(Thank you to Natural Healthy Concepts for sponsoring this post! My opinions are always based on my personal use of the product. Affiliate links may be added.)

If you know me or have been reading my blog for very long, then you probably know that I am a long-time fan of self-tanning. I burn easily in the sun and have a family history of skin cancer (including melanoma), so the only tan I've sported in the last 20+ years is a faux one.

You probably also know that I have several issues with my skin that makes self-tanning and makeup application tricky - like mature skin with lines, sun damage from many years ago, and my latest issue, rosacea. (Here's the link to read more about my skin.)

I've become pretty proficient at applying a natural-looking faux tan over the years, but for whatever reason, my face is one area that doesn't want to cooperate. It doesn't tan evenly, and most self-tanners I've used cause breakouts. Anything that contains erythrulose (an ingredient that "tans" the skin) causes my tan to fade in splotches. So I need a product that contains DHA (dihydroxyacetone - the ingredient that "tans" the skin) for tanning, and very little else, including no added fragrance or color. This isn't easy to find.


Then I discovered Eco Tan Face Tan Water! The ingredient list is perfect for me. Organic and natural ingredients, no added fragrance (other than the organic essential oils) or color, cruelty-free, non-comedogenic - and it's 100% vegan-friendly! I used to make my own facial tanner, and this ingredient list is very similar to mine, so I knew it was going to work for me.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Glycerin*, Dihydroxyacetone**, Lecithin*, Fusel Wheat Brain/Straw Glycosides**, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate**, Sodium Cocoyl Glutatmate**, Glyceryl Caprylate**, Coco Caprylate**, Sodium Hyaluronate**, Dehydroxanthan Gum**, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate**, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*.
*Certified Organic  **Natural


And it's exactly what it says it is - Tan Water. It has the consistency of water, which I like very much. There is an orifice reducer in the bottle which is supposed to allow the product to come out one drop at a time. Unfortunately, mine didn't work (I've frequently encountered this issue with this type of dropper), so I removed it and used a glass dropper to dispense the product. Another option would be a spray top, but I didn't have any the same size as the bottle.


I use about 1/2 - 1 tsp per application, and one or two applications give me my desired color. Once that color is achieved, I apply every second day to maintain. Depending upon your starting color, how dark you want your tan to be, and the products you use in your skincare routine, you may need to use more with each application and/or apply more often. Since my face doesn't tan evenly, I tan it to a lighter shade than the rest of my body and use foundation and bronzer to bring the two shades closer to the same. I also find that a lighter tan needs less maintenance and is more flattering to my mature skin.

Before applying, I mix my facial tanner with a pea-sized amount of Pearlfection Cream in the palm of my hand. For me, it makes application easier and more even. It's not necessary to mix it with anything, I just like to do it that way. Be aware that if you do it this way, your resulting color will probably be a little lighter because you have diluted the self-tanner.

One application of Eco Tan Face Tan Water changed my color about 1 level, which is where I like it. It doesn't really look like a tan compared to other people - it just makes me look less pale. I like that this product tans gradually because you can stay with a lighter tan like me or build to a darker one. I will use it two days in a row to get a little darker during the summer, then continue with maintenance application every second day. Keep in mind that I am naturally very pale, so it might take you a couple of days longer to reach your desired level of tan.

As you can see in the photos below, a little bit of color makes a huge difference. These photos were taken less than 24 hours apart. The first is my natural pale, pale self - you can see the evidence of the recently diagnosed rosacea in the red areas. This photo was taken in the morning, and my face always looks a little puffy when I get out of bed.


The second photo was taken in bright natural light about 12-14 hours after one application of Eco Tan Face Tan Water. I'm only wearing a lightly tinted BB cream, a little blush, a little mascara, and lipgloss. (For those who may be wondering, I did not enhance my eye color, and I'm not wearing contacts. I have weird gray/blue/green eyes that change with how I feel and the color of my eyeshadow and clothing.)


The last photo was taken in filtered natural light after I applied all of my makeup (about 16-18 hours after self-tanning). The color of my face is about 1.5 shades darker than my natural color and just a hint darker than my tanned skin above. You can see by comparing the color of my face to that of my shoulder that it's a pretty good match. Also note what a difference a little color makes - my face looks much younger and thinner. If I use makeup this color on my natural pale skin, it just looks weird - especially if it starts to wear off in places.


