With so many products on the market, it can be very difficult selecting the best self tanning lotion. There are lotions, gels, sprays, creams, mists and oils, and then you have to choose how dark you want to go, how long you want the tan to last, and how quickly you want the tan to appear.
With all these choices, your best bet is going to be to get online and start reading reviews of some of the top rated tan lotions, and see if you can start to pin down which one is right for you. However, to start you off, we'll list some of the things that make up the best self tanning lotions on the market, so you can look out for these features when you are narrowing down your search.
1. The active ingredient Dihydroxyactone (DHA)
Some older style or cheaper variations of these lotions use a form of water soluble dye to color the skin, and these can lead to a streaky, orange and unnatural looking tan. The active ingredient in the best self tanning lotion is DHA, and you should look out for this in your chosen product's ingredients list. DHA works by creating a chemical reaction with keratin in your skin, creating a compound called melanoidins. This compound is very similar to melanin, the compound that darkens the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. The reaction is safe, painless, and creates natural, even looking skin coloration. It takes around 2 to 4 hours to work, and can last up to 10 days. It also fades naturally.
2. No Time Required in the Sun
You should avoid any tan lotion that requires you to spend time in the sun. These treatments are better known as sun accelerators, and while they may give you a deeper tan, they also multiply the damage the sun does to your skin, putting you at risk of skin damage, cancer and melanoma. The main benefit of self tanning is being able to avoid spending hours in the sun, which we know causes premature aging, wrinkles, and the risk of cancer, so these products are a total waste of time and best avoided.
3. Skin Care ingredients
Not entirely necessary, but many of the best self tanning lotion products contain natural skin care ingredients that can help nourish the skin to make it both look and feel great. If you're going to the trouble of getting a beautiful sun-kissed look, you might as well top it off with a product that will leave your skin feeling great too. Moisturisers and herbal supplements are common additives to these types of treatments.
