Self-Tanning for Beginners: How to Achieve a Bronzed Glow at Home

It’s no secret that having bronzed skin can make you feel more confident. Tanning beds, however, can do a lot more harm than good, aging the skin and sometimes even leading to skin cancer. But with the innovation of self-tan, you don’t need to go to the tanning beds anymore.

If you’re eager to try self-tanning at home for the first time, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips and tricks to remember. 

Preparing your skin before self-tanning

Self-tan always looks better when you’ve prepared your skin beforehand. If you’re a beginner, taking these steps the day before you decide to give yourself a luminous glow can make all the difference. 

Start by exfoliating your skin and getting rid of any dead skin cells. This will make sure your skin is a blank canvas ready to be nourished!

The next step is moisturising. Self-tan will always apply better on moisturized skin, making it less likely you’re going to be left with an uneven skin tone. Try to moisturize daily in the week leading to your self-tan routine, but avoid applying this to your skin on the same day. This can actually act as a barrier and lead to a streaky finish.

Understanding how to remedy self-tan mistakes 

We all make mistakes. It doesn’t matter if this is your first-time self-tanning or not, sometimes, things don’t go our way. And that’s okay! The trick is to understand how you can remedy these mistakes in a quick and simple way. But first, what can go wrong?

Certain areas on our bodies don’t always tan in the way we want, such as our knees, hands, elbows, and face. Even if we prepare and prime these areas with exfoliation and moisturizer, they might seem darker than the rest of your body when you’ve self-tanned. And the secret to an all-around even skin tone is simpler than you might think…

Glycolic acid is magic in a bottle. In fact, one social media influencer took the world by storm when she shared this method on TikTok. All you need to do is add a little onto a cotton pad and apply it to the areas you’ve noticed are discolored, such as armpits in this example, and any areas which seem overly tanned will even out with the rest of your skin tone.

Choosing the right self-tan products

There are a million and one self-tanning products on the market. It might be overwhelming to choose the right one for you at first, but once you know how each product works, you’ll be able to confidently pick your favorite from the shelf. 

Self-tanning mousse 

Let’s start with a classic. Mousse is one of the most iconic forms of self-tan, and it makes sense considering the deep and rich glow it gives you. If you’ve got the time to apply this in the evening and wash it off in the morning, mousse might be the option for you. It can even be therapeutic and a nice opportunity to make time for yourself. 

Instant self-tan

You don’t always have to wait overnight. And with instant self-tan, you can achieve sun-kissed skin in a second and walk straight out of the door. It even washes off when you’re finished, so you don’t have to commit to a glow for longer than you’d like to. 

Self-tanning drops 

Moisture is everything when you’re self-tanning. To make sure you’re locking in as much moisture as possible, you can achieve a radiant glow with tanning drops. These are added to your body and face moisturizer to have a tan within 4-6 hours. Simple and effective! 

Gradual self-tan 

If you’re a beginner, you might not know which level of tan you’re hoping to achieve. With gradual self-tan, you’re able to find out which tone you like the most on your terms. Gradual tan can even come in the form of serums, so it can be added to your daily routine. 

Self-tan water 

You don’t have to be a professional to give yourself a spray tan, believe us or not. Now that self-tan water has taken over the hearts of tanning enthusiasts across the nation, companies have perfected a hydrating mist that delivers the same results as traditional mousse. 

Maintaining your self-tan like a professional 

You might be starting your self-tanning journey, but you can still keep it looking fresh for as long as a professional. It’s always a good idea to moisturize daily, as dry skin can sometimes peel and leave your self-tan looking patchy. But that’s not all!

Showering is essential, there’s no denying it. Rather than ditching an all-body wash to maintain your self-tan, try showering with warm rather than hot water. It might feel great having a steamy shower, but it’s going to make your glow fade a lot faster.

There’s no need to damage your skin with tanning beds now that you’re able to self-tan at home to your heart’s content. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to achieve a beautiful self-tan at home all by yourself.