Tanning dry skin

Dry patches of skin will absorb more tanner.

Moisturise dry skin before a tanning treatment.

Elbows as rough as old sandpaper? Our busy lifestyles mean that we often don’t have the time to moisturise our skin everyday. It can be hard to devote a few minutes each morning to slather on body lotion when you have to get to work, drop the kids off at school or catch the early commuter train.

But you must moisturise your dry skin if you want your fake tan to look flawless. This is because your self tan will be absorbed more readily by dry areas, resulting in a darker finish that doesn’t match up to the colour of the rest of your skin.

We advise that you moisturise the night before your fake tan, paying close attention to areas that are prone to dryness, such as the elbows, feet (especially around the ankles) and wrists. Avoid moisturiser on the day of your treatment so there is no barrier between your skin and the tanning product – your skin should still be moisturised well enough for the tanner to glide on smoothly.

Or if you have very dry skin you can mix a small amount of moisturiser into your fake tan and then apply it. Just a dab of lotion will loosen the formula and make it easier to rub in. This method can be especially useful when tanning the face because it slightly dilutes the concentration of tanner, resulting in a lighter finish. You should always try to keep your face a bit lighter than the rest of your body to build up a natural-looking tan.

When your colour has fully developed and you’ve washed residual product off in the shower you can moisturise again to prolong the life of your tan. Radiance Body Balm is a great option!