Looking for a summer glow without the sun damage and sweat? The secret is in the best self-tanners on the market right now!
While a few minutes of sun exposure everyday helps to boost your mood and Vitamin D levels, gone are the days where you should be spending hours baking in the sun. Not only does prolonged sun exposure lead to more wrinkles and skin damage (think blemishes, brown spots and pigmentation), it also raises the risk of skin cancer by an alarming rate, especially in sunny South Africa.
These tried-and tested self-tanners offer a sunless streak-free tan in no time. And don’t worry, they’re simple to use, you just have to follow our top tips.
Prep your skin in 3 easy steps
Prepping your skin before using a self-tanner is essentially to making it last longer, but also ensuring your at-home job comes out streak-free. That’s why you’ll need to exfoliate and moisturise.
1. Exfoliate
Whether you’re using a self-tanner or not, body scrubs totally transform skin in minutes. For a two-in-one quick step under the shower, we salt-in-oil scrubs, like The Body Shop Brazilian Cupaucu scrub-in Oil, R350 for 350g, as it immediately leaves skin beautifully soft.
For a more traditional choice, try Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub for smooth skin, R585 for 200ml, It will leave the skin perfectly matte for your self-tanner, just remember to follow with a moisturiser.
2. Moisturise morning and night
Keeping your skin supple is super important, and you should apply moisturiser day and night for at least a week before using your self-tanner. Streak-free success really lies in the quality of your skin. Dove Dermaspa Goodness3 Body Lotion, R89,99 for 200ml, is velvety but lightweight.
We’re also fans of Benefit Hoola Boddess Cream, R550 for 147ml, it is peach toned to help offset signs of grey and dull-looking skin, plus sinks into skin at lightning speed with a smooth , non-sticky finish.
3. Pay extra attention to your hands, knees and elbows
This is where skin tends to be drier, which will, in turn make even the best self-tanners collect and appear darker once they’ve fully developed. Spend extra time exfoliating and moisturising these areas.
Our top 5 self-tanners to buy now
Wear off
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or Multi-Purpose dry oil for face, body and hair, R433,71 for 50ml.
Wash Off
Caribbeantan Simmer Cream Tinted Wash off Body Bronzer, R98,95 for 200ml
For face
Skinny Tan Face Moisturising Tanning Drops, R299 for 30ml
Fast-drying
Le Tan Coconut Water Self Tanning Foam, R300 for 200ml
Top splurge buy:
Our Beauty Editor’s must-have, high-end self-tanner for the face;
Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self Tan Drops, R1 105 for 30ml
