5 Best Self-Tanning Products For Psoriasis
Certain skin conditions can impact the application and outcome when using self-tanners. Dry skin, oily skin, and other factors can all cause a blotchy and patchy-looking tan.
This is not what anybody wants, but luckily, there are ways to overcome the obstacles of certain skin conditions when using a self-tanning product.
Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that affects a significant number of people. Some are concerned that using self-tanning products might exacerbate or dry out their skin or worsen their condition.
While there are some harsher self-tanners on the market, there are others that are suitable for use on psoriasis.
Wanting to avoid the sun when you have a skin condition such as psoriasis should not mean that you cannot have a beautiful bronze tan.
Simply follow a few steps to prepare your skin for self-tanner, use a gentle self-tanner, and maintain your tan properly, and you will be able to look like a summer goddess.
Before we get too far, though, just a quick health disclaimer:
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Alright, now let’s get into the topic.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that affects many people. The condition accelerates the life cycle of skin cells, causing them to accumulate on the skin’s surface.
The buildup of skin cells causes scales and patchy areas that are red, itchy, and sometimes painful.
While it is a chronic disease, it does come and go in most patients. There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are ways to manage its symptoms and alleviate the itchiness and pain.
Psoriasis usually flares up with triggers that are fairly common to most patients.
Infections such as strep throat, injuries to the skin, smoking, stress, alcohol consumption, vitamin D deficiency, and some medications can bring about symptoms of psoriasis. Risk factors of psoriasis include genetic history, viral and bacterial infections, obesity, stress, and smoking.
While it is a manageable condition, it does negatively affect many who suffer from it. Lifestyle changes can be challenging to implement, but they are essential for managing the condition effectively and minimising its impact.
Being able to manage the condition also means you can benefit from using regular beauty products such as self-tanner, which might help cover the visual effects of psoriasis.
How Does Psoriasis Affect Self-tanning?
Psoriasis-affected areas of skin can be dry and inflamed. Applying a harsh self-tanning product to these areas can cause irritation and additional inflammation.
Not only is this bad for your condition and skin, but it also affects the appearance of the self-tan.
Inflamed, dry, and scaly skin can drastically affect how the self-tan turns out. The tan will be applied unevenly to the dry skin, resulting in a streaky and patchy appearance.
The tan also will not be able to hold onto the skin for long due to the constant irritation.
Self-tanning products work by reacting with dead skin cells. Psoriasis causes a build-up of skin cells.
These obviously die off quickly, and applying self-tanner to this build-up of dead skin cells can cause darker patches of the tan, as there are more dead skin cells to react with.
There are self-tanning products on the market that take this into account and attempt to help you achieve an even and streak-free tan, while also helping to cover up the scaly patches that psoriasis causes.
Be very careful when choosing the product you use, as the wrong one could drastically worsen the condition in an affected area.
How To Prep Skin With Psoriasis For Self-Tanning
You will have to put in more work preparing psoriasis skin than normal skin. The skin cell build-up needs to be removed as much as possible before applying the self-tanning product.
Exfoliate – Regular exfoliation helps remove excess skin cells. This will help prevent the build-up of the cells and hopefully lessen the symptoms of psoriasis. Smoother skin will give a smoother-looking tan.
Moisturise – Keeping your skin moisturised will definitely make a difference when using self-tanner. Moisturising, especially focusing on the areas most affected by psoriasis, will ensure that the self-tanner not only reacts well and bonds to the skin but also helps maintain its effectiveness for a longer period after application.
Apply a thicker moisturiser or barrier cream to problem areas. Self-tanner tends to stick to drier areas more and makes these areas darker.
By applying a barrier cream, you can help even out the colour and tone of your tan.
Preparation is key to ensuring your self-tan turns out well. Without proper preparation, psoriasis is sure to create patchy and uneven areas of tan, and you will probably end up with streaky dark areas on your feet and hands.
5 Best Self-Tanners For Psoriasis
There are numerous products on the market, making it a bit overwhelming to find the ones worth trying.
I tried to take some of that guesswork out of the equation for you by scouring the market for the best products.
