How to Apply Sunless Tanner

Sunless tanners are the best way to get that healthy Summer glow. We all know how damaging to the skin tanning beds and sun bathing can be. Help keep your skin looking young and healthy by using a sunless tanner.

There are tricks to making sure your sunless tan looks natural. Once you learn how to apply a sunless tanner the right way, you can have beautiful tanned skin all Summer long. I use sunless tanners every year with great results. In this article I will show you my tricks on how to apply sunless tanner. The best time to apply it is right after a shower or bath.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pouf sponge
• moisturizing body wash
• lotion
• sunless tanner

1. 
    
   Exfoliate Before You Apply Sunless Tanner

   Exfoliate
   
   Before you apply sunless tanner it is extremely important that you prepare the skin. Always make sure that you exfoliate. Getting all the dead dry skin off will insure that you get a nice even coverage without blotchiness. Many people suggest using an exfoliater, but I prefer to use a moisterizing body wash with one of those poof or pouf mesh sponges. Lather up the sponge real good then scrub away. Pay special attention to your knees, elbows and ankles. Also don't forget those hands and feet.

2. 
    
   Moisturize When You Apply Sunless Tanner

   Moisturize and Application
   
   Making sure that your skin is moist will help you to apply sunless tanner more smoothly and evenly. My trick is to mix a nice emolient lotion with the sunless tanner then apply it to my skin. Since I have started doing this I get much better results. No more of that scaley look.
   
   Squirt some of each onto your hand, then rub hands together gently to mix the lotion and sunless tanner together. Now apply it to your skin. You need to try to work quickly, because the tanner can stain your hands. You may want to wash your hands once you are half way done. Try not to fuss over it too much and just apply the sunless tanner like you are applying any lotion. Just make sure you apply it evenly and make sure you only apply a thin coat to knees, elbows and ankles. The skin in these areas are thicker, which can absorb more tanner and cause them to be darker.
   
   See my articles in resources on how to apply sunless tanner to face, hands and feet.

3. 
    
   Wash Hands After You Apply Sunless Tanner

   Wash
   
   After you apply sunless tanner it is very important that you wash your hands thoroughly! Don't forget to make sure there is no lotion under the nails. If you do not wash your hands you will end up with tanned palms. Yuck!

4. 
    
   Dry for 10 to 20 Minutes

   Dry
   
   Allow the tanner to dry and soak into your skin for at least 10 to 20 minutes, or until your skin feels dry to the touch, before dressing. Otherwise some of the tanner could rub off onto your clothing.

5. Inspect
   
   Wait several hours then do an all over inspection. If you see areas that are not even, then reapply to those areas. If the result is not dark enough, then apply sunless tanner again all over.

6. This is the best way I have found to apply sunless tanner.
   
   See my article in resources on how to maintain a sunless tan to keep your new tan looking its best.

Resources

• How to Apply Sunless Tanner to Your Face
• How to Apply Sunless Tanner to Feet and Ankles
• How to Apply Sunless Tanner to Hands
• How to Maintain a Sunless Tan
• How to Find the Best Sunless Tanner
• Neutrogena Build A Tan at Amazon
• Banana Boat Summer Color Sunless Tanner at Amazon

[izzytellsall]

on 5/2/2009 Thanks for the tips on sunless tanner--that's a great suggestion to mix it with lotion to help it absorb better.

[dorigillman]

on 4/3/2009 nicely done. i once didn't wait for it to dry and you can imagine what it looked like!