Now That I've Tried Tanning Water, I'm Never Using Another Self-Tan Product

I am naturally extremely pale, so year-round, and in the summertime especially, I am slathering on SPF 50 all over my body. This is important for everybody, but it's particularly important if your natural skin tone veers vampiric like mine. I do like to fake the look of actually seeing the sun, though, so I also have a self-tanning ritual on Thursday nights where I coat my entire body in self-tanner. Unfortunately, I’m horribly bad at self-tanning, so though I’ve gotten better over the years, I nearly always end up with some unsightly streaks or blotches. 

I’ve tried pretty much every self-tanner formula on the market—mousses, gels, gradual lotions, you name it—to varying degrees of success. One formula I didn’t try until recently, though, is tanning water. Now that I’ve started using tanning water, I’m hooked. My tans look more even, it’s incredibly easy to use, and tanning waters give me a more natural-looking glow than other self-tanners I’ve tried—no streaks or orange blotches included.

“A tanning water is a self-tanner in which the tanning agent known as DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is suspended in water, making the self-tan formula clear, so there is nothing to transfer onto clothing or bedsheets,” says Sophie Evans, St.Tropez skin finishing expert and celebrity self-tanner. “Plus, the water base makes the formula incredibly hydrating to the skin.”

Isle of Paradise founder Jules Von Hep agrees, noting that tanning waters are lightweight enough to spray on under makeup or before going to work in the morning, since they sink in instantly. These formulas make tanning at home feel effortless. When shopping for a tanning water, look for a formula enhanced with skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or other anti-aging ingredients, and be steer clear from parabens, phthalates and sulfates.

“Spray your skin liberally,” says Von Hep. “Your skin should be saturated once finished. Once applied, take an applicator mitt and sweep the product all over the skin to blend, remembering to do under the arms and all over your legs.”

According to Evans, working in sections is absolutely crucial when it comes to tanning waters, since there’s no guide color to help you remember where you sprayed the product. “For example, the knee to the ankle would be one section, then the thigh would be a different section,” she says. “If you are unsure if you have covered an area, simply go over the area again. It will not negatively affect the development, as the skin can only absorb a certain amount of product in one application.” She notes that you can never apply too much tan, but you can apply too little, and this is what often leads to streaks and uneven tone. 

If you’re applying tanning water to your face, Von Hep encourages misting your skin like you would with a face mist or toner. “For hands and feet, run the mitt over those areas and lightly apply using the residue product left on the mitt,” he says. Also, if you don’t have a mitt, don’t worry—you can apply using your hands, just make sure you wash them thoroughly after, taking care to scrub between your fingers. 

Keep reading for the best self-tanning waters to try, including picks from Evans and Von Hep.

This is the tanning water I tried, and I loved it. It gave me an extremely natural-looking and even tan. It spritzed on easily, absorbed into my skin instantly after rubbing it in, and my skin felt hydrated after using it. Plus, it didn't leave behind the dreaded self-tanner smell.  Promising review: "Love this self tanner! Very natural looking. Might go darker next time..." - Revolve customer

With avocado oil, chia seeds, and grapefruit oil, this tanning water is supremely hydrating. It also has color-correcting actives that ensure your skin looks natural and has no orange tint to it.  Promising review: "I've been using this for over a year now, this is literally my life saver. I use it once a week and my color lasts for a couple of days. My skin turns into a beautiful golden smooth color and I barely need to wear any makeup. Application is really easy, and it blends beautifully. If you're looking for an easy effective self tanning product, this is the way to go. I can't get enough of it." - Sephora customer

Evans recommends this St. Tropez collection for effortless at-home tanning. "It safely mimics the positive, feel-good benefits of the sun by helping your skin produce Vitamin D for overall skin wellness, plus Vitamin C to achieve ultra-smooth, soft and even skin," she says. "This is all captured in a clear, green, mandarin-infused bronzing water that smells divine." Promising review: "As a beginner to self tan I found this incredibly easy to use. I followed the directions and got a nice even result. I don't think you could mess it up. I am already more of a medium tan skin tone, so I used this two days in a row to get more color. Definitely happy with my purchase!" - Sephora customer

