Why Won’t My Face Tan?
Getting an even tan from the sun or a sunbed seems like it should be simple, but it really isn’t! One problem that many people face when tanning is that their body tans, while their face stays a paler tone.
When spending time tanning, you would want an even tan all over, and when this doesn’t happen, it can be quite frustrating.
Why is it more difficult to tan your face?
There are several reasons why your face may not tan, including wearing makeup, having less melanin on your skin, or using a sunscreen that is too strong. However, there are ways to achieve a tanned appearance on your face or give your skin a more tanned look.
Keep reading to find out more about why your face is more difficult to tan, and what you can do to give your face a glowing, even tan!
Why Your Face Is More Difficult To Tan
Understanding the reasons why certain areas of your body don’t tan as easily, such as your legs or face, is the best route to addressing any issues and ultimately achieving a beautiful tan.
Here are some of the most common reasons why your face might be more difficult to tan:
Burning Instead Of Tanning
Your facial skin is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body, so there is a chance that your face will burn instead of tan.
When your skin burns, it becomes damaged and can become quite dry. It is then unlikely to result in a tan, and therefore, you would notice that your skin just is not tanning.
You must be cautious when trying to tan your face, and it’s advisable to apply sunscreen to your face while tanning to prevent any burning.
Tanning Barriers
You might not realize it, but you could have tanning barriers on your face. This could be either a moisturizer you are using that contains SPF or makeup that is interfering with the tanning process.
It is recommended to wear some sort of sunscreen on your face when tanning, but other creams and products could lead to an uneven tan or no tanning at all.
Less Melanin
Facial skin typically contains less melanin than the skin on other areas of your body, so it is, therefore, unable to darken as much.
When skin is exposed to UV rays, it increases melanin production, and as melanin is a dark pigment, your skin looks tanned.
While this also happens on your face, it will not be to the same extent as the rest of your body.
Inadequate Tanning Time
You might not be spending enough time tanning your face, or not tanning at the right time of day, and your skin is not being exposed to enough UV rays to tan noticeably.
It may be that you need to try tanning when the sun is stronger, or for slightly longer periods.
How To Tan Your Face In The Sun Or Sunbed
If tanning in the sun or in a sunbed is your preferred method of tanning, then here are some tips for you to use to help tan your face:
Prepare Your Skin
Preparing your skin before tanning is crucial to helping your face tan evenly. You need to exfoliate your facial skin the day before you tan to remove a build-up of dead skin cells.
Exfoliating your skin helps it tan evenly and more deeply, and it also means your tan will last longer.
Use Tanning Products
Tanning products can make a significant difference in how your face tans.
These tanning products can be used both indoors and outdoors, and help encourage more melanin production to deepen your tan.
These tan accelerators will also moisturize your skin while you tan and after, which is essential for helping your tan last longer.
Make Sure Your Face Is Clean
Ensure your face is clean before tanning. Any products left on your skin (other than tanning products) can act as a barrier for UV rays to reach your skin, and therefore, your face may not tan.
Make sure that there is no makeup or creams left on your face before heading off to tan,
Adjust Tanning Time
You may need to increase the time you spend tanning.
You could be spending too little time trying to tan, or tanning when the sun is not strong enough.
Just be sure not to spend too much time tanning, as it could end up burning your skin instead.
Tanning Plateau
Your skin might be stuck at a tanning plateau and is unable to tan any further than it has.
This occurs when you have been tanning for a long time and your skin has become thickened as a result.
The UV rays, therefore, cannot penetrate your skin deep enough to tan.
If this happens, you should stop tanning for a while and allow your skin to return to normal before attempting to tan again.
Sunless Tanning Options For Your Face
When your face refuses to tan and you don’t want to spend more time in the sun or on a sunbed trying to achieve a tan, you have a few alternative options to give your skin a tanned appearance.
Self-Tanner
Self-tanners provide a convenient way to achieve a tan without the need for sun exposure or tanning beds.
There is a wide range of self-tanning products available, including some specifically designed for use on the face.
Gradual self-tanners, which have a low concentration of the tanning agent, are a great option for the face, as they gradually lighten the skin over a few days, allowing you to have complete control over the tan your face receives.
The St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Mist is a great option for your face.
It is a misting spray that offers a buildable tan, allowing you to customize it to suit your desired look.
It is also packed with skin-nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to care for your skin while it tans.
Spray Tan
Having a spray tan done by a professional may be a better option for you if you are nervous about using a self-tanner at home.
The spray tan technician will be able to advise you on the best spray tan formula to use and the right tan color for your skin type and tone, which is really helpful in ensuring your tan looks natural and flawless.
Bronzer
If you don’t want to commit to a self-tanner or spray tan and prefer something that washes off, a bronzer powder is a good option to give your face a tanned appearance.
You can apply the bronzer powder over your makeup to give it a more sun-kissed glow, and then you can simply wash it away at the end of the day.
Take care to match the bronzer to your skin tone so that it looks natural!
The NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer is perfect for giving your face a tanned appearance and evening out oiliness, resulting in a matte finish for your skin.
It is available in several different shades, allowing you to find the one that best suits your skin.
Why Won’t My Face Tan?
It can be really frustrating trying to work on your tan, and having gorgeously tanned skin, except for your face, which refuses to take on a tanned tone!
There are several reasons why your face might not tan, including makeup acting as a barrier, insufficient sun exposure, or your skin reaching a tanning plateau.
Understanding the different reasons is the best way to try and fix the problem, so you can then tan your face.
If your face is resistant to tanning in the sun or on a sunbed, you could try a self-tanner, get a spray tan, or use a bronzer to achieve that sun-kissed glow.
Related Questions
How long does it take to tan your face in the sun?
The time it takes to tan your face in the sun depends on your skin type and the strength of the UV rays.
Typically, for skin tones that do not have difficulty tanning, it could take between an hour and two to tan your face in the sun.
Can pale people tan?
People with pale skin can tan; they just need to be extra cautious when doing so.
People with pale and fair skin should apply an SPF 15 or SPF 30 to their skin when tanning to prevent burning and help build a bronzed glow slowly over time.
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