For too long tanning products have had a bad reputation in the beauty world. The same complaints feature time and time again: too orange, too much color transfer, too finnicky to put on, too unnatural looking and so on.
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For too long tanning products have had a bad reputation in the beauty world. The same complaints feature time and time again: too orange, too much color transfer, too finnicky to put on, too unnatural looking and so on.
From the unpleasant smell, to the obvious change in skin color from neck to face, tanning products have nonetheless been indispensable to those who would rather risk the chemical bath of tanning over skin cancer and pallid, unhealthy looking skin. Thanks to recent leaps in technology and manufacturing, beauty lovers no longer have to put up with the many downsides of tanning products. Now worth an incredible $1.1 billion, tanning has finally received its much-needed facelift.
The Evolution of Tanning
Tanning has come a long way from the days of streaky orange skin and overpowering odors. In recent years, the beauty industry has witnessed the collision between "skinification" and tanning, a trend that emphasizes the natural look and health of the skin over everything else. Gone are the over-the-top makeup looks that dominated pre-pandemic. Skin minimalism is in, and harsh treatments are out.
The result is innovative tanning products that not only provide a natural, healthy glow, but also nurtures and hydrates the skin. Research suggests that the rising preference in multitasking, holistically nourishing beauty products stem from the belief that they are better for your health. As much as consumers prefer products that provide deeper benefits to the skin, they’re also actively avoiding products that could potentially harm it.
This exciting convergence has led to key developments in modern tanning products, resulting in a growing number of options available to achieve a radiant glow with added skin care perks. One notable advancement in tanning products is the incorporation of hyaluronic acid, a powerhouse ingredient known for its exceptional hydrating properties. By infusing tanning formulations with hyaluronic acid, brands are able to offer users a product that imparts a beautiful tan, while simultaneously providing intense hydration to the skin.
This combination ensures that the skin not only looks flawless, but also feels plump and luxuriously moisturized, contrary to the drying effects often associated with traditional tanning methods. The inclusion of ceramides in tanning products is another notable leap. Ceramides are natural lipids found in the skin that play a vital role in maintaining its barrier function.
Tanning products with added ceramides nourish, protect, and restore the skin barrier, resulting in healthier and more resilient skin. Last of all, by combining moisturizing properties with DHA (dihydroxyacetone), the active ingredient that triggers self-tanning, brands manufacturers effectively neuter DHA’s drying effect.
To nix the distinctive scent of tanning products, manufacturers are taking measures to ensure that the added DHA is of high quality, neutral-scented and low-odor. Despite the many advancements made, tanning products still only have a shelf life of 12 months. It pays to keep in mind that the smell of DHA is a dead giveaway that the product is fast approaching its use-by date.
Related: Spas Offering Luxurious Sunless Tanning Treatments
Tanning that Beautifies the Skin From the Inside Out
The "skinnification" trend doesn’t stop there. To tackle various skin concerns, tanning products have also seen an increase in formulations that target common issues such as itchiness, oiliness and dryness. Brands recognize that individuals have different skin types and issues, and have developed tanning products to specifically address these needs.
Whether it’s soothing irritated skin, controlling excess oil, or providing deep hydration to combat dry summer skin, the new generation of hybrids effectively multitask as a skin care and tanning product. These do-it-all products smooth the skin, blur imperfections, balance texture and tone, moisturize and firm the skin, and they do it while complementing your natural skin tone to give you an undetectable sun-kissed glow.
This increased investment in tanning products is paying off majorly as brands direct their focus to high-quality ingredients, fragrance-free formulations, and a wide range of colors to suit all skin types. Developing better multitasking and time saving products are also a key consideration for brands keen to satisfy rising consumer demand for such products.
In this area, everyday maintenance moisturizers are a standout in the tanning product range. While providing a natural self-tanning glow, tanning maintenance moisturizers blend seamlessly into existing skin care routines. The "skinification" trend has made waves across the industry and none have benefited more from this trend than tanning.
With the integration of ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides and a greater emphasis on quality ingredients, modern tanning products are now unrecognizable compared to their predecessors. As consumers continue to drive the demand for high quality, effective, and personalized beauty products, the evolution of tanning products are destined to become ever more advanced.
Rohan Widdison's career and experience in the cosmetic sector extends back three decades, encompassing local and international exposure to manufacturing, distribution and retail. His experience includes formulation and distribution with a Belgium based cosmetic manufacturer in the 1990’s, including joint venture development in China, providing invaluable knowledge and insights into quality standards across international markets. Rohan has led a team that developed in excess of 200 formulas for the an export brand in addition to over 100 base formulas, and worked closely with national retail chains in the USA and Europe. In late 2017 he founded New Laboratories, a cosmetics contract manufacturer, offering an innovative and boutique contract manufacturing and product development experience for brands.
