Does fake tan age your face?

Author: Fredrick Conroy DDS  |  Last update: Sunday, January 25, 2026

"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."

Does a tan face make you look older?

So essentially, yes. Tanning is really that aging. 90% of photoaging (sun exposure damage) is the cause for the vast majority of premature aging symptoms (texture, collagen loss, wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, discoloration, etc) as aging is quite literally the result of damaging your skin.

Does self-tanner age you faster?

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.

Do fake tans cause wrinkles?

In other words, fake tans may cause lines, wrinkles and sagging by damaging the skin - which users wanted to avoid by staying out of the sun. But is DHA safe? A review in 2012 suggested it could cause DNA damage, which is linked to cancer.

Is self-tan bad for your face?

Self-tanners, such as the lotions, sprays, and gels you use to achieve a sunless tan, are not harmful. They include dihydroxyacetone, a safe, colourless sugar that reacts with amino acids in dead skin cells on the surface of the skin to temporarily tan you.

How To Tan Without Getting Burnt [LIGHT HACK]

Can fake tan age your face?

But Wong says it's unlikely that any skin aging effect would be pronounced. "The human studies so far have found that DHA mostly reacts in the top layers of the skin, which are dead. In skin aging, the concern is excessive free radicals forming deeper in the dermal layers of skin where collagen and elastin are."

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.

Do all self-tanners darken age spots?

A: Yes. Age spots can be either light (hypopigmentation) or dark (hyperpigmentation), says Wendy E. Roberts, MD, assistant clinical professor of medicine at Loma Linda University. A self-tanning cream can darken both kinds.

Does tanning cause premature aging?

While skin cancer has been associated with sunburn, moderate tanning may also produce the same effect. UV radiation can also have a damaging effect on the immune system and cause premature aging of the skin, giving it a wrinkled, leathery appearance.

Does fake tan clog face pores?

The short answer is: it depends on the product you use. Many self-tanners on the market contain ingredients that can potentially clog pores or irritate the skin, leading to breakouts.

Is it better to fake tan at night or morning?

Applying at night gives your self-tanner time to develop a natural tan look. Things like showering, rain, or tight clothes can mess up your tan when it's trying to settle. And some tanning products will also stain! As the self-tanner process can take up to eight hours, applying right before bed is super convenient.

What's the best fake tan for mature skin?

  • AnuaAXIS-YBeauty of JoseonBIODANCEMedihealMixsoonTIRTIR.
  • Dr LeWinn'sEir WomenfoldUPGentilIKKARIiKOUKinLove LunaModibodiMoveActiveNaked HarvestSkoop SkincareSoftwareThe Goodnight CoTherabodyVacation VibesVitadrop.

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.

What makes a face look older?

Cheeks: As we age, our skin loses collagen, fat, and water — three properties that contribute to the healthy volume. Lost volume in the skin around our cheeks can cause the appearance of hollow or sunken cheeks. Neck: In addition to lost volume, aging skin also loses elasticity.

Why do I look prettier with a tan?

The glow provided by a tan can make a face look more vibrant and therefore youthful. A tan can also help make muscles look more toned and more well defined. Today, having a tan is associated with people that have an active, outdoor lifestyle. A tan therefore makes people look healthier and fit.

What skin tone makes you look younger?

Darker skinned people often look younger than their lighter skinned peers. Their skin appears smoother and tends to have less wrinkles even as they get older. Do we have the wrong impression or is there something really going on? It's true, darker skin ages slower than lighter skin.

What ages your face the most?

Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.

Does fake tan make you look older?

Fake tan contains DHA which causes damage to the skin. It initiates the formation of free radicals which leads to the breaking down of collagen. This resultantly leads to premature aging skin, characterised by wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin.

Why am I looking old all of a sudden?

A poor diet, smoking, alcohol and stress can also age the skin. "When we sleep, turnover and renewal occurs, and we know not getting enough sleep can lead to accelerated aging," says Friedman.

What is the best self-tanner for the face?

Our favorite facial self-tanner is the Lux Unfiltered N°12 Bronzing Face Drops. It's simple and easy, looks natural on the skin, and can be built up depending on how many drops you use. But if you're looking for an affordable option that you can pick up at the drugstore, we love the Sol by Jergens Deeper By The Drop.

Are fake tans bad for your skin?

Can they cause skin problems? And is it safe to put fake tan on your face or use it if you're pregnant? Well, actually, on that front, the news looks pretty good. Dermotologists agree that as long as they're used as directed (i.e. topically), there is no indication that self-tanning products are harmful.

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).

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.

Is self-tanner OK for your face?

If your skin isn't sensitive or prone to breakouts, you can use a self-tan formulated for the body — but Evans recommends diluting it with your favorite facial moisturizer before application. Board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, agrees.

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.

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