A few years ago, I was trying to find the best self-tanner for my skin. I had been to the dermatologist and had to have a couple of areas biopsied. Skin cancer runs in my family and after years of never using sun screen and going to the tanning bed once a day, I decided it was time to cool it with the fake-baking and careless sun-bathing. Well, I’m naturally very pale so I tried every self-tanning brand under the sun and was not satisfied with the color. I had so much trouble finding one that would actually give me the deep tan I was looking for. Then, I realized my application process could be a big contributor as to why I was unhappy with my self-tan. I did some research and found the following tips to be the most helpful:

BEFORE TANNING:

1. shave + exfoliate // use a scrub 24 hours prior to application: shaving and exfoliating immediately before application can leave you with those little “dots” all over your skin as a result of your pores and hair follicles not having enough time to close back up. remove all dead skin, hair, and old self-tanner from your last application 24 hours before re-application. if you haven’t shaved in a few days and you need to tan now, go ahead and apply but wait at least 24 hours after application to shave.
2. apply self-tanner to squeaky clean skin: your skin needs to be as clean as possible so the tanner adheres to your skin instead of build up of dirt, oil, dead skin cells, etc. this will keep your tan looking even in the days after application.
3. use moisturizer on dry areas such as elbows, knees, ankles: self-tanner sticks to these areas because they are naturally dry. use self-tanner sparingly on these areas. I like to use a small, fluffy makeup brush to minimize the risk of applying too much product leaving you with excessively dark ankles, knees, and elbows.
4. never use bare hands: just don’t do it. your hands will absorb a lot of product, leaving them looking orange. not to mention, the chances of your self-tanner application being streaky are almost guaranteed. use an application mitt each time (and wash the mitt after each use).
5. take your time: to avoid missing any areas, go slow moving from your feet up to your neck // face. you want to apply by moving your mitt in small circles. this will ensure even application and reduce likelihood of missing a spot. I also invested in a back applicator mitt from coco & eve to avoid missing any areas on my back.
6. ensure tan is totally dry before putting on clothes: I wait at least 10 minutes after application; then, I use a hair dryer on the cool setting all over my body to make sure the tanner is dry before putting on my clothes. I usually put on an old, giant tee shirt and loose-fitting shorts afterwards to avoid staining any of my favorite clothing.

AFTER TANNING:

1. rinsing: if you want a really deep tan, wait 8+ hours to rinse. I usually wait as long as I possibly can to get that richer, deeper tan I love.
2. hydrate your skin: moisturize your skin daily in order to prolong your tan and keep it looking even as it begins to fade.

OTHER TIPS:

1. un-tinted is a no go: I don’t recommend un-tinted formulas, as you can’t see where you have applied which can result in an uneven application.
2. facial tanner: I prefer using facial tanning oil instead of self-tanning mousse. I add 3-4 drops in with my moisturizer. it’s best to re-apply facial tanning oil every 2-3 days.
3. skin care products to avoid: avoid retinol, AHAs, BHAs, and facial oils when using self-tanner. these products increase the rate of skin-cell turnover resulting in an uneven tan.
4. skin care products to use: use hyaluronic acid, SPF, and vitamin c serums to keep your skin hydrated. this will prevent an uneven tan as self-tanner begins to fade.

I’ve listed my top picks below with links. My personal favorites are b.tan and Coco & Eve! ☺︎

What is your favorite self-tanner? If you have any special tips or tricks, feel free to leave a comment below!