You’ve seen the fake tan memes, you’ve watched tragic tans happen to people close to you, or maybe you’ve even experienced it for yourself – when it comes to horrible fake tans, chances are you have more than enough reason to avoid it like it’s the plague. We don’t blame you.
Fret not – we’re here to debunk the most common myths surrounding self-tanners.
1. “All fake tans look cheap and unnatural.”
If you’re worried about turning out like the orange people we see in reality TV, we are here to reassure you that more often than not, nasty self-tans come from equally nasty tanning formulas. Such formulas contain poor quality DHA and ingredients that are less than friendly to the skin. If you know your skincare products, the chemicals that cause breakouts are most likely found in poorly made tanning formulas as well.
Fortunately, we live in a day and age where we’ve figured out tons of ways to use natural ingredients that bring only good to the skin (and the environment!) – and self-tanners are one of them. First key tip: look for tanners with natural DHA. Second tip: make sure the rest of the ingredients are filled with antioxidants and are naturally moisturising. FYI: our self-tanners are all-natural, vegan, and are chock full of nutrients for the skin. 😉
2. “I self-tan, therefore, I can sun tan.”
Sorry to burst your philosophy bubble, but having a semi-permanent product on your skin does not mean you are safe from Mr. Sun. Self-tanners do zilch for your UV protection so make sure to slather on your SPF as per usual.
Remember that a self-tanner glow does not equate to natural melanin, so you are pretty much still walking around unprotected from harmful sun rays.
3. “Self-tan prep? I don’t need that.”
As much as we respect purists, being one has absolutely no place in self-tanning. If you want a beautiful glow, you’ve got to put in the work – and in this case, cutting corners with your pre-tan prep will bear ugly consequences (when we say ugly, we literally mean ugly).
If you’re a newbie or just in need of a refresher, exfoliate at least six hours before applying your tanner. Self-tanners tend to get absorbed in areas that are more rough and dry, which may result in an uneven finish.
When it comes to hair removal, make sure to get your routine down around 12-24 hours prior to tanning. This will allow your skin to calm down and for your pores to close, which will prevent the tanner from creating tiny dots on your skin. This will also help avoid any skin irritation.
For more prep tips, check out this post.
4. “All self-tanners have a funky smell.”
Bad DHA = funky town. (And no, we don’t mean that in a good way.) When bad DHA touches your skin, chemically it produces a smell that nobody would want to be caught dead in. It’s a mixture of sweet and yeasty, but something a baker probably would never allow in his kitchen.
Fortunately, our tanners smell pretty nice. If you don’t believe us, take it from the people who have actually tried them and lived to tell the tale.
5. “All self-tanners turn me into a streaky zebra mess.”
Au contraire, our foaming mousse self-tanners are so easy to apply that it’s virtually streak-proof. If you’re the low-risk type and don’t like being too drastic with tanning products, gradual tanning ones such as Skinsation and Afterglow Tan Drops might just be your thing. Just mix with your favourite moisturiser and apply daily.