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Self-tanner: how to choose it and (well) apply it?

Self-tanners make it possible to show off tanned arms and legs while skirts and swimwear show off. Don't be afraid of the carrot effect anymore! Their formulas have evolved and are now more natural and effective. Our advice is to choose your lotion and apply it well.

How do you choose to tan yourself?

The self-tanning molecule that makes skin tan is DHA (dihydroxyacetone), most often of vegetable origin and more or less concentrated: from 2% for a light tan to 5% for an intense tan. It is sometimes combined with erythrulose, a sugar that takes longer to work, but gives an even tone. Formulas have evolved because the pH is now better controlled (it has to be slightly acidic for the reaction to occur, so what's called a "buffer" is added).

In some products, DHA is coated for long-lasting effects, or even combined with melanin or another molecule for a natural-looking color. Finally, we often find salicylic acid, a little exfoliating, so that the product doesn't "hang" on dead skin that would stain even more.

 Does not protect from the sun. The resulting tan has nothing to do with tanning. It's superficial coloring that lasts 3-7 days, not a melanin spike at all, and it's the process that allows you to tan. Therefore, self-tanners do not protect themselves at all from the sun's rays.

A good self-tanner smells good

The unpleasant smell that was emanating from the products after a while is gone. Thanks to the new emulsifiers, the formulas are more stable. And by adding antioxidants, we prevent DHA from oxidizing—which gives that stink—and also protect ourselves from free radicals caused by the skin's reaction to DHA. Some brands also add flavors that evoke the holidays: monoi, coconut ...

A good tanner does not dry out

Or rather, it compensates for its drying effect: the coloration is the result of an oxidation reaction between DHA and the amino acids of the stratum corneum, the superficial layer of the skin. However, this process takes a lot of water and causes, a few hours after application, a feeling of tightness, even in crocodile skin. To offset this effect, most formulas now contain moisturizing glycerin, and sometimes nourishing vegetable or shea oils.

Which fabric do you choose?

Dry mist, turbid foam, milk, colored gel, or even water ... Today it is impossible not to find galenic to your liking. Beginners prefer colored jelly or mousse, often with caramel. We see where we put it, they spread easily and create a tan with "make-up" while waiting for the self-tanning effect. Another advance: gloves made of super soft material (sponge or velvet) made by English brands - great specialists in self-tanning - which allow you to spread the product well, without the risk of marks on your hands if you forget to wash them carefully.

How to properly apply self-tanner to the body?

A few days before it is necessary to exfoliate and moisturize the body, insisting on the driest and most hyperkeratotic areas (wrist, knees, feet, and ankles). Do not forget to moisturize your skin daily to make it smoother: the texture of the self-tan will glide on more easily. To use, shake and apply the product, preferably with an applicator mitt (making sure to cover all skin well to avoid traces), then rinse: the longer the product is left on, the stronger the tan. For delicate golden skin, take a shower after an hour. Depending on skin type and color, the tan will fully develop in 4 to 8 hours after rinsing.

 Can a self-tanner be applied to the face? On the face, it is preferable to opt for a self-tanner with a liquid and gel texture, which we apply with smoothing movements, always from the center towards the curves, avoiding the hairline and eyebrows. Be careful, some areas should be less golden than others, like the eye contour. To lighten the color, you can first apply the eye contour, which will "soften" the composition.