Find the Right Products for Self-Tanning
Even if you don’t use self-tanning products that often, you want to make sure to pick the right product. Self-tanners give you a glowing tan and won’t damage your skin. Here are some great tips to ensure that you won’t get a faded or streaked tan and will instead look naturally tanned.
You will see skin tones listed as dark, medium and light on many of the most popular tanning products in retail stores. The medium to dark shades tend to come out better, even if your skin is on the fair side, so keep that in mind while shopping. You don’t want an orange glow, and some of the lighter shades turn out that way.
Have clean, smooth skin before any application of self-tanning lotions or sprays. Cleanse, shave and exfoliate beforehand. You want your skin to be well moisturized so the tan will set well. You also want you skin to be slightly damp, so right after bathing is the perfect time to apply the product. The DHA in most of these products will absorb best if your skin is moist.
Make sure to begin with your feet and work upwards on the rest of your body. Do your hands and arms last. You don’t want to be bending over and get strange tan marks all over.
If you any moisturizers or body wash in the first couple of days after the tanning application, make sure the products do not have oil in them. Your tan may look splotchy if you use any products on your skin that are oil-based. After the first two or three days it does not matter too much. Avoid spraying perfume directly on your tanned skin.
Enjoy showing off your new tan, but don’t forget the sunscreen, since you still want to protect your skin and keep it healthy.