If you’re like most people, you probably have some stretch marks on your body. They can be embarrassing and frustrating to deal with. While there are several things that can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, another option is to cover them up by using a self-tanner. By adding color over the top of the scars, it will make them less noticeable and blend into your skin tone better than if they were just left alone. In this article we’ll go over how to effectively use a self-tanners for covering up stretch marks after pregnancy or weight loss as well as going through all of our recommendations for which products work best at providing coverage while also having a nice scent and fast drying time so you don’t waste any time during. Let’s get started.
At a Glance:
Beauty by earth Self Tanner & Tanning Mitt Set
- Easy to use
- doesn’t stain
- No harsh chemicals
Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion
- Natural ingredients
- Long Lasting
- Smells Good
Just Nutritive Sunless Tanning Lotion
- Natural Ingredients
- Easy to Apply
- Long Lasting Results
Can self-tanner remove stretch marks permanently?
Using a tanning lotion is not going to remove your stretch marks. It will cover them up and make them less noticeable, but it won’t actually get rid of them. If you’re wanting these marks removed completely, then we recommend using a product like M3 Naturals Anti Cellulite Massage Oil Infused with Collagen and Stem Cell which can reduce their appearance over time by hydrating the skin and reducing the appearance of scars in general.
Can Self-tanner make stretch marks worse?
It’s not going to make them worse, but you need to be careful with how often you use a self-tanner on stretch marks because it can cause irritation or skin breakouts if used too much. In other words, the more you apply the more likely you are to have problems later on so it’s best to only do this every few months max for a temporary fix of covering up your scars.
How long does self-tanner take to apply?
The amount of time it takes for a tanning solution or lotion to dry will be different depending on how liquid or runny the consistency is (thicker solutions such as mousse will take longer) but generally speaking, you’re looking at about 20 minutes before it’s completely dry which is all you need to wait before getting dressed anyways. If there are any streaks that are noticeable right after application, then these can blended out by using a brush or loofah in circular motions.
How do you apply self-tanner to stretch marks?
You need to make sure that you exfoliate your skin before applying the tanning solution because this gives it something to cling onto (namely, dead skin cells). If the solution is applied over perfectly healthy skin then it’s not going to absorb into your body very well and it will allow streaks or uneven patches of color to show up which you obviously don’t want. After moisturizing, simply rub some in between your fingers so that it warms up slightly and then apply it evenly across all of the stretch marks until everything is covered. Be careful around your groin area if you have any stray hairs there because getting them stuck with a self-tanner is not pleasant.
Best time to use self-tanner on stretch marks?
It’s best to apply your tanning solution when you want, but we recommend doing it in the evening or early morning hours before going out anywhere for a few reasons:
If you do it too soon after a shower, a lot of your skin can still be wet and this makes it more likely for streaking to occur.It will also take several hours to fully dry which means you won’t get dressed until then anyway. There is no point in rushing into anything if you end up having problems with the product!
How long does self-tanner last on stretch marks?
The amount of time that a self-tanner lasts on your skin depends on how dark of a shade you get and whether or not you exfoliate and moisturize in between applications. With these things considered, it’s not going to last longer than a few days including the color with it gradually fading away as your skin sheds dead cells on its own.
Is using self-tanner better than nothing?
Of course when compared to doing nothing at all about covering up your stretch marks, using a tanning lotion will be significantly better than remaining pale-skinned! Keep in mind though that despite looking visibly better, it’s not actually making them any less noticeable to the touch or during intimate moments. There is only so much that you can do for yourself by tanning and it won’t get rid of stretch marks permanently no matter how many times you apply self-tanner.
Best self-tanner to cover stretch marks
Here is a list of tanners which can cover your stretch marks perfectly.
Coco & Eve Self Tanner Mousse Kit
Coco & Eve is a Canadian company that offers luxurious, organic beauty products from head to toe. Their motto is “beauty without compromise” and we have to say… the tanner really lives up to it! Let’s take a closer look…
The kit comes with three items: The Tan Applicator Mitt, the Mousse and an Instruction Booklet. The product is super easy to use. All you have to do is follow the simple instructions in the booklet and you’re good to go!
We found that using the mitt for application of the tanner makes it so much more even, especially around my wrists where I usually have a hard time applying waterproof self-tanners without looking like an oompa loompa. It works with most skin tones and its super gentle on your skin. Plus, you can use it over your entire body! I found many positive reviews that it works amazingly to cover the stretch marks. So I decided to add in my list of best self-tanner to cover stretch marks.
You have to leave it about four hours before washing off… And after one try you will be impressed by this product! Usually when done self-tanning, it will look like an orange mess and it takes you at least three days to get rid of that awful smell. However, this tanner did not disappoint!
It has a very nice scent (its lavender based!) which fades after about one hour since application so no worries about smelling like fake tan all day long. It also didn’t leave any streaks or stains on my clothes or bed sheet. Like most bronzers, your skin will continue to darken for the next few hours before eventually settling down but because Coco & Eve Mousse Formula is formulated with arbutin (a natural bleaching agent) you’ll be left with an even golden brown tint that doesn’t really require any further scrubbing off to reveal the perfect shade. We are sure you will definitely going to be using this self-tanner all summer long! So if you’re looking for that perfect holiday or special event tan, then the Coco & Eve Mousse Formula is what you need.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Smells Good
- Great Color
Cons
- No instant results
Just Nutritive Sunless Tanning Lotion
Budget PickJust Nutritive Skin tanning lotion with a blend of natural ingredients, for a long lasting tan. It helps to improve skin tone and texture by nourishing it with a mix of Vitamins A & E in addition to Aloe Vera in the formula.
