Choosing a self-tanning product can be quite overwhelming. There are so many options to choose from, between gels, towelettes, sprays, and lotions, it is difficult to know where to start.
Keeping a glowing tan all year round has been made easy with the vast expanse of self-tanners out there, and many of them can be used continuously to maintain a tan, all from the comfort of your own home.
However, with all these products do come some downfalls. Self-tanning at home can have a few hiccups, you could experience a patchy tan, some streaks, and bronze staining on clothes, linen and other furniture items around the house.
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 to solve all the usual home self-tanning problems, and leave 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 linen, and you are able to wear your clothes without worrying about having some orange patches all around.
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, which is the active tanning ingredient in self-tanners works to react with the top layer of skin, forming 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 are there for two reasons, one is as a guide on where and how you are applying the self-tanning product, and the second reason is to adjust the tone or shade of the tan, which isn’t really 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, which are the exact same as before, either lotion, towelettes, gels, sprays, and 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 favorite 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 sitting outside for hours during the summer (which really 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 can get ready to go without any stress. As the clear self-tanner develops, you will be able to see the actual color 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 color. 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 be able to have a more even fade as time goes on.
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 colorants irritating their skin, which are all usually found in tinted self-tanners.
Simply put, clear self-tanners remove the headache from self-tanning at home, walking around only to find orange and bronze stains all over the house, the furniture, and your 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 favorite clear self-tanner is Tanologist Express Spray Self-Tanner. It’s amazing!
The Downside to Clear Self-Tanners
The one issue that people might have with clear self-tanners is that there is no tinted color guide to follow when applying the product to your 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 does help when making sure you achieve a flawless, streak-free tan, as you don’t want to leave any areas bare.
However, when applying a clear self-tanner, you will be able to 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 might feel like the tan hasn’t given them a bronzed enough look. It is important to remember that the bronze tint from normal self-tanner does not come from the active ingredient itself, but rather the dyes added.
These might give a gorgeous glow immediately when applied, but it 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 so important to ensure the perfect tan.
Exfoliate – Exfoliate before applying any self-tanner, the day before is best. You need to remove all the excess skin cells from your body to ensure that the areas with more dead skin do not develop a darker tan than the rest of the body.
Exfoliate from head to toe and all over your face to create the perfect canvas for the clear self-tanner to get to work.
Shaving – Use a new razor to get as smooth and close a shave as possible the day before applying the clear self-tanner.
Having hair in the way during the application could stop the clear self-tanner from being applied evenly onto the skin, and will probably 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.
Moisturize – Moisturizing is so important when it comes to self-tanning! Apply a moisturizer all over your body, your face, and feet.
Pay attention to the areas of your body which 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. Simply apply the self-tanner as you usually would, working in small, circular motions all over your body.
A tanning mitt will also help to ensure that you have applied the clear self-tanner evenly and smoothly all over your body.
Use the sheen left by the clear self-tanner as a guide to where you have and haven’t applied the self-tanner, making sure not to miss any spots.
Wait around four to eight hours after the application for the color to develop fully before jumping in the shower. Showering too soon might stop the reaction finishing completely and your tan will 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 well after use to stop too much of a reaction with the clear self-tanner, which might leave your hands orange.
Focus on one area at a time, do your right arm and then your left, and break it down into small 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 on with your day, free from worrying about staining and residue all over.
It takes the headache and excess time out of self-tanning at home, while still giving you an incredible, natural-looking tan that will have a gorgeously radiant glow!
