Home Remedies for Tanning
There are lots of home remedies for tanning that can help you develop a rich, golden tan without resorting to the expensive, store-bought brands that have so many chemicals in them. If you’re looking for homemade tanning lotions, we’ve put together a few for you to try.
The simplest way to protect your skin from damaging UV rays is to mix powdered ascorbic acid (which is basically vitamin C) with olive oil. Mix it thoroughly and smooth over your skin to protect while tanning. Some people add a few drops of a floral essential oil such as lavender to improve the scent, but do NOT add any citrus essential oils, as they can lead to brown spots on your skin.
For a rich tanning lotion that still gives you some protection, try combining two tablespoons sesame oil, two tablespoons wheat germ oil, four tablespoons hazelnut oil and four tablespoons walnut oil. Add five drops of lavender essential oil and five drops ylang ylang essential oil and shake well. This is one of the best home remedies for tanning evenly and darkly without burning. You can keep this up to three months if it is refrigerated.
Another home remedy for tanning that protects and moisturizes while allowing you to tan is to combine four tablespoons each of avocado oil, hazelnut oil, wheat germ oil and sesame oil. Add six drops of calendula essential oil and four drops of patchouli essential oil. This homemade suntan lotion has a wonderful scent!
If your skin is particularly dry, try a home remedy for tanning that will also moisturize your skin. Blend together two tablespoons coconut oil with four tablespoons of sesame oil and one third cup of lanolin, then add four drops of peppermint oil. Keep this in a seal container in a cool, dark place. You should only make a single batch of this home remedy for tanning, as it has to be tossed after one week (you don’t want it to turn rancid). The light peppermint fragrance is invigorating and pleasant, and the lanolin gives you smooth, silky skin.
Iodine & Baby Oil – Home Remedy for Tanning
Of course, many people remember their mothers using iodine and baby oil to get a deep, rich tan quickly, but this is dangerous because it can lead to a severe sunburn. If you really need to get a dark tan quickly, try updating this old formula for safety. Mix one half cup of iodine and one half cup of baby oil with between one quarter and one half cup of sunscreen lotion. This will give you a tan much quicker than other formulas, but do NOT leave the sunscreen out.
The best home remedies for tanning problems are precautionary. Don’t spend too much time in the sun between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm when the sun is at its peak and can quickly lead to a burn. Never go out without applying some kind of sun protection, and always reapply your suntan lotion or sunscreen after swimming or sweating, as most of them aren’t waterproof.
If you try everything and still manage to get a sunburn, take a look at our home remedies for sunburn for some great ways to soothe the pain and prevent peeling.