No matter who you are, you deserve to look and feel great in your own skin. People who suffer from vitiligo might not be sure what they can and can’t use on their skin, but will be happy to know that there are certain self-tanning products out there that are perfectly fine to use.
Being able to feel comfortable in your own body is priceless. Those with vitiligo find that self-tanning spray and lotions help them feel more confident and comfortable when out in public.
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a skin condition where some patches of skin lose pigmentation or color. A person who has vitiligo will have patches of darker and lighter skin on their body. Some people have large areas of de-pigmented skin, and others only have a few small patches. While the seriousness of the de-pigmentation might vary from person to person, it is important to note the vitiligo is not contagious, nor is it life-threatening.
A person who has vitiligo might feel uncomfortable in their own skin. While there is a big movement towards accepting each person’s uniqueness and praising our flaws, feeling comfortable in your own skin is personal. Many people who have vitiligo look to self-tanning products to help even out their skin tone, making the darker and lighter areas less noticeable.
While the self-tanning products will be darker on the more pigmented skin, it will definitely help even out the tone between the lighter and darker skin. Both smaller and larger patches will be toned towards a similar color, making the pigmentation less noticeable and smoother looking. It will also give a beautiful summer glow that any person would love to have, all year round.
Someone who has paler skin will have lighter pigmented patches, but these will darken if they do go into to sun. This tanning caused by the sun will only darken the more pigmented patches, and cause damage to the lighter skin.
Is Self-Tanner Safe to Use If You Have Vitiligo?
Self-tanning products work by reacting with the dead layer of top skin. It really doesn’t matter that there is no pigment in the skin, which is the case with lighter patches of vitiligo. The self-tanning product does not need melanin to produce the bronze tan color so the lack of it won’t hinder the tan from setting on the skin.
Self-tanners are safe to use on skin with vitiligo. However, make sure that the self-tanning product you use has extra moisturizing ingredients that will nourish and protect your skin. There are many self-tanning products that contain only natural and organic ingredients. These natural vitamins and oils are much kinder to your skin than the usual, harsher chemicals used.
Not only will that not irritate your skin, but they will continue to moisturize and soothe your skin while the self-tanning lotion is applied. There really is no reason to use the older, harsher tanning creams, so as long as you are using a natural, organic product, you should have no problems.
It is advised to do an allergy test 24 hours before full applications. Choose a piece of your skin that isn’t too visible, preferably with a light and dark patch. Apply a small amount of self-tanner to this area and wait. If no reaction occurs you know it is safe to use on the rest of your body.
You will also be able to get a good idea of what the tan will look like on the different shades of your skin once applied to your whole body, and whether you should leave some areas to darken for longer than others.
Alright, now let’s talk about the best fake tanning products on the market for helping to cover or blend vitiligo.
Top 5 Self-Tanners For Vitiligo
There are so many products on the market, and if you need something specific it can be really overwhelming to know what to buy. There are organic products, synthetic, products with guide color, lotions, mousses, gels, and so much more.
So I spent a ton of time researching and testing these products to try and find the absolute best fake tanning products for vitiligo. In making this list I factored in a ton of things including:
- Price
- Quality
- Customer Reviews
- Ease of application
- Coverage
And so much more…
Alright, now let’s get to those products.
Here are the best self-tanners to use for vitiligo. They will not only give your skin a healthy, summer tone, but they will look after your skin, nourishing it as you tan.
1. MineTan Color Correcting Self Tan Foam
This moisturizing self-tan foam was formulated for all skin types. Thanks to its color-correcting abilities, it is a top choice for those with vitiligo.
This product blends lighter depigmentation spots seamlessly, leaving no streaks behind.
Another great thing about MineTan Color Correcting Self Tan Foam is that it works quickly. After application, you can rinse in as little as 1 hour to reveal glowing bronzed skin. If you want the darkest tan possible with this formula, then you can leave it on for 3 hours.
It’s 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and is free of parabens, mineral oils, palm oil, and sulfates. It does contain Vitamin E, avocado oil, and coconut oil for moisture.
2. St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
Check it out on Amazon.
