Certain skin conditions can affect the application and end result 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 skin disorder that many people suffer from. Some are afraid that using self-tanning products might aggravate or dry out their skin more, or make the condition worse. While there are some harsher self-tanners on the market, there are others that will be fine to 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 that help you prepare your skin for a self-tanner, use a self-tanner that is kind to your skin, 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 fairly common skin condition that many people suffer with. The condition speeds up the life cycle of the skin cells, which causes them to build up on the surface of your skin. The build-up of skin cells causes scales and patchy areas which are red, itchy and sometimes painful.
While it is a chronic disease, it does come and go with most patients. There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are ways to manage the symptoms and deal with 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 difficult to implement, but they are imperative with ensuring that the condition is managed and kept to a minimal.
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 skin, dry skin, and scaly skin will drastically affect how the self-tan turns out. The tan will be applied unevenly to the dry skin and will look streaky and patchy. The tan also will not be able to hold to 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 do try help give you an even and streak-free tan, all while 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 more work into prepping 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 – Exfoliating regularly will ensure that excess cells are removed from the skin. 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.
Moisturize – Keeping your skin moisturized will definitely make a difference when using self-tanner. Moisturizing, especially focussing on the areas affected most by psoriasis, will ensure that the self-tanner not only reacts well and bonds to the skin, but will also help maintain the self-tanner after application for a longer period.
Apply a thicker moisturizer or barrier cream to problem areas. Self-tanner sticks to drier areas more and makes these areas darker, so by applying a barrier cream you will be helping even out the color and tone of your tan.
Preparation is key to ensuring your self-tan looks good at the end. Without proper preparation, the psoriasis is sure to create patchy and uneven areas of tan, and you will probably land up with streaky dark areas on your feet and hands.
5 Best Self Tanners For Psoriasis
There are so many products on the market, that it can be a little 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 Moisturizing Self Tanner Milk
Vichy is one of the best brands for sensitive or highly-reactive skin. The Vichy Capital Ideal Soleil Moisturizing 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 aids in maximizing 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 moisturizing 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 for 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 smells faintly of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. It’s not overpowering and I personally enjoy the smell.
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 have different types of self-tanner types, but I personally love 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 make sure to exfoliate each and every time before application.
4. Miami Gorgeous Self Tanning Mousse
Check it out on Amazon.
The Miami Gorgeous Self Tanning Mousse is known to be super effective but also caring 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 effective, but caring at the same time.
The Argan Oil and Coconut Oil keep the skin hydrated and soft, all helping to improve the look of the self-tan, helping maintain it and keep it hydrated for the next application as well.
5. Thermalabs Sunless Tan
Check it out on Amazon.
The Golden Standard Self Tanner by Thermalabs is made using natural and organic ingredients. It contains no toxic chemicals, so it will be more than kind to 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 Tanners 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 moisturizer will ensure that your skin has even hydration to keep the self-tanning product on your skin, and it will also leave your skin looking healthy as well.
With psoriasis, your self-tan might not last as long as it should; this is due to the fact that you will have to exfoliate often to remove the build-up of skin cells. Once you want to apply 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. Moisturize well after doing so.
If you leave old self-tanner on your skin, it will only add to the build-up of cells, making the symptoms of psoriasis much worse.
Final Thoughts
There is a way to get a beautiful golden tan, even if you do 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, all while giving it a bronze tan.
