How to Prep Skin for Self Tanner: The Role of pH Balancing in Your Routine

Dos and Don’ts

Here’s a guide on how to prep skin for self tanner that will help you achieve your desired results.

 from celebrity tanner, James Read, to achieve the best fake tan results. Before you add any old tanner to cart, consider your skin type. While you’re exfoliating, focus on rough, scaly areas like the heels, knees, and elbows because the DHA will deposit more heavily there. Those areas are prone to thicker patches of dead skin cells, Robinson explains, so they absorb more DHA. Plus, those areas shed more slowly than the rest of the body. To prevent streaking and patchiness, blend in your self tanner using your favourite moisturiser until you’ve got an even how to prep skin for self tanner .

It is important to choose a tan formula that suits you, with He-Shi you have plenty of options, whether you want to go with a liquid, lotion or mousse. Once you choose your desired formula you can consider colour. It is important to consider your own skin tone and hair colour to ensure you avoid a colour that is too dark. Use a gentle scrub, like our Tasmanian Sand Scrub, and an how to prep skin for self tanner  Glove to remove any dead skin cells, paying extra attention to rough areas like the knees, elbows, and ankles. The colour change is gradual, as the DHA takes time to develop.

Exfoliate Thoroughly

Pay special attention to areas prone to dryness, such as knees, ankles, heels, and the tops of the toes. This step will leave your skin smooth, soft, and ready to absorb the self-tanner. If you plan on shaving or waxing prior to applying a sunless tanner, make sure you do so at least 24 hours before applying the product. Also make sure you are careful not to shave over areas where you have already applied self-tanning products as this can cause unevenness in coloration.

Then there’s the choice of format – self-tan erasers come in mists, mousses and creams. No longer do you have to scrub your skin raw to remove all remnants of fake tan. Now, thanks to the latest crop of clever self-tan erasers, you can gently rid the skin of patchy self-tan residue in as little as five minutes.

The first step in prepping your skin is exfoliation. This process removes dead skin cells, allowing the self-tanner to adhere better and how to prep skin for self tanner evenly. Use a gentle body scrub or an exfoliating mitt to focus on areas prone to dryness, such as elbows, knees, and ankles.

Avoid showering or coming into contact with water for at least 6-8 hours after applying self-tanner. During this time, avoid sweating or doing activities that may cause the tan to smudge or rub off. Do choose the right product for your desired level of tan. Consider the concentration of DHA in the self-tanner to how to prep skin for self tanner your desired shade. Start with a lower concentration if you're new to self-tanning and gradually build up to a darker tan.

Choose the Right Exfoliant

Opt for an exfoliant that suits your skin type. For sensitive skin, consider using a chemical exfoliant with ingredients like glycolic acid. For normal to oily skin, a physical scrub can work well. Make sure to exfoliate at least 24 hours before applying self-tanner to avoid irritation.

Embrace your inner radiance and get ready to turn heads with a wonderfully tanned face that exudes confidence and a touch of summer all year round. Use the smallest amount of product possible, and try to apply in smooth, circular motions. Again, take extra care of spots that tend to orange - like underarms, elbows, and knees. If you follow these tips, you can kiss your toasty orange days goodbye and say hello to the perfect, sun-safe summery glow. Yes, once the self-tanner is fully dry and has developed (typically after 4-8 hours), makeup can be applied over it. Ensure the tanner is thoroughly absorbed and your skin is moisturized for the best makeup application results.

Self-tan tends to absorb more easily in drier areas of the skin, so it's a good idea to moisturise your elbows, knees, and ankles before applying the self tanner. This will help to prevent those areas from turning out darker than the rest of your skin. Apply some petroleum jelly to your nails and cuticles before using self-tanner. This barrier prevents the product from staining your nails.

Shave or Wax

Spread the self-tanner evenly, always massaging in a circular motion, avoiding the eye area and not forgetting the temples, neck and décolleté. •  For application before bed, you can optionally apply a translucent powder over self-tanner to help set it and prevent it from smudging while sleeping. To help you out, we’ve put together this quick guide and video at the end for how to self-tan your face to maintain a natural-looking tan no matter what time of year. + Keeping your skin moisturized post-tanning will help to lock in and prolong your tan. + If you are fair-skinned, look for a self-tanner with a green undertone.

With these tips, applying a streak-free self-tanner becomes child's play! Simply take the time to prepare your skin, then let our Moisturizing Self-Tanning Mousse illuminate your skin with a natural, adjustable tan. With our holidays how to prep skin for self tanner any scheduled spray tan appointments on hold, the best way to cheat a feel-good glow may be from a bottle.

If you plan to shave or wax, do it after exfoliating and at least a day before tanning. This allows your skin to calm down and reduces the risk of any irritation that might interfere with the self-tanner application.

Moisturize Dry Areas

You can mix them in with your face cream or lotion to customize intensity. They are infused with skin-loving ingredients like Aloe Vera and Coconut to keep your skin hydrated while you tan, for a stunning natural glow. Their moisturising properties also make them a great self tan for sensitive skin, as they are gentle and soothing. If you still find some areas are darker, lighten with a light physical exfoliation using the Salux Cloth, Facial Exfoliating Sponge or a body polish. Always wash the product off your palms entirely when you are done.

After exfoliating, moisturize areas prone to dryness to prevent them from absorbing too much self-tanner. Apply a lightweight lotion or oil specifically to your elbows, knees, hands, and feet. This helps achieve an even tan without dark patches.