I can't even begin to tell you how pleased I am to have found a facial tanning product that works well for me. I don't know the percentage of DHA, but I'm pretty sure it's less than 10% (I'm guessing around 5%). Eco Tan Face Tan Water comes in a 100ml (3.38 fl. oz.) amber glass bottle for $34.95 at Natural Healthy Concepts.


Do you use self-tanner? What's your favorite facial tanning product? I'm all about trying new ones, so let me know in the comments or snap me (I'm enjoythevue on Snapchat)!

Natural Healthy Concepts (NHC) is a vitamin and supplement website with a blog that features articles by a certified nutritionist on the most important topics in the natural health industry, such as essential oils, turmeric root and chyawanprash.

Welcome to the final installment of the Sunless Tanning Tips series - Troubleshooting! Even with all of the tips I've given you, there are bound to be times when your sunless tan is less-than-perfect. So I'm here to help you figure out what went wrong!


(This post may contain affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You are free to use the links or not - if you do, I thank you!)

There are many things that can affect a sunless tan. Some of them super-easy to correct, while others will take a little detective work.

I look like a Cheeto Dorito Oompa Loompa orange.
This is probably the most common complaint of people with sunless-tans-gone-wrong. There are several reasons why a sunless tan can look orange.

1. The sunless tanner (ST) used had too much DHA in it. If you remember, back in the Choosing a Sunless Tanning Product post, I told you how DHA is the active ingredient that tans your skin. If there is a lot of it in the ST, it can make your skin look orange. This usually (not always) happens to very fair-skinned people. Solution? Try using a product with less DHA.
2. The ST had too little DHA in it. I know, I know - I just said too much DHA caused it. But in some pale people (like me), using low DHA products can leave a translucent orangish color on the skin. Solution? Try using a product with more DHA.
3. You used bar soap or moisturizing shower gel before tanning. These types of products leave a residue on the skin, and that residue can prevent the ST from developing or can make the color "off". Solution? Use a non-moisturizing shower gel just prior to tanning.
4. Certain lotions can interfere with ST development. I don't know why, but some lotions must have a chemical reaction with the ST, causing the skin to turn yellow or orange. Curel is one of these lotions. Solution? Change your lotion to see if that helps. I've used Jergens, Bath & Body Works, Ulta, Hempz, and several others without any issues.
5. It's that time of the month. Yes, just one more annoying thing to lay at the feet of Mother Nature. Something about body chemistry. For some it's a problem the week "before", while for others, it's "during". Solution? Try to avoid tanning during that time. Use a bronzer instead.
6. You have too many "layers" of ST on your skin. Perhaps you haven't exfoliated well enough and there are several layers of ST on your skin. After awhile, they can start to look orange. If you reach this point, you'll probably need to remove most of your tan and start over.
7. It's also possible that you don't really look orange. Sometimes, different types of lighting can make anyone's skin look funky. Overcast days tend to make all tans look a bit orangey.

My skin looks like a lizard! It's all splotchy and I look like I have scales!
I think at some point, this has happened to everyone who has tried a ST. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to avoid once you know the cause:

1. You didn't exfoliate well enough. The "scales" you see are untanned skin next to tanned skin, where the top layer as flaked off. Solution? If you exfoliate well before tanning, your skin is going to have a layer of "fresh" cells on the surface, and these will tan. Then you need follow my maintenance tips to keep it looking good.
2. You didn't reapply soon enough. Solution? The trick is to learn how may days your skin will stay tanned before it starts to look splotchy. Once you know this, you'll need to lightly exfoliate and reapply the day prior to this. So if you know you start to look funky on Day 4, you'll need to lightly exfoliate and reapply on Day 3.
3. You used a product that is drying. Solution? As I mentioned in "Choosing a Sunless Product", some types of ST are more drying than others. These tend to cause lizard skin more quickly and more often than other products. Use a different type of product.
4. You didn't moisturize enough. Solution? Using a good moisturizing lotion goes a long way in maintaining your tan and preventing lizard skin. Moisturize once or twice daily. I like Hempz original.
5. You lead a lifestyle that is hard on your sunless tan. If you spend a lot of time in a chlorinated pool or hot tub, you'll probably notice your tan gets funky quickly. Other things that can cause lizard skin: clothes that fit tightly and rub against skin, saunas, showering more than once daily, shaving your legs with a dull razor. Solution? Avoid those things if possible. Use a sharp or electric razor.

