Top marks for skin-improving tans

Say so long to streaks and patches with these skin-improving tans

Sculpt and tan the face streak-free with A-list tanning artist Amanda Harrington’s mist. 

Nothing highlights uneven skin like dihydroxyacetone (DHA). The sugar-based bronzing agent is key to leave-on self-tanners and a friend to the tired and drawn (“Me? Out all night? But I have such a healthy glow!”), yet it can only work with the amino acids with which it reacts. When not developing a toasty stain, the amino acids in your skin’s surface help to keep it hydrated and smooth. It is worth noting (especially if you are a serial tanner) that scratchy scrubs and loofahs disrupt and deplete skin’s natural moisture barrier, including natural amino acids. This is yet another reason to try to avoid patching and let tan fade naturally as often as you can.

A glycolic acid body lotion or facial serum can help to smooth skin and increase its natural moisture content the night before application. Products such as Dr Dennis Gross’s Alpha Beta Glow Pad Gradual Glow, €39 at SpaceNK.com even combine the acid with a gradual tan. It is very important to wear broad-spectrum SPF30 or higher after using hydroxy acids of any kind.