Achieving a sun-kissed glow all year round has never been easier than with gradual tan. From application tips to formula recommendations, we’ve got everything you need to know so you can say goodbye to hours of sunbathing and hello to a gorgeous, bronzed look no matter what the weather.
What is Gradual Tan?
Gradual tans are part of the self-tanner family, designed to give your skin a tanned appearance without the need for sun exposure.
Unlike instant tanners, gradual tans deliver a subtle, buildable colour over several applications.
Benefits of Gradual Tan
There are many benefits to using a gradual tan. First and foremost, they offer a safer alternative to sunbathing and tanning beds, as you can create your desired tan without having to expose your skin to UV radiation.
The formula also allows you to achieve a customisable tan that can be built up gradually to the level of colour you’re looking for and also allows you to rectify any areas you may have missed in previous applications.
What Formula of Gradual Tan is Right for Me?
When it comes to choosing a gradual tan, the best formula for you will depend on your skin type and personal preferences, but here are the most popular options:
Lotions and serums: These could be effective for dry and mature skin as they often contain targeted, nourishing ingredients.
Mousses: These formulas may work well on oily skin types as they tend to dry quickly and feel lightweight on the skin.
Mists: Convenient for quick application, sprays can be quickly distributed over the body but may require careful blending, so are best left to the more experienced tanners among us.
How to Apply Gradual Tan
To achieve radiant, streak-free results with a gradual tanner, follow these simple steps:
1. Exfoliate your skin 24 hours before tanning to remove dead cells, old tan and to create a smooth canvas.
2. Unless you’re using a lotion or serum, apply your favourite moisturiser to any areas prone to dryness like the knees, elbows or ankles to promote a more even application.
2. Dispense a generous amount onto a tanning mitt, glove or directly onto your skin (depending on your chosen formula) and blend using circular motions.
Note: Move slowly and focus on one area at a time to avoid streaks.
4. Allow the product to soak in before getting dressed to prevent transfer onto clothing. Some formulas may require you to wear loose clothing until developed.
5. Reapply every couple of days to deepen the tan to your desired level of colour.
How to Remove Gradual Tan
When you are ready to remove your tan and start fresh, simply take your favourite body scrub and use an exfoliating glove to massage the product away.
Expert Tip: Lemon juice or a specialist fake tan remover could help to remove stubborn patches of tan.
Although we wouldn’t recommend dousing your body in it, it could be useful to apply to smaller areas like your knuckles and cuticles, which tan can often cling to.
Simply apply a few drops of juice to a cotton wool ball and wipe over the desired areas. Leave on the skin for a few minutes before rinsing off. For fake tan remover, use as directed to get rid of excess tan.
a few drops onto a cotton ball and wipe over the suitable areas. Leave on the skin for a few minutes before rinsing off.
How Long Does Gradual Tan Take to Develop?
Gradual tans develop over a period of time, which largely depends on the formula and individual product. You may start to see a subtle change in colour after two to four hours with most products, but the formula could continue to develop for the next 24-72 hours after each application.
Gradual tans are a more convenient way to help you achieving a bronzed glow all year round and with so many products and formulations to choose from, it’s never been easier to find the ideal product to suit your lifestyle
Did you know that it’s important to wear SPF every day, not just on holiday or sunny days?
Explore our recommendations for the best sunscreens for the face, to protect your skin from UV rays all year round.
