Self-tanners can become your best ally so that your skin gains tones without the need to expose yourself to the sun. Getting a natural and healthy tan is possible thanks to a series of products that you must apply on clean, dry and previously exfoliated skin. There are many options available to incorporate your cosmetics into your night routine, from creams to lotions or sprays, through self-tanning drops.
The dihydroxyacetone (DHA) contained in these products is a natural active principle derived from sugar cane that acts on the surface of the skin and thus prevents its penetration into the deeper layers. When choosing a self-tanner, you should take into account the desired tone and your skin type, as well as the duration and effectiveness of each one. If you are not used to using these products, pay attention to the following guide with the characteristics of each type.
The cream texture solutions (thicker) or lotion (more fluid) are ideal to start testing the desired shade and achieve a gradual tan. It is applied like any other body lotion and you only have to wait about 8 hours to see the results. From then on, you can increase or decrease the amount of cream depending on your goals, and once you get the tone you wanted, just reapply the lotion every 3 or 4 days.
The liquid bronzer is a type as practical as ephemeral is its effect. To apply it, you must mix a couple of self-tanning drops with the facial or body cream that you usually use. Massage the areas you want to tan for a few minutes to achieve an even tone and you will immediately see the results. The bad thing about this option is that the tan will disappear as soon as you shower or remove your makeup.
The rest of the options have a similar application method and duration. Sprays and wipes are designed to tan all the time, and doing it right requires a number of issues to be addressed. The sprays are applied directly to the body and, before they dry, a massage must be carried out so that the product penetrates and the skin is able to absorb it. Take special care with areas that tend to become excessively pigmented, such as knees, ankles or elbows.
The wipes work just as quickly and good distribution is vital for an even tan, while the mousses are recommended for skin that is already sun-tanned or has been treated with other products. Once you have applied one of these solutions, you should not expose yourself to the sun in the following 24 hours to avoid irritation and redness on the skin due to the active ingredients they contain. Nor should you shower or apply any other cosmetic or perfume for eight hours, hence the importance of moving the treatments to the night.
Self-tanners have an estimated duration of between 6 and 9 days, depending on your skin type and level of exfoliation. It is important to keep the skin hydrated on the days that you do not apply it to avoid the natural process of desquamation of the skin and thus guarantee a longer duration of the tan. Also remember to check the acidity of your shower gels and facial lotions, since a high pH level can considerably reduce your tan, and always use sunscreen when sunbathing.