This lotion moisturizes and enhances the color of your skin instantly. You can apply it with your hands or gloves. It is quick to dry, taking only 10-15 minutes. Within 12-24 hours, you will develop a natural-looking tan. To maintain your tan, use as needed until you have reached your desired level.
It gives you a bronze finish and radiant skin tone without damaging your skin from the sun or tanning beds. In addition to providing color, this self-tanner moisturizes, softens, and adds shine to your skin without streaks.
It uses sunflower seed oil as one of its main ingredients which has been used for years to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. This is because it helps retain moisture in the upper layers of the skin. It also contains jojoba seed oil which acts as an emollient. Jojoba seed oil penetrates down into your pores, balances out any greasiness, it offers a natural UV protection, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and keeps your skin hydrated. It has a light smell of Almond-like fragrance to it which is subtle and will not interfere with any perfume you may decide to wear, nor be bothersome to those around you and does dissipate over time. With all these natural ingredient it is one of the best self-tanner to cover stretch marks.
With vitamin C (ascorbic acid) as one of its ingredients this product helps fight damaging free radicals that can cause premature aging, loss of elasticity, spots and discoloration. Vitamin C also stimulates collagen production which results in plumper, firmer looking skin as well as scar tissue repair as mentioned earlier.
Pros
- Natural Ingredients
- Easy to Apply
- Long Lasting Results
Cons
- No instant results
Beauty by earth Self Tanner & Tanning Mitt Set
Best PickBeauty by Earth is NAHA (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy) Certified. The NAHA certification ensures that the product does not contain chemicals, parabens or unnatural preservatives and was not tested on animals. Free of carcinogens, toxic ingredients and skin irritants found in many other tanning lotions.
Beauty by earth self-tanner naturally enhances your skin tone while moisturizing your skin with shea butter & cocoa seed butter along with natural plant extracts that leave you looking sun kissed all year round! This perfect shade will develop gradually to leave you with a healthy glow. You can build up the color intensity if you wish – just remember to apply daily for best results. Beauty by Earth’s organic sunless tanner penetrates your skin, while enhancing your skin tone for a natural looking glow. A special formulation of plant extracts combine to produce an even, deep golden brown tan without damaging the skin with potentially harmful UV rays.
Beauty by Earth is more than just a self-tanner but also doubles as a hydrating face & body moisturizer you can use daily! Formulated with shea butter and cocoa seed butter – which work together to hydrate and soften dry or dull skin leaving it silky smooth and soft to touch. Natural Jojoba Oil absorbs quickly into the skin and is packed full of vitamins and minerals essential for maintaining healthy glowing skin inside and out! This unique formulation also helps if you want to cover your stretch marks.
This product contains no harsh chemicals, dyes or parabens and will not stain your clothes or bed sheets. Beauty by Earth’s formula is designed to give you a natural looking healthy glow without the orange tint found in most other products on the market today.
Helps reduce signs of aging like wrinkles & age spots Contains antioxidants that protect the skin from free radical damage Provides deep hydration for dry skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema & dermatitis Made with organic certified ingredients derived from nature. So if you are looking for a best self-tanner to hide stretch marks then this product is for you.
Pros
- Easy to use
- doesn’t stain
- No harsh chemicals
Cons
- Not a Dark Tanner
Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion
Staff PickTanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion is one of the best self-tanner to cover stretch marks because it is said to be a “100% All Natural Sunless Tanning Lotion” which helps you achieve a natural looking tan within hours of application. The ingredients used contain no parabens or harsh chemicals, this product is made with 100% vegan ingredients. It’s made by an Australian Company called Nature’s Sunshine Products, they are the same manufacturer that makes all natural products for Pets under the name of NaturVet.
The scent of Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion is very pleasant and not at all overpowering which is good because some self-tanners have a strong chemical smell. The lotion itself has a creamy consistency that blends in easily making application painless and smooth. When applying the product let it dry off for about 3 minutes then showered off any excess that wasn’t rinsed by water alone. Your tan seemed noticeable within 1 hour of your shower and it continued to develop over the next 2-3 hours. Not only does Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion give you a rich natural looking tan but it also makes your skin feel soft and smooth because of its all natural ingredients.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Long Lasting
- Smells Good
Cons
- Without Gloves
Conclusion:
Now you have all the information about how to cover your stretch marks with a self-tanner and which product might be the best for this. So if you will follow the guide you will get the best results and you don’t need to look elsewhere because we cover almost all the important questions in our guide. If you want to know my opinion that which product is best to cover stretch marks then I will vote for Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion because it has all-natural ingredients and works best to hide scars.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Permanently get rid of stretch marks with self tanner?
Self tanner will temporarily cover up stretch marks with an orange tint that appears on your skin when the self tanner reacts with proteins in your skin. It can be a very temporary solution to stretch marks and shouldn’t be relied upon alone to erase them forever.
Can I hide my stretch marks with self tanner?
One way which will be considerably cheaper is the use of fake tan over your scars – this will cause them to blend into your skin tone much better than if you were naturally tanned.