I have large/small dark areas on my skin. They weren't there before I tanned!
This happens to everyone, somewhere on their body. Can be caused by:

1. Invisible (or visible) sun damage. You may see slightly darker areas on your skin, or maybe the skin looks normal - until you apply ST. Solution? Once you know where these areas are located, you can use a cotton swabs or damp paper towel to remove some/all of the ST from those specific areas.
2. If can also happen if the skin is particularly dry there. Solution?  Exfoliate those areas well, and apply lotion before applying ST. Then, depending upon how dark the area tends to get, either wipe off the ST with a damp paper towel or apply a little more lotion over the ST to blend it a bit.
   

My tan fades quickly.

1. It could be the combination of that particular product and your skin. Solution? Try a different product or at least a different type of product. Mousses tend to fade quickly.
2. Too little DHA in your product. Solution? Try applying two coats or a product with a higher percentage of DHA.
3. Something in your lifestyle is causing your tan to fade. It could be swimming, exercising (tight clothes & sweat), clothes that rub on your skin, etc. Solution? You'll either have to figure our what is causing it and change your behavior, or just accept it and tan more often.

And that wraps up the Sunless Tanning Tips series! If you have any questions, please feel free to post them here or email me directly.
 

What's your favorite sunless tanning product? Are you a newbie or an expert?

Welcome to Part 6 of my Sunless Tanning Tips series!


(This post may contain affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You are free to use the links or not - if you do, I thank you!)

You've picked out your sunless tanning products and tools, learned how to apply and maintain like a pro - but what do you do if you want to remove your tan? That's what I'm going to teach you today, and you don't even need to take notes!

I'll be completely honest with you. Some sunless tans are really easy to remove, and some take forever. Unfortunately, it's difficult to say which ones are which, because a lot has to do with your skin and the way your body chemistry reacts with the product.

In general, the longer the product has been on your skin, the easier it will be to remove.

If you have just exfoliated and applied your sunless tanner, and decide to remove it the next day - it's going to take some work, and probably won't come off completely. If it's been several days since you exfoliated and tanned, that tan is going to be a lot easier to remove, because the tanned skin on the surface is ready to exfoliate.

In general, if you're planning on applying more ST, you don't want to remove all of your "old" tan. You just want to lightly exfoliate your skin before reapplying. You can easily do this with nylon exfoliating gloves.

If your tan is looking funky, and you need to remove a bit more of the color, you can do a couple of things:

• use baking soda mixed with a little shower gel and your nylon exfoliating gloves
• use Irish Spring (original) or Lava bar soap and your nylon exfoliating gloves

This will remove a lot more of the color, but probably not all of it. And remember: if you used the bar soap and are going to be reapplying ST, be sure to wash off again with non-moisturizing shower gel to remove the soap residue.

If you want to remove your tan completely, you're probably going to need to soak in the tub. Some people find that adding baby oil to the water, or applying it to their skin before getting in the tub, helps remove the tan. Soak in the tub for 20-30 minutes, then use baking soda or the bar soap above on your nylon exfoliating gloves. You may have to repeat the process.

Caution #1: Please be careful getting in and out of the tub if you use baby oil - it will make the tub very slippery.
Caution #2: Please try to be gentle with your skin - you don't want to over exfoliate.

As I've mentioned before, one of my favorite products is Tampa Bay Tan Extraordinaire Airbrush Solution. I buy the "Bronze" (because it's lightly tinted) in 10%. For me, this product is great. It goes on nicely, gives me good color, and it comes off when I'm ready for it to come off. I never need more than my nylon exfoliating gloves and shower gel. It's the product by which I judge all other products. Unfortunately, I can't say that it would work the same for you, because everyone is different. But that's the type of product you want - one that works for you instead of making you work for it.

Do you have any tricks for safely removing a sunless tan?

Welcome to Part 5 of my Sunless Tanning Tips series! In this post, I'm going to tell you how to maintain your sunless tan!


