Can You Put Sunscreen Over Self-Tanner?

You can use sunscreen over self-tanner when you go outside to prevent tanning your skin further. Using sunscreen over a self-tanner is the best way to maintain even skin tone and protect yourself from sun damage.

Pro tip: Be sure to let the self-tanner dry completely before applying your sunscreen. Thus, wait at least one hour after applying a self-tanner, when it is dry you can apply suncreen.

Apply sunscreen in the same way that you applied your self-tanner. Wait a few minutes before moving around to ensure that the sunscreen bonds with your self-tanner and doesn’t rub off.

Some users are worried that if they put SPF on top of their fake tan, it will fade. This can happen if your fake tan hasn’t dried completely. Be sure to let the self-tanner dry completely before applying sunscreen.

With a few precautions, you can both protect your skin and preserve your self-tanner, so don’t avoid putting on sunscreen. Keep reading if you want to find out more about fake tan friendly products that you need to have at home.

Does Self-Tanner Provide SPF?

Most self-tanners (especially those that work best) don’t contain any sun protection. You need to wear sunscreen and apply it properly, even if you’re using a self-tanner.

Self-tanners with an SPF of 15 offers fair protection against the sun’s UVB rays but no protection against UVA rays. Keep that in mind before buying a product that claims it has SPF.

Experts recommend applying an SPF 30 or higher to your skin if you’re using a self-tanner with SPF. Thus, if you’re using a self-tanner with SPF, you should apply sunscreen over it to be safe.

Some products now contain natural sunscreen ingredients such as zinc oxide. Still, they are typically present in smaller concentrations than in sunscreens. One of the most famous self-tanners with SPF 20 is Jergens Natural Glow self-tanner with sunscreen.

A Little More About SPF

To help you when it comes to choosing the right sunscreen that will work for you, we need to explain a little more about what SPF (sun protection factor) is. 

This is the measurement used to tell you how well a particular sunscreen will provide you with sufficient protection against UV exposure. 

The actual number used indicates how long you will be able to stay out in the sun before you start to burn against how long you can stay out when your outer layer of skin isn’t protected. 

However, it is important that note that all sunscreen lotions need reapplying two hours after application. This is because of factors like evaporation and how quickly the skin absorbs the product. 

The best way of determining which SPF is best for you is to think of them in percentages. For example, if you were to apply SPF 15 sunscreen, it would provide around 93% of protection for your skin against the sun’s UV rays for two hours before it has been absorbed by your skin or has evaporated. 

As for SPF 30 sunscreen, it will prevent 97% of all UV rays from causing damage to your skin. While a sunscreen of SPF 50+ is going to help protect you against 98% of the UV rays the sun produces. Remember that there are no types of sunscreen that will provide you with 100% protection against the sun’s UV rays. 

You may be worried that wearing sunscreen is harmful, but it is crucial to note that doing so will help with reducing the chances of skin cancer developing. In fact, it can reduce the chances of you developing melanoma by up to half. 

Does Sunscreen Ruin a Spray Tan?

Sunscreen won’t ruin your spray tan, so you don’t have to choose between sunscreen and your spray tan. The important thing is to make sure that your skin is dry before applying sunscreen.

Also, Don’t rub your sunscreen in too much. Apply it gently 20 minutes before getting out of the house. It would help if you avoided sunscreens with zinc or those that contain bronzers.

Even the best spray tans will fade over time with exposure to the sun. Therefore, you must wear sunscreen after a visit to the salon to ensure your tan stays fresh and radiant for as long as possible.

If you love spray tans, I recommend Coola Suncare. It is a fantastic product that will prolong your fake tan while keeping your skin safe and secure. Sunscreens are essential, and you shouldn’t avoid them even if you have a spray tan; you just have to be more careful than usual.

Fake Tan Friendly Sunscreen

First, you need to check whether the sunscreen has zinc oxide and titanium dioxide listed as ingredients. If it does, that means it’s chemical-free and doesn’t contain any ingredients that will strip the fake tan down.

My recommendation is Coola Suncare. It is excellent for every fake tan lover, so don’t forget to check it out.

Tips for choosing a fake tan friendly sunscreen:

• Check the ingredient list before buying your fake tan friendly suntan cream. Look for active ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide.

• Look for mineral-based suntan creams with an SPF of at least 30.

• Choose an oil-free fake tan friendly sunscreen.

• It’s good to exfoliate and moisturize your skin before putting on your fake tan.

• Make sure you check labels carefully when choosing a fake tan friendly sunscreen.

• Apply fake tan friendly sunscreen 20 minutes before you head out into the sun.

• Reapply fake tan friendly sunscreen every 1 to 2 hours.

• Water-resistant sunscreen is convenient if you plan to go swimming or exercise during the heatwave.

Fake Tan Friendly Lotion

Ingredients in fake tan friendly lotion include Aloe Vera, glycerin, and cocoa butter. Nutrients like coconut oil and shea butter are also common. The right lotion will help your tan last longer. I recommend Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer.

You need to apply lotion before fake tan because it moisturizes your skin and after because fake tan dries it. Be especially careful with the areas of your skin that are rougher and thicker than the rest, such as elbows and knees.

Choose a product with extra moisturizing ingredients if you have dry skin and use it more often. The basic rule is to apply fake tan-friendly lotion every time your skin gets dry, but keep reapplying it as long as you are in the sun. 

Never overdo it – if you feel like you’ve put too much lotion on, wash it off and start over.

How to Prevent it From Ruining Your Fake Tan

Although you won’t be able to avoid using sunscreen completely, there are certain you can do that could prevent you from ruining your natural-looking tan. Below are just a few tips you may find helpful. 

The best way to avoid ruining any tanning products is to wait for between 12 and 24 hours before the application of sunscreen. 

Moisturizing your skin will not make a huge difference in whether the sunscreen you apply will ruin your tan. However, what it will do is help to keep your skin moisturized and, in turn, will improve the look of your tan. 

If you can, use sunscreen that is specially designed to use in conjunction with fake tan products. Even if you are wearing a fake tan it is vital that you wear sunscreen. Not only does it provide protection against UV rays, but also helps to keep your skin looking healthy. 

The best way to determine which sunscreens are appropriate for applying when you wear fake tan products is to do some research. Make sure that you read any product reviews you can find on the web. 

Conclusion: Can You Put Sunscreen Over Self-Tanner?

Yes, you can put sunscreen over your self-tanner. However, finding the right product can be difficult. You may even have to experiment with a few to find one that works for you. But if you do, the fun and convenience of self-tanning will become much more significant.

If you plan on using a self-tanner before you go to the beach, I would advise you to use a light SPF of at least 30. This will protect you from the sun’s UVA rays, leading to ageing, wrinkles, and more sun damage. 

It will also help keep your product looking even and natural. For example, if you are going to be in the sun or if you have fair skin, you should definitely invest in an SPF moisturizer or spray along with your self-tanner. 

However, be careful not to put too much sunscreen on top of your self-tanner because it can create a white appearance and only darken the colour more.

We hope this article emphasizes how important SPF and lotions are for your fake tan. Have you tried out any sunscreens for your fake tan? Leave us a comment down below.