Which is better to choose self-tanning

Since the 20s of the last century, perfumers, and therefore ladies of all ages, have been experimenting with cosmetic products that can mimic a natural tan. First, bronzers appeared - something similar to a foundation that paints the body in the right color, and after the first shower it is completely washed off. Later, from the 60s, self-tanners, or what we call self-tanning, settled on the shelves. Their current maximum is to keep a golden or chocolate effect from 3 to 14 days.

There are few contraindications, but they exist. Do not use self-tanners and bronzers:

• with inflammatory processes on the skin (rash, ulcers);
• after operations, unhealed wounds and cuts.

The manifestation of self-tanning can be called a completely natural process, it’s just that the substances that are produced in the epidermis under the influence of sunlight were artificially produced, but the skin darkening reaction itself remained the same.

Three main substances have been discovered and are currently used that can trigger this reaction:

• dihydroxyacetone (dihydroxyacetone),
• acetyl tyrosine (N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine) and
• erythrulose.

Once in the stratum corneum, it reacts with proteins and amino acids, forming a brown pigment. It is used both in self-tanners and as an enhancer in bronzers. Considered the safest. Artificially obtained from hypoallergenic sugar beet, sugar cane, palm oil or glycerin. The percentage indicates the intensity of the impact of the agent. Darkening begins after 3-4 hours, is able to retain color from 3 to 5 days.

• On contact with the skin, an unpleasant odor is released.. Many brands try to drown it out with fragrances, sometimes quite successfully.
• Dries the skin. The higher the intensity of the tan color, the more such a preparation dries the skin, therefore, in addition to the main substances, self-tanners include moisturizing and nourishing natural ingredients: honey, ginger, herbal decoctions and vitamins.
• Instability when interacting with oxygen and high temperatures. In other words, it is impossible to store self-tanner for a long time after opening the package, as well as keep bottles, jars and napkins in the sun in summer and near heaters in winter. If the drug has changed color, it is already contraindicated to use it, dangerous free radicals begin to form in it.
• Uneven flushing. The drier the skin area, the faster the dead cells are replaced. It is necessary to choose preparations with moisturizers and continue to nourish the already bronzed body with moisture.
• Uneven coverage and an unpleasant carrot shade. The natural tan color of the upper stratum corneum, as it turned out, is exactly this - orange or reddish.Under the influence of the sun, it becomes brown due to chemical reactions in the deeper layers of the skin, when there is a “burning” of tissues, which is dangerous for humans, and as a result, there is an increased production of melanin.

Firstly, natural coloring bronzing additives - caramel, carmine, extracts of walnut peel or sugar cane, henna, carrot oil and the like. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, they darken on the skin and give a bronze tint. These properties provided them with a place in the main composition of conventional bronzers.

Secondly, use auxiliary active components. So, more recently, they learned to combine dihydroxyacetone with Melanin - melanin (eumelanin or pheomelanin). Eumelanin is responsible for the production of a dark brown pigment, and pheomelanin is responsible for red. Red pigment is needed for a more natural tanning effect, for example, in winter, when blood vessels constrict and the skin becomes bluish. Sometimes auxiliary active ingredients do two things at once - they provide a beautiful tone and help avoid stripes and spots, which are not uncommon with pure DHA. Most often, erythrulose is used for these purposes, a little less often - acetyl tyrosine.

Erythrulose (raspberry sugar) - natural acid, is involved in the process of formation of brown polymers - melanoids. It is obtained by processing ripe raspberries or, which is more common on an industrial scale, from polysaccharide molecules with the addition of natural dyes.Can be used on its own or as a supplement to DHA to penetrate deeper into the skin for a long lasting, even tan. Appears after two or three days, lasts up to 7 days. Disadvantages: at more than 5% of its content in the preparation gives a yellow color.

N-acetyl-L-tyrosine - an amino acid, a natural accelerator for the production of brown pigment without the participation of the sun. The effect - after 3 days, finally the reaction stops after a week. This tan stays on the skin for up to 14 days. However, experts are wary of this component: to date, there is no experimental scientific data confirming the safety of its long-term use.

