It’s nearly here – the lift of lockdown restrictions, hoorah! With the promise of warmer weather it could soon be time to dust off our spring wardrobes and get ready to show a little more skin.
After months of being cooped up indoors, our skin is is feeling more whiter shade of pale than golden glow. Until it’s warm enough to soak up the rays for real, self tan products are the way forward. Here are our favourites to get your glow on this spring…
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist is a unique, tropically scented tanning mist that produces a medium golden tan using only vegan-friendly, naturally-sourced tanning agents. Ultra-weightless & transparent, this mist enriched with Hibiscus Extract for its antioxidant properties and uplifting Fresh Green Mandarin Water to instantly refresh and revive the skin. Completely cruelty-free & vegan-friendly.
Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam Dark
Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam Dark will leave your skin looking like you’ve spent a week at Bondi Beach! Enriched with Aloe Vera and Coconut for a longer lasting tan and enticing scent, this foam provides a smooth and even application for a bronzed, dark, and glowing finish.
Skinny Tan Face Moisturising Tanning Drops
Skinny Tan Face Moisturising Tanning Drops are quickly absorbed tanning drops which can be used alone or added to your moisturiser to give the skin a sun-kissed glow. Formulated with naturally derived Guarana, they smooth and firm the skin while Aloe Vera hydrates and nourishes. Comprising 97% natural ingredients, they can be added to sunscreen creams for protection and leave a delightful Coconut and Caramel fragrance.
Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint 18ml, £19
The vegan, Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint combines the moisturising powers of medicinal plant extracts with the creative possibility of colour-based nuance. This liquid mineral product intensifies the individual skin tone while gently blending and softening the appearance of blemishes and imperfections. Now available in the smaller 18ml size perfect for popping into makeup bags!
Gradual tanning cream for even the most sensitive skin – MooGoo ‘How Now Brown Cow’
With warmer weather approaching, it is time to get out the summer wardrobe, dust off the sandals and get ready to show some skin. To achieve a healthy natural glow all year round many turn to gradual or fake tans, but for those who suffer with dry, sensitive, problematic skin this is not always an option.
MooGoo, the Australian brand who specialise in sensitive skin, offer a gradual, non-smelly, non-orange natural tan formula that is suitable for even the most problematic of skin. Using a nourishing moisturiser as a base, MooGoo How Now Brown Cow is made with natural moisturising oils such as Sweet Almond, Coconut & Olive Oil and provides a natural, non-orange, tan colour by mixing 2 natural tanning ingredients.
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) combines with the keratin on the skin to turn it brown and Erythrulose (glucose-based tanning agent) darkens skin cells for a golden glow. ECGC (Green Tea Extract) is included as a natural, powerful antioxidant compound and milk protein for skin elasticity.
Sepai’s Tan Prolonger Tune It Booster, £45.60
Use day and night mixed in your preferred URBAN or RECOVERY serum and/or moisturiser. For best results combine this booster with a moisturizer.
Customise and supercharge your bodycare regime with the Sepai V6.9 Redens Pro Tune it Booster; an antioxidant-packed tan-prolonging shot that stimulates melanin synthesis in the absence of UV radiation and protects the skin at a cellular level against infrared and ultraviolet radiation that’s harmful to skin and causes rapid ageing.
The Green People Gradual Tan Moisturiser – £17.50 (50ml)
For a natural looking glow without the effort, the Green People Gradual Tan Moisturiser – £17.50 (50ml) is a must. Formulated with organic rosehip, green tea and prebiotics, used daily it will build up a natural tan on the face and neck. Perfect for all skin types, even sensitive and acne-prone complexions, it uses Dihydroxyacetone derived from sugars which work with amino acids in the outer layer of the skin to form an even brown colour. A natural scent of mandarin, orange and ho wood means you won’t have to put up with the dreaded ‘fake tan odour’.
The Green People Self Tan Lotion – £22.00 (150ml)
Non-streaky, sweet-smelling and certified organic too, the Green People Self Tan Lotion – £22.00 (150ml) is a fast-absorbing formula that will leave you with a natural looking tan after just 2-3 hours. Suitable for both face and body, when applied, DHA (Dehydroxyacetone), derived from sugar, reacts with Amino Acids in the outer layer of the skin to form brown pigments that give the appearance of a natural suntan. Even better, it’s quick-drying and there’s not a hint of fake-tan smell either.
When it comes to fake tan prep, exfoliation is key. After cleansing, use a loofah or dry brush across the body and use a facial cloth or scrub for your face. Rinse well and pat dry and moisturise well, paying special attention to bony areas such as elbows, ankles, heels and knees. Apply your lotion in thin layers, using less on thicker skin. To avoid uneven darkening, use a wet cotton pad to remove excess cream from bony areas. After applying, wait 20-30 minutes for it to completely dry before dressing and try not to swim, shave or shower for an hour after. We recommend applying every 2-3 days to maintain the colour.
Rose & Caramel’s Nudity Clear Tanning Aerosol
A must have for any self tanner is Rose & Caramel’s Nudity Clear Tanning Aerosol. It’s clear application means no mess and a highly reduced transfer onto bedding and clothing. Doesn’t clog pores and great on it’s own or as a in-between to self tan applications to boost fading tans. Best of all it nourishes skin and adapts to all skin tones! £19.99 150ml
Gradual Tanner and Accelerator (£9.99)
Skinny Tan’s Gradual Tanner and Accelerator is formulated with ingredients that encourage your skin cells to produce melanin, the compound responsible for tanning, reducing the time you need to spend in the sun!
Salted Caramel Face Self-Tanning Drops (£9.99)
Skinny Tan’s Salted Caramel Face Drops include Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Guarana to moisturise, nourish, and tan skin, and is enriched with Cocoa and Macadamia for an irresistible scent. Simply mix drops with your favourite skincare products.
IMAGE BODY SPA Face and Body Bronzer £36.00.
A fast-acting sunless tanner that creates the ultimate safe tan without the risk of sun damage. Natural sugar protein develops into a beautiful golden shade with light shimmer that evens skin tone and offers the bonus of disguising skin imperfections. Time-released moisturisers ensure smooth, skin-softening hydration. The colour looks natural and develops gradually without streaking, orange build up or a traditional self-tanner smell.
That’so Nature Tan
Nature Tan – an eco friendly, cruelty free and vegan instant, intense spray tan that can be used on the body, face and décolletage. Tan develops in 2-3 hours after application and persists 4 days. Available in shades Light Bronze and Intense Bronze. Includes DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) that guarantees a gradual and long-term tan, without causing any damage to the skin and that gives a bright and intense colouring that gradually decreases by exfoliation without leaving spots. Includes Aloe Vera to moisturise the skin, give it softness and brightness with an immediate feeling of freshness and Matrixyl, a powerful anti-aging oligopeptide to improve skin tone and elasticity. Does not transfer on white shirts.