Self Tan - a SAFE Tan!
Chartered Chemist and founder of SOS Serum Skincare, Bruce Green comments;
I have always preached that there is no such thing as a safe tan but if you must tan then get it from a bottle and not that bright orange monster in the sky. Orange used to be the colour of bottle tans but not anymore!
Modern self-tan formulations provide a natural glow without orange streaks and bad smells. The products use DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) – a colourless sugar that reacts with the dead cells to create a tanning effect. The reaction is not instant, and usually takes three to four hours to fully develop.
As the skin constantly renewing itself, faux flow only lasts between 5-7 days.
Always remember that DHA does not provide any sun protection; you still need to wear a sunscreen. We would recommend our SOS Serum Skincare range – super compatible with all DHA formulations.
What are your five biggest tips for achieving an even glow and minimising any tanning disasters?
Exfoliate the skin - the same way cleansing is a super important step for your skincare routine, exfoliating the skin before you tan will keep the skin's appearance even and make it easy to re-apply the product without patches or clogged pores.
Always ensure your skin is hydrated. Dehydrated skin that needs moisture will create patches and clog the tan to skin for a darker/patchier appearance. Tan can be drying to the skin if the skin is already dry, as it acts as a skin barrier.
Take off any make-up before you tan - tan works best on clear skin and reduces the risk of breakout.
Shop around for different tan types - you might find applying a foam/mousse tanner easier than tanning drops/spray.
If you're new to tanning, starting with a gradual tan will introduce you to glowing skin without taking the huge leap in skin tone change, which you may not like.
What can be the benefits of opting for a gradual tan?
Gradual tanning products can be used for both building a tan daily, and building upon an existing tan to stop it from fading as quickly.
If you make any mistakes while applying self-tan yourself, what’s the best product/technique to remove it?
Safe, fast removal:
Oils; Baby / Coconut / Olive - apply to the skin for 10 minutes and wash off with a body shampoo. A tip: add baking soda to the oil to make a greater paste exfoliating scrub but don’t overdo it. Be gentle with your skin, then wash and moisturise.
How do you avoid orange hands when using self-tan?
Moisturiser or a hand barrier cream will protect your hands from picking up tanning pigments - make sure to apply before you tan, and wash your hands straight after, ensuring you get in-between your knuckles and all over the palm and backs of your hands.
When is it best to exfoliate without damaging self-tan?
Waiting at least 48-72 hours will ensure your tan has set into the skin so you're able to remove the top layer of dead skin cells without disturbing the tan's pigments too much.
Always remember that your self tan provides zero protection from the sun. You still need to apply a light SPF sun cream of 30 or 50 – SOS Serum Skincare has them both.