Like we mentioned earlier, the skin in these areas is dry, so it will absorb more of the product. Instead, leave them alone when you are applying the tanner, and then you can brush the remnants lightly on them after you are done with the rest of the body. This will also prevent them from becoming too dark compared to the body. A downside is that some product will most likely soak through and get onto your hands, so that’s a good thing to keep in mind if this is something you especially hate about the tanning process. If you have any barrier cream, apply it to your hands. While alternate options can’t necessarily guarantee as even or as perfect of a spread as a high-quality tanning mitt, they can still do a pretty good job if push comes to shove. When applying a self-tanner, work in circles around your body, as opposed to moving in a straight line. By moving your hand in overlapping circles, you’ll end up with a nice smooth, streak-free tan. You can, although it’s best to shave beforehand if possible. Shaving helps exfoliate the skin, which leaves it supple and ready for the self tanner. Ideally, you’d shave the day before to give any small cuts you get time to heal. Should You Wash Your Self Tan Mitt?

The truth is that the method you use to apply the self-tanner is not the major issue here, as it depends on your preferences. Instead, the results you eventually get will depend on the preparation before and the aftercare you use after getting your results – it will make a world of difference when you do it correctly.

How we tested

Rub the self tanner over your skin the same way as you would with a regular tanning mitt. Its smooth surface will give you a very even application, similar to the rubber glove.

Self tanning wipes are increasing in popularity greatly as time goes by, and they are a fantastic alternative to what you already have. They can work for you in case you do not have tanning mitts and none of the other options are exciting to you. There is more than just one way to apply self-tanner, making it even more convenient to achieve a warm summery glow at home. As a bonus, using rubber gloves will ensure that no product gets onto the palms of your hands, so you won’t have to worry about all the issues with uneven tanner on your elbows, ankles, hands, and feet. 3. Plastic WrapWhile it may sound a little hectic, applying self-tanner with your bare hands is something many people start out doing. It’s a decent option and allows for a more detailed application, but there are downsides. Just be prepared to have some odd-looking streaks on your hands, especially if you’re not using a rubber glove to protect your hands. With the advice we have given in the points above, the idea of using hands is scary and intimidating. After all, you do not want to end up with orange hands while the rest of your body is a different color. However, this is how many people apply the tanning products on their skin in the starting days, and everyone is still fine with it.

Once you are through, wash your hands immediately. The best way is through rough exfoliators, such as sand or sugar scrubs. Make sure to rub it as vigorously as possible before the tanner even has time to settle in, and the chances of having tanner on your hands will be low. Cling film The alternate ways of applying tanner are not only a passable option but are often preferred by many. This could potentially be avoided by washing your hands and using a coarse tanning exfoliator right away, you’ll just have to be sure to do this right away so the tanner doesn’t have much time to sit on your hands.There’s even a chance that one of these will become your new favorite way of applying sunless tanning solution! With your fingers in the same fabric compartment, you would use the same technique to spread the tanning product over your skin. So if a tanning glove is what you’re used to,this will feel familiar. Regardless of the specific method, you use to apply your self-tanner, you can do it according to your preferences. Self-tanning mitts are the best course of action, but the tips above will still give you the same results as long as you use them well. just keep in mind that you will need to practice for quite a bit before you get it right – but as long as you prepare your skin well, choose a product that works well for your skin, and apply it as evenly as possible, the results will look amazing.

When using a wash cloth, try to keep the cloth as smooth as possible when applying the fake tan. Don’t bunch up the cloth, you’ll end up with a streaky tan. 7. Your Hands Going this route may sound weird, but using plastic wrap to apply self-tanner is asurprisingly effective option. It’s cheap and accessible, as most people already have some cling wrap in their kitchen. Self-tanners are amazing, and highly convenient. However, the idea of applying them on your skin might be very intimidating, such as when you are using them for the first time and do not want to make mistakes. You can rinse and reuse them as well, making them a reliable option since you can always keep them on hand. There are quite a few alternate options for the traditional way, and in this article, we’ll go over how to apply self-tanner without a mitt.You don’t absolutely need to use a tanning mitt. If if you skip the mitt or a substitute, you will end up with tons of tanning product on the palm of your hand, under your nails, in the creases of your fingers, etc. Your palms don’t naturally tan, so it’s going to look weird. This being said, if you have relatively ~chill~ skin (i.e., you have none of the conditions above), you can try using an exfoliating glove on your body once a week. Yes, just once a week. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, over-exfoliating can still cause irritation, dryness, inflammation, and even rashes, says Dr. Lal. So if you're someone who has a bad habit of going overboard with skincare, store your mitt or glove in another room so you're not tempted to use it every time you're in the shower. Be realistic about how often you’ll clean them Believe it or not, rubber gloves are a tried and true favorite for many people. Some even prefer them to a normal tanning mitt. Since rubber gloves have separate finger holes, they make it easier to apply the tanner to places that require more detail,achieving a more even tan overall. This might sound silly when you hear it for the first time, but it actually does work quite well for many people – with a few people actually preferring it to tanning mitts. This is due to a number of reasons, but for most people, it is because self-tanner mitts tend to absorb some of the tanning solution or lotion, especially the longer you use them. This will tend to lead to uneven application. These products contain DHA, also known as dihydroxyacetone, which is the active ingredient. It works by reacting with the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, and eventually changes the skin color to darker shades that end up looking like a tan.