Stretch marks are natural, often appearing as a result of weight loss, weight gain, growth spurts, hormones, and pregnancy. They are really common and are not something to be ashamed of.
However, some people prefer to cover their stretch marks up, and using self-tanner to do this can actually be really effective
Stretch marks appear in the form of jagged, whitish lines on your skin. They never really go away and are often there for the rest of your life. Avoid using drastic measures to cover up your stretch marks, such as skin treatments or plastic surgery, and instead find the right self-tanning product that covers your stretch marks and gives you a beautiful summer glow.
I’ll start by showing you the self-tanning products I think work really well for covering stretch marks, and then I’ll walk you through exactly how to use these products to cover and minimize the appearance of, stretch marks.
Let’s just jump right in.
The Best Self-Tanners For Stretch Marks
Most of us have stretch marks somewhere on our bodies. These are the best self-tanners to cover them up!
1. MineTan Color Correcting Self Tanner
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This is my favorite express self-tanner for covering stretch marks. While I love the St. Tropez Express Self Tanner as well, MineTan takes the cake with its color-correcting formula.
This is a self-tan foam that is formulated to give you a golden glow in 1 hour. When compared to competitors, this is one of the fastest bronzing foams available.
It works great on all skin tones and is especially good at evening discoloration from stretch marks and vitiligo. The olive formula is the best choice for reducing the look of redness.
If you have a warm undertone, then check out MineTan Violet. It is designed for warm skin and neutralizes yellow and orange undertones.
2. St. Tropez Classic Self Tanner
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St. Tropez is one of the leading self-tanners on the market, and for good reason. I like this mousse formula the best, but there are lotion options available as well.
The classic formula can be left on anywhere between 4 and 8 hours after application. When applied in a circular motion, it is streak-free and amazing at covering up discoloration, including stretch marks (and even vitiligo).
It’s a great option for any skin tone, even fair complexions. For fair-skinned beauties, I recommend starting with the 4-hour application first. You can apply this self-tanner daily until you get the results you want.
It is a great self-tanner for layering, so you can reapply on the areas where you want more coverage. Just be sure to blend well.
3. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs
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For most of us, stretch marks appear on the upper thigs and backside. With the Sally Hansen tanning airbrush, the product has been designed to focus on giving you airbrushed, perfect-looking legs.
The tan gives great coverage to freckles, veins, bruises, and stretch marks. With proper application, you will be left with a streak-free tan that is water and transfer-resistant.
The product itself is really lightweight, making it comfortable to use and wear. It is enriched with added Palmaria Extract, which aids in covering stretch marks.
There are different intensity tans to choose from, allowing you to match your skin type and the tan you want to achieve, along with flawless, evenly tanned legs!
4. Skinerals Self-Tanner Sunless Bronzer
The Skinerals Self-Tanner Sunless Bronzer is a super safe, super-effective way to self-tan. It is safe to be used all over the body, even on the face, giving your skin a natural and consistent tan.
All ingredients are cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and vegan. It is incredibly gentle on your skin. The resultant tan lasts for up to 7 days, giving you enough time to enjoy your sun-kissed glow, without stepping foot into the sun!
Thanks to its natural and gentle formulation, it is wonderful to use over stretch marks, not causing any harm, but instead soothing and hydrating the skin as the tan develops, and for days after.
It uses natural ingredients over non-organic where possible. This is the safest option for a beautiful, sunless tan that gives your skin a rejuvenated look.
5. b.tan Self Tanner
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The b.tan Self Tanner is another express option for covering stretch marks quickly. This 1-hour tan mousse is vegan, 100% natural DHA, and paraben-free.
This is their most mellow tan, meaning that there are darker formulas available. I chose to put the Fake It Till You Make It formula on this list because it is perfect for beginners or for those of us who just want a sun-kissed look.
Tanning gurus can check out all of b.tan’s color options.
You really have to make sure you blend this formula, especially over your stretch marks. This is a more finicky self-tanner and can accent your stretch marks if not applied correctly. Since stretch marks can be different colors (some lighter and some darker), I’d recommend this self-tanner for dark stretch marks.
If your stretch marks are silvery-white, then I think the MineTan Color Correcting formula is your best option.
How Self-Tanner Covers Stretch Marks
Self-tanner will definitely not permanently cover stretch marks or cause them to disappear, but it is a good way to help lessen their appearance for a little while.
DHA is an active ingredient in self-tanner. The DHA works by reacting with the dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin, the epidermis. Over a period of a few hours, the DHA causes the skin to darken, which then presents as a sunless tan.
This process does help cover the appearance of stretch marks, but it needs to be done so carefully. Applying too much self-tanner over stretch marks, and not over the rest of the body, will result in them being more pronounced.
The trick is to cover the areas evenly, and then touch up the smaller areas later on if needed.
How To Use Self-Tanner to Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks
Covering stretch marks using self-tanner is relatively easy. You just need the right tools and the right self-tanning product. Be patient with the process, it might take a few tries to get it perfect. Each person’s skin reacts differently to self-tanner, especially when applying it over scar tissue.
What you need
- Makeup brush
- Moisturizer
- Face cloth
- Towel
- Self-tanner
- Cotton rounds
1. Using warm water, lightly dampen the face cloth. Use the wet face cloth to rub your skin down in small circular motions. This will lightly exfoliate your skin, removing any dead skin cells or product build up on the skin. This will create a clean canvas to apply the self-tanner evenly onto your skin.
2. Apply the self-tanner to your skin, starting with your feet and legs. Work your way up in circular motions. Starting at your legs stops you from bending over to finish your bottom half with self-tanner wet on your stomach, which may cause streaks. When applying self-tanner to the areas with stretch marks, be sure to apply it evenly around the whole skin. Just applying self-tanner to the stretch marks might make them stand out even more.
3. When applying to your feet, extend the self-tanner from your ankles to your feet, and for your hands, extend the self-tanner from your wrists to your hands. This allows it to blend in evenly.
4. Put some self-tanner on a cotton round and use it to lightly cover stretch marks, especially if the stretch marks are white or very light. If you can still notice the stretch marks after the self-tanner has dried, you can try to apply a little more the same way.
5. With a wet face cloth, gently wipe your knees, ankles, and elbows. These areas tend to darken and absorb more color than the rest of the body due to them being dry and having a build-up of dead skin cells.
6. Let the self-tanner dry for the right amount of time before getting dressed. Avoid doing any strenuous activity for the next couple of hours which could cause you to sweat and interfere with the tan.
Depending on the self-tanning lotion you have used, you will need to reapply your tan in a week or so, to keep your summer glow, glowing.
Some people choose to opt for a gradual tanning lotion, which allows you to maintain your sunless tan by applying a moisturizing bronzer daily. This helps avoid you doing the whole reapply every couple of weeks, and is a great way to achieve the exact intensity of tan that you want.
Remember it is important to exfoliate before you apply self-tanning products, as a build-up of dead skin cells will cause certain areas to tan darker or look streaky – something none of us wants!
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to go to extremes to cover up your stretch marks. Forget plastic surgery and invasive products, and instead use a trusted and gentle self-tanning lotion to cover up your stretch marks.
Not only will it give you the confidence of having flawless skin, but you will have an incredible summer tan, without having to spend any time in the sun further damaging your skin. It is a win-win!
