Self-tanning products help you get a tan in minutes, without having to expose your skin to the sun. Here are our tips and suggestions for a natural glow.

Thanks to their combination of DHA and Erythrulose, self-tanners quickly and temporarily colour your skin. Depending on their concentration levels, self-tanners interact with the keratin in your skin, giving it a darker tone. Although most self-tanners sold today give your skin that natural glow in just a few hours, the effect will progressively fade away if you do not reapply.

The perfect application

To get that perfect tan, there are certain rules to follow:

• Exfoliate your skin beforehand, preferably the night before you plan on applying self-tanner. In addition to softening your skin, a good exfoliating cleanser helps to eliminate dead cells for a more uniform skin tone.
• The next morning, make sure you hydrate your skin before applying the self-tanner, using linear or circular motions.
• To ensure knees and elbows are the same shade as the rest of your body, apply only a small amount of self-tanner and never apply to the same area twice.
• Lightly shade the self-tanner with a moistened wipe to avoid visible hair and eyebrow lines.
• When you’ve finished applying the product, thoroughly wash your hands, paying close attention to your palms.

Our self-tanner suggestions:

If you’re in a hurry:

• Bioderma’s Photoderm Autobrozant Tanning Spray for face and body dries instantly without leaving any visible traces on your skin.
• Marcelle’s I-Bronze Self-Tanning Cloths are easy to use and will give you a golden glow in just one application.

To top up on vitamins:

• Vichy’s Idéal Soleil Self Tanner – Moisturizing Milk Face and Body is enriched with vitamin E for a glowing tan that doesn’t fade.

For a cooling effect:

• Clarins’ Liquid Bronze for face and décolleté is a breeze to apply thanks to its lightly tinted formula.
• Jean d’Estrées Paris’ Self Tanning Emulsion for Face and Body will even enhance fair skin. Its light, fresh texture intensely nourishes and moisturizes skin.

For glowing legs:

• Caudalie’s Lightweight Tinted Divine Legs and Lancôme’s Flash Bronzer Dream Legs are perfect for those who simply cannot wait for summer before rocking their sandals. Only apply a minimal amount of self-tanner on your heels, otherwise they might come out looking darker than your legs.