ROYAL FERN Meet the plant-based skin care brand here to enhance your natural radiance. Over the years, the GLAMOUR team – alongside a pool of expert freelance writers – have tested several self-tan erasers from a variety of brands. We take these experiences and use them to inform our reviews; taking details like ingredients, price points and results into account.

Choose the Right Moisturizer

Spray tans candevelop anywhere between three to eight hours, making them perfect forleaving on overnight and rinsing in your morning shower. No matter how experienced you are with at-home tanning, hands and feet always prove to be a little tricky. The most telling sign of a fake tan is a poorly blended wrist or ankle. Problems in these areas happen because "the hands and feet are very sensitive to self-tan and will develop a lot darker than the rest of the body," says Evans. To how to prep skin for self tanner these parts looking natural, apply a light layer of moisturizer before tanning.

Look for a moisturizer that is free of oils and heavy fragrances. A non-comedogenic formula ensures that your pores won't clog, which can lead to uneven tanning results.

While we may not be baring much skin just yet, self-tanning the face can help offset the effects of a long, cold winter, and frame a spring-like state of mind. Applying self-tanner can certainly be intimidating, especially if you’re new to it. But if you follow these tips and the instructions provided with your self-tanner, you can rest easy knowing your face will be sun-kissed in no time. Much how to prep skin for self tanner hair color and cosmetics, color base tans contain a unique set of bronzers to generate different tones of brown and skin-true shades.

It glides onto the skin for easy, streak-free application. The healthy-glow effect is apparent from the very first application. Then, adjust the frequency of application until you reach the desired shade.

Now that you know what you need to do tokeep your tan looking its best and lasting its longest, all that’s left is stockup on the best self-tanning products. Note that certain self-tanning products,like Fake Bake’s Flawless CoconutTanning Serum for Face and Body, require you to rinseoff the guide color with warm water after development time. Always go for thespecific instructions that come with each product for best results.

Ensure Clean Skin

That’s because the skin on your legs produces less melanin than the rest of the body and it’s thicker, harder and more challenging for the UV rays to penetrate. When using fake tan, you may find that the area below your knees is frequently paler than the rest of your body, after applying the same or more amount of product. Your feet, on the other hand, can come up considerably darker and patchy in areas.

Rub your hands together with soap to lift the product and ensure you are removing it from your hands. Do not use a darker colour shade because you want to go darker. The ABC shade system has been formulated specifically considering the melanin in one’s natural skin tone and the amount that will work best to deliver a natural looking tan. Shaving and waxing will open your pores which is not ideal before applying self-tan. Ideally, shaving should be done around 12 – 24 hours before applying self-tan.

Before applying self-tanner, make sure your skin is clean and free from any lotions, perfumes, or makeup. Take a shower to remove any residues that could affect the tanner's performance. Pat your skin dry how to prep skin for self tanner with a towel; avoid rubbing to reduce irritation.

Don’t forget to cover your elbows, knees, hands, and feet (particularly the ankles, knuckles and creases). Nobody wants to look orange after shelling out cash for a spray-on tan, which is why choosing the right shade for your complexion is a must. The right spray tan color for you might differ from what works for a friend. Besides the fact that someone with paler skin will want to go lighter than someone with a darker skin tone, the undertone of their spray tan should also be different.

Then follow up with an AHA or BHA exfoliant, which you apply to a dry skin. Start doing this a few days before you intend to apply the self-tanner. Prepping my skin is super important in my self-tanning routine. Not only does it allow for an easier, more seamless application, but it actually makes my tan last longer as well. To start my routine, I shower, exfoliate and shave 6-12 hours prior to tanning.

Prepare Your Tools

But I don’t want the skin damage that comes with laying out. And it sounds and feels like a great idea all the way up until the moment it develops and you wind up looking like …an Oompa Loompa. Wait for the self-tanner to completely dry and develop before wearing tight clothing or going to bed. Wearing dark, loose-fitting clothing after application can also help prevent fabric stains. Self-tanner removers can be applied to areas with mistakes to help how to prep skin for self tanner the tan more quickly. Exfoliating scrubs and lemon juice are popular home remedies for correcting tanning errors.

Using the right tools can significantly impact your self-tanning experience. Consider using a tanning mitt or applicator glove to achieve a smooth and even application. These tools help distribute the product evenly while preventing stained palms.

Test for Sensitivity

If you're trying a new self-tanner, perform a patch test on a small area of your skin a few days prior to your full application. This helps determine if you have any sensitivities to the product.

In addition, remember to moisturize in the days leading up to your self-tanner application so your skin is soft and evenly hydrated. On the day of, shower and completely dry off before cracking open that self-tanner. When it comes to self-tanning, DiMarchi recommends saving the best for last and applying at the end of the day. After you've exfoliated and revealed your smoothest, most baby-soft, flake-free skin, it's time to grab your lotion. Self-tanner is less likely to look patchy or streaky when applied to moisturized skin. All the spray tan prep tips you need to how to prep skin for self tanner for your tanning appointment.

Final Tips

To achieve the best results, consider the following tips:

• Apply self-tanner in a well-ventilated area to allow for quicker drying.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing after application to avoid smudging.

• Wait at least 8 hours before showering or exercising to let the tanner develop fully.

By following these steps on how to prep skin for self-tanner, you set yourself up for a beautiful, natural-looking glow. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a radiant tan that lasts for days!