Homemade self-tanning cream made from natural ingredients - tanning without sun exposure

You can easily prepare this cream from natural ingredients, which not only give the skin a healthy tanned appearance, but also nourish and hydrate it. In this article, we will show you step by step how to make such a self-tanning cream at home. The result will be a natural, even tan without the need for the sun, which is kind to your skin and the environment.

The cream is very pleasant, smells wonderful and spreads well. You can create it even without previous experience in the production of cosmetics. All you need is a few basic ingredients, to which we add, of course, a coloring component that tones the skin and gives it a tanned look. And what is she?

DHA – a natural ingredient with a "suspicious" name

Although its name sounds very artificial, our natural DHA is produced from plants, most often by fermentation of wheat, canola or sugar beet. DHA is an active ingredient commonly used in self-tanners. It is a simple sugar that reacts with amino acids in the top layer of the skin, producing a temporary browning of the skin that mimics a tan.

And how does it actually work?

When DHA is applied to the skin, it reacts with the dead cells on the surface, causing a chemical reaction known as the Maillard reaction. This creates a pigment that brings the desired tanned look. This effect usually occurs within a few hours after application and can last 5 to 10 days, depending on skin cell regeneration and skin care.

Why use DHA?

The use of DHA is undoubtedly wise, especially if we reach for it as a safe alternative to tanning in direct sunlight. DHA provides the appearance of tanned skin without exposure to harmful UV radiation. By using products with DHA, we not only achieve a beautiful tanned appearance, but also reduce the risk of burning and long-term skin damage. Be careful, however, DHA does not act against UV rays and does not protect against sunlight.

And then we add... Urucum

That is, a powdery, orange-colored raw material with a very unusual name. Urucum, also known as Annatto, is a natural ingredient obtained from the seeds of the Bixa orellana tree, which is native to the tropical regions of South America. The seeds are rich in carotenoids, especially bixin, which is a natural dye with a distinctive red-orange color. Thanks to its nourishing and protective properties, urucum is used in cosmetics and traditional medicine.

Why use urucum?

Urucum contains a high amount of antioxidants that help protect the skin from free radicals and premature aging. Thanks to the content of carotenoids, urucum can contribute to a faster and more even tan, and protect the skin from sunlight. It has moisturizing effects that improve the texture of the skin and support its elasticity. In self-tanning cream, in addition to the beneficial effects, it also helps with the color of the product, thanks to which the product spreads more evenly on the skin.

Radiant skin thanks to carrot oil

In addition to almond oil, we also add excellent carrot oil to the cream. It is produced by pressing carrot seeds and is a highly valued raw material due to its high content of antioxidants, vitamins (especially vitamins A and E), beta-carotene and essential fatty acids. Carrot oil acts as a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals and premature aging. It deeply hydrates and nourishes dry and damaged skin, improves its elasticity and supports cell regeneration. In addition, it has soothing effects, promotes healing and helps relieve irritation. Carrot oil leaves the skin visibly radiant, healthy and soft. This is a must in self-tanning cream!

In order for all of this to become a great cream, we will, of course, also use water - ideally flower water, which will add a lot of additional benefits to the cream. The choice of floral water is up to you; we reached for skin-firming magnolias.

Add almond oil, emulsifying wax and scent the finished cream with Yuzu fragrance oil. And of course we mustn't forget the preservative. And that's it! Shall we go for it?

What does it take?

Aqueous phase

- 68 grams of flower water

- 3.6 grams of DHA

Oil phase

- 16 grams of almond oil

- 7 grams of Olivem 1000 emulsifier

- 2.4 grams of carrot oil

- 0.7 grams of Urucum powder

The final stage

- 1 gram of Yuzu fragrance oil

- 0.8 grams of Cosgard preservative

How to do it?

Prepare a water bath. Weigh the oil phase, i.e. oils, emulsifier and urucum, into a heat-resistant bowl. Place the bowl in a water bath and let the contents dissolve in it.

Weigh the flower water and DHA into the second bowl and let the DHA dissolve. When the raw materials in the oil phase are dissolved, put the water phase in the water bath for a few minutes, so that the raw materials in it also warm up slightly and the mixture does not get a temperature shock during mixing.

When all the ingredients in the oil phase are liquid and the water phase is slightly heated, remove both bowls from the water bath. Dry, prepare a silicone squeegee and pour the water phase into the oil phase, immediately mix well with a silicone squeegee.

Then, using a stick blender, mix the mixture several times (rather in shorter cycles). Try not to beat air into the mixture unnecessarily, keep the mixer submerged.

The mixture will be rather runny and light at this point, that's okay. :) After several "mixings", pick up the spatula again, mix the mixture (don't forget to clean the faster-setting mixture on the sides of the bowl). After a few minutes, use the stick blender again. As soon as you notice that the mixture is starting to solidify, it is time to mix the preservative and fragrance well into the cream, and then transfer the cream to the selected containers. For example, this black elegant cover with a middle lid will be great.

Let it rest for a few hours, and then enjoy a great cream and beautifully colored skin!