How Self Tanning Lotion Achieves A Beautiful Glow

By Haywood Hunter


Self tanning lotion works, but how it works can be confusing. It is designed to interact with the skin in such a way that it grows darker when applied. The skin is made up of two layers and it is the outer layer, the epidermis, where tanning lotions work.

The goal of self tanning lotion is to alter the appearance of the outer layer without causing damage to the inner layer. The epidermis is not made up of a single layer either. Instead, it is made up of two layers as well. The inner layer is called the stratum basale and it is what turns color when sunbathing.

The stratum corneum or outer layer, on the other hand, is where tanning lotions have the most effect. To achieve the best results, therefore, finding lotions that work best on the stratum corneum is important. Despite this fact, the use of self tanning lotion is not a new concept.

In 1960, Coppertone was the first to introduce a self tanning lotion that was effective. Unfortunately, it had a tendency to turn skin orange. However, efforts were made to improve the results and now provide lotions that can be smoothed into the skin, swiped, or sprayed in order to achieve everything from a dark Caribbean tan to a lighter color.

Self tanning lotion often takes between 45 minutes to one hour before it starts working, then another two hours to dry. However, with self tanning lotion containing dihydroxyacetone the color lasts between five to seven days. This is because this ingredient interacts with dead skin cells in the epidermis turning them dark.

After applying self tanning lotion, these cells change color as they dry. Regardless of which self tanning lotion is selected, it is easy to use as it comes in powders, sprays, or moisturizers. It is important to know, however, that self tanning lotion rarely contains sunscreen.




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