Self-tanner special: how to achieve the perfect tan

The winter months are coming to an end, the sun is finally showing itself more often, and the desire for spring is growing. Our skin has been hidden under thick wool sweaters for months, so the summer tan has now completely faded. If you want to get this tan back without harmful UV rays, you should definitely try self-tanner!

For many, this word conjures images of orange skin and spots – but it doesn't have to be that way! We're clearing things up and showing you with which tips and self-tanners you can achieve perfectly tanned skin at home.

 

Step-by-step guide for a spot-free tan:

 

 1.     Apply self-tanner in the evening

Self-tanner usually needs 6-8 hours to fully develop. Therefore, it makes the most sense to apply it in the evening and let it absorb overnight. You rinse off the rest the next morning, leaving a beautiful natural tan. 

 2.     Exfoliate the skin beforehand

To ensure the skin tans evenly without spots, it is important to remove old skin flakes beforehand. This works best with a dry brush or a scrub in the shower.

 3.     Moisturize dry areas

Very dry areas like elbows, heels, knees, or knuckles should definitely be moisturized beforehand, otherwise dark discolorations will appear on these dry spots.

 4.     Apply tanning mousse with applicator glove

Be sure to use a glove applicator to apply the tanning mousse. Most self-tanner brands sell it together to ensure a streak-free result.

 5.    Use a separate self-tanner for the face

Definitely use a special self-tanner for the face here and DO NOT use the tanning mousse on your face (speaking from experience). Self-tanner serums/drops have proven best: mix 2-3 drops with your face cream and apply with your hands to your face. Then wash your hands and wipe your eyebrows with a dry cotton pad to prevent them from turning orange.

 6.     Blend self-tanner on hands & feet with a brush

Finally, hands & feet come last: the ultimate challenge. Admittedly, these are the trickiest areas as they are most prone to discoloration. To prevent this, I strongly recommend applying the self-tanner here with a clean makeup or kabuki brush and blending it. This way, you reach all the spots between your fingers and toes and can achieve an even tan here as well.

 7.     No water on the skin afterwards

Very important to note: once you have applied the self-tanner to your hands and entire body, no water should touch your skin from now on. So: brush your teeth, wash your hands, and do everything else that involves your body coming into contact with water beforehand. Water is taboo for 6 hours from now on. Otherwise, the self-tanner will come off immediately and cause unsightly spots.

8.     Wear dark, loose clothes 

To prevent the self-tanner from staining your sofa or bed, you should definitely slip into dark, loose clothing now. Any possible residues can be easily washed out of the clothes. The next morning, wash off the product in the shower and what remains is a natural, even & streak-free tan.

 

 The best self-tanners: 

For the body:

I have tested various self-tanners for years and always came to the conclusion that a tanning mousse is the best option. I especially swear by the tanning mousse from St. Tropez and St. Moritz, both are great and in my opinion only differ in price. It's best to order the application glove right away.

 

 

For the face:

Special care is needed for the face. After all, possible spots are hardest to hide here. I recommend a serum that can simply be mixed into the night cream several times a week, which gives the most natural results. Don't forget the neck and then wash your hands. In my opinion, the most natural tan is provided by the Self Tan Drops from Tan Luxe or the Tanning Fluid from Sans Soucis.

 

If it does go wrong;

SOS home remedies to remove self-tanner:

 

Full bath: If you want to soften uneven spots, a warm bath helps. After 15 minutes, you can wash the skin with a sponge. The skin should now be lighter again and irregularities softened.

Peeling: If scrubbing with a sponge or towel is not enough, you can additionally use a peeling, which gently removes the top layer of skin. If only certain areas are discolored by the self-tanner, these skin spots can also be specifically treated with the peeling.

Lemon juice: For stubborn discolorations, lemon juice is suitable. Lemon juice has long been considered a home remedy for lightening hair. The skin can also be lightened and self-tanner removed by the juice of the lemon. For this, use the juice of one lemon and soak a washcloth with it, then rub the skin with it. 

With these tips, nothing should go wrong anymore. Have fun and success tanning at home!

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About the author:

Eva Staudinger is a German model signed with international agencies in New York, London, and Paris. With her many years of professional experience, skincare, beauty, and wellness are topics she deals with daily and with great enthusiasm. Business trips to New York, Sydney, or London allow her to always gain insight into the latest beauty trends, which she will then share with us in the SoSue Beauty section. In addition to her work as a model, the native of Bergisch Gladbach has also completed her bachelor's degree in economics at the University of Cologne. She has since relocated her base from the Rhineland to the north in Hamburg, where she lives with her boyfriend and where her German agency “PMA” is located. She regularly takes her followers on her Instagram account “evastaudinger” on her travels around the world and gives insights into her latest discoveries in beauty, wellness, and food – anyone interested is welcome to take a look.