The Pros and Cons of Self Tanning in Winter

Women obsessed with tanning have discovered self-tanning to be safer than baking in the sun or lying in a hot tanning booth for hours on end. In the summer, women like you and I, invest tons of cash in the pursuit of the perfect tan but what about tanning in winter? Keeping your golden glow year round is challenging but it is possible if you adjust your skin care. Before you completely write off the idea of self-tanning in the winter, learn more about the pros and cons.

Pros
Self tanning in winter means you'll never look pale or washed out with a year-round tan. You'll look great while you are on winter vacation, and tanned skin looks nice against holiday bling.

The preparation process you use will keep your skin healthy during cold winter months that wreak havoc on your skin. A self-tanner that contains SPF will give you winter protection from the sun, and you will not have to catch up on your tan in spring! Let's face it: a tan looks healthy and sexy.

Cons
Self-tanning dyes can transfer to your layers of clothing, plus, winter skin is exposed less often because of the cool temperatures. Who needs to tan?

Preparing Skin for Winter Self-Tanning

Every fashionista knows that she must prepare her skin before adding the self-tanning color. You know the drill--cleanse, exfoliate, tan, moisturize. In winter, the process is a little different and a little more complicated. Use this method for tanning in winter.

• Rub your body with baby oil or some other unscented body oil.

• Exfoliate your body with a shower poof and some exfoliating scrub.

• Shave your legs and any other areas of your body you normally shave.

• Rinse with warm, not hot water.

• Pat your skin dry with a towel. Do not rub.

• Apply the self-tanner by spraying or rubbing it on your skin.

• Wash between your toes and fingers. Also, wash the palms of your hand.

• Allow the tanner to dry for an hour before moisturizing. The wait time will allow the skin to soak up the tanning lotion without streaking.

• Use a tinted moisturizer that contains Vitamin E to give your skin a healthy protection.