After applying a
For the ultimate glow, use a Body Exfoliator 24 hours before applying self tanner to create the perfect smooth base for your tan. Then, 2 to 3 hours before tanning, treat your skin to a Tan Enhancing Body Moisturiser, paying particular attention to dry areas, such as knees, elbows and hands.
Generally, a gradual tan lasts about a week, but with the right preparation, your sunless glow can stick around for up to ten days. The key is to knuckle down on preparing your skin in the weeks and days leading up to your gradual tan, and keeping your skin moisturised once you've applied.
For most users, the desired colour develops gradually over several applications, so it's worth developing a self-tan routine. For a deeper shade, you may choose to reapply the product every day — especially if you notice as the tan develops that you missed a spot the previous day.
Gradual tan is best applied once a day, or every few days depending on the colour you wish to achieve. It Is not recommended to apply gradual tan twice a day as this can cause the product to build up, too much product can affect how even your colour is.
After applying a Dove gradual self-tanning product to your skin, you will begin to notice a gradual darkening after 2–4 hours. Your tan will continue to develop over the next 24–48 hours. This process is temporary and reversible, and the tan will fade evenly and subtly over the course of the next several days.
The beauty of using a gradual tanner is the freedom it gives you to bespoke your glow. One layer provides a light, natural-looking tan, but you can build up over the course of a few days to deepen the results. Experiment with how much you apply to find out which amount of tan gives you your perfect desired glow.
Make Sure Skin Is Completely Dry
Most experts recommend showering before applying self-tanner as this is the best way to ensure skin is clean and free of any oils or products that could interfere. But it's important not to rush into tanning straight away.
“What's great about in-shower and pre-shower gradual tans is once you have applied and finished your shower nothing can damage your gradual tan from developing.” According to Evans, you can apply gradual tanner every day until you are at your desired shade.
You can shave after tanning without removing all your newfound colour. Just make sure you wait at least 8 hours, so your tan has had time to develop. Then shave with gentle pressure, using a brand-new razor and an oil-free wash or shaving foam that won't break down your faux glow.
Step 2: Reach for your gradual tan
Apply your chosen gradual tanning moisturiser with your hand or a mitt, smoothing carefully from the legs upwards. We recommend using circular motions to ensure all areas are evenly covered.
Utilising gentle exfoliating scrubs or tools, such as exfoliating gloves, helps buff away impurities without causing irritation or abrasion. To encourage the gradual tan to set in the skin, avoid exfoliating your skin immediately after applying the gradual tan and in the days that follow.
With just a touch of self tanner, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze creates a delicate, sun-kissed, summer glow all year long. Gradually builds a subtle tan within a few days, while deeply moisturising your skin.
Depending on how long your tan takes to develop, it can be best to sleep in it overnight and wash it off in the morning — just be sure to use dark coloured sheets or a tan sheet protector. Use cooler water to wash off the residue of your fake tan.
Some self-tans take a while to dry and contain guide colour which could transfer to your clothes or bed sheets. Our moisturising self-tanning products are guide-colour free and fast absorbing, so you can use our Summer Revived Gradual Self Tan Body Mousse to tan in the morning or last thing at night.
Can I leave self tan on overnight? You can leave your self tan on for as long as you like, with each product having a different recommended timeframe. Some people prefer to sleep with it overnight to get a deeper glow.
Dove Summer Revived Light to Medium Gradual Tanning Lotion For Face and Body All Skin Types 75ml 4.6 out of 5 stars, average rating value.
The answer is YES, but only after the self tan has fully developed. All Bali Body fake tan's take around 8 hours to fully develop and reach their maximum level of glow. Regardless of when you wash the colour guide off, we highly recommend you don't moisturise until the 8 hour mark.
Alternatively, you can apply it before you go to bed to wake up with bronzed, glowing skin. Remember, gradual tan is a buildable product, so if you're looking to achieve a medium to dark tan, you'll need to add a layer every day for a few days.
Exfoliation. Use a sugar scrub to gently buff away dead skin cells, creating a smooth, even surface for your self-tanner to adhere to which helps prevent a patchy, streaky tan. For a fast and fabulous end result, it's best to provide a clean canvas for all the tanning magic to take place.
The activation and production of melanin is responsible for skin pigmentation and the dark colour on your skin. Compared to the rest of the body, skin on the legs does not produce the same amount of melanin, which results in legs getting less tan.
The colour won't show up instantly, so it can be tempting to lather on another layer or 10. But remember, daily applications will see your skin looking glowy within a few short days. For those with darker skin tones, gradual tan may not be enough to enhance your already beautifully bronzed skin.
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."
Exfoliate your skin every few days after application with a light exfoliating bodywash, focusing on areas that tend to fade quickest: underarms, neck, and knees. Exfoliation will fade your tan slightly, but this step is essential to preventing colour build-up and removing dead skin cells.
We recommend avoiding anything containing exfoliating acids or retinol as these will break down and counteract the effects of your glow. How long do they take to develop/do they need to be rinsed off? Our Drops develop over 4-6 hours. There's no guide colour which means there's no need to rinse off.