So before putting on summer skirts and T-shirts, consider using a tanning cream. They promise flawless tone and are easy to use.
Nevertheless, many women and increasingly more men go to the beach with spotty, striped skin or skin with an artificial look. To avoid such an embarrassing situation, a few rules must be followed when applying the self-tanning cream. Above all else, it is important to care for the skin prior to the application.
'In any case, you're supposed to exfoliate immediately before using the cream,' said Monika Ferdinand, chairwoman of the association of German cosmeticians in Duesseldorf. On the surface of all skin lie dead skin cells. If they are not removed before applying the cream, it's not possible to achieve an even browning.
'The loose, dead bits brown more intensively. When they fall away, lighter skin that was underneath them shows through.'
The skin looks spotty, and it takes three days to a week until the spots go away, said Martin Ruppmann of the association of cosmetic product distributors in Wiesbaden. Rough skin on the knees, elbows and feet should therefore be carefully prepared - for best results in the shower. And the legs must be shaved, Ruppmann said.
In order to achieve an even tone, people who use self-tanning creams should exfoliate and then apply a light lotion. As soon as it's fully absorbed, rub in the self-tanning cream, said Ferdinand. The amount of cream used should conform with the skin type. Dry skin requires more self-tanning cream, oily skin requires less.
'A matching tone is also important. Of course, it has to go well with my skin tone,' said Kerstin Simmer of cosmetic maker Lancome. Eyebrows and the hairline should be left out, said Simmer, who is based in Duesseldorf. Otherwise the brown skin will become spotty at the transition.
The best way to spread the cream on is to start slowly and evenly on the face, then the arms, upper body and legs.
'A good trick is to go over the skin with a dry towel five minutes after spreading the cream on. If I've put too much on somewhere, the towel absorbs it, and the skin won't get so dark at this spot,' said Simmer.
Ruppmann recommends first-time users apply products that have colour in them because they will see where they have already spread the self-tanner and where they haven't. New foam self-tanners on the market come with towelettes that are saturated with self-tanning cream, making it easier to spread it evenly.
As self-tanners must soak in, it takes a little time to use them. Therefore, the creams should not be spread on in the evening, if possible.
'Too much of the product rubs off on the sheets, and tossing and turning in bed can make the browning uneven,' said Ferdinand. It's best to let the self-tanning cream soak into the skin by exposing it to air for as long as possible.
'No one is asking you to hop around the apartment in the nude, but clothing should be as loose as possible,' he added.
Fifteen to 30 minutes is what the cosmetic distributors association recommends. Ruppmann said otherwise the cream could cause spots on the clothes. Immediately after applying the cream, a thorough wash of the hands is next.
'Otherwise I get ugly brown spots between my fingers,' said Ferdinand. Swabs and cotton pads aren't suitable for removing the stains. 'That only creates a miserable smear.'
The stains can be avoided by wearing a glove on the application hand, Ruppmann advises. In a really bad case, the stains can be removed with lemon juice or, Simmer suggests, simply by doing the dishes.
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