Whether you feel pale, have uneven tan lines, or just want a fresh skin tone, sunless tanning (self-tan) products can add a bit of color to your life. We are so happy that there is now a wide range of natural and organic self-tan products that are easy to apply and provide a believable, beautiful tan while being kind to our skin and our planet. Here we guide you so you can easily find the self-tan product that suits you best.
Fun facts about sunless tanning
It is rumored that tanned skin became popular after Coco Chanel returned from a trip to France in the 1920s. She looked stunning with her glowing brown skin. Around this time, Dihydroxyacetone (read more about this ingredient below) was invented by a German scientist. There were no intentions to use it on the skin until someone accidentally spilled it on themselves and got a tan. The first self-tan product was released in 1960, and the products have been developed ever since.
How does sunless tanning work – why does the skin turn brown?
DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) is the ingredient in the products that causes the skin to tan. It is a natural sugar that reacts with amino acids in the outermost layer of the skin and does not harm the skin. DHA penetrates the top 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 a few days, so you need to keep applying regularly if you want to maintain the tan. The products do not provide sun protection and therefore do not protect against the sun’s rays.
Is sunless tanning dangerous?
Sunless tanning products are safe to use. DHA only affects the outermost skin layer and is a much better alternative than sunbathing to achieve a similar tan. What you should consider are the other ingredients in a self-tan product. We believe that an organic self-tan is the best choice. This way, you avoid synthetic fragrances and pore-clogging substances. If you want to cover unevenness or acne scars, it is especially important that the product allows the skin to breathe.
Keep in mind that only the outermost skin layer gets the brown color. The skin underneath is still just as pale, so you must use sun protection if you are going to be in the sun. Building a base tan before a sun holiday is a good idea. Just remember not to sunbathe while your self-tan is still developing color on the skin. When DHA is exposed to the sun, free radicals are released (which, among other things, cause skin aging). Therefore, do not sunbathe with self-tan on your skin.
For pregnant women, an organic self-tan is safe to use. However, you should always do an allergy test first, as you can be allergic to natural ingredients whether you are pregnant or not.
How to choose your self-tan
For those who want a light golden tone that can be built up
Eco By Sonya – Face Tan Water gradually builds a light sun-kissed glow on the face, neck, and décolleté. It is a completely liquid product that comes in a brown glass bottle with an inner stopper that makes it easy to pour out a little at a time. It is completely colorless and contains no oils, making it especially suitable for those who usually get acne from self-tan creams.
Eco By Sonya – Winterskin is a nourishing self-tan lotion for face and body suitable for light to medium skin tones. It gives a subtle tan that can be built up. It is also a rich moisturizer and gives the skin a beautiful glow.
Evolve – Sunless Glow Body Lotion is a nourishing body lotion that gradually gives the skin a very subtle tan. It is a light lotion, easy to massage in, with a faint fruity scent.
For those who want a “I’ve been on vacation” tone
Eco By Sonya – Invisible Tan suits 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-tan mousse for body and face that gives a luxurious deep golden tan for all skin tones. This gives a lot of color quickly, already after 1 hour, and the color continues to develop over up to 48 hours, providing a long-lasting tan.
