Follow the basic rules for applying self-tanning:
- on the eve of the procedure, clean the skin with a scrub or a hard washcloth; on even skin and the tan will lie more evenly;
- Carry out the procedure in the morning, otherwise the self-tanner may smudge at night while you sleep;
- protect your hair, lips, eyebrows and nails, otherwise self-tanning will color them (you can cover them with a layer of rich cream and put a shower cap on your head);
- apply self-tanning to dry, clean skin, which should cool down after water treatments;
- Before applying self-tanning, use a moisturizer to keep your skin smooth, but be sure to let it absorb well for 10-15 minutes;
- Apply self-tanner using sliding circular movements on the body from bottom to top;
- Cover the natural folds of the body, knees and elbows with a very thin layer of self-tanning, and it is better not to touch the armpits at all;
- You won’t be able to treat your back on your own, it’s better to ask a friend for help;
- to avoid the effect of a mask on the face, work especially carefully in the transition area from the neck to the chin;
- Make sure that the skin tone is the same on different parts of the body - do not forget to apply self-tanner to your temples and ears.
How does self tanning work?
In her blog Don't Touch My Face, engineer and petrophysicist Adel Miftakhova explains what cosmetics are made of and how to care for your skin.
And to make it more enjoyable for you to read the text and research from the links, watch this fragment from the 10th season of the TV series “Friends”.
Self-tanning occurs in the skin thanks to a substance called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). It is a simple monosaccharide and is extracted either from beets and sugar cane, or from glycerin.
Dihydroxyacetone reacts with amino acids in the skin, which is why several types of brown pigments are formed in it (amino acids are the building blocks of all living things, proteins and peptides are built from them). This same reaction produces a very characteristic odor. It can be disguised, but any product will give you a slight flair of burnt skin. Funnily enough, this is the same reaction that occurs when baking bread. It's called the Maillard reaction and it's what causes a brown crust to form on bread.
The reaction begins to appear a few hours after application and lasts several days. DHA penetrates only into the very top layer of the skin and works only with dead skin cells. And therefore, no matter what expensive self-tanner you choose, it will not last longer than a conventional week. The price of the jar does not in any way affect the rate of renewal of your skin. But exfoliating before tanning (to remove excess dead skin cells) and moisturizing after the color develops will help prolong the effect of self-tanning.
The color you get from a self-tanner depends on the formula of the product and the purity of the dihydroxyacetone. And here price can already matter. There are other types of sugars that also cause a brown tint, but they are used extremely rarely and are usually paired with dihydroxyacetone. Because they are not as effective.
Self-tanners are relatively safe. Compared to regular tanning, they are completely safe. There is a study that DHA increases the production of free radicals from UV radiation, but it used a concentration that is usually not found in creams. Plus, this effect is neutralized by the use of sunscreen, which should be used in any case. There is research suggesting that chronic self-tanning can irritate the skin, but as always, this depends on the individual.
The biggest danger with self-tanning is that people think it protects from the sun. No, it does not protect from the sun at all. Therefore, along with self-tanning on exposed parts of the body, you must use a cream with SPF.
Source: Don't Touch My Face blog
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Some questions and answers about using self-tanning
- How to protect your palms while applying self-tanning?
The answer is simple: to prevent the palms you work with when applying self-tanning from darkening, you should either wash your hands frequently during the procedure or use thin latex gloves.
- Can I get dressed immediately after applying the product?
After the procedure, self-tanning can leave marks on clothes for another 2-3 hours, so do not get dressed or lie down (especially on light-colored surfaces); Immediately after the procedure, you can put on an old robe. For the first few days, do not wear white clothes or sleep on snow-white bedding.
- What to do if you are not satisfied with the result?
If the tan turns out to be too pale, the entire procedure can be repeated, but not earlier than after 1.5 hours.
If the boundaries between the areas where self-tanning was applied turn out to be too sharp, they can be blurred using a moisturizer: apply a little cream to the desired area and rub lightly.
If you are not satisfied with the overall result, do not be upset. Shower with a scrub and scrub your skin with a stiff washcloth, this will remove the tan from your skin. The procedure can be repeated in a few days.
