How to use active ingredients without stripping your face tan

Ever been friends with a couple that have since broke up, and now you can only see them on alternating nights?

Well, that’s kind of what it’s like if you want to use a face tan alongside actives in your skin care routine. 

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Skin care products that include ingredients such as retinol, BHAs, AHAs and benzoyl peroxide in particular, are the ones to keep an eye on if you’re trying to get your faux glow on. 

You see, one of the main jobs of these active ingredients is to stimulate cell turnover, which means getting rid of dead, dull skin cells, and in turn, getting rid of your tan too.

image credit: @kelseymerritt

Yep, even retinol, the miracle product with so many benefits, becomes your worst enemy in the tanning arena. Apply it on top of a tan, and it’s going to make it fade almost instantly.

But never fear, it’s not all bad news for those who want the best of both worlds. Because we have not one, but two solutions for you. 

#1 Alternate

Warning. This one requires a little bit of planning.

It is recommended, depending on your skin type, not to use retinol any more than 2-3 times per week. For some,  once a week might be plenty.

Here’s an example of how you could make this work in your favour…

Apply your retinol and active ingredients from Sunday to Wednesday night. Then, assign Thursday through Saturday for your face tan.

This will hopefully coincide with your weekend plans and you can always alternate depending on what’s on for the week. 

bh recommends: SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 and Aussie Bombshell Gradual Tan.

#2 Use 2-in-1 products 

Maybe you’re someone who needs to be tanned Monday-Sunday and an alternating routine isn’t for you. The great news is, there are products that will tick both boxes. 

Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Intense Glow Self Tanner For Face

$61, available from Mecca

These tanning facial pads have managed to combine the benefits of anti-ageing exfoliation and a wash of colour.

Soaked in vitamin D. as well as AHA and BHAs, one swipe will impart a beautiful summer glow, all the while simulatenously eliminating blackheads, evening out skin tone and tightening pores.

James Read Sleep Mask Tan Face Advance With Retinol

$62, available at Mecca

If your purchase this bad boy, well, you can just about disregard everything you’ve read so far. This sleep mask will allow you to achieve a gradual face tan, at the same time as your skin reaps the benefits of improved skin tone and texture from retinol. 

Another plus, it also contains hyaluronic acid to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

How do you juggle your fake tan and skin care routine?  Did you ever consider actives could be fading your tan?