Whether you're feeling pale, have an uneven tan, or just want a fresh skin tone, self-tanning (BUS) products can add some color to your life. We are so happy that today there is a wide range of natural and organic self-tanning products that are easy to apply and give a credible, attractive tan while being kind to both our skin and our planet. Here we guide you so you can easily find the self-tanning product that suits you best.
Fun facts about self-tanning
Rumor has it that tanned skin became popular after Coco Chanel returned home in the 1920s from a trip to France. She had looked amazing with her glowing brown skin. Around this time, Dihydroxyacetone (read more about this substance below) was invented by a German researcher. There were no intentions to use it on the skin until someone accidentally spilled it on themselves and got brown skin. The first self-tanning product came out in 1960, and the products have been developing ever since.
How does self-tanning work – why does the skin turn brown?
DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) is the substance in the products that makes your skin tan. It's a natural sugar compound that reacts with amino acids in the outermost layer of skin and doesn't damage the skin. DHA penetrates the uppermost skin layer, which mostly consists of dead skin cells, reacts with amino acids in these cells and makes the skin "brown." The effect usually lasts for a few days, so you need to continue applying regularly if you want to maintain the tan. The products provide no sun protection and therefore don't protect against the sun's rays.
Are self-tanning products dangerous?
Self-tanning products are safe to use. DHA only affects the outermost layer of skin and is a much better alternative than lying in the sun to achieve a comparable tan. What you should consider are the other ingredients in a self-tanning product. We believe that an organic self-tanner is the best choice. This way you avoid synthetic fragrances and pore-clogging ingredients. If you want to conceal uneven skin or acne scars, it's especially important that the product allows your skin to breathe. Keep in mind that only the outermost layer of skin gets the brown color.The skin underneath is still just as pale, so you must use sun protection if you plan to be in the sun. Building a base color before a sunny vacation is a good idea. Just remember not to sunbathe when your self-tanner is still developing color on your skin. When DHA is exposed to sunlight, free radicals are released (which, among other things, ages the skin). Therefore, don't sunbathe with self-tanner on your skin. For pregnant women, an organic self-tanner is safe to use. However, you should always do an allergy test first, as you can be allergic to natural substances whether you're pregnant or not.
How to choose your self-tanner
For those who want a light golden tone that can be built up
Eco By Sonya – Face Tan Water gradually builds a light tan on the face, neck and décolletage. It's a completely liquid product that comes in a brown glass bottle and has an inner cap that makes it easy to pour out a little at a time. It's completely colorless and contains no oils, making it especially suitable for those who tend to get acne from self-tanning creams.
Eco By Sonya – Winterskin is a nourishing self-tanning lotion for face and body that suits light to medium skin tones. It gives a subtle tan that can be built up. It's also a nutritious moisturizer and gives the skin a beautiful luster. Evolve – Sunless Glow Body Lotion is a nourishing body lotion that gradually gives the skin a very discreet tan. It's a light lotion, easy to massage in with a slightly fruity scent.
For those who want an "I've been on vacation" tone
Eco By Sonya – Invisible Tan is suitable for medium to olive skin tones and gives a stronger shade than Winterskin. This one can also be built up.
For those who want a tan quickly
Eco By Sonya – Cacao Firming Mousse is an express self-tanning mousse for body and face that gives a luxurious deep golden tan to all skin tones. This provides a lot of color quickly, after just 1 hour, and the color continues to develop over up to 48 hours, giving a long-lasting tan.