We all love a good fake tan, as it’s the shortcut to deep, bronzed skin minus sun damage, which is perfect. However, sometimes it isn’t easy to know which products will suit your skin type. If you want to tan more mature skin, here is all you need to know.
What’s different about using fake tan on mature skin?
Aging is a completely natural process and, ironically, much skin aging is actually caused by the Sun’s harmful UV rays. This is why fake tan is a safer, more sustainable solution for sun kissed skin, as it cuts down the amount of damage to your skin.
When your skin ages, it’s no secret that its surface texture can change, with wrinkles and fine lines appearing, as well as less elasticity in your skin. This can cause it to ‘sag’ a little, and it’s caused by the breakdown of collagen, a vital protein which is responsible for skin structure and elasticity, as it’s lost during the aging process.
Because of this change in skin texture, mature skin is different to more youthful skin when using self-tanner. Not only can the process be slightly more difficult when it comes to application, but your skin is also more prone to areas of patchiness due to dryness.
Can I use fake tan on mature skin?
While there are some differences between younger skin and mature skin regarding self-tanner, that’s not to say you can’t use this product on mature skin. Self-tanner is suitable for all skin types and variations, including mature skin, as long as you find the right product.
Because fake tan is technically a skincare product, you just need to make sure you’re finding one which matches your skin type. With mature skin, that’s about finding something that is easy to apply and not patchy when applied, as well as being suitable for a less oily skin surface.
Also read: Best Non-Comedogenic Self-Tanner For The Face (My Top Ones)
What is the best fake tan for mature skin?
In order to get the best out of your self-tanner, you need to find one that’s suitable for mature skin, as we’ve just mentioned.
When looking for a tanning product for mature skin, look out for hydrating formulas, with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or shea butter in order to deeply hydrate and nourish your skin at the same time as giving you a glowy tan.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I use fake tan products if I have sensitive skin? | Yes, many fake tan products are specifically formulated for sensitive skin. Look for products labeled as hypoallergenic and free from harsh chemicals and fragrances. Patch test the product before applying it to your entire body to check for any adverse reactions. |
| What is the best way to prepare my skin before applying fake tan? | Before applying fake tan, it’s important to exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells and create a smooth surface. Moisturize any dry areas, such as elbows and knees, to prevent the tan from clinging unevenly. Avoid applying any lotions or oils right before tanning as they can create a barrier and affect the results. |
| How long should I leave fake tan on my skin before rinsing it off? | The recommended development time for fake tan products varies depending on the brand and product type. Generally, it ranges from 1-8 hours. Follow the instructions provided with the product and consider the desired intensity of the tan. You can always do a patch test or start with a shorter development time if you’re unsure. |
| Can I use fake tan products if I have age spots? | Yes, you can use fake tan products if you have age spots. However, it’s recommended to choose a product with a lightweight formula and apply it carefully to avoid emphasizing the spots. Test the product on a small area first to ensure it blends well with your skin tone. |
| Will fake tan products make my skin look orange? | Fake tan products have come a long way in recent years, and many are formulated to provide a natural-looking tan. To avoid an orange tone, choose products with a more subtle and buildable color. Exfoliating and moisturizing before application can also help achieve a more even result. |
| How often should I apply fake tan to maintain my tan? | The frequency of applying fake tan depends on personal preference and the desired intensity of the tan. To maintain a tan, you can typically reapply every 5-7 days. It’s important to exfoliate and moisturize regularly to ensure an even fade and extend the life of the tan. |
This is because mature skin is often less efficient at keeping itself hydrated, so it’s important to top this up wherever possible.
When you use a hydrating formula, the product will be easier to apply, and it’ll prevent your skin from becoming excessively dry after application, as many self-tanners are known for doing this. In addition, it’ll keep your tan lasting longer, as moisturised skin holds a glowy, bronzed colour for longer.
With mature skin, it’s also good to use a lighter tanning formula, such as a gradual tan for example, as this can be much easier to move and blend around the skin, which helps to prevent it setting with unwanted patchiness in certain areas.
St Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse
- Achieve a natural looking sunless tan that lasts for days. This lightweight water tanning foam is infused with 100% naturally derived tanning agents that refresh and revive your skin, with no need to rinse off
- With 24 hours hydration, our self tanning mousse develops into a streak-free tan over 4-8 hours with no transfer
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St Tropez is one of the all-time favourites in the self-tanning industry, with reliable formulas for every occasion. Their purity self-tanning water is a great option for an easy application, as it’s a tanning water formula, meaning it can be sprayed on and only requires a little bit of blending for a quick, super easy application and flawless results. Plus, it works great on your face, too.
Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tanning Liquid Streak-Free Long-Lasting
- GET YOUR TAN ON TODAY - Non-sticky tropical scented paradise, dries quickly for a beautiful glowing tan that develops in about 4-6 hours.
