Dreaming of starting summer with a perfectly sun-kissed glow but want to avoid the risks that come with traditional tanning methods? St. Tropez’s line of sunless tanning solutions gives savvy sun lovers a healthier alternative to achieving gorgeous, natural color without the risks of premature aging and skin cancer.

If you’ve tried sunless tanning in the past but got frustrated with uneven, streaky results, AST is here to help! Check out our tips for achieving radiant custom color sans the streaks with St. Tropez.

Preparing Your Skin

Just as you wash, moisturize, and prime your face before applying makeup, you must show the skin on your body a little TLC before using tanning products. The goal is to create a smooth, supple canvas free of dead skin cells and rough patches that lead to uneven application.

Around 24 hours before you plan on self-tanning, shave the areas you plan to treat, then follow up with Tan-Enhancing Body Polish and Exfoliator. This specially designed tan-enhancing formula is a gentle exfoliant suitable for all types of tan for a longer-lasting, streak-free, and flawless finish every time.

Then, you’ll want to rehydrate with a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. Focus on areas particularly prone to looking patchy, like elbows and knees.

Application

St. Tropez makes achieving a streak-free tan a breeze regardless of what shade you’re trying to achieve or which formulation you favor.

First, you’ll need the right tool to get the job done right: a Dual-Sided Application Mitt for a soft touch that ensures a flawless finish every time. It’s a must-have tanning essential that evenly distributes and blends your tan without staining your hands.

Next, you’ll need to choose your St. Tropez Tanner from the comprehensive product line at Advanced Skin Therapeutics. A few of our favorites include:

  • Self-Tan Classic Bronzing Lotion for the most iconic, natural, and healthy-looking tan. This lightweight lotion tailors to your skin tone while hydrating for a long-lasting, streak-free tan.
  • Self-Tan Bronzing Mousse Dark, a tried-and-tested tinted tanning mousse with a darker guide color to help with application and ensure you won’t miss a spot. As the mousse develops over 4-8 hours, it gives your skin an intense, deeply bronzed tan tailored to your skin tone.
  • Self-Tan Extra Dark Mousse gives you the deepest, darkest fake tan with a natural-looking and long-lasting 2-in-1 formula. This lightweight and hydrating tanning mousse allows you to choose the depth of your dark tan. Rinse off after just 4 hours for our iconic dark tan or after 8 hours for an extra dark tan.

When you’ve picked your perfect product, it’s time to get your glow on. Make sure your skin is clean and dry, then use your Dual-Sided Application Mitt to apply the self-tanner in a circular motion.

Use a lighter touch on areas that absorb more product, including the elbows, knees, hands, and feet. Applying a small amount of moisturizer to these spots before tanning is often helpful to achieve a more consistent coloration.

Once you’ve blended everything out, give the tanner time to dry completely and wait for the color to develop. With St. Tropez, you can customize how dark your tan is over 4-8 hours, only rinsing off the product once you’ve hit your perfect bronze.

End your self-tanning session with Luxe Tan Tonic Glow Drops for a natural, sun-kissed glow on your face. Designed to plump lines and reduce redness, this multi-purpose concentrate is infused with 100% natural tanning actives, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, echinacea, and acerola cherry extract, which is rich in Vitamins C and E.

Maintaining Your Tan

Are you going on an extra-long vacation? The best thing you can do to extend the life of your St. Tropez self-tan is to keep your skin hydrated.

While you’re away for a bit of R&R, there’s a good chance you’ll spend your days doing activities that strip moisture away, like swimming in chlorinated pools or sipping cocktails on a sunny beach, so you’ll want to be diligent and generous with your body lotion.

We love St. Tropez’s Gradual Tan Tinted: Daily Tinted Firming Lotion because it goes a step further in protecting your tan than standard hydrating creams. The formula’s tinting agents gradually build up your glow to mask faded spots while locking in moisture for up to 72 hours.

Maybe you’re taking a spontaneous trip and need a quick tan. Throw St. Tropez Self Tan Express Kit “The One Hour Tan” or Self Tan Classic Kit “The iconic Tan” in your carry-on bag for easy travel and transformation.

Last minute invite to an event? Keep St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer Medium/Dark on hand for an instant, smudge-proof tan for the evening.

Don’t risk your skin’s health this summer. With St. Tropez products and the experts at Advanced Skin Therapeutics, you can achieve radiant color without UV damage.