How to Prep Skin for Self Tanner in Cold or Dry Weather

Ask any seasoned tanning pro—skin prep is the name of the game for an even, streak-free tan. Moisturize elbows, knees, hands, feet, and any severely dry areas with a water-based lotion beforehand to avoid them getting too dark, as tan will naturally adhere to drier areas more. Avoid showering/bathing, exercising, sweating, or swimming for at least 8-10 hours upon application. And, if you’ve applied your sunless tanner in the morning, wear dark, loose-fitting clothing. If you’ve know how to prep skin for self tanner before bedtime, cover your bed linens with dark sheets to avoid spotting and rub-off. Even without a color guide/bronzer, self-tanner will still rub-off on sheets and clothing as skin naturally exfoliates.

Plan accordingly if using a guide of how to prep skin for self tanner color/instant bronzing—you may want to rinse off before bed to prevent stained bed sheets. Keep in mind you can use self-tanners for more than just faking a tan. Using self-tanner to temporarily even out skin tone and camouflage the appearance of hyperpigmentation is a longtime celebrity secret weapon, including on deeper skin tones. Choose a shade intensity (light, medium, deep, very deep, etc.) that will complement (but not overpower) your skin. "Start at the back of the body, behind the knees, and under your arms—all of those hard-to-reach areas—and slowly make your way to the easier, larger parts of the body," says Padilla. "For any areas like the thigh crease, get more leverage by using your toilet to prop your leg up diagonally."

Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best formulas. We spoke with experts to learn about self-tanners and how they work. We also researched and tested top-rated and brand-new formulas that hit the market to help you find the best products out there. Your diet may be the last thing on your mind pre-tan, but it's actually something you should keep in mind.

Fortunately, today’s formulas are light years ahead of the orange, streaky products of yesteryear. These self-tanners are formulated with innovative ingredients that hydrate, firm, and smooth while delivering natural-looking color. From gradual lotions to customizable foams, these products prove that gorgeous, sun-kissed skin is ageless. Kristyn Pradas's own line contains an outrageous array of skin-nourishing, clinically proven, classic skin-care ingredients.

We should also mention that not all exfoliators are created equal. Some of these guys can dry out your skin after using them, which is counterproductive to what you want, pre-self tan. BBE’s body scrubs get rid of dryness while infusing moisture back into your skin. Meaning, you’ll be completely self-tanner-ready when you hop out of the shower.

It’s worth repeating, but the safest way to tan is to  wear your SPF daily (promise us you do this!) and then – fake it, baby! Our love of self-tan is only growing – even being housebound throughout lockdown, we still made the effort. Body positive tanning brand Isle of Paradise reported an uplift in sales of 270 per cent in 2020 with its busiest week ever taking place when the UK first went into lockdown. And now that we actually have places to go, it’s no surprise that Google has seen a 90 per cent increase in searches for self-tanner since the start of 2022. Be sure you apply it during the daytime, in natural light, and with a full-length mirror if possible.

To create a DIY exfoliating scrub, you’ll need some granulated sugar and your favorite moisturizing oil, such as coconut or olive oil. Simply mix the two how to prep skin for self tanner together until you have a thick paste. Then, apply the scrub to damp skin and gently massage in circular motions. Focus on areas where the self tanner tends to cling, such as elbows, knees, and ankles.

Using a tanning mitt not only helps you achieve an even golden hue but also prevents the palms of your hands from staining. If you apply body lotion all over your body, the lotion will go into your pores and your self-tanner will have nowhere to go. Therefore, you are probably going to be stuck with a light tan. Also, I would recommend using a light moisturizer for the dry parts, don’t use any type of lotion that’s heavy on the skin.

Meanwhile, if you have oily skin, Dr. Song warns that some self-tanners contain comedogenic ingredients, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts. "Some self-tanners may contain irritating ingredients such as acids and occlusives like oils that should be avoided in sensitive or acne-prone skin," says Dr. Song. She recommends opting for non-comedogenic formulas and anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera and green tea extract.

We also grabbed tanning mitts and brushes to apply the sunless tanner with. DHA creates a gradual tan, usually developing over the course of 2 to 8 hours, so don't freak out — and do not add more — if you're not seeing color right away. Before you dive into the world of sunless tan, prepping your skin is crucial.

Here, we're talking about top self-tanner mistakes and how to avoid them, along with sharing our best self-tanners. I’m all for a mousse, after all, it’s the type of self-tanner I’m most comfortable using. It comes with a mitt applicator that helps distribute the formula nicely, although it’s worth noting that it can dry rather quickly, so you’ll want to make sure you’re somewhat precise with the placement. I usually see a difference in the color of my skin right away, but it gets darker as time goes on and achieves a deep bronze after eight hours.

Before we get into the steps you'll need to know about the tanning product ingredients. If you plan to shave, you’ll also want to do it during prep time and before moisturizing since shaving lightly removes the top layer of skin. Conversely, if you wax or use depilatories, it’s best to hold off on self-tanning for at least 24 hours post-hair removal; otherwise, your color can become spotty and uneven, says Evans. Our best advice would be yes, you should absolutely use a tanning mitt to apply your self-tanner (unless you’ve chosen to go with the spray mist, in which case you don’t need one). Nobody wants to end up with a gorgeous faux glow from head to toe and hands that are dark orange.

The GlowMotions Glow Body Oils are the perfect solution for getting that temporary glow that you can wash off at the end of the day. Use Copacabana Bronze for a warm bronze, Rio Sunset for a translucent champagne shimmer, and Carnaval Queen for the perfect rosy sunkissed glow. Depending on your skin type and lifestyle, your tan can last between 5-7 days. You can reapply the mousse to maintain your tan or touch up any areas that may have faded. When you have a busy day planned, either before a vacation or a special event, every minute counts.

