Tan-demic: Global shortage of fake tan could also impact makeup and hair dye supplies

The shortage of one key ingredient could see the supplies of many products dry up by January

Self-tan could be in short supply this Christmas, as well as some other popular cosmetic products

With Christmas parties looking likely for some of us this festive season, many will be reaching for their trusty fake tan to take the harshness off our work-from-home complexion. However, the shortage of one chemical could see empty shelves where your favourite tanning product once stood by the end of next month.

Ethoxydiglycol enables cosmetic products to be applied to the skin and it is a key ingredient in most fake tans. Without it, many cosmetic products would be unusable, including makeup, anti-ageing products, hair dye, shampoo, fragrances and shaving products.