Self-tanners are a great way to achieve the tanned glow you’ve been dreaming of without having to expose your skin to the sun’s harmful UV rays. They come in different forms, like self-tanning mousse, self-tanning drops, and self-tanning gloves, and they all aim to give you a natural and even tan. But how do self-tanners actually work? Let’s dive in and find out.
How do self-tanners work?
Self-tanners contain a key ingredient known as DHA (Dihydroxyacetone). DHA is a naturally occurring sugar compound that reacts with the top layers of your skin. This reaction changes the color of these skin cells, creating the brown pigment that we associate with a tanned glow.
When you apply a self-tanner to your skin, DHA begins to interact with the amino acids found in the top layer of your skin. This process is called the Maillard reaction, and it's what gives you that brown color. The good news is that DHA is completely harmless and doesn't penetrate deeper into the skin or affect the body's internal processes.
The best thing about DHA is that it allows you to achieve the desired tan color without any of the harmful effects that can come from exposure to UV rays, which can lead to skin damage and premature aging. Self-tanners give you that beautiful glow without the risk of sunburn or other problems that can occur with sunbathing.
Self-tanning Mousse
Self-tanning mousse is one of the most popular types of self-tanner on the market. They contain an active ingredient called DHA (Dihydroxyacetone), which is a sugar-based compound. When you apply the self-tanning mousse to your skin, the DHA reacts with the top layers of your dead skin cells. This creates a chemical reaction that results in the formation of melanoidins, which gives you the brown color.
The best thing about self-tanning mousse is that you can see the results almost immediately. The color usually develops within a few hours and continues to develop over the next 24 hours. Please note that the color may initially appear a little orange, but it will usually become more natural once it is fully developed.
Self-tanning Drops
Self-tanning drops are a more customizable way to achieve the desired tan. These drops also contain DHA, but you can mix them with your own body lotion or cream. This gives you control over how dark you want to go. The more drops you use, the deeper the color will be.
Once you have mixed the drops with your body lotion, you can easily apply the mixture to your skin. It usually takes a little longer to see results compared to self-tanning mousse, as the DHA has to react with your skin over a longer period of time. However, the results are usually more even and you avoid the orange color that is sometimes associated with self-tanners.
Self-tanning Gloves
Self-tanning gloves are an indispensable tool when applying self-tanning products. These gloves protect your hands from getting stained by the product and ensure an even application. When using self-tanning mousse or drops, wear gloves to prevent the color from staining your hands.
To use gloves correctly, simply apply the self-tanning product to the glove and then spread it evenly over your skin. This ensures that the color is distributed evenly and you avoid unwanted spots or streaks.
Always remember to prep your skin before applying self-tanner. This usually involves exfoliating to remove dead skin cells and moisturizing your skin for the best results. And be patient, the color will develop over time, so it's important to wait and see the results before deciding to add more product.
Read more about how to get the best color with self-tanner here .
Final
So there you have it - a basic understanding of how self-tanners work and how products like self-tanning mousse, self-tanning drops and self-tanning gloves can help you achieve the beautiful summer glow you've been dreaming of. So get started and enjoy a tanned skin without exposing yourself to the sun's harmful rays.