(This post may contain affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You are free to use the links or not - if you do, I thank you!)

You've got a gorgeous sunless tan - now what do you do? How long will it last? How do you keep it looking great? Don't worry - it's not as difficult as you might think!

Your maintenance routine is going to depend upon several things:

• the product you used
• your skin
• your lifestyle

As I mentioned in "Choosing a Product", some sunless tanning products tend to produce a tan that lasts a bit longer than others. Airbrush solutions tend to last the longest, followed by lotions, aerosols, gels, and mousses. Generally. But your skin type and lifestyle can also affect how each of those products works for you - so everyone is going to get different results.









Moisturize: Most people will find that applying a good moisturizing lotion once or twice a day will help extend the life of their sunless tan. This is especially true if you have dry skin. Others will find that moisturizing daily causes a weird thing to happen to their tan. And yes, this used to happen to me, LOL. For some reason, in some people, moisturizing daily makes the tan roll right off the skin in little brown balls. Yes, I said little brown balls. Any sort of friction on the skin makes the tan rub off. Remember those pink rectangular erasers we used in school? And when you'd erase a large area there would be a lot of little pieces of the eraser on the paper? That's kind of what the rubbed-off tan looks like. I don't have that issue anymore - I assume it's because my skin is now "mature", and more dry. Yay - something positive about aging skin!! Of course, the only way to discover how much moisture your tan needs is to practice, practice, practice.

Use a moisturizing shower gel: Now is the time to use a moisturizing shower gel. Use a soft shower pouf so you don't remove too much of your tan. Every time you shave your legs, you'll be removing a thin layer of your tan. Using a sharp razor minimizes this issue. Moisturizing strips on the razor aren't a problem during maintenance. Some people find that using an electric razor works best for them. I love the Gillette Venus & Olay razor and the Schick Hydro Silk razor.

Avoid friction: People who live an active lifestyle or who wear tight clothing will generally find that their tan will rub off in certain areas. If you wear running shoes with tight socks - your feet are going to fade quickly. If you wear tight sandals/shoes, you're probably going to have striped feet, with the tan rubbing off where the shoes touch your feet. Bras rub the tan off your torso. If you wash your hands a lot, your hands are going to fade quickly. Actually, in general, hands & feet fade most quickly anyway. You can try powdering areas that receive friction - sometimes that helps reduce the amount of rub-off. Some people even use Monistat Anti-Chafing Powder-Gel - apparently it works well on feet.









Most people find that their sunless tan starts to fade the third or fourth day after application. The trick is to reapply the day before your tan starts looking like a lizard. Splotchy. Flaky. Icky. For some people, this is Day 3 - some can wait until day 4. Sometimes it depends upon what type of product you used. For me, with most ABS, I need to reapply on Day 3 if I want to maintain a constant color. I can stretch it another day, but my tan is usually a lot lighter.









So it's Day 3. Now what? Do you scrub it all off and start over? Or do you just reapply as-is? The correct answer is somewhere in-between.

If your tan still looks good and is just starting to lighten a bit, you're going to want to shower, shave, and lightly exfoliate with your nylon exfoliating gloves . Do not scrub hard. Do not try to remove the existing tan. When you're finished, you should reapply your sunless tanner following the instructions in my Application post.

If your tan is splotchy and uneven, you're going to need to do a little more work. And that's why it's best to reapply before your tan gets all jacked. In this case, you need to shower, shave, and do a little more exfoliation with those nylon exfoliating gloves. Concentrate on the areas directly surrounding any white spots, trying to gradually even out the color a bit. It doesn't have to be perfect. You might need a little more than the gloves - baking soda, Irish Spring bar soap, Lava bar soap - I'll cover that more in Part 6: Removal. Once you've evened out the color a bit, then you can reapply your sunless tanner following the instructions in my Application post.

Can you just keep doing this forever?? Well, some people can! For me, it's not quite that easy. There comes a time when I have to remove most of my sunless tan and "start over". I think it's because my natural color is so pale. After awhile, the build-up starts to just look funky because the pale skin is showing through. Not so much an issue for those who have a darker natural skin tone. We'll be discussing removing a sunless tan in the next part of the series.