Is Self-Tanner Bad For Your Skin?

Sep 19, 2020

To what lengths would you go to achieve the tan of your dreams? Luckily, you don’t have to go far. Sunless tanners make it easy to get that sun-kissed look without going to the beach – or spending time in the sun at all. Your skin’s appearance may look stunning thanks to self-tanner, but what about your skin’s health? Is self-tanner bad for your skin?

First, how do self-tanners work?

Self-tanners darken the appearance of your skin without requiring you to spend hours in the sun or lie in a tanning bed. They come in a variety of forms, including sprays, lotions, gels, wipes, concentrate drops like CLEANTAN, and more.

The main active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. DHA is a color additive that reacts with dead skin cells in the upper layer of your skin. This causes the skin to temporarily darken.[i] Your “tan” will typically begin to fade away after a few days as your skin sheds the dead skin cells.

DHA has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in cosmetics that are externally applied, including self-tanners.[ii] The DHA found in CLEANTAN is ecocert DHA, a natural beet sugar and plant-based tanning agent.

CLEANTAN also provides natural-looking color with the help of other plant-based pigments. Instead of using synthetic dyes, we use natural colorants from cocoa powder, caramel, beetroot and blue green algae.

Do self-tanners age your skin?

Using sunless tanning products won’t age your skin. In fact, they’re a great alternative to other tanning methods that do age your skin, such as sunbathing and tanning beds.

When you lie out in the sun or in a tanning bed, your skin is exposed to ultraviolet light. UV-B rays are most responsible for sunburns, as they penetrate the skin’s top layers, while UV-A rays penetrate the skin’s deeper layers. UV-A rays are also commonly associated with allergic reactions, including a rash.[iii]

These rays damage your skin. In response, your skin produces more melanin, which darkens your skin, as a way to protect itself from further damage. What you might see as a “healthy tan” is actually a sign of skin damage.[iv]

Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause signs of premature aging, such as leathery skin, wrinkles and dark spots. It can also lead to skin cancer. In fact, a study observing 63 women who had been diagnosed with melanoma before the age of 30 found that 97% of the women used tanning beds.[v] Using sunless tanning products is a much better choice when it comes to keeping your skin healthy.

Is self-tanner bad for your face?

Self-tanners are safe to use on your face. However, you may want to look for a product that’s designed specifically for your face, as skin in this area may be more sensitive than the rest of your body.

CLEANTAN was designed for full-body use, including your face! Simply mix a small amount of the concentrate with your favorite face moisturizer for a gorgeous glow that won’t irritate your skin. As with all sunless tanning products, just be careful to not use the product too close to your eyes or near the mucous membranes of your nose and mouth.

What are the fake tan side effects?

If you're concerned about dihydroxyacetone side effects, it’s important to pay attention to how the sunless tanning product is being used.

The FDA has approved DHA to be externally applied to the skin. This includes DHA found in self-tanners. However, the FDA also states that DHA should not be applied to mucous membranes – including areas like the eyes, lips or nose – and it should not be inhaled, due to the unknown risks of doing so.[vi]

For this reason, it’s better to opt for a sunless tanning product that you can easily apply directly to your skin rather than getting a spray tan at a salon. When using self-tanners that contain DHA, be sure to use the products as directed for a sunless tan that’s gorgeous and safe.

Other potential side effects of self-tanners depend upon the ingredients found in a specific product. For example, synthetic fragrances included in some self-tanners can irritate sensitive skin. That’s why CLEANTAN is made without synthetic fragrances. Instead, our formula features our TEATAN Complex, a combination of green, black, white, rooibos, and matcha green teas. This results in a natural herbal scent of chai tea that quickly dissipates after application.

How do I make sure my tan looks great?

Now that you know self-tanner is not bad for your skin, it’s time to get a great tan! Here are a few top tips that will help you achieve a gorgeous glow. First, choose the right self-tanner. Some self-tanners use synthetic dyes or turn you a pretty unappealing shade of orange. CLEANTAN, on the other hand, uses plant-derived colorants for a natural-looking shade.

Next, exfoliate before applying your self-tanner to help scrub off the dead skin cells and reveal soft, smooth skin. You’ll also want be careful with how much product you use on your elbows, knees and ankles. These areas typically have dryer skin than the rest of your body and may absorb more product.

Finally, after applying sunless tanner, give your tan about 8 hours to develop. Don’t sweat or take a shower, as this could cause your self-tanner to streak.

Is self tanner bad for your skin? As long as you use products with safe ingredients and use the products as directed, self-tanners are safe for your skin. When choosing a self-tanner, look for a product that’s made with clean ingredients. For example, CLEANTAN is free of alcohol, parabens, synthetic fragrance, silicone, mineral oil, gluten, dyes, and penetration enhancers. It’s also easy to use – simply mix a few drops with your favorite lotion or serum and evenly apply to your skin. Click here to learn more about 100% vegan CLEANTAN and get a (safe!) tan with benefits.

[i] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sunless-tanning/art-20046803

[ii] https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/sunless-tanners-bronzers

[iii] https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/indoor-tanning-risks-ultraviolet-rays

[iv] https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/indoor-tanning-risks-ultraviolet-rays

[v] https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/tanning/

[vi] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sunless-tanning/art-20046803