It’s no secret that Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world with the condition accounting for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers. We’ve been taught from a young age to slip, slop, slap, and for good reason.
In Australia, the incidence of skin cancer is two to three times the rates in Canada, the US and the UK and a lot of it has to do with our UV Index of 10-14 (for comparison's sake, the UK has a UV Index of 6-8).
While being close to the equator results in beautiful weather and sunny skies, it also means we need to take extra precautions when it comes to sun safety - and that includes tanning.
Australia has a massive tanning culture. Laying on the beach on a hot summer’s day is not something out of the ordinary, but it really should be. UV damage is accumulative, and your skin remembers all the UV exposure over the years which contributes to your long-term risk of skin cancer.
And frankly, with so many great fake tan options on the market, there really is no need to burn your skin cells into oblivion. We no longer live in a time where orange, streaky tans are the norm, and thanks to modern technology and advanced formulations, the tans in a can look as good as the real thing.
So here’s how to get the most perfect fake tan, without the life-long damage.
Step 1: Remove your body hair
At BEAUTYDIRECTORY we strongly believe that you have the right to keep or remove your body hair, however in this instance, it’s best if you start with a smooth canvas. To ensure a streak-free and even finish, it’s a good idea to remove any body hair using your preferred method. Here are a few products we recommend:
Nair Sensitive Shower Power Hair Removal Cream
Step 2: Exfoliate any dead skin
Speaking of a smooth canvas, don’t skip this step! If you want your fake tan to look seamless then buffing away the dead skin sitting on the surface is key. If you fail to do so then your tan will appear patchy and may look darker in some areas. Here are some of our favourite exfoliators:
1000Hour Skin Exfoliating Wand
The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Gently Exfoliating Cream Body Scrub
Mitten Black Medium Turkish Bath Deep Exfoliation Body Mitt
Step 3: Make sure there’s no perfume or deodorant sitting on the skin
When applying fake tan, your skin should be completely clean. Even the slightest bit of perfume or deodorant can cause bad results. Before you apply tan, take a shower with cold water if possible, this ensures the pores on your skin close up and your tan applies seamlessly.
Step 4: Moisturise
Right before you tan, make sure every inch of your skin is hydrated and moisturised, especially places like your knuckles, elbows, knees, between the fingers, inner wrists, ankles and toes. These spots are especially prone to dryness and if not taken care of, will result in an uneven tan. Check out these body moisturisers below:
Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Body Lotion
Step 5: Time to apply
Now that you’ve completed all of the above steps, it’s finally time to lather on the fake tan. The best way to apply is to work from the legs up, and take your time with it. We love fake tanning mitts here at BEAUTYDIRECTORY because it results in a smoother finish, plus your palms won’t be covered in tan when you’re done. Pump some product onto the base of the mitt and fold it in half by closing your palm. Not only do you use less product this way but the formula is distributed evenly across the whole mitt. See some of our favourite fake tans below:
Bondi Sands Aero Self Tanning Foam Light Medium
Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Foam
As for how long to leave it on, our best advice is to follow the product directions. Every brand is different, and the wait time really depends on the formulation.
