Allergic Reactions To Fake Tan – What You Should Know
Fake tan, also known as self-tanner, is becoming increasingly popular as people recognize the dangers of sun tanning.
Self-tanners are simple to use, extremely effective, and for the most part, perfectly safe. However, some people do have allergic reactions to fake tan.
So what do you do if you think you are having an allergic reaction to self-tanner?
Clean off the product, consider taking an antihistamine or applying calamine lotion, allow your skin to breathe (don’t cover it up), and clean anything else that the self-tanner touched, like towels.
In this article, I aim to discuss how this occurs, how to recognize it when it may be happening, and what you can do about it.
First, let’s discuss briefly how most self-tanners work, so we can better understand how we might be allergic to them.
Allergic Reactions To Self-Tanners – The Basics
Most quality sunless tanners work through a chemical called dihydroxyacetone, or DHA.
What most people don’t know is that DHA is actually a type of sugar that chemically reacts with the amino acids in the very top layer of your epidermis (the outer layer of your skin).
This reaction creates a form of pigment called melanoidin, which is what actually appears as tanned skin.
Another thing that many people overlook is that because DHA is a type of sugar, it can be derived completely naturally (and even organically) from sources of sugar, such as sugar beets or cane sugar. It can also be synthetically produced in a laboratory.
Although synthetically produced DHA is very common and known to be safe, many people have encountered allergy issues.
If you suspect that your skin is reacting to the self-tanner you’re using, consider switching to an organic, natural self-tanner instead.
My two favorites, and probably the most popular products, are the Beauty By Earth self-tanner lotion (organic) and the St. Tropez self-tanning mousse (Not technically organic, but it is 100% vegan, and the bottle is made from recycled materials).
However, a wide variety of natural and organic self-tanners are available on the market today.
Just another quick note — if you’re using resources like the Think Dirty App (which is fantastic) that help you choose natural and safe products, please note that many of these apps don’t differentiate between naturally derived DHA and synthetic DHA.
At least to me, there is a significant difference, so be on the lookout for that.
So, Am I Actually Allergic To DHA?
Statistically, probably not.
In fact, only about 2 in every 100,000 people are actually allergic to DHA, regardless of whether it is synthetic or natural.
Usually, your skin is reacting to something else in the product other than the DHA.
For example, many self-tanners contain a bronzer, also known as a guide color.
This is typically made from a combination of food dyes and other colorings.
Although this bronzer contains coloring to help users identify where they’ve already applied the product, allowing for a more even tan, it is not what produces the final tan (i.e., the DHA).
Some people experience skin reactions to these dyes, but attribute it to the product itself.
This is another case where it would be good to try a product that is both natural and doesn’t contain a guide color.
So I’m Allergic To Bronzer?
Again, probably not.
I know, I know, you’re starting to think I’m not very helpful, but stick with me.
One of the problems when discussing allergies to sunless tanners is that there can be a wide variety of ingredients, ranging from DHA to bronzer and other substances.
Some self-tanning products even contain small amounts of alcohol that people can react to.
Ultimately, though, almost all “allergic reactions” to fake tanning products are actually cases of contact dermatitis. The Mayo Clinic defines contact dermatitis as:
“… a red, itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it.
The rash isn’t contagious or life-threatening, but it can be very uncomfortable. Many substances can cause such reactions, including soaps, cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry, and plants.”
This reaction could be the result of not only the ingredients in the self-tanner you’re using, but also any number of other factors, including your own skin type.
Our skin is the largest organ of our body and is constantly changing.
Factors such as our diet and skincare routine can ultimately impact how other products interact with them.
It also changes over time, so even if you’ve found a product that has worked well for you for a long time, it doesn’t mean you won’t have a negative reaction to it down the road.
Alright, now that we’ve thoroughly discussed all the different ways we can react to fake tanning products, let’s explore some ways to avoid this from happening. After that, we’ll discuss what you can do if you experience a bad reaction.
How To Avoid Skin Reactions To Sunless Tanner
1. Choose A Quality Product
The best way to avoid reactions to self-tanners is by choosing a high-quality product.
