This Is The Best Way To Tan If You Have Acne
Now that summer is around the corner, many of us are looking forward to a golden tan. While getting a body tan is easy enough, tanning the face is always more complicated — especially with acne. Pimples can leave dark marks even without the sun's effects, and UV rays are known to accelerate hyperpigmentation (via Everyday Health). In fact, the sun triggers extra melanin production to combat skin damage, resulting in sun spots and acne marks that just won't go away. Thankfully, if you still want a summer-ready face tan, there are several ways to achieve it, even with acne.
According to Golden State Tanning, there are many ways to prevent running into acne-related issues when tanning your face. If you choose to go the tried-and-true route of UV tanning, keep in mind that it can dry out skin, causing the face to produce even more oil. Excess oil production can lead to more acne, so your best bet is to tan your face for just a few minutes. If at the beach, try wearing a hat, slathering on sunscreen, and tanning your face directly for only a short period. If hitting a tanning bed, the same rules apply.
Once your face is perfectly tan, post-care is just as important. Moisturize the skin with aloe vera or witch hazel afterwards, which should keep down oil production. Moreover, ask your dermatologist if you can tan in the first place, since many acne medications can make skin burn quicker (via Very Well Health).
Other ways to tan your face
If avoiding UV tanning, there are other ways to get a bronze glow that won't exacerbate acne. Sunless tanning keeps skin healthy, whether done at home or at a tanning salon. That being said, some experts advise avoiding at-home self-tanners for their use of chemicals that can make acne worse (via Golden State Tanning). In fact, dermatologist Jeremy Brauer told Allure that "it would not be advisable to apply an additional topical product that has the potential to irritate the skin" if you have "poorly controlled" acne. If your acne is under control though, there are ways to safely use self-tanners.
Golden State Tanning advises exfoliating skin at home with a loofah before sunless tanning. Preventing acne by unclogging pores, exfoliating also helps prep skin for an even tan (via MARQ'D). If you choose to go to a tanning salon for a sunless tan, ask your technician to go lighter over acne spots to avoid darkening them. For professional spray tans, avoid spray tanning spots, and make sure your acne treatments aren't reactive to the product (via Sun Kissed Spray Tanning).
For at-home self-tanning, make sure the product is noncomedogenic, and test the product on your upper inner arm first (via Allure). When it's time to start, moisturize prior to and after application to avoid break outs. Applying with a damp sponge can give you a lighter, more even coat, too! No matter the route, these tips will guarantee a gorgeous, safe summer tan.