can coconut oil darken skin

12 Best Self Tanning Lotions for Sun-Kissed Skin Lovers

You’ve come to the right spot if you want to fake tan to achieve that coveted bronze glow without spending time in the sun or taking a trip. It can be exhausting to rush to the salon every time you want to add some color to your skin, but not with these solutions at your disposal. These self-tanners can give you the ideal glow that turns into the exact natural gold tan you want. These creams don’t alter the skin’s natural tone; instead, they give off an instant hint of luminous bronze. So, go ahead and check out our list of the 12  best self-tanning lotions.

Sun Laboratories Tan Overnight Self-Tanning Lotion

This lotion from Sun Laboratories is good if you want the longest-lasting, highest-quality self-tanner. Both the face and the body can benefit from this perfect tanner. For the best skin care and nourishment, it also has a fast-drying composition and is enriched with vitamins C and E. Finally, this self-tanner will help you get a deep shade and bronzed glow without streaks or mess. We promise that it will maintain the radiance and health of your skin. Spreading it evenly can be a little challenging, though.

M. Asam SUN Self Tanning Fluid

Next up is a flawless self-tanner that produces results that look natural and lasts for a long time. It has been expertly produced by the brand M.Asam with consideration for the demands of all women who desire gorgeous, honey-colored skin that has tanned. You can show off your summer-like tan all year round with this self-tanning fluid. The product’s promise to provide even and streak-free results within a few hours of application attracted users.

L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Water Mist

This is among the best sunless tanning lotions on the market. This recipe offered you a new glow that appeared practically soon after application, unlike other formulas that would have left your skin looking somewhat reddish or orangey. This face mist is designed to be spritzed onto a cotton pad and then swiped across the face, saving direct spritzing for the neck and decollete. Most self-tanning face mists are applied by spraying them on. Although this is a little annoying, in the end, it was rather beneficial because the formula has a guiding color that made it simple to see where we had applied it. Just remember to put it on your ears! When we first visited, we didn’t notice this place, which was really obvious.

Sol by Jergens No Wait Tropical Tan 

Consider SOL by Jergens as a tropical getaway for your skin. The foaming self-tanner mousse No Wait Tropical Tan is made to give you a quick, natural-looking tan that will have others wondering when you return from vacation. Formulated with a coconut water infusion and a tanning active made from natural sugars. A color guide is included with Sol by Jergens instant tanner to help you get a custom-made, instantly gorgeous hue. With only one application, the natural-looking tan is appealing, but it was evident that layering the mixture would result in a deeper glow. Seasons self-tanner enthusiasts agreed that its lovely flower aroma was superior to other solutions they had tried. The tan lasts for five days when it is fully set in.

Jergens Natural Glow Sunless Tanning Lotion

If you’re looking for a tanning lotion for tanning beds that works well on fair skin, this is for you. Even if the beach is miles (or months) away, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer for Body progressively adds subtle color by itself. Your natural skin tone will be enhanced in a few days if you apply at least once a day, and you’ll have a gorgeous, natural-looking color in about a week. In addition to moisturizing elements, antioxidants, and Vitamin E, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer for Body also keeps your skin nourished while enhancing its glow.

Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning Lotion

You have control over the tint of your tan thanks to the Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Lotion. With each application, it provides a subtle hint of color that progressively intensifies to the color you prefer. The tan appears realistic and natural thanks to this lotion. The darker the shade, the more often you apply it. This creamy lotion works well for daily usage and aids in color development in two to four hours. If you rub it all in, you’ll have orange streaks on your 

complexion, even though this is perhaps one of the best self-tanning lotions for fair skin.

Coppertone Glow Protect and Tan Sunscreen Lotion

With a water-resistant composition that lasts up to 80 minutes, Coppertone Glow Protect is a lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen that offers effective protection against UVA and UVB rays. With an SPF rating of 45, you can be confident that the lotion will provide your skin with adequate protection from damaging UV rays. Your skin feels nourished and soft all day because of the special combination of nutrients in this product, including vitamin E and aloe vera extract. For a tan that looks natural, it functions as a progressive self-tanner. Use caution as this may transfer slightly.