Skin care after using spray tanning
The spray tanning mechanism is very close to bronzer balms, the main component of which is DHA, which is responsible for dark skin color. Thus, the upper layer of the epidermis acquires the shade. Modern products contain additional ingredients that have a moisturizing and nourishing effect on the skin, so after the procedure it does not require special care. The main thing is to avoid for some time active exercise that promotes heavy sweating, and a hot bath with shower.
Self-tanning spray is absolutely harmless. The golden color lasts on average 10-12 days. The shade fades over time, so if you want to keep it longer, it is recommended to repeat the procedure once a week. The most effective way to prolong the effect of the product is to regularly moisturize the skin, and instead of long and warm baths, choose a shower.
Spray tanning is the ideal way to get a beautiful and even golden skin tone.
It is a compromise between sunbathing and tanning cosmetics. But remember, you cannot completely give up the sun, which we need for proper functioning and the production of vitamin D. We recommend:
Cosmetics for tanning in a solarium
Tags: cosmetics, body, body care, tanning, tanned skin
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Contraindications to self-tanning
- Self-tanning is highly undesirable for allergy sufferers, since the products contain components that can provoke a strong skin reaction. If you still really want to “tan” in this way, do a test: apply a small amount of the product to the area of skin behind the ear or on the bend of the elbow and monitor the skin for 48 hours. If the area turns red, you should not use this product. However, there are also hypoallergenic products, for example, Clinique self-tanners. All of this company's products are tested for allergies 7,200 times, and if even one application causes a reaction during this testing, the product is not released for sale.
- Do not use self-tanner if you have a rash or blemishes on your skin, otherwise the irritation will worsen.
- Do not apply self-tanning under any circumstances during an exacerbation of herpes, there is a risk of spreading the infection throughout the body.?
- Self-tanners dry out the skin quite a bit. Do not use them too often, and if you have dry skin, be sure to combine them with moisturizers.
TOP best
The large size of the modern cosmetology market makes it possible to choose the ideal option for yourself. But it is impossible to try everything in the world. There just isn't enough money. To help lovers of painless tanning make their choice, here is a list of the 7 most popular, reliable self-tanning creams.
Kolastyna
Products from a Polish manufacturer have good coloring properties. They are quickly absorbed, and for high-quality action, a large amount of balm is not required, which makes it very economical. When applied it has an unobtrusive, pleasant smell. It leaves no odor after drying. The composition contains ingredients that compensate for the drying of the skin from the main components of self-tanning. The full effect appears after 5 hours. Full list of characteristics:
- quick drying;
- skin care;
- no odor;
- efficiency;
- price.
The average cost of the cream is 300 rubles.
Avene SPF-30 with tinting effect
French cream combines the benefits of three cosmetic products at once. The sun protection function with the SPF-30 index will protect you from all types of rays in the city or for a couple of hours on the beach. Tinting properties will help make your skin tone even and slightly tanned. It will also mask pigment spots or marks from an unsuccessful tan. Moisturizing and protecting components will prevent the epidermis from drying out and developing diseases associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Avene is famous for using proprietary developments in its products based on thermal water extracted from natural springs in France. The beneficial effects of the minerals contained in it have been proven by the company’s specialists themselves. The main advantages of French self-tanning cream:
- versatility;
- high-quality protection;
- taking care of skin health;
- hydration;
- more than 100 years of experience;
- using only natural ingredients;
- use of thermal springs.
Avene products are at the top of the world cosmetology.
The price for tinted SPF-30 is 900 rubles.
When choosing Avene products, it doesn't hurt to be careful. The variety of sunscreen brands can confuse even an experienced user. Choosing the wrong product can have unpleasant consequences.
Garnier Ambre Solaire – BB Body
The next giant in the world of cosmetics also comes from France. The tanning line is called Ambre Solaire and celebrates its 82nd anniversary this year. During this time, specialists from the company learned how to use natural resources for their products as efficiently as possible. BB Body cream is a wash-off product for artificial temporary tanning. The fast absorption rate will prevent the user from staining his clothes. Gives the skin a natural, healthy color, evens out the texture of unhealthy or unevenly tanned skin. For a long time it is able to maintain moisturizing properties. A distinctive feature is the ability to apply several layers for a deeper shade. The list of specifications is as follows:
- long history of the line;
- natural ingredients;
- high-quality hydration;
- uniform tone;
- easily absorbed;
- multi-layer application possible.