According to their purpose, auto bronzers are divided into:

• for body;
• for face;
• universal (for body and face).

Autotans are produced in the form of:

Oils - Good remedy for dry or aging skin. It is easy to apply, but it is quite difficult to distribute evenly the first time. You can not rub it so that there is no spotting left.

gel - It is easier to apply because it does not contain oils. It spreads easily, dries quickly, and can clog pores. Not recommended for dry skin.

Lotion or milk - allow you to apply self-tanning in a thin layer, are absorbed for a relatively long time. The liquid composition ensures uniformity and ease of distribution over the skin. With a thick layer, it can leave a sticky effect. Lotion is good for normal skin, milk is recommended for dry, fading and tender.

Spray - the easiest way from the point of view of consumers to get a uniform self-tanning.Economical, quickly absorbed (no more than 10 minutes), does not leave stickiness. Sometimes it is necessary to slightly adjust the distribution of the product with the palm of your hand, but in no case should you rub it in: spots or streaks will remain. Dries out the skin.

cream - not for beginners. It is required to feel how much mass is needed for each part of the body. The thicker the layer, the more intense the color will be. Easy to apply, allows you to control coverage areas, absorbs for a long time. Ideal for application to exposed areas of the body - legs, shoulders and arms. Does not dry out the skin, but leaves a slight stickiness for several hours.

Mousse or foam - the texture is light, quickly absorbed and distributed over different surfaces of the body. As a rule, they contain a lot of moisturizers and nutrients. Suitable for different skin types.

Napkins - are used to maintain the uniformity of tanning in certain areas of the body. Especially true for owners of light and dry skin. Requires some skill to use.

Self-tanning 2 in 1 - there are many drugs that, in addition to tanning, can nourish, fight skin aging, tighten it, model and resist cellulite. For example, a self-tanning treatment with an instant lifting effect or a moisturizing lotion with a light tanning effect.

The principle of selecting bronzers for the face:

• gel and powder - for oily and normal skin;
• cream, stick - for dry skin.

There is the ability of the skin to develop a certain, inherent in each individual hue, which does not change under the influence of DHA or acetyltyrosine. That is, what is the natural tan when exposed to the sun on the stratum corneum, such will be the artificial tan with a slight correction of colorants.

Therefore, self-tanning is chosen based on the individual characteristics of the skin:

• "clair", "light" - for light and very light skin.
• "Moyenne", "Medium" - a product with this marking is suitable for owners of skin with a peach tint, light brown or chestnut curls, or shades close to these indicators.
• "Fonce", "Dark" - for burning Spanish women with dark hair and swarthy skin.

The choice of remedy is also influenced by the pH of the skin. For this reason, people with delicate, thin, sensitive, dry and aging skin are better off using self-tanners, in which the content of dihydroxyacetone, erythrulose and acetyl tyrosine does not exceed 5, and sometimes 3%, and moisturizing, nutrients are mandatory. For oily and problematic skin self-tanning is selected with anti-inflammatory components.

• One week before the procedure stop using cosmetics containing alpha acids (Alpha Hydroxy Acids, AHA).
• Hold an allergic and test on the intensity of the remedy.
• For 2-3 days to spend depilation required parts of the body.
• Take a shower with a scrub half an hour before self-tanning.
• Apply the drug to the body (in gloves) from the bottom up, starting from the legs - from the feet to the hips, from the hands to the shoulders, the stomach - in a circular motion. Next, the shoulders and back, hands last. On the knees, elbows, ankles, the funds are applied less. First, the outer parts with denser skin are processed, then the inner ones, with a more delicate cover.
• Apply the drug to the face You can use a cotton pad and only after a moisturizer. Eyebrows, basal areas of hair and areas near the growth of eyelashes before the procedure, lubricate with a fat cream. Starting with the cheeks, followed by the forehead, nose, lower neck, back of the head and ears. Excess is removed with a cotton towel.
• After complete absorption wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
• Apply moisturizers after the preparation has completely dried, you can check the numbers indicated on the packaging of the autobronzer.

