Nothing quite beats the feeling of having beautifully tanned skin. You no longer have to spend hours in the sun to get that incredible golden glow, not only is it bad for your skin, but not all of us go brown after tanning. Some of us end up with bright red skin that goes back to pasty white in a few days!
Self-tanning products save us a lot of trouble and give us the tone we want, without having to work for it. However, sometimes self-tanning products can cause dry skin. Every person’s skin is different, some have oily skin, some have dry skin, and others combination.
A self-tanning product that does not protect against drying out can aggravate dry skin further, and leave your tan looking patchy.
So what is the best self-tanner for dry skin? St. Tropez Classic Self-Tanning Mousse is the best self-tanner for dry skin. It dries quickly and is formulated to keep your skin hydrated for 24 hours after application. If you have extremely dry skin, then you can apply a light layer of oil-free lotion to your skin before using the tanning mousse for a streak-free tan.
If you know that your skin is more on the dry side, or have battled with dry skin due to self-tanning, you will be happy to know that there are self-tanning products out there that cater to dry skin. You no longer have to have a patchy dry tan or remain lily white, find the best self-tanner that suits your skin and keeps it moisturized and looking healthy, all while having a beautiful color and tone.
Why Fake Tan Can Cause Dry Skin Patches
Most of us want to self-tan in preparation for the summer months. What we don’t realize is that the winter weather can be harsh to our skin, and it is often the time of year when our skin is at its driest.
Applying self-tan to dry skin can leave the coverage looking patchy and uneven, as the more moisturized areas of the skin retain the self-tan while the dryer areas don’t.
Self-tanning products come in many different formulas and applications. There are self-tanning creams, mousses, and even self-tanning wipes. Each is made up differently, and each will react differently with your skin.
Picking the application you are most comfortable with might take some time, and your skin might react differently to the self-tanner during different times of the year. It will take some trial and error to figure out which self-tanning product works best with your skin, but it will definitely pay off in the long run.
Some self-tanning products actually contain ingredients that can dry out your skin further, or lack the necessary ingredients to moisturize your skin. It is so important to check that the self-tanning product you buy has been made to cater for dry skin, and won’t end up making your condition even worse.
Most self-tanning products contain an active ingredient called DHA (dihydroxyacetone) which chemically reacts with the amino acids in the dead layer of your skin called the stratum corneum. Obviously, with the use of any foreign chemicals, there is a chance your skin could react badly.
Do an allergy test beforehand by applying a small amount of tanning product to a small area of skin, somewhere hidden, and wait 24 hours. You will be able to tell if you are allergic to the product or if it dries out your skin.
Alright, now that we’ve talked a bit about how self-tanning products can dry out our skin, let’s go over the best fake tanning products for dry skin.
Top 5 Self-Tanners for Dry Skin
It can be really easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of self-tanning products on the market today. There are organic products, synthetic, products with guide color, lotions, mousses, gels, and so much more. It’s really easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of products on the market, and I totally understand that.
So I spent a ton of time researching and testing these products to find the absolute best ones for dry skin. In making this list I factored in a ton of things including:
- Price
- Quality
- Customer Reviews
- Ease of application
- How well it works for dry skin
And so much more…
Alright, now let’s get to those products.
1. St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
Check it out on Amazon here.
St. Tropez has perfected its self-tanning products, and each one is formulated to soften and protect your skin while giving it a beautiful bronze tone.
Their bronzing mousse is lightweight and easy to apply. The mousse gives an even, all over tan and you can choose how dark you want your tone to be. Simply time your development time with when you shower, to control how dark the tone is.
1-hour development – light
2 hours development – medium
3 hours development – dark
The mousse is paraben-free, sulfate-free and contains 100% naturally derived DHA. It contains a mood-boosting fragrance that doesn’t smell like the usual self-tanning products.
Transfer resistance, quick-drying, streak-free and non-sticky – all factors that make this bronzing mousse a must for those looking for an easy to use, yet super effective self-tanner!
2. Skinerals Self Tanner Sunless Bronzer
Check it out on Amazon here.
Skinerals is a trusted name in the self-tanning market. Their Californium Sunless Bronzer is a real game changer. It is made from minerals, and not chemicals. The self-tanner has been formulated to be gentle and kind to your skin. It is a safe and effective alternative to self-tanners that contain harmful ingredients.
The self-tanner contains moisturizers so there will be no blotchy or patchy darker areas on your skin. The tan lasts for up to 7 days and looks exactly like a natural tan. Your skin with glow with a sun-kissed tone and it will be left softer and healthier, all because of the natural and organic ingredients.
This is also probably the best self-tanner on the market for dry skin in my opinion. I have a friend that has naturally very dry skin, and although she has a good moisturizing routine, finds that this product works best for her.
