Since Coco Chanel walked the red carpet as a bronzed goddess in 1923, the desire for a golden glow has not declined over the past century. Conveniently around that same era, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the chemical known to produce a temporary tan, was accidentally discovered when it was spilled on the skin, producing a brown color. The spray tan industry soon came to life and flourished after the 1980s once the dangers of UV tanning became more known. Through advancements in DHA composition, modern spray tans no longer cause the unsightly orange tone, but yet create a deep depth of multiple bronze tones to compliment every skin type.

Awareness of skin quality, both preventative and corrective, has become a forefront of focus in the beauty industry. Modern professional spray tan solutions are now formulated with goals other than just a tan; they now focus on skin health, too. Methods of achieving a successful spray tan are through proper hydration and healthy skin texture. By treating the skin at the surface, the ingredients of the proprietary blends of modern tanning solutions help add longevity and improve color depth, resulting in tans lasting beyond just one week.

Many modern spray tan solutions of the highest quality are formulated with DHA that is Eco-Certified, which guarantees a high standard in manufacturing of products. Although DHA is naturally sourced mostly from sugar beets and sugar cane, at this moment there is no 100% certified organic DHA ingredient. By incorporating natural ingredients, products include components such as multiple plant extracts, making them cruelty free, vegan, and PETA approved. Because many designer sunless tan manufacturers are focusing on all natural, plant derived ingredients, many modern solutions also contain erythrulose, a sugar found in red berries, which works in a similar fashion as DHA. 

To address proper hydration, solutions contain a few different ingredients, including aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, and glycerin. Both hyaluronic acid and glycerin act as humectants to attract moisture deep into the skin’s surface, keeping the skin well hydrated as the spray tan absorbs into the skin for multiple hours. Aloe vera and coconut oil are well known for the multitude of benefits for improving skin’s suppleness, too. These ingredients are important in creating moisturized skin, as DHA alone can be drying.

Additionally, many modern spray tan solutions are rich in nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins, to combat aging skin and improve tone and texture. The most frequent antioxidants used are vitamin C and vitamin E, which aid in protecting the skin from free radical damage. Free radicals are one of the biggest culprits for tissue damage and aging. For antiaging and skin toning, vitamin A (retinol), caffeine and coffee extract each offer benefits such as boosting collagen production, tightening skin as an anti-inflammatory, and softening the skin by improving moisture, respectively. These are just a few examples of the beneficial components that are incorporated in the sunless tan.

Among the ingredients in the tanning solutions, options are also available to put specialized additive drops into the mixture before spraying onto the body, including nutrients, fragrances, and shimmers. The most popular additive at this moment is cannabidiol (CBD) oil. Society has become more aware of the numerous benefits of CBD, and its application on the skin for better skin quality is one of them. It helps to improve inflammation, pain, and the skin’s moisture. By adding this into the spray tan solution, the skin is able to absorb the CBD over several hours.

Conversely, certain ingredients are to be avoided in all spray tan solutions. These include parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and petroleum. By incorporating these fillers, the tanning solutions can cause skin irritation and inflammation.  Luckily, the improvements in spray tan solutions have been formulated to not include these detrimental ingredients.

In modern times, advancements are continually occurring to provide the best spray tan experience with the most natural results. The topical solutions of spray tanning bring so much to improve the skin’s health, not only by avoiding UV rays and skin cancer, but also feeling and looking better. Celebrities and models alike still follow in the footsteps of Coco Chanel’s introduction of tanned skin, but now they do it with the help of spray tans from qualified professionals. Focus on self care and take advantage of the safest way to a healthy glow.