A Darker Shade of Pale

Add a hint of colour to your skin this winter. Just because the sun’s gone, it doesn’t mean we have to dwell in the pale until September!

Keep self tan in your body routine this season, and you’ll see a boost in your complexion, as well as your confidence.

The sciency bit:

Self tanning products have come a very long way from the orange, streaky, burnt biscuit smelling nightmares of a few years ago, so there really is no excuse to cook your skin in the sun or on a sunbed. Even though self tan has been around for years, many people still don’t know how it works, so we got the science buffs from Caribbean Tan to explain. ‘The main active ingredient in nearly all self tans is dihydroxyacetone or DHA, a sugar cane derivative; this reacts with the amino acids on your skin’s surface. This process produces pigments, called melanoidins, which is similar to the melanin pigments which are produced by sun exposure, but without UVA and UVB damage to the underling layers of skin, giving the skin a ‘tanned’ look.’

Application:

The most important part of winter self tanning is the application. We’re not aiming for Brazilian beach babe, but rather a warm and radiant glow.

Exfoliating before you apply self tan is the best way to ensure an even colour, and even more so in winter. Our skins are drier in the cooler months, so will need even more attention than in winter. If you don’t exfoliate, the product will soak into dehydrated areas more than others, resulting in patches. This is why you need to pay special attention to knees, elbows, hands and feet as these tend to be drier than the rest of the body. Adding a thin layer of moisturising cream to these areas after exfoliating is even better.

Realistically, most of your body will be covered in winter woolies, so you don’t have to go for the full body application, and have to stand around in the cold waiting for it to dry.

Just stick to doing you face, arms, chest and décolleté area.

As far as products goes, rather opt for products designed for pale or medium skin tones, as this will give a subtler colour. Apply it slowly, using a small amount of product at a time. Wait for it to dry completely before getting dressed and remember to apply moisturising cream every day to keep the tan for longer.

www.caribbeantan.co.za

All of the Caribbean Tan home products are available from Clicks and Dis-chem stores countrywide and from selected beauty salons.