Do self-tanners age your skin?

Author: Nathanael Hammes  |  Last update: Thursday, April 24, 2025

But neither spray tans nor self-tanners offer protection against UV rays, unless the product label explicitly notes that it provides SPF. Wearing self-tanning products in the sun may even accelerate skin aging, some research suggests.

Does self-tanner cause skin aging?

"DHA has been shown to cause an increase in free radicals in the skin," says Chere Lucas Anthony, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Boca Raton, Fla. "This can contribute to skin aging as the free radicals break down collagen and elastin in the skin, which leads to wrinkling and skin aging."

How bad are self-tanners for your skin?

While fake tan is considered safe, self-tanners are definitely not created equal. Some contain harsh ingredients, cheap chemicals and allergens which can irritate the skin.

Do all self-tanners darken age spots?

Answer: Re: Sunless Tanner For Age & Brown Spot Removal Age spots will actually get darker with sunless tanning. The chemicals used in these formulas actually act as photosensitizers, which helps the skin to create more melanin. And this is why you will notice the age spots become darker.

Why does fake tan make me look older?

In other words, when you regularly use self-tanner, the oxidation happening on the surface of your skin increases by nearly double. That might mean more blackheads on acneic skin, and more oxidative stress to cause visible signs of aging.

Gabrielle Union’s Guide to Makeup in Her 50s | Beauty Secrets | Vogue

What is the best fake tan for mature skin?

What tanning formula is best suited to mature skin types?
  • Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion 250ml. 25% off Use Code: FLASH25. 4.38 stars out of a maximum of 5. ...
  • Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk 375ml. 25% off Use Code: FLASH25. ...
  • ESPA Gradual Tan Body Moisturiser 200ml. 3.67 stars out of a maximum of 5.

Does tan skin age faster?

While often associated with good health, the “glow” of a tan is the very opposite of healthy; it is evidence of DNA injury to your skin. Tanning damages your skin cells and speeds up visible signs of aging.

What self-tanner do dermatologists recommend?

Dermatologists' Favorite Self-Tanners and How to Apply Them at...
  • Revision Intellishade SPF 45.
  • Elta MD UV Daily Broad Spectrum SPF 40.
  • Eryfotona Ageless Actinica Mineral SPF 50+
  • St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse.
  • Tan Towel Body Tan Towlettes.
  • Jergens Natural Glow Three Days to Glow Moisturizer.

How to stop fake tan sticking to age spots?

Apply self-tan all over your face and neck, and then, with a little piece of tissue, 'dab' the self-tan away on the areas where you have brown spots. Then, apply a small dot of moisturiser onto these areas so the self-tan doesn't develop on your brown spots (and make the brown spots darker).

What happens if you don't wash off your self-tanner?

what happens if i forget to shower off the tan? the longer you keep the tan on, the darker it will get. however, some skin types may experience discoloration (looking a bit orange or yellow) if left on too long past around 8 hours. you may also get a streaky tan as you're more likely to rub or wash off some sections.

Is Jergens self-tanner bad for you?

The answer is YES. Sunless tanners are totally safe. They work through a simple sugar (DHA) that attaches to amino acids in the top layer of skin and causes darkening of the skin cells, resulting in a natural-looking tan.

What are the long term effects of self-tanning?

The CDC warns that too much "indoor tanning" can cause "skin cancers, cataracts and cancers of the eye." The FDA also points to the risks of premature aging and immune suppression linked to UVB radiation.

Does self-tanner go into your bloodstream?

A report released by the FDA suggests that a small amount of applied DHA can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. A lab study showed that DHA could cause DNA damage to cells. As DNA damage can lead to cancer, some researchers have expressed concerns about this.

What age should you fake tan?

St. Tropez is safe for all ages and skin types however, we strongly recommend a patch test is carried out at least 24 hours ahead of tanning to check for skin sensitivity, particularly on users under 16 years old.

What are the cons of self-tanner?

Some of the health risks of DHA found spray tans and self-tanners include:
  • rashes.
  • coughing.
  • dizziness.
  • fainting.
  • increased risk of pulmonary diseases like asthma and COPD, from inhaling spray tanners.
  • contact dermatitis.
  • rosacea.
  • DNA damage and cell death to healthy, living cells.

Do self-tanners damage skin?

Are sunless tanning products safe? Bronzers, self-tanners and spray tanners have not been shown to pose a health risk and are considered safe to use – if they're applied correctly and carefully. They should only be applied externally to the skin and should not be used near your lips, mouth and nose or around your eyes.

How to remove age spots naturally overnight?

Apply fresh lemon juice, baking soda paste, or aloe vera gel to the spots 2-3 times a day. The natural bleaching properties can help lighten spots quickly. Stay consistent, and for safety, do the patch test first.

Does Vaseline stop fake tan?

Apply Vaseline on your brows and hairline

Applying a thin layer of Vaseline to these areas acts as a protective barrier, preventing the fake tan from clinging to your eyebrows or staining your hairline – especially if you're blonde.

Does self-tanner bring out age spots?

"If you apply a layer of self-tanner all over, it will simply darken age spots as it darkens the rest of your skin," Evans explains.

Does Jennifer Aniston use self-tanner?

In an interview with Redbook, Jennifer Aniston revealed that her favourite self-tanning product is the L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Tanning Towelettes, she says: "I like the L'Oréal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes.

What is the number one self-tanner on the market?

Top 8 Self-Tanners We Tested:
  • The Winner: Dolce Glow Lusso Self-Tanning Mousse, $51.
  • Best Self-Tanner for Pale Skin: St. Tropez Self-Tan Supreme Violet, $48.
  • Best Gradual Self-Tanner: Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk, $21.
  • Best Self-Tanner for Dry Skin: +Lux Unfiltered N°36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse, $48.

What is the best moisturizer to use with self-tanner?

I have found the best lotions to use are Aveeno, Cetaphil, Hempz, and CeraVe. Lotions with perfumes contain high alcohol levels and tend to dry out the skin.

What skin tone ages the fastest?

It's true, darker skin ages slower than lighter skin. You could even say that the darker the skin color, the slower it ages. Just to make sure there are no misunderstandings, we are not talking about dark, tanned skin, but rather differences related to people who are born with darker skin.

How to tan without aging?

Safer tanning tips
  1. Wear sunscreen. Even if your goal is to tan, wearing a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 is essential. ...
  2. Move frequently. To help avoid sunburn on any one part of your body, be sure to change positions from time to time.
  3. Watch the clock. ...
  4. Take breaks. ...
  5. Prep before and treat after.

Why do I look older after tanning?

Photodamage can come from natural UV radiation exposure from the sun or artificial UV light sources (tanning beds or sun lamps). UV exposure not only ages your skin more quickly than it naturally would, but can also increase your risk for skin cancer.

Previous article
What is the best treatment for stubborn lice?
Next article
Is it better to go longer without washing hair?