Clear Self-Tanner – Everything You Need To Know
Choosing a self-tanning product can be quite overwhelming.
There are numerous options to choose from, including gels, towelettes, sprays, and lotions, making it difficult to know where to start.
Maintaining a glowing tan all year round has become easy with the vast array of self-tanners available, and many can be used continuously to keep a tan, all from the comfort of your own home.
However, with all these products come some downfalls.
Self-tanning at home can have a few hiccups; you may experience a patchy tan, some streaks, and bronzing stains on clothes, linens, and other household items.
The good news is that you can avoid all of this by using the new product on the block – clear self-tanner.
Clear self-tanners can help solve all the usual home self-tanning problems, leaving you with a gorgeous summer glow with minimal effort.
What Is Clear Self-Tanner?
A clear self-tanner is a self-tanning product that is entirely transparent.
The formula won’t stain clothes and other linens, allowing you to wear your clothes without worrying about orange patches appearing all over.
Clear self-tanners work the same as other self-tanners, but the difference is that they do not contain the tint that other products do.
DHA, the active tanning ingredient in self-tanners, reacts with the top layer of skin to form a bronzed look.
This active ingredient (DHA) does not rely on the tint in order to develop a tan.
The tints found in self-tanning products serve two purposes: one is to guide you on where and how to apply the product, and the second is to adjust the tone or shade of the tan, which is not necessary if you are using the right product.
While the market isn’t exactly flooded with the new idea of clear self-tanners, there are some products out there that are essentially the same as before, in the form of lotion, towelettes, gels, sprays, or mousse, but just without the tint.
Why You Should Use Clear Self-Tanner
For many of us, applying self-tanner at home can soon turn into a nightmare. You might think you have nailed it this time, only to sit down too soon and leave residue tan on your couch.
Or you might consider your tan dry, only to put on clothes and ruin your favourite outfit.
The tint found in self-tanners can also lead to orange hands, fingers, and feet, which are a dead giveaway that your tan wasn’t achieved by spending hours outside during the summer (which isn’t good for your skin).
Another benefit of a clear self-tanner is that you can tan the day of a big event, without having to wait for the tint or bronze to dry.
You can simply apply the clear self-tanner and get ready to go without any stress. As the clear self-tanner develops, you will be able to see the actual colour that the tan will be.
It will not be distorted by the tint involved in other self-tanners, and it helps the self-tan develop to a tone that is very natural to your skin colour.
Skin or age spots and moles will be less likely to be accentuated when using a clear self-tanner.
This is because there will be no tint involved in making them appear more prominent, and they won’t absorb as much DHA as the rest of the body.
When using a clear self-tanner, you will achieve a more even fade over time.
You won’t have to worry about certain areas of the skin losing the artificial bronze tint sooner than others, as only the DHA would be applied to the skin.
This also helps more sensitive users avoid food dyes and colourants that can irritate their skin, which are often found in tinted self-tanners.
Simply put, clear self-tanners eliminate the hassle of self-tanning at home, allowing you to walk around without worrying about orange and bronze stains on your house, furniture, and clothes.
It is the answer to stress-free, mess-free self-tanning that will keep you motivated to maintain your self-tan all year round.
My absolute favourite clear self-tanner is Tanologist Express Spray Self-Tanner. It’s amazing!
The Downside to Clear Self-Tanners
One issue people might have with clear self-tanners is the lack of a tinted colour guide to follow when applying the product to their skin.
With tinted self-tanners, it is easy to see where you have applied the self-tanning product and easily notice any areas that you might have missed.
This helps ensure a flawless, streak-free tan, as you don’t want to leave any areas bare.
However, when applying a clear self-tanner, you will notice a light sheen of the product where it is applied to the skin.
If you pay close attention, this light sheen can help you track where you have applied the self-tanning lotion, and where you might need to apply more.
Another issue that might arise is that some individuals may feel the tan hasn’t given them a sufficiently bronzed look.
It is essential to note that the bronze tint from normal self-tanner does not originate from the active ingredient itself, but rather from the dyes added.
These might give a gorgeous glow immediately when applied, but they will fade faster than the actual tan brought out by the DHA, which will remain long after the bronzer has faded.
So the tan you achieve with a clear self-tanner is actually a more ‘real’ self-tan, closer to your skin tone, than that created by a bronzer used in a normal self-tanner.
How To Apply Clear Self-Tanner
To really achieve the effortless application that clear self-tanners offer, you need to know how to apply them properly.
The right application will help you achieve that perfect summer glow, all from the comfort of your home!
How To Prep Skin To Apply Clear Self-Tanner
Many people skip the prep part of a self-tan, only to be left wondering why their tan is streaky, blotchy, and fading fast.
The right preparation is crucial to achieving the perfect tan.
Exfoliate – Exfoliate before applying any self-tanner; the day before is best.
You need to remove all excess skin cells from your body to ensure that areas with more dead skin do not develop a darker tan than the rest of your body.
Exfoliate from head to toe and all over your face to create the perfect canvas for the self-tanner to work its magic.
Shaving – Use a new razor to achieve the smoothest and closest shave possible, the day before applying the clear self-tanner.
Having hair in the way during application can prevent the clear self-tanner from being applied evenly to the skin and will likely result in a blotchy tan.
Another good reason to shave before applying self-tanner is to prevent having to shave a few days after the application, which could cause the self-tan to be removed by the razor.
Use the right shaving cream or products to avoid any razor bumps or cuts.
Moisturise –Moisturising is crucial when it comes to self-tanning. Apply moisturiser all over your body, including your face and feet.
Pay attention to the areas of your body that are drier, such as knees, ankles, and elbows. These areas often need a little more moisture to hold the self-tanning product evenly.
Applying Clear Self-Tanner
There is really no need to stress that you might miss some spots when applying a clear self-tanner.
Apply the self-tanner as you normally would, working in small, circular motions all over your body.
A tanning mitt will also help ensure that you apply the clear self-tanner evenly and smoothly all over your body.
Use the sheen left by the clear self-tanner as a guide to identify where you have and haven’t applied the self-tanner, ensuring you don’t miss any spots.
Wait around four to eight hours after applying the colour for it to develop fully before getting in the shower.
Showering too soon may prevent the reaction from completing, and your tan may not develop as it should.
If you want a deeper looking tan, you can apply the same clear self-tanner again the next day for a darker tone. It will also allow you to have a tan that lasts longer.
Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after use to prevent excessive reaction with the clear self-tanner, which may leave your hands with an orange tint.
Focus on one area at a time, starting with your right arm and then your left, and break it down into smaller areas. This is a sure way to get an even application.
Clear Self-Tanner – The Way Forward
Clear self-tanner might be the answer to all your self-tanning woes. You can apply your clear self-tanner and continue with your day, free from worrying about staining and residue.
It eliminates the headache and excess time associated with self-tanning at home, while still providing you with an incredible, natural-looking tan that boasts a gorgeously radiant glow.
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