Of all the self-tanning companies, we have chosen the products of Vita Liberata, Phyt's, Goldheit, Eco By Sonya and Inika, because we think they are the best on the market: both in terms of composition and effect. Below, we will tell you more about each product, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as provide specific advice on how to use self-tanners and what to do after using them.
As you already know from our previous article , you should avoid self-tanning products that contain a significant amount of fragrances, "bad" alcohols, because as we mentioned, these substances not only dry out, but also irritate the skin. We advise you to look for products that contain moisturizing components (hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, etc.), antioxidants (vitamins C and E).
Why and why did we like the self-tanners of the mentioned brands?
1. Vita Liberata
Vita Liberata is characterized by natural ingredients in its composition that provide a natural result. The products use organic extracts, which provides a nourishing and moisturizing effect on the skin before the appearance of a tan. Self-tanning products are created without parabens, alcohols, fragrances, phthalates, silicones and are recognized as non-toxic. Choosing a product is also important for a beautiful tan, so let's take a look at Vita Liberata's products.
For a very light natural tan, we recommend:
Eco By Sonya Self-Tanning Body Water
Suitable for: Body, all skin tones.
Color: Can be controlled by leaving it on for an hour or overnight.
Usage: 24h-48h before tanning, exfoliate the skin so that the tan is as even as possible. Elbows, knees can be applied with coconut body milk. It is recommended to apply twice, for the integrity of the tan. Leave for 1 hour or overnight, depending on the intensity of the tan you want. Wash your hands after everything.
Pros: Very light texture. After applying it, you can put on your clothes immediately, because it dries quickly and does not stain your clothes.
Composition: does not contain parabens, alcohol, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde and other chemicals. The main coloring agent is dihydroxyacetone, but it contains a lot of oils, so the coloring agent will not dry out the skin.
Eco By Sonya Self Tanning Water for Face
Suitable for: all skin types and acne-prone skin.
Color: lightly tanned skin color.
Use: In the evening, the skin can be exfoliated to make the tan more even. Apply on cleanly washed skin. After the tonic is absorbed, the cream can be applied to the skin. Use 2-3 times a week. Avoid the hairline to avoid staining.
Advantages: non-comedogenic, so it can be safely used on all skin types. Gives a natural color tan, so it can be a substitute for cream powder in the summer season. Tonic moisturizes the skin, does not leave it greasy.
Disadvantages: does not mask the unevenness of the skin.
Ingredients: aloe vera leaf juice, hyaluronan, sodium hyaluronate - a complex of not only moisturizing components, but also retaining moisture inside the skin. Although geraniol is not a dag, sensitive skin should be tested on a small area of the skin, as it may cause an allergic reaction.
For a more intense tan:
Vita Liberata Self Tanning Mist
Suitable for: face and body Color: medium dark
Usage: leave on the prepared skin for 8 hours, then wash off with cool water without using shower tools.
Advantages: dries quickly, does not feel sticky, so you can dress up, does not stain clothes.
Disadvantages:-
Composition: I really like the composition of this product. Like all products, they contain a lot of valuable nourishing oils and moisturizing substances, but the other added parts do not have any irritating or harmful effects on the skin.
Vita Liberata Self Tanning Foam with Aloe and Hyaluron
Suitable for: body and face, all skin types
Color: medium/dark
Usage: we recommend using a glove when applying the product. Wash off in the shower after 6-8 hours. without using shower facilities. To ensure a longer tan, repeat the procedure two more times.
Advantages: easy to apply, lasts longer than other previously mentioned products, up to 2 weeks.
Ingredients: a lot of skin-nourishing oils, moisturizing substances. At the end of the composition there are a lot of dyes, although these dyes are not dangerous to health, but they can irritate extremely sensitive skin.
In order not only to get a shade on your face, but also to nurture it, we recommend:
Vita Liberata Self Tanning Serum with Vitamin C and Hyaluron
Suitable for: All skin types.
Color: if you want a lighter color, you should mix it with cream, add 2-3 drops. A tan is obtained daily by applying the serum on the face.
Use: exfoliate the skin beforehand. Spread 2-3 drops on the skin and spread. For a lighter color, add 2-3 drops to the cream.
Advantages: the skin not only gets a healthy tan, but also covered with an antioxidant that fights radicals. After covering the face with this product, the skin acquires a beautiful, healthy glow.
