The Best DIY Tanning Oil for Dry Skin!
If you are looking for a body oil that contains all natural ingredients and can be used to not only soften your skin, but also enhance your tanning process and give you a darker tan, then this post is for you! My homemade tanning oil recipe contains a beautiful blend of natural, plant-based oils and essential oils that is perfect for soaking up the summer sun! This is an easy recipe that you can make in seconds and use right away!
While getting my 20 minutes of sunlight the other day, my dry white legs literally blinded me. The babe from the beach is not present here! I realized that using a body oil in the sun would be an effective way to hydrate and nourish the skin. The heat will open up your pores and help moisture to penetrate deeper. Think about how a hot oil hair treatment works. Hair relies on heat to open the hair cuticle so oil can penetrate and replenish. The skin acts in a similar way.
The sun is out, the birds are singing and the HEAT is high! I’m ready to expose myself to the sun!! But first, making my own tanning oil is an absolute must! Today I am going to share my simple recipe that will help soften and hydrate dry skin while you are soaking up the sun this summer!
What is a tanning oil?
A suntan oil is a product that has a runny consistency and is often made up of ingredients that sit on the skin and give it an oily appearance. Tanning oils help achieve a dark tan because the oil draws the sun onto the skin and increases the skin’s absorption of UV rays. Not all skin types should use a tanning oil and those who do should use this product with caution.
When you anoint any kind of oil, whether homemade or store-bought, you risk sunburn. It’s important to pay attention to the time of day you use a tanning oil, as well as your personal skin type. It’s also a good idea to stop using tanning oils until you’ve achieved a solid base tan.
The benefits of sunlight and vitamin D:
On a daily basis, I try to spend small amounts of time outdoors. This helps keep vitamin D levels at an optimal level. Vitamin D is incredibly important for overall good health. Our body produces vitamin D naturally when we expose it to sunlight. You can also get vitamin D from certain foods and a vitamin D supplement, but the most effective way to increase your vitamin D levels is to get sunlight. Vitamin D is vital for boosting the immune system and fighting diseases, infections, and viruses.
A vitamin D deficiency can cause depression. That’s why many people get the “winter blues” and immediately feel better once the temperatures rise and they can reap the benefits of direct sunlight.
Vitamin D has also been linked to increased protection against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. It has been shown to help thyroid function also.
Vitamin D has also been found to help with skin health. It can help control skin inflammation and facilitate cell renewal, repair, and metabolism.
According This studio40-80% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D.
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:
- Osteoporosis
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Arthritis
- Immune disorders
- asthma
- Chronic pain
- Skin problems like psoriasis
- Developmental problems in children.
As you can see, it is very important to get vitamin D! The best way to increase vitamin D levels is direct sun exposure. Using an SPF will block your body’s ability to make vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Spending a small amount of time in the sun every day and without spf is vitally important! It turns out that small increments of time in the sun every day are the best and safest way to get a golden tan! Add a natural tanning oil and you really improve the health of your skin!
Why should you make a homemade tanning oil?
- Using a tanning oil will give you a more even tan. Reflects and distributes sunlight in all oiled areas.
- By using an oil, you will attract the sun to your skin and you will tan quickly. The other side of the coin is that you will also burn faster! A tanning oil can help you spend less time in the sun and still achieve a golden glow.
- Organic oils are very nourishing and repairing for the skin.
- Regular tanning oils contain harsh chemicals like fragrance, benzophenone-3, and liquid paraffin. Paraffinum liquidum is actually mineral oil. Mineral oil is a prominent ingredient in many tanning oils, as well as baby oil, and has been shown to clog pores, is petroleum-based, and non-eco-friendly. The ingredient list for a product like Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Oil is a mile long and most of them are pronounceable.
- Making a homemade tanning oil is one of the easiest homemade skin care recipes you can make. It’s as simple as mixing ingredients in a bottle, closing the cap, and giving it a good shake!
- Using a tanning oil will help improve skin elasticity.
The best oils for tanning:
While carrier oils are the perfect natural moisturizer, believe it or not, there are carrier oils that actually have a natural SPF! Whether these natural SPFs are really effective is controversial. I thought I’d list the oils that have an SPF in case you’re interested.
In this homemade recipe, I have chosen oils that contain SPF, however, you can use oils that you have on hand because while it feels like a little layer of protection to use oils with SPF, when we are sunbathing for vitamin D reasons, we don’t really You need the SPF, plus there isn’t much evidence to support that these oils provide enough SPF to provide enough protection that we can count on for prolonged sun exposure.