- FLAWLESSLY TANNED WITHOUT THE SUN - Built-in color guide so you can see where it's going from back to legs, ensuring solid application; includes mitt and gloves to assist with your bronzing.
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Another streak-free formula is this one from Fake Bake, which is applied by spraying directly onto the mitt and blending into the skin. One great feature about this one is that it has a built-in guide colour, so you can see where you’ve applied the tan, and how much of it you’ve applied, making it even easier.
Jergens Natural Glow 3-Day Self Tanner Lotion
- FLAWLESS SELF TANNER - Create a flawless tan for gradual, natural-looking color before, or after, the beach
- SUNLESS LOTION TANNER - Our Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer will gradually enhance and deepen your natural skin tone to provide hassle-free, streak-free color
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Often, a gradual tanner can be more preferable for mature skin, as it’s usually easier to work with. Because this one has a moisturising formula, it’s perfect for taking care of your skin at the same time as you build a natural, long-lasting glow. Plus, you can be sure you won’t overdo it with the colour.
Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil
- With Bondi Sands Liquid Gold your skin will be left with a golden glow that is touch dry in seconds; The dual action formula hydrates skin while developing into a natural, flawless tan
- This oil is enriched with argan oil to leave skin moisturized & features a spray nozzle for mess-free application
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Bondi Sands is another classic name when it comes to tanning, and we can always trust their formulas to deliver. This tanning oil is perfect for mature skin, as its oil-based solution is ideal for mature skin types and won’t leave it feeling dry.
TAN-LUXE The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
- Tones and firms skin with caffeine, develops a natural looking, radiant glow in 4-6hrs & evens skin tone and reduces redness
- Develops a natural looking, radiant glow in 4-6hrs
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These face drops have become incredibly popular over the last few years, and once you’ve tried them, it’s easy to see why. Just mix a few drops into your regular moisturiser and apply to your face, allowing the colour to develop over a few hours.
This is a great option for the face in particular, as it’s often tricky to blend a product such as a mousse into the delicate skin here, so using your regular moisturiser is perfect. Plus, it’ll keep your skin hydrated.
How do I use fake tan on mature skin?
We all love finding new tips to help with the self-tanner application process and using it on mature skin is no exception. Once you know a handful of tips and tricks to help the application and upkeep of your fake tan, it’ll make the process much easier and hassle-free.
Not to mention, there’s a much lower chance of it going completely wrong and having to walk around with a disastrous tan for a week.
We’ve broken this down into sections for each step of the application process.
Exfoliating the skin
When it comes to fake tan, the most important part of the entire process is the preparation. If your skin is well-prepped for the tanning process, you are much less likely to have to deal with complications such as patchy areas or hyperpigmentation over various spots on the body.
The first step of the preparation process is to exfoliate your skin, as this will slough off all dead skin cells from the body, along with any remaining fake tan product if you’re previously used it. This step is important as it helps to even out the skin’s texture and reduces the chances of product clinging to areas of dry, dead skin cells.
Exfoliation should take place around 12-24 hours before the application, as this allows your pores to close afterwards, preventing a patchy tan.
Also read: How Long Does Self-Tanner Take To Dry? (Express vs Normal)
Moisturising the skin
Around an hour before applying your tan, it’s also a good idea to apply a good moisturiser to areas such as the elbows, knees, and ankles, where the skin is particularly dry. This stops the tan from becoming overly pigmented in these areas, as they’re prone to taking up more product due to their natural dryness.
At the same time, it’s also wise to applying your moisturiser to any large age spots or areas where you would like a lighter colour. The lotion will act as a barrier for the tan and prevent it pigmenting the skin in these places.
Applying the tan
Once your skin is prepped and ready to go, it’s time to start with the application. Using a fresh, clean mitt is the best tool you can find for a smooth, flawless application. No matter which type of formula you’re using (lotion, mousse, oil, water, etc), start slowly and apply a light layer.
Remember, less is more and the only way to avoid putting on way too much product is to slowly layer it. If you’re unhappy with the colour after the tanning process is finished, you can always top it up to make it darker later.
When applying the tan, buff it into the skin as you go along, making sure it’s blended into itself as it’s easier to do this before the product has dried and absorbed into your skin.
For areas which may be particularly prone to wrinkles, such as the face, we recommend mixing a little moisturiser into your tanning solution before applying it. This will help to achieve an even tan in these areas and prevent the tan from accentuating your wrinkles further.
Final thoughts
There are plenty of self-tanning solutions available for use on mature skin, along with plenty of tips for achieving your dream tan. Just remember to keep your skin hydrated after application to ensure the tan fades evenly and prevents patchiness. And remember to always wear your SPF when outside, even if you have self-tanned, as this doesn’t protect you from the Sun.