Disadvantages: We have not noticed any disadvantages so far.
Composition: Ascorbyl glucoside, atalia oil - antioxidants, which is very important in summer, when UV rays increase the formation of radicals. Hyaluron and aloe vera moisturize the skin, so any other product will cover the skin beautifully, leaving no dry spots on the skin.
For tan maintenance/progressive tan:
Suitable for: dry, sensitive, pigmented, mature skin.
Color: light/medium, medium/dark
Use: on prepared skin, apply the product in circular motions with a glove. Apply daily until the desired color is achieved.
Benefits: Not only a tanning agent, but also a powerful moisturizer. Also suitable for gradual toning or for maintaining a tan with pHenomenal foam that does not stain clothes.
Composition: I really like the fact that there are many oils that nourish the skin, as well as moisturizing substances such as aloe leaf extract and hyaluronic acid. The only ingredient is phenoxyethanol, which you wish it didn't contain, because it's a harmful preservative.
Eco By Sonya Moisturizing Self Tanning Cream "WINTER SKIN"
Suitable for: Suitable for light to medium skin tones
Color: with multiple applications, the tan may gradually darken.
Usage: 24h-48h before tanning, exfoliate the skin so that the tan is as even as possible. Apply on dry, clean skin. Do not wash. For an intensive tan, apply several days in a row.
Benefits: It is not only a gradual tan, but can be used as a means to prolong an existing tan. It can be applied in winter, when the skin is extremely dry, because it strongly nourishes and gives radiance.
Ingredients: chamomile flower extract and vitamin E help to regenerate the skin, which is very important for the winter season, when the skin is prone to dryness. Aloe vera, glycerin moisturizes the skin, prevents the dye from drying it out.
2. Phyt's
Phyt's composition ingredients from natural farms. Nourishing ingredients help keep skin glowing and soft.
Phyt's self-tanning lotion main active ingredients:
● Sesame, sunflower, carrot oils are full of fatty fatty acids, antioxidant compounds with nourishing and softening properties;
● Erythrulose - a pigment substance that gives the skin an even golden tan, does not dry the skin;
● Vegetable vitamin E – fights free radicals, provides skin with moisture;
● Lemongrass and lavender essential oils – soften the skin;
From Phyt's company, you can choose a self-tanning product that performs two functions, it provides tanning support and provides gradual tanning.
Phyt's self-tanner "Golden Veil"
Suitable for: both face and body
Color: can be applied until the desired tan is achieved
Use: after preparing the body, i.e. after exfoliation, apply evenly and repeat the application daily until the desired shade is achieved. To maintain the shade, use the product every 2 or 3 days
Advantages: natural composition, easy to apply, does not stain clothes, pleasant smell.
Composition: I really like that this product contains two self-tanning substances, namely DHA and erythrulose, which means that the tan is applied evenly without leaving streaks. Lots of skin nourishing oils. I really like the composition of this product.
3. Goldheit
This is another skin care line that is vegan, featuring the purest ingredients, free of PEG, microplastics, SLS and mineral oils.
From self-tanning products, Goldheit offers G-Tan Drops, tanning drops.
Goldheit G-Tan tanning drops for the face
Suitable for: mature, I recommend it more for dry skin, because the drops contain oils, which can cause excessive shine and a feeling of heaviness for combination skin. Can also be used on the body.
Color: From light to intense tan. The more drops, the more intense the tan.
Usage: the drops can be mixed into the amount of day cream applied on the face. Another way is to spread the drops evenly on the clean skin of the face and finish everything with a face cream. Wash hands with soap after application.
Advantages: natural composition, gives the skin a radiant, subtly tanned complexion.
Composition: the main components are hyaluronic acid, tamanu and hemp oils. Hemp oil is a great choice for mature skin, it not only moisturizes and nourishes the skin, but also stimulates cell regeneration, which makes the skin cells regenerate. Another component, tamanu oil, is one of the most valuable tools for reducing wrinkles.
4. Inika
It is 100% natural, vegan and organic cosmetics. SLS, synthetic preservatives, alcohols, silicones and synthetic dyes are not used in cosmetics. These cosmetics are surprising not only in their composition, but also in the quality of the products.