The price of the cream is very reasonable - 400-500 rubles.
This balm is not a complete product for long-term self-tanning. This is a bronzer that does not last long, does not have any effect on the epidermis and is easily removed if necessary.
Yves Rocher Ensoleillant Sun Shine
The history of the Yves Rocher company began with a little boy who, from childhood, was puzzled by the secrets of the plant world around him. By the age of 29, he founded his own company producing cosmetics from natural ingredients. Now the French company has grown to a global level and supplies its products to most countries of the world. The line of tanning creams Ensoleillant Sun Shine contains a unique component - an extract from the Tahitian gardenia flower. This gives the skin care and a pleasant aroma. The product gives a slight tanning effect. But this can be changed by applying additional layers. The delicate structure is easy to apply and dries quickly, and the moisturizing properties will prevent the dermis from drying out. The list of benefits and characteristics of Ensoleillant Sun Shine looks like this:
- unique natural ingredients;
- quality care;
- hydration;
- adjustable shade;
- quick-drying;
- gives the skin a pleasant aroma;
- nice texture.
The price of the product is 490 rubles.
Sun Care Dawn
The German company is one of the youngest in this top, its founding date is 2011. Despite this, she has already managed to gather an impressive army of fans, which speaks volumes about her quality. Balm Dawn has a combined effect. One of its purposes is sun protection according to the SPF-30 standard. The product received its name for its special radiance effect, which is most noticeable under bright sunlight. This effect does not look unnatural or cheap, which is a merit of the company’s specialists. The high-quality texture is easy to apply and leaves no feeling of presence on the skin. The product does a good job of tone leveling. Resistant to minor effects of moisture such as sweat or splashes. List of characteristics of Sun Care Dawn:
- wide application;
- powerful sun protection;
- giving a good tone to the cover;
- unique shine effect;
- no noticeable texture;
- moisture resistant;
- applies only once every 14 days;
- contains healthy oils.
The price of the “Sun Care Dawn” balm is small - 350 rubles.
Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream
Clarins is another French company. The brand is over 60 years old. During this time he gained many fans. Delicious Self Tanning Cream Luxury self-tanning cream. The use of aloe vera juice moisturizes the skin throughout the entire duration of the balm. Cocoa extract gives the skin a natural tone and a pleasant chocolate aroma. The effect of application appears after two hours, which is very fast. The light texture is easy to apply, absorbs quickly and leaves no residue. In addition to its main functions, the balm can slow down cell aging. All the benefits of the product from Clarins look like this:
- hydration;
- pleasant, natural color;
- unobtrusive aroma;
- slowing down aging;
- easy application;
- fast action.
The cost of Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream corresponds to the level - 1500 rubles.
Allergy sufferers should pay special attention to the content of cocoa extract. This is not the most common ingredient for such a product.
Dove Energy Glow Self Tanning Lotion “Summer Glow”
The brand itself begins its history in the second half of the 60s of the last century. But almost until 2000, he dealt only with branded cream soap. Now the company’s product range includes many body care products, including the “Summer Glow” bronzer from the Energy Glow Self Tanning Lotion series. The balm gives a natural bronze tone with a slight shine. The color intensity may not be enough for many, which is the only significant drawback of this choice . Dove has taken years of experience using dry, irritating soaps into tanning products that hydrate and protect the dermis from environmental stressors. Properties of Dove Energy Glow Self Tanning Lotion “Color Shine”:
- natural shade;
- hydration;
- availability of nutrients;
- texture is easily absorbed and applied;
- evens out the color.
This is one of the most budget products of this type. Its price is 200-250 rubles.
Salon tanning
Those who do not want to bother with auto-bronzants themselves can resort to the salon tanning procedure. Its convenience lies in the speed of application - just a couple of minutes is enough, and you will get the desired bronze shade. Before the procedure, you will be exfoliated, and the spray system will ensure an even application of self-tanning, leaving no spots or streaks. Tanning shades vary: mountain, sea, tropical - to suit your taste. In addition, salon products are devoid of the specific smell of cosmetics, which some may find unpleasant.