Not only are Skinerals a great brand to follow, but they donate a portion of every bottle sold to skin cancer research. Thanks to Skinerals, you can avoid the harmful sun and tanning beds and still have a beautifully glowing, sun-kissed skin.
You can check out my complete review of this product here.
3. Beauty By Earth – Organic Self Tanner
Check it out on Amazon here.
There is a big movement towards only using organic and natural ingredients in all things skincare, and Beauty By Earth is one of the skincare brands that get it right.
The organic self-tanner is vegan and not tested on animals. All ingredients are natural and are kind to your skin. There are no harsh chemicals that irritate or dry out skin, so you know that you will be left with a beautiful, full tan. While the ingredients are natural, the lotion still covers up blemishes, veins or other imperfection on the skin, without looking blotchy.
Beauty By Earth helps you avoid any damage to your skin from the sun or tanning bed by giving you a product that offers a gradual, lasting tan. The tanning cream is both moisturizing and effect, making it a reliable go-to for all your sunless tanning needs. Made up of ingredients such as organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, and Japanese green tea, the cream is nutritive and kind to your sensitive and dry skin.
Made for everybody, the tanning cream will leave you with a golden glow that looks natural and gradual, and will also leave your skin feeling healthier than before, what more could you ask for in a self-tanner?
You can read my full review of this product here.
Check out my full review here.
4. Miami Gorgeous Self-Tanning Mousse
Check it out on Amazon here.
This self-tanner isn’t just a pretty bottle! Infused with Argon Oil and Coconut oil, the LaPlaya Self-Tanning Mousse is a breakthrough in quality self-tanners. It contains pure vitamins and only natural oils, soothing and perfecting your skin while giving it an instant, natural bronze color.
Jojoba oil and Elderflower extract give the tanning mousse extra moisture, as well as an incredible scent.
There will be no orange streaks left on your skin when using this mousse and you will be left with an even, natural looking tan.
It is gluten free, paraben free, contains eco-certified DHA’s and is not tested on animals, so it really does tick all the boxes of an incredible self-tanning product!
5. L’Oreal Paris Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer and Natural Skin Tone Enhancer
Check it out on Amazon here.
If you are looking for a reliable product that is backed by years of quality, L’Oreal Paris Sublime Glow is the self-tanner you need to buy.
It is a little different to normal tanning creams where it is a daily moisturizer that is applied each and every day. It vigorously moisturizes your skin, while maintaining a gradual, summers-kissed tan.
The moisturizer is made using Mango Butter, Vitamin E and Sweet Almond Oil, all natural products that nourish and protect your skin.
When first using the Sublime Glow Moisturizer, it will take about 2 to 3 days to see a healthy summer glow, and this will darken after daily use.
An all in one product, keep your skin soft, smooth and moisturized, all while maintaining a beautiful summer glow all year round.
Alright now that we’ve talked about the 5 best self-tanning products for dry skin, let’s go over some important tips to make sure you get the best fake tan possible.
Tips For Self-Tanning With Dry Skin
Self-tanning, no matter how good the product, can turn disastrous quickly if you do not follow the correct procedure or prep your skin properly.
There are some tips and tricks to follow with self-tanning that help you achieve a beautiful, even glow, and ways to ensure your skin will be left moisturized and healthy after application.
Shave or wax 12-24 hours before
You want your self-tanning product to stick to your skin and not to those pesky leg hairs. Be sure to shave just before application to avoid any patchy or missed spots. (See my full shaving guide here)
Exfoliate your skin immediately before
This is so incredibly important. Scrubbing away all the excess old skin leaves your skin fresh and ready for a tanning application. In drier areas like elbows and knees, there can be a build-up of dead skin. Focus on these areas to ensure an even and successful application. (See my full exfoliation guide here)
Moisturize before applying self tanner
Give your skin a bit of a head start by applying a lightweight moisturizer prior to self-tanning cream. Find a moisturizer that absorbs into your skin properly, so no oily or wet patches are left to mess up the application. (See my full moisturizing guide here)
Don’t apply too much to your face
Try and use a lighter product for your face if you can. If something goes wrong, it will be pretty obvious on your face. You can always darken your face using concealer or blush, which is much more forgiving than stubborn self-tanning cream.
Wash your hands after application
Be sure to quickly wash your hands with soap and water soon after application. This will help stop your hands from darkening or turning orange and remember to wash in-between your fingers and knuckles.
Final Thoughts
Luckily, there are so many great organic and natural products that are being introduced to self-tanning products, and more and more products are now certified organic.
These extra natural ingredients are much kinder to your skin than harsh chemicals used in other self-tanners. You will be able to achieve a natural, all over glow while still ensuring your skin is nourished and moisturized.
Your skin will not only glow from the bronze tan but from all the minerals and vitamins found in these good quality self-tanning products, perfect for dry skin.