Tan Towel Self Tan Towelette Classic

In just a few hours, TanTowel towelettes with their clear self-tanning formula interact with your skin’s proteins and amino acids to create a healthy, natural sunless tan. Apply in circular motions to your body’s clean, dry skin; wash your hands right away. There are ten of them in a pack. The tanning formula is injected into each professional-grade fiber towel, blending with the skin’s proteins and amino acids to create a tan that is natural and devoid of sun exposure. The skin lasts over several hours. In one step, the towel tans exfoliates, and hydrates the skin. For a deeper tan, reapply the towel.

Golden Star Beauty Self-Tanner Lotion

Sensitive skin types can safely use Golden Star Beauty self-tanning lotion. Aloe vera, sugarcane extract, natural oils, and organic hyaluronic acid are added to help gradually darken the skin tone. Because it hydrates and nourishes the skin while shielding it from the effects of early aging, it is perfect for dry skin. The pregnancy-safe self-tanner has received multiple favorable reviews and provides a smooth, streak-free application without an artificial orange color. But for some customers, the unpleasant smell could be a touch off-putting.

Coola Organic Sunless Tanning Lotion

This all-natural sunless tanning lotion tightens, tones, and tans skin for summertime use. The pina colada-scented, transfer-resistant lotion creates a subtle, streak-free glow. Caffeine and hydrating shea butter are also included in the Ecocert-certified recipe to make skin appear smoother and firmer. To those who prefer somewhat strong-smelling goods, its tropical scent is amazing. Although it can be challenging to apply uniformly, this tanning lotion is nonetheless effective.

Australian Gold Gradual Sunless Lotion

The Australian Gold Gradual Sunless Lotion’s specifically formulated tanning mix results in a lovely tan. It produces a gorgeous tan without causing the typical UV and solar damage to the skin that occurs with a tan that is obtained organically. To create the ideal natural bronze tint, the product is enhanced with a combination of DHA and erythrulose, caramel, black walnut, and DermaDark bronzers. Its Fade-Defy Technology combines vitamin C-rich kakadu plum with skin-moisturizing shea butter to keep color vibrant for an extended period of time. While caffeine gives you energy, a combination of chamomile extract and vitamin B moisturizes and softens your skin.

VITA LIBERATA Advanced Organics Fabulous Self-Tanning Gradual Tan Lotion

You can use VITA LIBERATA’s Fabulous Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion as a daily moisturizer. It hydrates and moisturizes your skin while giving it a beautiful color. Aloe vera extracts that are 100% organic are added to the tanner to restore sun damage and calm and soothe the skin. This formula’s ingredients—natural silk, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin—restore skin health and fight and prevent indications of aging. Shea butter, papaya, and witch hazel, which are antimicrobial components, form a barrier to safeguard the skin from UV radiation.  It is suitable for all skin tones, even sensitive skin, due to its soft formulation.

Although people who prefer tanned skin don’t always agree with each other, spending lengthy hours in the sun and exposing your skin to UV rays can be your worst nightmare. Our selection of the top 12 self-tanning creams above will alter your life if you enjoy being outside in the sun but detest UV rays.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: HOW TO MAKE HERBAL LIQUID SOAP FROM SCRATCH

Making liquid soap from scratch once seemed daunting to me, but after trying it, I discovered it’s much simpler than it looks!

If you’ve already mastered cold process or hot process soap making, then crafting liquid soap is a natural next step.

This guide was originally part of my newest print book, The Big Book of Homemade Products for Your Skin, Health & Home. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, it didn’t make the final cut—so I’m sharing the tips and recipes here with you instead. Enjoy!

Liquid Soapmaking Tips

Before you dive into making liquid soap, here are a few key points to keep in mind.

YOU’LL NEED A DIFFERENT TYPE OF LYE:

One major difference between liquid soap and bar soap lies in the type of lye used.

Bar soap hardens thanks to sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which acts as the agent that turns oils into solid soap.

Liquid soap, on the other hand, is made by combining oils with potassium hydroxide (KOH). This type of lye is readily available from Etsy or online soap-making suppliers.

Keep in mind that potassium hydroxide purity levels can vary. My recipes are based on 90% purity, a common standard. If your bottle lists a different purity level, you can adjust your recipe using the Soapee calculator. Simply select Liquid Soap – using KOH and input the lye purity number in the first box.

