How To Get A Sunless Tan

Undoubtedly, a golden glow is gorgeous. Trouble is, suntans can damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer and premature wrinkling (called photo-aging).

But there’s a beautiful and safe solution: self-tanners. Unlike the sun and tanning beds, self-tanners give you that desired bronzed hue without the harmful side effects. With new formulations popping up each year, the chances of your skin turning orange or looking streaky are minimal. To achieve a flawless tan from a bottle, follow these tips from Rexall’s Beauty Expert Elysa Panzica.

Step 1: Choose the right shade
Like foundation, sunless tanners state what skin tone they’re suitable for. Pick the perfect one for your complexion to ensure you get a natural glow, says Panzica. If, for example, you’re fair and you use a product designed for darker skin, you may end up looking more orange than golden.

Step 2: Decide on a type
There are so many formulations to choose from. “Some intensify within hours, others take three days and some take a week,” explains Panzica. “Then there are products, such as Sally Hansen Air Brush Legs, that are instantaneous and wash off at the end of the day.” Check the label to determine how quickly the product works.

You also have to consider whether you want a spray, lotion, gel, foam or towelettes. There’s no right or wrong choice - it’s a matter of preference. Keep these points in mind during your selection process:

Gel tanners: They deliver a lot of pigment, but they can go on streaky, she says. Try L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Gelée’s.

Moisturizing tanners: They hydrate your skin while they gradually tan it. “They’re a nice option because the moisturizer tends to dilute the bronzer, which helps prevent streaking,” Panzica explains. “Streaking starts when there’s too much concentrated tanner in a product.” Try Rexall Glow Assist Daily Moisturizing Lotion.

Aerosol (spray) tanners: No messes here. “Your hands won’t get dirty because you don’t need to rub it in,” she says. “They mist on and land evenly, if you apply in even strokes.” Try L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist.

TIP: You need two kinds of tanner: one designed for your body (see above for recommendations), the other formulated for your face (try Jergens Natural Glow Daily Facial Moisturizer). Separate ones are necessary because the skin on your face is thinner than it is on your body, and both absorb tanning pigments differently.

Step 3: Prep your skin
“The best thing to do before applying sunless tanner is to exfoliate your skin,” says Panzica. Being smooth from face to toes helps guarantee the product will go on evenly. In the shower, remove dry skin with Rexall Bath Gloves. Then dry off with a towel, and resist the urge to use moisturizer. “They contain oils that will cause the tanning product to streak and separate.”

Step 4: Apply the sunless tanner
Each product has its own set of application rules, so follow the directions on the bottle carefully to ensure you put it on properly. Here are some additional tips that will help you achieve gorgeous results.

• Apply product to all the areas the sun would tan, including the outside of your ears and the back of your neck. Conversely, don’t use it on spots that aren’t exposed to the sun, such as your eyelids, soles of your feet, palms of your hands and insides of your ears.
• Recruit help to do your back, as it’s hard to reach yourself.
• Use tanner sparingly on your elbows, knees and the fronts and backs of your ankles. They absorb a lot of product and get dark faster than any other part of your body (you don’t want to look patchy).  As well, bend your joints (flex your feet) to make the skin taut, so tanner doesn’t settle into creases.
• Immediately after application, vigorously wash your hands with soap and water to remove tanner from your palms.

Keep on glowing
If you want your sunless tan to stay strong throughout the summer, regular applications are a must. Without maintenance, your golden hue will fade, says Panzica.

While self-tanners give you a beautiful glow, they typically don’t protect your skin from the sun. So, when you venture outdoors to enjoy the lovely weather, make sure you slather on sunscreen.