If you're looking for a formula that will leave your face bronzed with virtually no effort on your part, Isle of Paradise's mists are tough to beat. "The tanning water will absorb through makeup if you want a top-up mid-week," says Von Hep. "Spray your face like you would with a facial mist." Promising review: "I was scared to try this product but it gives such a nice subtle natural-looking glow. The perfect product for pale people like me who don’t catch a tan." - Sephora customer

When Who What Wear's Senior Beauty Editor Erin Jahns reaches for a tanning water, you can guarantee it will be this one from Tanologist. She feels totally okay using this tanning water to wear under normal clothes or throughout the day, that's how imperceptible it is once applied.  Promising review: "I am fascinated with this product! It leaves you incredible skin, with a fascinating hydration and a splendid color, without spots. I'm really obsessed, I can't stop using it." - Revolve customer

This innovative formula is something of a gel-water hybrid. Evans says that the longer you leave this on, the more benefits your skin gets. "It’s infused with hyaluronic acid so it hydrates skin for up to 72 hours," she says. "It is also very comfortable to wear bronzing waters throughout the whole development (which usually takes about 8 hours)." Promising review: "I’m obsessed with this, the smell is great and it absorbs instantly. The thing that makes it the best I’ve ever used is the color and the way it fades. I have had zero streaking or splotches and when it fades it does it evenly and undetectable." - Sephora customer

Vita Liberata makes some of my favorite self-tanning products. Its mist develops quickly, is ultra-customizable, and imparts a golden glow. Aloe vera and hyaluronic acid also soothe and hydrate skin.  Promising review: "This Vita Liberata Clear Tanning Mist is a great self-tanner that provides a natural-looking tan with a radiant glow. It is hydrating and moisturizing and does not cause irritation or breakouts. It is easy to apply and dries quickly with no mess or streaking, and has a mild scent that is not too strong." - Amazon customer

St. Tropez also has a tanning water that comes in a mist for your face. It smells good, softens skin, and you don't need to rub it in after spritzing.  Promising review: "I sprayed this on my face, neck and chest after showering. They directions say don’t rub it in so I didn’t, but it absorbed completely after a few minutes and turned into the best, natural, most even tan! It’s amazing!" - Sephora customer

This is my favorite drugstore option, and it's gotten me through many summers. Vitamin E and coconut water nourish skin, while the formula feels lightweight and doesn't streak on skin.  Promising review: "I love how light this self Tanner is. It doesn't have a stinky smell. I mostly use it on my face and arms. I have received a lot of compliments on it and how natural it looks. I have recommended it to many and they also love it. I'm on my 3rd or 4th bottle." - Walmart customer

This body mist is infused with coconut water and hyaluronic acid, so your skin stays hydrated and nourished. It dries quickly and develops within three to five hours, so it's perfect for using if you're on the go.  Promising review: "I've purchased this self-tanner twice. I have used other self-tanners and this by far is my favorite for its ease of use and natural-looking results." - Amazon customer

This tanning water comes with a glove, so you have everything you need right off the bat. It's infused with passion flower to help hydrate skin.  Promising review: "This is the best self tanner I've ever used. Looks natural and lasts. I apply it only once a week. Easy to apply. No streaks or orange appearance." - Amazon customer

Tanning water that foams feels extra luxe and applies smoothly and evenly. This one is chock-full of skincare benefits like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which work to give skin a hit of moisture while improving skin tone.  Promising review: "It's easy to use, easy to put on, but it will be clear so be mindful of where you have already applied. But it doesn't transfer which is especially nice if you don't want to sleep in a sweatsuit while it develops." - Ulta customer

Sally Hansen's tanning water adapts to your skin tone so you get the best tan for you. It develops in an hour, so the formula is perfect if you need a quick bronze but don't have a long time to wait for it.  Promising review: "This works really well, has no streaking, and applies evenly. It also has a very pleasant smell, which was a nice surprise." - Walmart customer

At this point, Jergens is practically the drugstore tanning authority. Its tanning water cements that: it's derived from natural sugars and develops gradually and evenly.  Promising review: "I get so many compliments with this tanning mouse. It's so easy to use." - Walmart customer

Next: 11 Nontoxic Self-Tanners That Deliver Glowier Results Than the Actual Sun

from Who What Wear https://ift.tt/qaoBkLh