How to Make Homemade Self-Tanning Lotion

You can make your own self-tanning lotion with natural, readily accessible ingredients. Your concoction provides a simple, safe alternative to spending excessive amounts of time in the sun or going to potentially dangerous tanning booths. This homemade lotion lacks chemicals and preservatives often found in commercial self-tanning products. Store unused portions of the self-tanning lotion in a sterilized glass jar with a wide-mouth lid and keep it in a dark, dry place for up to two weeks.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups water
• 6 black tea bags
• 4 tbsp. whole cloves
• 2 cups brown henna
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan or tea kettle.

2. Place the tea bags in a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Pour the boiling water over the tea bags and replace the lid. Steep for 20 minutes before straining.

3. Powder the cloves in a spice mill or coffee grinder.

4. Add the cloves and henna to the tea and shake gently to form a thin paste.

5. Brush evenly over the skin, allowing the mixture to dry and set for 20 minutes before putting on clothes.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid mixing or storing any type of homemade skin care products in an aluminum container because of concerns about heavy metals entering the body through the pores.

References

• Natural Beauty Basics; Byers, Dorie; 2001

Resources

• All Natural Beauty: Homemade Beauty Recipes
• Planet Green: Homemade Beauty Products