What is a facial self-tanner
Facial self-tanner is a cosmetic that reacts with the dead cells on the skin's outermost layer to give a golden tone without the need for sun exposure. Unlike a tinted cream, its effect doesn't wash off when you cleanse your face, but lasts for several days, since the pigment is generated through a chemical reaction with the skin, mainly via an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone. It's a widely used alternative for achieving an even tone at any time of year, without relying on the sun or UV radiation.
How to choose your facial self-tanner
The choice depends on your skin tone, the desired intensity of colour and your preferred texture.
By skin tone
- Very fair skin: it's best to choose gradual-intensity formulas, to avoid an overly orange result.
- Medium skin tones: you can choose medium or gradual intensities depending on the result you're after.
- Tanned skin: tends to tolerate higher-intensity formulas well, to enhance the existing tone.
By texture
There are versions in cream, gel, mousse or drops to mix with your usual moisturiser. Gel or mousse textures tend to dry faster and leave a less sticky feel, while drops let you adjust the intensity of the colour depending on how much you add.
How to apply facial self-tanner without leaving stains
The first step is to prepare the skin with a gentle exfoliation, preferably the day before, to remove dead skin cells and achieve a more even result. When applying it, use circular movements and spread the product well, paying special attention to areas like the hairline, eyebrows and around the nose, where it's easier for too much product to build up. A small amount of moisturiser on those areas before applying the self-tanner helps create a barrier that prevents the colour from becoming too concentrated.
How long it takes for the colour to appear
The golden tone usually starts to show between two and four hours after application, although the final result is best seen the next day. It's important to let the product dry completely before getting dressed or touching your face, to avoid it transferring onto clothes or your pillow. The colour typically lasts between three and seven days, depending on your skin's natural renewal and how often you exfoliate your face.
Common mistakes when using facial self-tanner
One of the most common mistakes is not exfoliating the skin before applying it, which can lead to an uneven result, with darker patches in areas of drier skin. Another frequent mistake is applying too much product at once, instead of building up layers if you want a more intense tone. It's also best to avoid contact with water during the first few hours after application, as it can affect the even development of the colour on the skin.
How to maintain the result
Once you've achieved the desired tone, moisturising your skin daily helps keep the colour even for longer, since dry skin tends to flake sooner and more unevenly. To refresh the effect, you can reapply the facial self-tanner every few days, always on well-exfoliated skin, avoiding layering multiple applications without first removing traces of the previous colour.
Facial self-tanner and sun protection
An important point to keep in mind is that facial self-tanner doesn't offer any protection against UV radiation, even though the visual result resembles a natural tan. The golden tone it gives is purely cosmetic, resulting from a chemical reaction with the dead skin cells, and it doesn't provide any barrier against the sun. That's why, if you're going to be exposed to sunlight during the day, you still need to apply a facial sunscreen as you would on any other occasion, exactly as if you hadn't used a self-tanner. Confusing the two products is a common mistake that can leave the skin unprotected against radiation.
Facial self-tanner according to the result you want
Those looking for a very subtle effect tend to prefer gradual-intensity formulas, which are applied like a regular moisturiser and build up colour with each use, without the need for such a careful application routine. For a more noticeable result from the very first application, high-intensity versions offer a more intense tone in less time, although they require greater precision when applying to avoid uneven patches.
