SISTER SITES
The Fashion Spot Momtastic
FOLLOW US
Skin care

Why You Shouldn't Quit Self-Tanner Cold Turkey

Learn how to wean yourself off of a faux summer glow in baby steps

by Hayley Mason  |  4 COMMENTS

PHOTO 2/6
Get friendly with the other types of self-tanner
Get friendly with the other types of self-tanner To avoid that mortifying moment when someone asks what happened to your weirdly fading skin, put away your deep-colored self-tanners and switch to gradual formulas. The self-tanners we use in the summer to give us fast color have a higher percentage of DHA, the tanning agent that reacts with amino acids in your skin (the surface, dead layer) and changes the color of your skin over the course of a few hours (Sunlaboratories Dark Sunsation Self Tanning Lotion, $49.95, is a reviewer favorite). A gradual tanner has a lower percentage of DHA and will take 4-5 consecutive daily applications to get the level of color that one application of self-tanner. Then there are temporary tanners -- the ones to wear on a night out when you want color immediately. These are DHA-free and if the product is high quality, it will last until you wash off with soap and water. As cold weather hits a gradual tanning lotion will give you more subtle color than a self tanner or temporary tanner and can be applied sporadically in the winter when you want a little boost of color. "Use once every few days initially, then widen the gaps between applications once winter is in full swing," says Evans. (We like Supergoop! SPF 20 Gradual Self-Tanning Sunscreen Mousse , $38 or Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer , $8.69.)

SEE NEXT PAGE: Change the Way You Exfoliate
 

EDITORS' BEST OF

12 Best Acne Products for Your Clearest Skin Yet

Read More

11 Best Tinted Moisturizers for Easy, On-the-Go Coverage

Read More
products mentioned
Sun Laboratories Dark Sunsation Self Tanning Lotion

8.0

Supergoop! SPF 20 Gradual Self-Tanning Sunscreen Mousse

0.0

Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish

9.1

St. Tropez Tan Optimizer Body Polish

0.0

Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion Shea + Enriching...

8.9

Beessential Original Honey Fragrance Free Cream

8.9

Origins Halo Effect Instant Illuminator

9.0

Chanel No.5 Velvet Body Cream

10.0

Ahava Pure Spa Body Sorbet Caress

9.8

more stories
This Is the Manicure You Should Get, Based on Your Astrological Sign

Nails

This Is the Manicure You Should Get, Based on Your Astrological Sign

Must-Have Anti-Aging Eye Creams That Are Worth the Splurge

Skin

Must-Have Anti-Aging Eye Creams That Are Worth the Splurge

Top 10 Skincare Brands Rising High in 2024

Skin

Top 10 Skincare Brands Rising High in 2024

leave a comment
Free Samples
Welcome to TotalBeauty.com!
Ready to unleash your inner beauty junkie? Enter your email and check the boxes below to get free samples, exclusive deals, discounts at Total Beauty Shops, and expert beauty tips delivered straight to your inbox!
Email to a friend



Cancel
monitoring_string = "e4ea8133a649aad124e80f99f8831005"