If you love a golden glow but are keen to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, the chances are that you’ve used fake tan at some point.
Over the years, fake tans have evolved to provide a very realistic appearance when applied properly but one thing which can still be a problem is THAT smell.
No matter how good you look, if you have that distinctive fake tan odour hanging around your person, it’s impossible to ignore. But have you ever wondered what causes the smell? Here’s an insider’s guide to smelly fake tan and how to avoid it.
What Causes It
In the past, all fake tan had a very identifiable smell that would instantly give away the fact that your tan came out of a bottle. But modern formulas have become much more sophisticated and now there’s no longer that instant pong the minute you take off the lid.
However, there’s no denying that in some cases, even the most fragrant fake tan still emits the tell-tale smell as soon as it hits the skin.
DHA is the active ingredient in most fake tans and it’s what gives that desirable golden glow. It’s derived from sugar beets but the purity of the DHA can vary wildly.
Once on the skin, DHA reacts with the body’s own natural pheromones to create a scent which is different for everyone, just like a perfume. And that means that for some people, fake tan barely gives off a whiff while in others it can be downright stinky!
An Alternative
If you don’t want to run the gauntlet of wondering what the fake tan will smell like with every application, you could opt for Rio Tanning Tablets instead.
These tablets create a naturally bronzed appearance but don’t need the sun or UV rays, nor will you have to apply any messy creams. Just pop 1-2 pills per day and you’ll soon find that your skin turns a natural golden colour without any side effects at all. And even better, no smell!
To find out more, check out www.riotanningtablets.co.uk.
Tackling the Odour
If you want to persist with fake tan, there are two things you can try to combat the smell.
Firstly, be selective about the fake tan that you buy; generally, the better quality formulas contain a higher grade of DHA which shouldn’t be quite as unpleasant on the olfactory senses!
The second step is to take a look at your diet! Because the DHA reacts with your natural pheromones, you can change your own personal smell by altering what you eat.
The smell of the fake tan will depend at least in part on your own diet so changing your intake could make a considerable difference to the pong! This is obviously quite a drastic action but if you’re keen to carry on with fake tan lotions, this could provide the solution.