Nivea's hydrating gradual self-tanner contains coenzyme Q10, a natural antioxidant that enhances cell turnover, making it an ideal retinol alternative that reduces visible signs of aging. "With Q10 technology that helps both firming and radiance (per its name), this gradual tanning moisturizer hydrates, tightens, and tans the skin in 10 days," says makeup artist Brandy Allen. The bottle is also generously sized, considering it costs less than $15. Before you apply self-tanner, it’s important to prep your skin, so that your tan not only applies and fades evenly but is long-lasting.

Like the body oil, it smells warm and sultry with notes of clove, orange flower, and vanilla. It won’t just wash off with water right away but over time it will wash off if there is friction, or you’re exfoliating. It’s naturally going to come off as your skin gets how to prep skin for self tanner and comes off. I think most of us would say we want a nice sun kissed look, especially in the summer. But, we don’t always want to be baking in the sun to achieve it.

Basking in the sun is one of life’s little joys, and self-tanning can be a lot of work. It might be tempting to just bronze yourself the natural way (or the old-fashioned way — baby oil and tin foil, anyone? Eek!) rather than going through the hassle of a DIY job — but not so fast. When using a tanning mitt, you should typically use a side that is velvety or soft. This side is designed to evenly distribute the self-tanner onto your skin for a smooth application.

One thing that many people forget about, particularly those who have not had a spray tan before, is to protect their nails during the treatment. Just like with your clothing, spray tan solution can also stain your nails, leaving an unfinished and unprofessional look after your treatment. We always want to keep your hair up and out of the way during a treatment to avoid the risk of any tan getting into it.

We love this product for how easy it is to apply, and how evenly it goes on. What’s more, it’s easy to layer up with it if you decide you need just a little more bronzy goodness after your results develop. Plus, if thick creams aren’t your jam, this Isle of Paradise gem is an excellent alternative. I’m not a doctor, so when it comes to anything to do with pregnancy and what is safe for your baby, you should always check with your physician first and foremost. Second to that, you should check the label or speak to the manufacturer of the specific product. Sisley has a great reputation using clean ingredients like hibiscus flower and sesame extract.

Shaving the day before will also prevent tiny droplets of self-tanner from accumulating in the follicles where you have shaved the hairs, which can cause a freckled or spotty appearance. Because your simulated tan is only occurring at the surface level of your skin, if your skin gets too dry, your body will just shed those dry skin cells, taking your tan along with it. Since it is exposed, the epidermis requires frequent cell regeneration. You lose 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells each minute, which is about 50 million cells every day. The epidermis is comprised of up to 30 layers of dead skin cells.

Absolutely, but if you’d rather, try out our natural Face Self Tanner—specially formulated for the unique needs of your face. We recommend using a face moisturizer first and then applying the self tanner just as you would a moisturizer. One of the most important steps in preparing your skin for a DIY self tanner is to moisturize beforehand.

Choose a fast-acting formula that dries quickly and delivers a rich, bronzed color in a short amount of time. Look for products that are long-lasting and fade evenly to keep you looking flawless throughout the event. When choosing a self-tanner for olive skin, it is important to look for products with a formula that will blend seamlessly with the skin, minimizing the chances of streaking or an uneven application. Opt for self-tanners that offer a buildable color to customize the intensity of the tan to suit your preferences.

For more of my favorite self tanners, check out this best self tanners review. When applied topically on your skin’s surface, DHA reacts with dead cells and tyrosine molecules to temporarily darken skin tone — better known as the Maillard reaction. And if you can’t enlist a friend to help with your back, Trujillo suggests heading to the kitchen. Her trick is to slip a tanning mitt over a spatula and use that to apply tanner to the areas on your back that are out of arm’s reach. “Since the formulations work with the outermost layer of the skin, getting the newest cells possible to the surface for application will help extend how long the tan lasts,” Robinson says.

Ideally, you should wait at least 15 minutes before putting clothes on and then you should stay in loose-fitting clothing for the next few hours, Trujillo advises. Getting wet, sweaty, or wearing anything too tight will cause the tanner to wear off and look splotchy and uneven. For a gradual, buildable tan, this buttery lotion can't be beat. It also doesn't smell like a typical tanning product if you're sensitive to that biscuit-like DHA scent.

If a self-tanning lotion is more your speed (personally, I like these as a beginner because the color develops gradually and they're usually fairly foolproof), I recommend how to prep skin for self tanner. Not only does it smell amazing, but it leaves a golden, sun-kissed tint behind. “A darker self tan only needs to be applied every seven to 14 days,” Evans how to prep skin for self tanner. However, the first places that will need reapplication are the face and hands. Evans recommends St. Tropez’s self tan purity bronzing face mist.

If I desire a deeper color, I will apply an additional coat each day for 2-3 consecutive days. If you want a believable-looking tan and an even application, apply your self-tanner in sections, making sure to massage the formula onto your skin in a uniform circular motion. Consider investing in a self-tanning mitt to help keep your palms from getting stained. If you’re unsure which shade to choose, it’s always better to go with the lighter one.

So how do you choose a self-tanner that actually looks natural? Read on to learn the fine art of the faux glow, then pick the best tanning lotion, how to prep skin for self tanner, spray, or wipe for you. Yes, it’s recommended to moisturize your skin before using gloves to apply self-tanner. Moisturizing helps hydrate the skin, making it smoother and more receptive to the tanner.