The oils I have chosen are for people with very dry skin. If you are looking for a lighter oil, you can choose hazelnut oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, jojoba oil, or grapeseed oil.
As for essential oils, I chose a blend of lavender oil, carrot seed oil, and sandalwood oil. Each has SPF possibilities, but you can choose your own favorite essential oils as long as you stay away from citrus oils to avoid photosensitivity.
Related Post: Homemade Tanning Oil with Bronzer
Oils with an SPF:
- Red Raspberry Leaf = SPF 28-50
- Carrot Seed Essential Oil = SPF 30-40
- Sandalwood essential oil = SPF 30
- Coconut oil = SPF 2-8
- Avocado oil = SPF 4-15
- Olive oil = SPF 2-15
- Lavender essential oil = SPF 6
- Macadamia nut oil = SPF 6
What you will need to make DIY oil tanning:
*my picture shows a spray bottle, but I have since found that the spray can clog and spray unevenly, so a pump bottle is the best option.*
Materials
- 1/4 cup red raspberry seed oil
- 2 Tbsp. Avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons macadamia nut oil
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- 5 drops of sandalwood essential oil
- 2 drops of carrot seed essential oil
Tools
- 4 ounce glass pump bottle
- Funnel
Instructions
- Add all essential oils, macadamia nut oil, and avocado oil to a 4-ounce glass pump bottle.
- Coat with red raspberry seed oil.
- Replace pump.
- Shake well.
grades
- Shelf life: 6 months-1 year
- Can be used as a body oil – no sun required!
- This tanning oil is for dry skin and doesn’t soak into the skin quickly, which is perfect for laying out in the sun, but if you want to make a lighter, more absorbable version, replace the avocado oil and macadamia oil with hazelnut, sunflower oil, sesame oil, jojoba oil or grapeseed oil.
- My essential oil picks are based on SPF. Essential oils are optional in this recipe. You can omit these or use whatever oils you prefer as long as they are not citrus oils.
Precautionary Tips!
- When using a new tanning oil, whether homemade or store-bought, always test it before spending any length of time in the sun.
- If you have a lighter skin tone or have fair skin, using a tanning oil is not recommended as it can speed up the effect of the sun on your skin. It is best to limit your time in the sun to the morning. If you end up getting too much sun, you can use an after-sun oil after you’re out of the sun.
- Because the oil won’t be completely absorbed, your skin will be “glossy.” This can actually draw the sun onto your skin and cause you to burn or tan faster.
- I absolutely always protect my face from the sun. Sun damage rears its ugly head in your 20s or early 30s, depending on your skin type. From then on, sun damage is very easy to acquire. Trust me this time. Hats and large sunglasses are a staple.
- If you are going to be in the sun for more than 10-20 minutes you should reapply your sunscreen every 3 hours. at least. Read HERE for more information. in sunscreens and SPF.
- Natural oils oxidize (lose some of their medicinal properties) over time and when exposed to light. Always store your oil in a dark glass bottle and I like to keep mine under my lawn chair or beach bag instead of out in the sunlight.
- Except Red Raspberry Seed Oil, most vegetable oils only protect against UVB rays. UVA rays are what age you so much do not use this oil to protect yourself during long hours of exposure to the sun.
- The shelf life of a sunscreen is approximately 6 months. An oil tan is about 1 year. Make sure you never use the same sunscreen for more than 2 summers! You are at great risk that the sunscreen will no longer work. As for oils, they can go rancid over time, especially if exposed to too much light. Don’t worry though, rancid oils have a very distinctive smell. You will know if your oil has gone bad.
- For best results, use high-quality ingredients. I have linked what I recommend. Your DIY is only as effective as the quality of your ingredients!
If you get an aloe vera gel for sunburn with a few drops of lavender it is very healing. I also have a prescription sunburn relief spray. To heal the face, chest or shoulder, manuka honey It is an excellent mask to heal and relieve. Let act as long as you want. I have written an article on the tremendous benefits of Manuka honey if you would like more information.
This homemade tanning oil recipe is perfect for achieving a natural glow. It can also be used as a body oil. It’s perfect for after a shower to lock in moisture.
Be good to your skin, it’s your largest organ!! LIMIT your time in the sun. NEVER allow your skin to burn and be sure to replenish your skin with a natural moisturizer afterwards.
xx, jenni