Long story, short
- Never use a body self-tan on your face — facial skin is up to 20 times thinner and more sensitive, and body formulas can cause irritation, redness, and blocked pores.
- Look for a face-specific self-tan formulated with DHA plus moisturising ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, or Aloe Vera to offset DHA’s drying effect.
- Exfoliate 1–2 days before applying, cleanse and dry your face thoroughly on the day, and avoid AHAs, BHAs, and oil-based products before and after tanning to extend the life of your glow.
- Facial cell turnover is faster than on the body, so expect your face tan to fade more quickly — reapply 2–4 times a week and buff around the jaw, ears, and neck to avoid harsh lines.
Achieving a head-to-toe glow isn’t always easy, and it’s made more difficult by the fact that the best practices when self-tanning your face are slightly different to those for the body. Not to mention the formula you’re applying to your face needs greater consideration in order to avoid sensitivities or breakouts. But don’t fret — we’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to tan your face, alongside answering any faux-face-tanning questions.
Can I use a body tan on my face?
The skin on our face is not only more prone to breakouts but, as a result of being up to 20 times thinner than that on our bodies, it is also more sensitive. Using a self-tan designed for the body may result in irritation, redness and blocked pores.
On the other hand, skincare-infused self-tans designed for the face can have the opposite effect and offer additional benefits depending on the ingredients. Take Beauty Pie’s Awesome Bronze Gradual Self Tanning Drops. As well as delivering a streak-free, natural-looking tan, this face-specific formula also hydrates and detoxes the skin thanks to Banana Flower Extract and Hyaluronic Acid.
Which self-tan is best for your face?
The active ingredient in self-tan is DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which gives skin that stunning glow-up. However, DHA can have a drying effect on the skin, so look for a product that also contains moisturising and hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, or Aloe Vera. Beyond that, check each individual formula for any additional ingredients that might suit your specific skincare needs.
The ultimate step-by-step guide to self-tanning your face
1. Prep your skin first
The key to a flawless tan is all in the preparation. It’s always a good idea to exfoliate your face a day or two before you apply false tan to remove any dead skin cells and create a smooth canvas.
Prior to applying your self-tan, give your face a gentle cleanse to remove any makeup and excess oil that could result in streaks or patches, and make sure your skin is completely dry before applying.
2. Apply your self-tan
Now that your face is prepped, you can go in with your favourite self-tan and get ready to bronze. We recommend using the Awesome Bronze™ Flawless Self-Tanning Mist for Face & Body, whereby you spray the mist directly onto the brush and buff it out. Or, try the Awesome Bronze™ Gradual Self-Tanning Drops and simply massage 2-3 drops directly onto clean, dry skin until absorbed, before applying moisturiser. Use either product 2–4 times per week, or top up and intensify your tan as needed.
How long should you leave self-tan to develop on your face?
The rule of thumb should always be to follow the instructions on the product packaging, as this will get you the most out of the product. However, we all want to personalise our glow. If you haven’t achieved your desired depth of tan by the next morning, simply re-apply that evening as part of your skincare routine. Repeat until you’re happy with your bronzed complexion. On the contrary, if you wake up and find the colour is too strong, simply exfoliate with a gentle face scrub or use an oil-based cleanser to reduce the intensity.
Self-tan tips and tricks for a flawless finish
Keep it seamless
The key to a flawless, sunless tan is to make sure there are no harsh lines. Avoid your hairline, eyebrows and, using a makeup brush or sponge, buff the tan around your jaw, behind your ears and down your neck. This will avoid your face being framed with an orange tint.
Refresh regularly
Cell turnover on the face occurs faster than on the body, so you should expect your face tan to fade faster too. When the contrast between your face and neck is beginning to tell the tale, simply exfoliate and reapply your skincare-infused tanner.
Know what products are self-tan friendly
Avoid using AHAs, BHAs or oil-based products directly before or after applying, as these chemical exfoliants and oils will increase the rate at which your tan fades. To prolong your glow, use an oil-free moisturiser — daily.
