What You Need to Know About Applying Self-Tanner on Dry Skin

July 19, 2022
Alanna Martine Kilkeary
By: Alanna Martine Kilkeary | Makeup.com by L'Oréal
loreal paris sublime tanning mousse

If you have dry skin, self-tanning can be tricky. Not only can adding a faux glow to dehydrated skin result in a patchy, streaky or uneven finish, it can cause irritation if you have a condition  like eczema or psoriasis. But this doesn’t mean you need to avoid self-tanner completely. Ahead, St. Tropez Tanning Expert Sophie Evans shares her tips for achieving an even faux-glow on dry skin.


How to Self-Tan Dry Skin

According to Evans, you can self-tan on dry skin, but it’s important to proceed with caution. “Prepare your skin by exfoliating, then apply a thick layer of moisturizer to the very dry areas only,” she says. “Self-tan sticks to dry areas, so you can dilute it by applying moisturizer to the areas you want to avoid.” If you’re dealing with psoriasis or eczema, avoid these areas by applying a thick layer of moisturizer to create a barrier between the skin and the self-tanning product. 


We recommend the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or the Summer Fridays Summer Skin Nourishing Body Lotion for this step. You should also apply moisturizer to dry areas like the elbows, knees, hands and feet.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Summer Fridays Summer Skin Nourishing Body Lotion

As for your tanner, opt for a gel or mousse formula with hydrating ingredients. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Self-Tanning Water Mousse, which contains glycerin, or the St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Gel, which contains hyaluronic acid.
loreal paris sublime tanning mousse, st tropez tanning gel

If you struggle with dryness on the face, we recommend reaching for a tanner that will nourish your skin throughout the day. We love the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Facial Tanning Mist with vitamin E and coconut water.
Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn

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