Luckily, there's an alternative that gives you the same gorgeous tan, without the high cost and inconvenience of spray tanning. The answer is at-home self
Opt for sunless self-tanners or spray tans. These are available in many forms, including lotions, sprays, and creams. The Skin Cancer Foundation advocates that no tan is a safe tan, and that regardless of whether women decide to go with their own glow or use sunless tanning methods, they avoid UV tanning.
Fastest way to get a tan without using anything is to expose yourself under the sun. How long you stay under the sun of course depends on how dark you'd want to get. If you want to get one tan per day, you are probably going to need to use a sun bed.
According to Dr. Peter Katz, board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, “there is no such thing as a healthy or safe tan. Tanned skin is a result of damage to the skin cells, your skin producing pigment in response to UV damage in an attempt to protect itself.
The only way to tan safely is by using self-tanning sprays or lotions. Fortunately, self-tanners have come a long way since the days when they left skin streaky and the color of orange cheese-puffs. Self-tanning products are safe and generally don't cause irritation to the skin.
Self Tanner
“Self-tanning lotions are a safe alternative to tanning beds and sun exposure, and they work by temporarily staining the outermost layer of the skin with a color additive called dihydroxyacetone (DHA),” notes Aimee Carr, an esthetician, makeup artist, and founder of Voodoo Makeup.
Using makeup is the safest, but also most temporary, way to darken your skin. One great method is using bronzers and shimmer powders. You'll need a few simple products to create your new tan look, all of which can be found online or at any makeup department or convince store.
The only problem is spray tanning can be expensive, time-consuming and has safety concerns. Luckily, there's an alternative that gives you the same gorgeous tan, without the high cost and inconvenience of spray tanning. The answer is at-home self tanning lotions and mousses!
⭐️ Typically they contain Beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A that gives yellow, orange, and red fruits & veggies their pigment. ⭐️ While they promise to give you a “natural tan,” in reality they simply stain your skin orange. You could get the same effect by eating carrots or drinking carrot juice.
As for when you can repeat this process, typically you can use self-tanner every day or every other day until you reach your desired level of color and then once or twice a week to help maintain the results.
Try: FDA-approved sunless tanning lotions and creams
If you're looking to get a summer glow, try sunless tanning lotions and creams that contain ingredients approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "These options are safe and harmless," says Dr. Benabio.
The quickest steps are the basic (olive, coconut or baby) oil, soak in the tub, then use an exfoliating body mitt and body scrub or the specialist products designed to remove fake tan efficiently.
For example, some people may be allergic to DHA, which can cause itching, redness, and swelling. In addition, other ingredients in the spray tan solution, such as fragrances or preservatives, may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
One is better than the other for getting that youthful, natural tan! Self-tanning mousses provide a much simpler and higher quality tanning experience than spray tans do.
After extensive testing, we determined the highest rated self-tanner to be the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse. It's an airy mousse that's easy to apply and blend and leaves you with a natural-looking glow. You can also customize the depth of color based on how long you leave it on your skin.
For new-timers, we generally recommend opting for the gradual tanning lotion. It's designed to prevent the orange look you're fearing, so you can apply it worry-free. For our seasoned pros, we know a good tanning mousse or spray is a go-to. Just remember to give your skin some love beforehand and go lightly!
At-home tanning products generally contain DHA at levels between 3-5% – levels deemed to be non-toxic and non-carcinogenic1. However, it's always a good idea to follow product directions, apply self-tan in a ventilated area, and avoid ingesting any lotion or getting it in your eyes.