Although this doesn’t guarantee you won’t have a reaction, since every person is different, it will decrease the likelihood that your self-tanner contains large amounts of allergens.
Usually, quality products from trusted brands have already been used and tested by millions of people, so you’ll have a general idea if there is something dangerous or annoying in the tanner.
Additionally, if you frequently experience issues with products containing non-natural ingredients, consider trying a natural or organic self-tanner, as it may work better for your skin.
There are several quality products like this on the market, but my favorite, by far, for the price is Beauty By Earth self-tanner, which can be found on Amazon.
If lotion isn’t really your thing, then you might like my favorite self-tanning mousse by St. Tropez.
It is perfect for beginners, easy to use, and 100% vegan. You can leave it on for up to 8 hours for a deep glow.
2. Make Sure You Prep
I’ve talked about good self-tanning routines in many of my other articles, so I won’t go into too much detail.
However, it is crucial to take care of and prepare your skin before applying self-tanner for optimal results.
So, start by taking a shower and gently exfoliating your skin to help remove excess dead skin cells. This will help the DHA to apply and produce a more even tan.
You also want to try to shave or wax your legs 12-24 hours before applying self-tanner to ensure you don’t have any open pores or cuts from shaving.
For tips on shaving before applying self-tanner, check out my article here.
After you get out, be sure to moisturize your skin to ensure that it is evenly hydrated.
3. Consider A Patch Test
If you find that your skin often has odd reactions to self-tanners or other products, consider testing just a small patch of your skin somewhere that isn’t normally visible, such as your upper thigh.
Allow the product to sit on your skin for around 24 hours to see how it reacts, ensuring that your skin doesn’t experience any adverse reactions.
Alright, now let’s say you’ve just had a reaction to self-tanner, what can you do?
What To Do If You Have An Allergic Reaction To Fake Tanner
Disclaimer: Please seek medical assistance if you think it is needed, if your symptoms are worsening, or if your reaction is severe.
I’m not a doctor, so I can’t diagnose your skin reaction or guarantee that the recommendations I’ve made will work for you. Allergic reactions can be serious.
1. Clean Off The Product
Although you can’t wash off self-tanning products in the traditional sense after they’ve had time to react with your skin, it is still the best step to jump in the shower and gently rinse your skin with warm (not hot!) water.
Try to use a simple soap that you use frequently, so you know it won’t exacerbate the irritation your skin is experiencing. After you’ve dried the irritated skin, we don’t want to make it worse by drying it vigorously.
2. Consider An Antihistamine
If you believe it’s a true allergic reaction, rather than contact dermatitis, consider taking an antihistamine.
Be sure to take it as prescribed and stick to the recommended dose. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, I am not a doctor and do not provide medical advice.
Therefore, please consult your own physician if you believe it is necessary.
3. Try Calamine Lotion
Not the best-smelling or looking product, but a good-quality calamine lotion Can be a lifesaver when your skin is really itchy and painful.
It tends to dry a bit white and can dry out your skin, so I’d suggest applying it right before bed and washing it off in the morning.
However, if your reaction is really itchy or painful, the relief the lotion brings will probably be worth the slightly odd color.
4. Don’t Confine Your Skin
It’s essential to let your skin breathe so it can heal more quickly.
Tight-fitting clothes or any kind of rubbing or chafing can exacerbate the irritation significantly.
Try wearing very loose-fitting shorts or clothes to allow your skin the chance to heal.
5. Clean Your Sheets
If, like many people, you suggest that I leave my fake tanner on overnight, you should really consider changing the sheets.
As your body sweats while you sleep, a bit of the product residue can be left on the sheets and continue to irritate your skin.
Final Thoughts On Allergic Reactions To Fake Tan
Although statistically not super common, it’s completely possible to have an allergic reaction to fake tanning products.
One annoying thing is that the reaction can be caused by so many things. To avoid this, try the steps listed above and select a high-quality natural self-tanner.
I hope that you found this article. If you did, please consider sharing it!
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