in the form of a spray.
• Powders: these are cosmetic products that give the skin on our face a tanned look and enhance the effects of sunlight.