Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the sunshine and work on that golden tan. However, store-bought tanning oils can be expensive and often contain chemicals that may not be ideal for your skin. Luckily, you can embrace a natural approach to tanning and enjoy a healthy, radiant glow by making your own tanning oil.
Homemade tanning oils are a natural, affordable, and economical alternative to store-bought products. They can help you customise ingredients to suit your skin type and preferences, ensuring a safe, natural, and effective way to achieve a beautiful tan. Another advantage of homemade oils is that they often contain beneficial nutrients that store-bought versions lack.
In order to get the best results, always test a small patch of skin for allergies before the full application of the tanning oil. Remember to exfoliate your skin before applying the tanning oil to ensure an even coverage and then apply a light layer of moisturiser to any dry areas before applying the oil to prevent uneven tanning.
Apply the oil generously and evenly. Reapply after swimming or sweating and periodically if spending a long time in the sun. You can start with short periods of sun exposure to avoid burning, gradually increasing your time in the sun as your skin begins to tan.
Here are some recipes for a natural and cost-effective tanning oil to achieve a sun-kissed glow all summer long:
Basic tanning oil:
This blend provides excellent hydration and a slight natural sun protection factor (SPF) from the carrot seed essential oil.
In a clean, dry bottle combine half a cup of coconut oil, a quarter of a cup of avocado, and olive oil. If the coconut oil is solid, gently melt it by placing the jar in warm water or microwaving it for a few seconds. Shake thoroughly to blend. Carefully add ten drops of carrot seed essential oil and five drops of lavender and tea tree essential oil to the mixture. Shake again to blend all the ingredients. Store the tanning oil in a cool, dark place when not in use to maintain its potency and prevent the oils from going rancid.
Moisturising tanning oil:
Avocado and sweet almond oils are deeply moisturising, while lavender and chamomile oils soothe the skin.
In a clean, dry bottle, mix half a cup of avocado oil and a quarter of a cup of sweet almond and jojoba oils. Shake thoroughly to blend. Add ten drops of lavender and five drops of chamomile essential oils to the mixture. Shake again to blend all the ingredients. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place.
Antioxidant-rich tanning oil:
This blend is rich in antioxidants, protecting the skin from free radical damage while promoting a healthy tan.
In a clean, dry bottle, combine half a cup of extra virgin olive oil and a quarter of a cup of grapeseed and wheat germ oils. Shake thoroughly to blend. Add ten drops of Vitamin E and carrot seed essential oils to the mixture. Shake again to blend all the ingredients. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place.
Light and nourishing tanning oil:
Rosehip seed oil nourishes and repairs the skin, while geranium and tea tree oils add a pleasant scent and additional skin benefits.
In a clean, dry bottle, mix half a cup of sesame oil and a quarter of a cup of fractionated coconut and rosehip oils. Shake thoroughly to blend. Add ten drops of geranium and tea tree essential oils to the mixture. Shake again to blend all the ingredients. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place.
Sensitive skin tanning oil:
This blend is gentle and calming, perfect for sensitive skin, with oils that soothe and protect.
In a clean, dry bottle, combine half a cup of almond oil and a quarter of a cup of apricot kernel and hemp seed oils. Shake thoroughly to blend. Add ten drops of chamomile and lavender essential oils to the mixture. Shake again to blend all the ingredients. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place.
Vitamin-infused tanning oil:
Argan oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, while rosemary essential oil invigorates and protects the skin.
In a clean, dry bottle, mix half a cup of avocado oil and a quarter of a cup of sesame and argan oils. Shake thoroughly to blend. Add ten drops of Vitamin E and rosemary essential oils to the mixture. Shake again to blend all the ingredients. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 18 July, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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