It has become a popular alternative for achieving a sun‑kissed glow without the risks associated with too much exposure to UV rays. But the world of self tanning lotions can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of brands, a myriad of ingredients, and a host of application tricks that promise a flawless finish. This guide will help you understand the practical side of the subject as well as the best sun tanning lotions on the market.
How Sun Tanning Lotions Work?
The active ingredient in virtually every sun tanner is dihydroxyacetone (DHA): a simple sugar that reacts with the amino acids on the surface of the outermost skin layer. Within a few hours, this chemical reaction produces melanoidins.
They give the skin a brownish hue. Because DHA only affects the dead cells on the skin’s surface, the tan fades naturally as those cells shed. A strong, dark self tanner can last for days, though.
Does Skin Need Preparation Before Applying Self Tanning Lotions?
Yes. A smooth, natural glow starts long before you open the bottle of a sun tanning lotion. Use a gentle, nonabrasive scrub or a chemical exfoliant containing low‑strength lactic acid. It will remove dead skin cells that could cause patchiness. That’s especially important when a face tanner is to be applied, don’t you agree?
Moisturize after exfoliation. Hydrated skin absorbs sun tanning lotions uniformly, while dry skin tends to take on a darker hue. Even the best sunlabs tanner, for example, might not help with avoiding the problem when you skip this particular step before application.
In addition, it’s a good practice to take a short break from both the sun and a tanning cream sunless solution. DHA reacts best on skin that hasn’t been exposed to UV‑induced melanin in the last 24 hours.
How to Develop a Natural-Looking Tan?
While using a quality salf tanning lotion, the initial color appears within 30 minutes. The final shade, however, emerges after 4–6 hours. Check the result after the full development period. If the color is lighter than desired, you can apply a second thin layer of a Sunlabs tanner. If it’s too dark for your taste, a gentle exfoliation the next day will lighten it up.
Keep skin moisturized daily to prolong the effects of sun tanning lotions. As the skin naturally renews itself, the color will fade gradually, giving you a seamless transition. This way you will also develop a more natural-looking glow so typical for authentic sun exposure in the Bahamas, for example.