CROCKPOT SIZE FOR LIQUID SOAP:

For this recipe size, I use a 4-quart crock pot (slow cooker), which I picked up at a local big-box store. Make sure to avoid slow cookers with non-stick or Teflon-coated interiors, as these materials can react negatively with lye.

SUPERFAT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN BAR SOAP:

Liquid soap differs slightly from bar soap in that it requires a lower superfat—typically no higher than 3%. A higher superfat may cause the soap to develop an oily layer.

YOU’LL NEED TO USE MORE WATER IN YOUR RECIPE:

When making liquid soap, the water amount is higher than in bar soap recipes. You’ll need roughly three times the weight of potassium hydroxide in water.

IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO DILUTE SOAP PASTE ONLY WITH WATER AND/OR GLYCERIN:

To ensure your liquid soap has the longest shelf life, dilute the finished soap paste with water or a combination of water and glycerin.

Avoid diluting with herbal teas or milk, as these can cause the soap to spoil more quickly—unless they were cooked into the recipe, like in the Calendula & Coconut Liquid Soap below.

OILS ACT DIFFERENTLY IN LIQUID SOAP THAN BAR SOAP:

When creating your own liquid soap recipes, remember that the choice of oils affects the soap’s consistency.

Using more olive oil results in a thicker soap, while more coconut oil creates a thinner soap.

For a deeper dive into how different oils impact liquid soap, check out this informative post on the Soapmaking Forum.

YOU HAVE LOTS OF HERBAL OPTIONS:

“There are many herbs you can experiment with beyond the ones listed in the recipes below. You can easily substitute them or omit them entirely, using plain oils and water in place of infused oils and herbal teas.

I’m currently working on a resource to provide more detailed options, but in the meantime, here are a few herbs and flowers you might consider exploring:

  • Chamomile
  • Plantain
  • Calendula
  • Dandelion
  • Sunflower
  • Violet leaf”

MY WAY IS NOT THE ONLY WAY:

First and foremost, it’s important to note that this is how I make liquid soap—it’s just one of many methods, not necessarily the best or only method.

There are many fantastic resources available for learning how to make liquid soap. Here are a few to get you started:

  • Soapmaking Forum (I frequently recommend this site; it’s an invaluable resource for soapmakers.) – Liquid Soap & Cream Soap Forum
  • Ultimate HP Soap – 30-Minute Liquid Soap
  • Wholesale Supplies Plus – Learn to Make: Liquid Soap From Scratch
  • Modern Soapmaking – Easy & Quick Tips for Making Liquid Soap Successfully

A quick search for ‘liquid soap’ on any search engine will lead you to even more helpful information!

Liquid Soap Making Overview

Step 1:
Weigh the oils for your recipe and place them into a slow cooker. Turn the heat to high. If you’re using milk powder, briefly blend it into the combined oils using an immersion blender.

Step 2:
Place the distilled water or cooled herbal tea in a stainless steel or heatproof plastic container. While wearing gloves and goggles, weigh out the potassium hydroxide and carefully sprinkle it into the water. Stir well. It’s normal for the lye solution to make a crackling noise when it’s first mixed.

Step 3:
Turn the slow cooker’s heat to low, then pour in the lye solution. Hand stir the mixture for about 5 minutes to ensure it’s fully incorporated. After that, begin blending with your immersion blender. Blend for 1 minute, then allow the blender to rest for a few minutes before blending again for another minute. Avoid running the motor continuously to prevent burning it out. It may take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to reach trace.

Step 4:
Keep the heat on low, cover the slow cooker with its lid, and check the mixture every 20 to 30 minutes. Stir with a heatproof spoon or spatula. The soap will start to darken and develop gel-like spots, with other areas separating into clear or cloudy liquid. This is completely normal—just stir everything back together, replace the lid, and continue cooking.

Step 5:
After 1 to 2 hours, the soap batter should become thicker and more concentrated. Continue cooking for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until the soap is glossy and resembles Vaseline, as shown in the photo. The total cook time for liquid soap may vary between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the temperature settings of your slow cooker.

Step 6 (Optional):
To check if the soap is fully saponified, you can perform an old-fashioned zap test to ensure there’s no residual lye.

