{"id":568913,"date":"2026-07-26T12:33:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T12:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/568913\/"},"modified":"2026-07-26T12:33:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T12:33:14","slug":"what-to-know-about-using-self-tan-and-spf-and-ingredients-you-should-never-mix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/568913\/","title":{"rendered":"What to know about using self-tan and SPF \u2013 and ingredients you should never mix"},"content":{"rendered":"

With heatwave after heatwave, we\u2019re becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of suntanning.<\/p>\n

A convincing fake tan can deliver a healthy-looking glow without the risks of sun exposure \u2013 but if you\u2019re still heading out in the sun and applying SPF, knowing how to layer it with self-tan and active skincare ingredients can be surprisingly confusing.<\/p>\n

From retinol and exfoliating acids to vitamin C and facial tanning drops, experts say getting the order wrong could not only compromise your sun protection, but cause premature fading, patchiness and skin irritation.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know before you reach for your self-tan this summer\u2026<\/p>\n

Self-tan should never replace SPF<\/p>\n

One of the biggest misconceptions is that bronzed skin \u2013 even if it\u2019s fake \u2013 somehow offers protection against the sun.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs summer approaches, many will be looking to pull back on their make-up and focus more on using bronzing products for a sun-kissed complexion. [It\u2019s crucial] to ensure adequate sun protection,\u201d says Melanie Brownlow, co-founder of self-tan and SPF brand, St. Moriz<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"lA bronzed complexion does not guarantee sun protection (Alamy\/PA)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe same principle applies to using tanning products and sunscreen on the body, because no, having fake tan does not prevent you from burning from sun exposure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Consultant dermatologist Dr Conal Perrett at The Devonshire Clinic<\/a> says that people who wear self-tan cannot rely on the tan itself for UV protection.<\/p>\n

\u201cA cosmetic tan offers no meaningful defence against sunburn or skin cancer. If you are using actives and self-tan together, daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is non-negotiable, applied generously and reapplied through the day when outdoors,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Apply self-tan and SPF separately to avoid ingredients mixing<\/p>\n

While it may be tempting to simplify your routine by mixing products together, experts warn against combining self-tan with sunscreen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to bronzing drops, or any self-tan products for the face, this is safe to mix in with your go-to moisturiser. However, when it comes to sunscreen, never mix any tanning products directly into this,\u201d says Brownlow.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe active ingredient \u2013 DHA \u2013 in self-tanning products interferes with sun-protection products, diluting the SPF and reducing its effectiveness against sun damage. Therefore it\u2019s really important to know how to layer your products so that your sun protection is not compromised.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AttractiveDHA found in self-tan products can disrupt the effectiveness of SPF (Alamy\/PA)<\/p>\n

Instead, Brownlow recommends \u201cusing your tanning drops in the evening allowing it to develop overnight and just keep to your SPF and any cosmetic products in the day\u201d.<\/p>\n

When it comes to the order of applying your products, Perrett says \u201cI usually advise applying your core skincare \u2013 gentle cleanser, hydrating serum, moisturiser \u2013 first, then your self-tan, and finally your broad-spectrum SPF as the last step in the morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cSPF should always be the final layer because anything applied on top can dilute or disrupt its protection.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SPF(Look Fantastic\/PA)<\/p>\n

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+, Look Fantastic<\/p>\n

\"Self-tanning(James Read\/PA)<\/p>\n

James Read Sunbright Tinted Tan Drops<\/p>\n

Be wary of retinol and exfoliating acids when using self-tan<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve invested time in achieving an even glow, your skincare routine could be undoing your efforts.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything that increases exfoliation will tend to shorten the life of a self-tan, because you\u2019re simply shedding the pigmented surface cells more quickly,\u201d says Perrett.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis includes retinoids, glycolic acid and other alpha-hydroxy acids, salicylic acid and strong physical scrubs. You don\u2019t need to avoid them altogether, but you should expect that your tan may fade faster and may need more frequent top-ups.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brownlow says that if you\u2019re using self-tanning products on the face, \u201ctry to keep application of both products separate, doing one in the morning and one in the evening to minimise unwanted interference\u201d.<\/p>\n

She also suggests switching cleansers if you\u2019re using an oil-based one. \u201cOil-based cleansers [can interfere] when wearing self-tan on the skin as this, again, can break down the tan and leave it looking less even.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, compensate for a hydrating moisturiser to lock in moisture and your tan.<\/p>\n

\"Oil(Boots\/PA)<\/p>\n

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid for Normal to Dry Skin, Boots<\/p>\n

\"Hydrating(Byoma\/PA)<\/p>\n

BYOMA Moisturising Rich Cream, Cult Beauty<\/p>\n

Active ingredients increase sun sensitivity<\/p>\n

Retinol and exfoliating acids don\u2019t just affect the look of your tan \u2013 they can also leave skin more vulnerable to UV damage.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, many of the commonly used \u2018active\u2019 ingredients do increase sun sensitivity to some degree,\u201d says Perrett. \u201cRetinoids, glycolic and other AHAs, and salicylic acid all affect cell turnover and can thin or temporarily disrupt the stratum corneum, which makes the skin more vulnerable to UV damage.\u201d<\/p>\n

The active of vitamin C, however, acts differently. \u201cVitamin C is usually well tolerated and is often paired with sunscreen precisely because it helps neutralise some of the free radicals generated by UV exposure, but it should still be used within a routine that prioritises robust sun protection,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

\"Gentle(Look Fantastic\/PA)<\/p>\n

The INKEY List Gentle Starter Retinol Serum, Look Fantastic<\/p>\n

\"Vitanin(Dr Althea\/PA)<\/p>\n

Dr Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum, Boots<\/p>\n

Plan your summer routine<\/p>\n

Rather than abandoning active skincare or fake tan altogether, the answer to using both is separating them across your routine.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you enjoy both actives and self-tan, the routine simply needs a bit of structure.<\/p>\n

\u201cI often suggest \u2018zoning\u2019 and timing,\u201d says Perrett.\u201dUse your stronger actives \u2013 like retinoids, higher-strength acids \u2013 in the evening on nights when you are not applying self-tan to the face, and keep mornings focused on antioxidant protection, hydration and SPF.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let self-tan hide changes in your skin<\/p>\n

While self-tan won\u2019t conceal obvious warning signs, it can make subtle skin changes harder to spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cSelf-tan can certainly make it a little harder to see subtle colour changes in the skin, particularly in fair complexions,\u201d Perrett explains. \u201cIt may temporarily obscure early redness, mild pigment changes or very fine textural changes that can be a clue to underlying sun damage.\u201d<\/p>\n

He recommends carrying out skin checks before your next application. \u201cPerform regular skin self-examinations on untanned skin where possible, for example at the end of a cycle before you reapply your self-tan.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With heatwave after heatwave, we\u2019re becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of suntanning. A convincing fake tan can…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":568914,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[61,60,80],"class_list":["post-568913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/568913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=568913"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/568913\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/568914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=568913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=568913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=568913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}