Sunbathing and long tanning sessions are bad for the skin and make it age faster. But many people still want a perfect complexion on holiday. Self-tanners are a good alternative, and they are particularly gentle on the skin.
There are now countless products available in every conceivable variation: lotions, creams, sprays, foams…
But which product is right for me? What should I pay attention to when buying?
Self-tanners are subject to a series of prejudices: The tan is blotchy or streaky, you look like a carrot or your clothes stain badly. It is exactly these criteria that we paid extra attention to during our test.
- The product provides an even tan: spots and streaks or dark spots are unpleasant and often cannot be removed immediately.
- The skin does not get an orange complexion: the tan should look natural. Nobody wants to look like a carrot.
- The product is easy to use: Application should be quick and easy. Spending hours preparing the bathroom or cleaning up after use is unnecessary and boring.
Self-tanners work through a simple chemical reaction. The ingredient DHA (dihydroxyacetone) reacts with certain substances in the top layer of skin and the cells form dark pigments. The intensity of the tan therefore depends, among other things, on the DHA content of the product.
OUR SPECIAL ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
Our specialised evaluation system follows unique criteria. As part of a comprehensive process, we determine product value for money by carefully evaluating ingredients, effectiveness and overall customer satisfaction.
Our test makes it easy to find your way around, saving you time and money.
TEST WINNER: dm Sundance Self-Tanning Toner
ADVANTAGES
- Easy to apply
- Cheap and readily available product
- A natural result
- Pleasant coconut scent
DISADVANTAGES
- Suitable for face and décolleté only
CONCLUSIE
DM’s self-tanning toner is a real winner when it comes to value for money. It is easy to apply to the face and décolleté with a cotton pad. The tan you get is very natural and not too dark. Unlike many other products, it smells very pleasantly of coconut and does not have the typical self-tanning smell. According to the manufacturer, the concentrate can even be mixed with normal face care. However, we have not tested it.
It is available locally at DM, or can be ordered online via the DM shop.
2nd place: Sublime Bronze self-tanning spray by L’Oréal Paris
ADVANTAGES
- Easy to apply thanks to the spray
- Even tan
DISADVANTAGES
- Rather expensive product
CONCLUSIE
L’Oréal Paris’ self-tanning spray is already in the higher price segment. But thanks to the spray, you can apply it perfectly without the need for gloves.
The result is a streak-free, flawless tan that is visible after about 30 minutes.
3rd place: ST. TROPEZ Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
ADVANTAGES
- Individually adjustable results
- Pleasant for the skin
DISADVANTAGES
- Leaves stains on hands
- Very expensive product
CONCLUSIE
The ST. TROPEZ self-tanner is a mousse. So application is easy and pleasant, but preferably use gloves to avoid discolouring your hands.
The big advantage of ST. TROPEZ Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse is that it can be customised. The manufacturer specifies exactly how long the mousse needs to soak in to achieve the desired tanning effect. The range goes from golden highlights to a dark, bronzy tan.
4th place: Addition Concentré Eclat Auto-bronzant
ADVANTAGES
- Easy to apply with your usual skincare product
- A natural glow
DISADVANTAGES
- Quite expensive
- Not suitable for intensive tanning
CONCLUSIE
Like the winner of our test, Addition Concentré Eclat self-tanner can easily be mixed with normal skincare. To do this, first put a little cream in your hands and then add the concentrate. Continuous use gives a very natural, long-lasting result.
You can easily control the intensity of the tan yourself. This product falls in the higher price segment.
5th place: Douglas Sun self-tanning wipes
ADVANTAGES
- Pleasant fragrance
- Good tanning results
DISADVANTAGES
- Short lifespan
- Very expensive for full-body use
CONCLUSIE
Douglas self-tanning wipes are an unusual alternative to traditional lotions or sprays. Unfortunately, the wipes dry up quite quickly on application and are therefore only sufficient for a small area of the body. This makes them considerably more expensive to use than, say, a mousse.
However, the result is a very even, natural-looking tan.