If you’re one of countless girls (or guys) that want to look tan as the temperature drops this fall and winter, it’s important to understand that there’s only one safe way to do it: sunless tanning.
All light-based sources of tanning – the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps – expose the skin to UVA and UVB rays that can cause skin cancer, eye cancers, damage to our immune systems, prematurely age skin, and leave our skin wrinkled and leathery over time – as told by the American Academy of Dermatology.
There’s a myth that developing a “base tan” from the sun or artificial light sources protects the skin from skin damage – in reality, a base tan offers no protection.
It’s sad but true that any change in skin color due to exposure to the sun is skin damage, no matter how slight, and repeated exposure increases DNA damage that may lead to cancer.
Find your skin type using this chart from the American Academy of Dermatology to learn how to love and protect your unique, beautiful skin. People with skin types I, II, and III have the greatest risk of sun damage and skin cancer.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using SPF 30 sunscreen when anyone is exposed to intense sunrays. To get a healthy dose of vitamin D from the sun every day, you only need around 10 minutes of direct sunlight depending on how much skin is exposed.
The good news is, there is a safe and effective way to get that coveted tan look, and it comes in a bottle, spray, or wipe. There’s a myriad of self-tanning products out there that could be perfect for you:
Self-tanning body/face lotions – can come in the form of a lotion, gel, mousse, or milk
o Usually applied by hand or using tanning mitt.
Self-tanning wipes
o These often look like the moist towelettes you get with buffalo chicken wings at a restaurant
o Wipes come off clear on your body, but this method dries the fastest and color will develop quickly
Self-tanning spray
o Sprays color directly onto your skin for desired level of tan, also used by professionals at salons
SelfTanning.com has rankings and reviews of 10 of the best self tanning products for 2015, but don’t be afriad to try out products for yourself. Target has plenty of affordable options, like Jergens daily tanning moisturizer and L’oreal towelettes (personal favorites).
Self-tanning ethusiast and beauty icon Lauren Conrad has her own tips to get the most even and natural-looking tan possible. You can even watch Austrailian beauty vlogger Lauren Curtis demonstrate her own self-tanning process here.
Self-tanning steps to live by:
1. Exfoliate your skin with a good scrub in the shower to clear away dead skin that could leave you with a patchy/uneven tan.
2. Avoid shaving immediately before or after applying self-tanner.
3. Dry off completely after cleaning and exfoliating your body.
4. Apply a lightweight lotion around your nostrils, knees, elbows, ankles, and hands (these tend to be drier areas on your body that self-tanner sinks into). If your tanning product is a moisturizing lotion, this step may not be necessary.
5. Pick your self-tanning product – mousses or lotions are easy to rub in evenly, sprays are good for hard-to-reach areas, and wipes dry super quickly. Be sure to find which method works for you!
6. Choose a light, medium or dark formula based on your skin tone, and don’t be afraid to test it out on a small area of skin before diving in.
7. Start at your ankles and work your way up to your shoulders using a circular motion, saving your arms and hands for last. You can use clean hands, latex gloves, or a tanning mitt.
8. Be careful around your face – drier areas like the nose and upper lip may pick up color than the rest of your face. Feather the tanner out into your hairline and past the jawbone for full, natural coverage.
9. Take the time to let the tanner dry. 10 minutes is usually best. You can also use talc-free baby powder to absorb any excess moisture and keep color from getting onto your clothes.
10. Avoid showering or getting really sweaty for 6-8 hours – you could also apply the tanner after showering at night, let it dry, then wake up with the perfect tan.
An alternative to applying tanner yourself is getting a spray tan from a professional. UConn students can go to Tommy’s Tanning for a spray tan, but be sure to protect your eyes, nose, and mouth from the chemicals.
Please steer clear of any tanning beds: indoor tanning is the most deadly form of tanning, and increases the risk of melanoma by 75%.
Remember to do what’s best for your skin and only use sunless tanning products to get that tan look this winter: healthy skin is always beautiful!