Lavera - German Bio-auto bronzer for combination, oily, prone to inflammation, super-sensitive skin. A completely natural product with a set of nourishing and caring components for the body. Gives the best natural tan. Leaves stickiness.

Nivea presents a series of lotions: Sun Kissed Skin - moisturizing, with the effect of a gentle tan; Sun Touch - self-tanning. The composition includes nourishing and regenerating components. The tan goes on and off smoothly. Can be used every day to maintain the effect. Sun Touch - in some cases gives a yellow tint.

Lancaster - Moisturizing Emulsion - lotion that can be chosen for any type and skin tone. Great choice for light, friendly for beginners. Appears gradually, must be applied daily, layer by layer. Unfortunately, it washes out quickly.

Sensai - Silky Bronze Self Tanning - gel, economical, quickly absorbed, does not clog pores, gives a beautiful color, but leaves a sticky effect and emits an unpleasant odor.Comes off unevenly: requires complete exfoliation before a new layer of tan can be applied.

sun look - an inexpensive Polish car bronzer cream, waterproof, with quite stable sun protection filters. Short shelf life. May cause allergies.

Bondi Sands - Prepared foam for the dark-skinned girls. Perhaps this is the darkest shade of all possible, judging by the reviews. Oil, milk Bondi Sands - for a uniform gradual light golden hue, lotion - for an instant effect of a natural tan.

Kolastyna - inexpensive lotion with the most excellent reviews: uniform golden hue, no stains, moisturizing, high durability. The spray of the same company received conflicting assessments. The color saturation is much lower than stated, the effect is unstable.

Loving Tan - Australian product for medium, dark and ultra dark. The mousse provides a natural olive tan in just one application. Nice scent and rave reviews. Keeps at sea, however, less than the declared 10 days almost twice.

sexy hair - gives a pleasant golden-bronze shade with a radiance effect. Suitable for both face and body. Nice smell. For a darker color, apply 2-3 coats. Resistant, withstands the loads of sports competitions in gymnastics and ballroom dancing.

Avene - moisturizing milk and cream. Users note a very dense texture. Suitable for medium to dark skin tones, fair-skinned people get an unpleasant yellow tone. The smell is unpleasant, but tolerable. The color of self-tanning is close to chocolate, flickering is noticeable only under artificial lighting.It is stored for a long time - without support for at least 5 days, it comes off evenly, completely.

Dior - Spray Bronze, is considered one of the best self-tanners. The color is even with a matte effect, like after applying powder. Leaves no streaks. Dior tan also works great, but it dries out the skin and doesn't smell very good. Dior self-tanning oil contains nourishing and moisturizing substances, has a pleasant smell. Lovely tan shades.

Green planet (Green planet) - moisturizing milk-auto bronzer with Aloe Vera and vitamin E, eliminates dryness and flaking, resists free radicals, prevents aging. Quickly absorbed in 5-7 minutes, does not leave stickiness. The color is soft brown, without a carrot shade. Rinses off evenly without streaks.

La Mer - lotion for snow whites, gives a very light shade of tan, it will take about 3-4 layers to get the maximum effect. Pleasant fragrance, rinses off evenly, moisturizes well.

biocon - spray for express tanning. Economical and affordable tool. It finally manifests itself not after 2 hours, as stated, but after 6-8. The smell is unpleasant, but it gives a wonderful color, without yellowness. Washes off evenly. In the rating of buyers, it takes 2nd place among cheap funds.

Uriage - Bariesun gel for sensitive skin of the face and body. Pharmacy option. It does not dry, but moisturizes the skin, the tan is natural, dark. Nice smell. Comes off evenly.

The products perfectly smooth out minor defects and irregularities: a network of vessels, specks, scars.Additional nourishing and moisturizing ingredients take care of the skin. The body throughout the year has a well-groomed and healthy look of a rested person. Self-tanning is enjoyed by oncologists and dermatologists.

A comparison of self-tanning products from popular manufacturers is in the next video.