St. Tropez is by far one of the more trusted self-tanning brands. They know everything needed to know to create a beautiful, natural tan, without the use of the sun.
The self-tanning mousse is super lightweight and incredibly easy to apply. It is tinted and dries in 60 seconds and develops in 4-8 hours, making for an easy, quick application. Even though it is a hassle-free application, the results are a beautiful, golden-bronze glow that looks natural and radiant.
The mousse is streak-free and doesn’t have the usual self-tan smell. The tan fades evenly, so you don’t have to worry about an uneven tan after a few days.
St. Tropez will protect your skin and give it a golden, summer-kissed tan, even for a differently pigmented skin. Check out my full review here.
3. Viticolor Skin Camouflage Gel
Check it out on Amazon.
This tanning cream was created specifically for those who have the vitiligo condition. It is a camouflage gel that hides the discoloration caused by vitiligo. The self-tanning ingredients, along with dyes, ensure that the tanned look and bronze color lasts for up to 5 days after application.
The Viticolor gel actually utilizes a freezing complexion corrector that camouflages depigmented areas. What makes this product even greater is that it is completely safe to use during phototherapy, however, it doesn’t contain any sunscreen.
Sometimes, it is better to trust a product that has been designed specifically for your needs, and Viticolor Skin Camouflage Gel has been designed to help make your skin more even looking.
4. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
Check it out on Amazon.
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer is the perfect self-tanner if you are looking to keep your skin hydrated and soft, as well as perfectly glowing. The self-tanner creates a flawless, natural color that blends in with your skin gradually. By applying the moisturizing lotion each day, you are able to control which areas need more tan, and which areas to hold back the color on. This allows you to keep an even looking tone.
The blend of antioxidants and Vitamin E ensures that your skin is properly looked after, and is left healthy looking and soft. The scent is light and fresh, so you don’t have the lingering smell of the harsher self-tanning lotions.
The application is hassle-free, as it will be the same as applying your daily moisturizer to your body, but all the while building and maintaining a beautiful glow. The cream also allows for tanning for fair to medium skin, perfect for the different pigments of vitiligo.
5. SunLabs Self-Tanning Lotion
Check it out on Amazon.
This tanning lotion is formulated with a blend of natural ingredients. The ingredients are paraben-free and they provide your skin with all the nutrients needed to nourish and moisturize. The resulting tan is natural looking but still glows with the amazing bronze of a suntan.
An easy to use application process ensures that the application is error-free and even across the skin. This is a very important consideration for those with vitiligo, as you want to be sure that there will be no streaks across your already mixed-pigmented skin.
This self-tanning lotion will nourish, hydrate and sunlessly tan your skin to create soft, beautiful, golden glowing skin all year round.
Tips for Applying Self Tanner on Vitiligo
While the application procedures for self-tanning lotions for vitiligo is similar for those with normal skin, those with vitiligo might want to self-tan more often.
Some of the unpigmented areas might need more cream than the darker areas. You might need to apply a second layer of self-tanner to the lighter areas the next day, in order for it to match the color of the darker areas.
On the third day after the first application, it might be worthwhile to add an even coat all over your body, to tone all shades together. The fourth day would require exfoliation, and then start the tanning process all over the next day.
A daily moisturizing self-tanning lotion might be the best option for vitiligo. You will not have to exfoliate the cream off, and can just keep applying the lotion to needed areas daily.
If you are doing a one-off application, here are a few steps to follow:
- Exfoliate – Exfoliate before application. This will remove all excess dead skin and leave only the top layer for the tanning cream to react with.
- Shave before application – This removes any leg hairs that might get in the way of application and cause some patchy or blotchy areas.
- Moisturize – It is always a good idea to moisturize before applying a self-tanning lotion. Make sure the moisturizer isn’t too heavy and absorbs into the skin well. It will just hydrate the skin enough to stay moisturized during the self-tanning application.
While vitiligo might cause those affected to feel uncomfortable in their skin, there are ways to achieve an even, beautiful tone that you deserve.
Choosing the right self-tanning lotion and following the proper application procedure will help you maintain a natural tan that will hide the differently pigmented skin, and hopefully help you love the skin you’re in.