For a light and natural tan, we recommend:
Suitable for: body and face
Use: spray the mist on exfoliated and dry skin. The tan appears in 8 hours. For a brighter tan, spray every 8 hours, and to maintain the tan, spray every 2-3 days.
Advantages: evenly distributed on the skin, non-comedogenic product.
Composition: it contains a lot of moisturizing substances, which means that the skin will not be dried out by the main self-tanning substance - DHA. owners of particularly sensitive skin should note that the composition contains fragrances such as: cinnamal, limonene, geraniol, eugenol, citronellol, linalool. Although these substances are at the end of the composition, which means that there are not many of them, there is still the possibility of skin irritation.
How to prepare the skin before the self-tanning procedure?
Start by exfoliating your skin with oil-free body scrubs, paying special attention to dry areas such as elbows and knees. Why an oil-free scrub? Residues of fatty products create a barrier on the surface of the skin, preventing flawless results.
After exfoliating, remove all unwanted hair and keep the skin clean, without moisturizers, lotions or perfumes. Depilation and hair removal must be done within 24-48 hours. before the application. The skin must be clean and dry, without perfume, creams or deodorant.
For extremely dry areas (knees, elbows, hands, feet), you can use a light texture, non-greasy moisturizing cream.
We recommend this scrub:
ECO BY SONYA PINK HIMALAYAN SALT BODY SCRUB
Suitable for: body, scalp. The manufacturer claims that it is also suitable for the face, but we think that it is very individual, depending on the condition and type of the face.
How to use: warm the scrub in warm water before use, being careful not to get water inside. It can also be warmed in the palm of your hand before applying to the skin. It can also be applied to the scalp to fight dandruff. Rinse well.
Advantages: easily removes old tan, dead skin cells, nourishes the skin. After this scrub, the skin becomes soft and nourished, the active ingredients of creams are better absorbed. Perfect for preparing the skin for a self-tanning procedure.
Ingredients: Dead Sea salt has a healing effect, so it is perfect for skin affected by eczema and psoriasis. Peppermint oil is a natural skin antiseptic with antimicrobial properties, which makes it great for fighting dandruff and its triggers.
We also suggest using this glove for body scrubbing:
VITA LIBERATA DOUBLE-SIDED SCRUBBING GLOVE
How to get an even tan?
One of the best tips for a natural looking tan is to not use too much product. As a result, the tan may be uneven and the result will be unnatural. The recommended amount for each part of the body is 2-3 clicks of the foam, and 5-6 clicks of the lotion.
USE OF GLOVES
The soft surface of the glove allows you to evenly distribute the self-tanner on the skin. It also helps protect your palms from tanning, so your hands don't look unnaturally tanned.
VITA LIBERATA NEW DOUBLE-SIDED TAN GLOVE
VITA LIBERATA TAN AND MAKE-UP BRUSH
Extremely dense and soft hair
When is the best time to self-tan?
In the evening, because UV rays intensify the production of free radicals on DHA-treated skin. This means that in order to apply a self-tanner during the day, you would also have to apply SPF, which would make the development of a tan more difficult. Applying a tan in the evening will allow the color to develop on its own and by morning the chance of free radical damage will be much less. It is important to remember that self-tanning does NOT protect the skin from sunlight, so SPF is essential.
What clothes to use after the self-tanning procedure?
Use darker and looser clothes after the procedure if you use products with bronzers that spread. From our selected products, only pout is applied.
What can't be done?
After applying the tan, it is necessary to avoid any contact with the sun, water, sports, body procedures, additional body care products. After application, avoid products with AHA acids, the swimming pool, as this intensifies the fading of the tan color. Also, in order to keep the shade as long as possible, you should choose a shower instead of a bath.
How to apply self tan?
It is recommended to apply the product from the bottom up, as this will help you get a more natural tan. It is important to note that in order to avoid marks when bending, start applying the cream from the area of the ankles and then go up to the shoulders. Apply to the face from the center of the face outwards, with gentle movements. Feet and hands should also be given a little more attention. Cover the hands with only what is left on the glove, apply the top of each finger. You should not apply the product between the fingers and the inside of the palms, the sides of the feet, because these places do not burn even in natural sunlight.
When can you bathe/shower?
Wash the dominant tan color in a cool shower without shower gels/soap after 6-8 hours, do not rub the skin with a sponge, and at the end gently dry with a towel. Wash the skin until the water runs clear.
