All Products For Self Tanning

Self tan adds colour to the surface of your skin without any sun. The colour comes from DHA, an ingredient in most self tans, which reacts with the outer layer of your skin and fades as that layer sheds.

Gradual tan builds a little with each use. A mousse or foam gives you a deeper colour from the first application, and some are express formulas you rinse off after an hour. If you're new to self tanning, try gradual tanning lotions first.

Exfoliate the day before, then apply to clean, dry skin one area at a time with a tanning mitt. Dry areas like knees and elbows take colour fastest, so go lighter there. Wash your hands straight away, and wait until you're dry before you get dressed. Patch test 24 hours before your first use.

Many take six to eight hours to develop fully, though it varies by formula. Express tans can be rinsed off after an hour, and gradual tans keep building over several days. Wait until the colour has settled before you judge the shade.

Go for a gradual formula. Fair skin shows colour quickly, and a gradual tan builds slowly enough that you can stop at the shade you like. Choose a light or light to medium shade if there's a choice, and apply a thin layer every other day at first.

Only if the label says so. Some tans are for the body only, so look for one made for your face. Drops mix into your moisturiser and mists are sprayed on and left to develop. Tanning drops are the easiest way to control how much colour you add.

No. Self tan colours your skin, but it doesn't protect it from sunburn, even when you look tanned. Keep wearing your sunscreen every day.

Self tan fades on its own as your skin sheds, usually within a week or two. To speed that up, exfoliate with a mitt or scrub in the bath or shower. A tan remover made for the job can help too. Go gently, as scrubbing hard can irritate your skin.