Good Moisturizers for Spray Tanning

The weather outside might be frightful, but your skin doesn’t have to be! Winter months are in full swing, it’s time to remind your clients the importance of proper prep and post tanning rituals. Using a quality moisturizer is essential to a spray tan regime. But what defines a moisturizer as “quality”? The answer: ingredients.

While typically a quality moisturizer cannot be found at your favorite candle store; you are also not subject to spending a pretty penny at the high-end beauty retailers!  Believe it or not, there are quality moisturizers that can be found at most drug stores. Using a quality moisturizer in your daily routine will help your skin stay hydrated, and ready for a winter glow! We suggest using a moisturizer that is water based, contains minimal fragrance, and mineral oil-free.

So how do you choose a quality moisturizer safe for spray tans? Simple – pay attention to the ingredients! Now, we understand you may not have time to google every ingredient in the middle of the in the moisturizer aisle. Have no fear, here are few key ingredients to look for when shopping for a new spray tan safe lotion.

Glycerin – Glycerin is a member of the humectant family. This ingredient allows the skin to draw in and bind extra moisture to the skin (and is found in almost every Sjolie product)! In conjunction with other hydrating ingredients, Glycerin will help to improve your skins resiliency and give it a fresh and youthful look!

Hyaluronic Acid – The name may sound scary, but this ingredient has a pretty impressive resume. Hyaluronic Acid is known to absorb 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it an essential hydrator in many beauty products on the market today. Hyaluronic Acid aids in promoting softer and smoother skin while providing all day hydration. A spray tans dream come true!

Essential Fatty Acids – Because our skin does not produce essential fatty acids on its own, so it is crucial we are incorporating EFA’s to our daily regimens. Essential Fatty Acids aid in keeping skin hydrated, healthy and glowing. Ingredients like sunflower oil, avocado oil and coconut oil, when listed at the lower end of the ingredient list (meaning it is not a main or key ingredient) is actually very beneficial to the skin and will not strip your spray tan.

Myth’s about EFA’s: You may be recommended to apply EFA’s directly to the skin as moisturizing agents; however, Sjolie does NOT advise this. For example, Pure Coconut Oil (liquid or solid form) may be hydrating, but in moderation and manipulation. The molecule is too large to absorb deep into the skin and provide you with hydrating benefactors as you would receive in a quality moisturizer specifically designed with your skin in mind. While not only will you not receive the moisture and hydration you’re looking for, it’s oils can breakdown your spray tan and cause blotchiness and premature fading! In sum, Sjolie encourages you to avoid applying oils, like Coconut Oil directly to the skin. Instead, look for a qualify moisturizer containing EFA’s to get the most out of your spray tan.

While all these ingredients are beneficial, please keep in mind that your lotion does not need all three to qualify as a quality moisturizer!

Sadly, toxic chemicals can still be found in many day-to-day health & beauty products. Toxic or harmful ingredients have a range of effects on the body and may cause slight skin irritations to severe allergic reactions. And at worse, being classified as a human carcinogen! Meaning, it can be linked to causing cancer! We have narrowed some unhealthy ingredients to best avoid for sake of health and spray tan.

BHA – Known as, BHT, BHA (both Butylatedhydroxy Anisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene): aka, Dibutylhydroxytoluene, Phenol is used as a food preservative and is a synthetic antioxidant. According to the National Toxicology Program, “BHA is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.”

Parabens – Known as, Isobutylparaben, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, or Ethylparaben. Parabens are typically used as a preservative to extend shelf life. Parabens mimic the actions of estrogen and are harmful if swallowed or ingested. Can also irritate skin, eyes and respiratory tract —yikes!

Mineral Oil – A Petroleum byproduct, which can clog pores and slow down the skins functions and cell development. Forms of Mineral Oil include: Liquidum Paraffinum, Paraffin Oil, Paraffin Wax, and Petrolatum.

Remember education is key. It is important to educate yourself and your clients on these ingredients. Encourage your clients to act and read their ingredient labels! It can not only save the life of the spray tan but save the life of their largest organ, their skin.

“Report on Carcinogens, Fourteenth Edition.” National Toxicology Program, 2016, ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/butylatedhydroxyanisole.pdf.