However, some products simply work better for certain people and skin types. I did take into account:
- Quality
- Safety
- Effectiveness
- Price
- Customer reviews
And much more. I did this so you wouldn’t have to! Alright, enough of this, let’s get to those products!
1. Vichy Capital Idéal Soleil Moisturising Self Tanner Milk
Vichy is one of the top brands for sensitive or highly reactive skin. The Vichy Capital Ideal Soleil Moisturising Self Tanner Milk is dermatologist-tested and paraben-free.
This gradual self-tanner is formulated with Vitamin E and Vichy Volcanic Water, making it nourishing for your skin and non-greasy.
Since some self-tanners can be drying, which isn’t ideal for psoriasis, this one is hydrating and helps maximise the radiance of the skin.
Since it tans gradually, you can control the level of tan that you create and avoid unwanted streaks.
Apply this self-tanner 2–4 times per week for the best results, ideally every other day.
2. Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk is another gradual tanner with moisturising ingredients. It is a quick-drying, dermatologist-tested self-tanning lotion.
This self-tanning milk is formulated with aloe vera, Vitamin E, and Cocoa Butter for long-lasting hydration of your skin.
You will notice your tan developing after 1–3 applications. You can continue applying every other day to maintain your tan.
One thing to note is that this self-tanner is scented with cocoa butter, which has a faint aroma reminiscent of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. It’s not overpowering, and I personally enjoy the scent.
3. Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self Tanner Mousse
Coco & Eve was one of the first self-tanners to use 100% naturally derived DHA. Since then, they have become one of the top self-tanners on the market.
They offer various types of self-tanners, but I personally prefer this mousse for psoriasis.
Sometimes mousses and foams can be overly drying compared to lotions, but this one is jam-packed with skin-nourishing ingredients.
The most hydrating ingredients in this formula are Raw Virgin Coconut Oil, Amino Acids, Banana, Papaya, Antioxidants, and Mandarin Oil.
These additions work harmoniously to hydrate, firm, tone, and nourish the skin.
It has a lovely tropical guava scent, which is super enjoyable (in my opinion).
You can reapply every 4–5 days, but be sure to exfoliate each time before application.
4. Miami Gorgeous Self-Tanning Mousse
The Miami Gorgeous Self-Tanning Mousse is renowned for being both highly effective and gentle on the skin.
The mousse is lightweight, so it won’t sit on your skin and clog up your pores. It is made using organic ingredients that are perfectly blended to ensure the self-tanner is both effective and caring.
The Argan Oil and Coconut Oil keep the skin hydrated and soft, all of which help improve the look of the self-tan, maintain it, and keep it hydrated for the next application as well.
5. Thermalabs Sunless Tan
The Golden Standard Self Tanner by Thermalabs is made using natural and organic ingredients. It contains no toxic chemicals, so it will be gentle on your skin.
It is fast and easy to use, turning even pale skin into a beautiful bronze tone. The application is streak-free, and it develops overnight, so you don’t have to sit in the sun for hours.
Give yourself the gift of a summer-kissed tan, all while nourishing your skin with The Golden Standard Self Tanner’s natural ingredients.
How To Maintain A Tan With Psoriasis
The best way to maintain self-tanner if you suffer from psoriasis is to keep your skin hydrated.
A good daily moisturiser will ensure that your skin has even hydration, allowing the self-tanning product to stay on your skin, and it will also leave your skin looking healthy.
With psoriasis, your self-tan may not last as long as it should, as you will need to exfoliate frequently to remove the buildup of skin cells.
Once you want to apply a new self-tanner, make sure to properly remove the old product from your skin.
Jump in a warm bath and use an exfoliator or mitt to remove the old product. Moisturise well after doing so.
If you leave old self-tanner on your skin, it will only contribute to the buildup of cells, exacerbating the symptoms of psoriasis.
Final Thoughts
There is a way to achieve a beautiful, golden tan, even if you have the symptoms of psoriasis. You just need to make sure you look after your skin and prepare it properly before application.
Avoid any triggers that might cause your psoriasis to flare up, and use products that are gentle and kind to your skin.
Organic and natural ingredients will be the most nourishing and nurturing, helping to heal and soothe your skin while giving it a bronzed tan.