To do this, scoop out 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of soap paste and allow it to cool to a safe, comfortable temperature. Mix the cooled paste with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of distilled water. Dip your fingertip into the diluted paste and taste it with just the tip of your tongue (don’t swallow the soap!). If it gives your tongue a zapping or electric feeling, the soap needs more cooking. If it just tastes like soap without any zappy sensation, the soap is ready. Be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly with cold water afterward.

If you’d prefer not to taste the soap but are still unsure, you can turn off the slow cooker, keep the soap covered, and let it sit for 6 hours or overnight to finish the saponification process on its own before proceeding with the next steps of the recipe.

Step 7:
Store the soap paste in covered jars if you want to dilute small amounts at a time. This method extends the shelf life of the undiluted soap paste, which can last for several years. If you choose to dilute the entire batch at once, the shelf life will be shorter. The pH of finished diluted soap typically ranges from 9 to 10.5, and because of its natural alkalinity, it generally doesn’t require a preservative for home use—provided it’s diluted with only distilled water or vegetable glycerine. However, those who sell liquid soap or prefer extra protection often add a preservative like Liquid Germall Plus. I personally don’t add preservatives to my soap, but it’s your choice.

Step 8:
To determine the starting dilution amount, weigh the fully cooked soap paste and multiply the weight by 0.2 (20%) to find how much glycerine you need. Then, multiply the weight by 0.8 (80%) to figure out how much distilled water is required.

For example, if your soap batch weighs 30 ounces (850 g), you would need 6 oz (170 g) glycerine and 24 oz (680 g) distilled water.
If you prefer to dilute a smaller amount, such as 4 ounces of paste, you’d need 0.8 oz (23 g) glycerine and 3.2 oz (91 g) distilled water.

If you don’t have glycerine or choose not to use it, simply substitute more distilled water in its place.

Step 9:
Combine the glycerine and distilled water in a deep stainless steel saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the soap paste to the boiling mixture, stirring gently to ensure the paste is covered by the liquid. Then, cover the pan and turn off the heat, leaving it on the still-hot burner. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally and mashing with a fork, spatula, or potato masher to break up any lumps.

Repeat the boiling and cooling process 1 to 2 more times, allowing the soap paste to dissolve completely. Don’t rush this step or stir too vigorously, as the process takes time. Leave the mixture at room temperature for 2 to 3 days, stirring occasionally, until the paste is fully dissolved.

Step 10:
To add fragrance, gently warm the soap one last time, but do not allow it to simmer or boil. Once the soap is warmed (around 100°F), stir in the essential oil. To calculate the right amount, use 1% of the total diluted soap weight. For example, if you have 8 ounces (237 ml) of diluted soap, you would use 0.08 ounces or about 2.4 ml of essential oil, which is approximately ½ teaspoon. You can also use EO Calc for more precise measurements.

Some essential oils, such as lavender, blend well into liquid soap, while others may cause cloudiness or separation. If this is the case, you might want to use a solubilizer to keep the essential oils mixed evenly. A future article will go into more detail on adding essential oils to liquid soap.

Step 11:
Pour the diluted soap into jars using a fine mesh strainer to catch any undissolved lumps. Let the soap sit undisturbed for several days so it can settle and clear. While the soap can technically be used immediately, giving it time to rest will improve its clarity.

Liquid Soap Recipes

Here are two recipes to kick off your liquid soapmaking journey. You can also check out the Dandelion & Honey Liquid Soap recipe already published on my site. Use the Soapee Calculator, the tips shared earlier in this article, and your creativity to experiment and create your own unique liquid soap recipes!

CALENDULA & COCONUT LIQUID SOAP

This soap captures the essence of sunshine in a jar, thanks to the bright yellow color from calendula flower-infused coconut oil. For added nourishment and appeal, I included a small amount of coconut milk powder in the oils, but you can also use cow or goat milk powder, or skip it altogether. Just keep in mind that milk powders should be used in small amounts for liquid soap to avoid scorching during the long cook time.

It’s important not to dilute soap paste with fresh milk, as it can spoil easily. For more on how to make calendula-infused oil, check out my article on Calendula Oil & Salve.

Yield: 60 ounces (1.7 kg) of diluted soap

Ingredients:

  • 13.75 oz (390 g) distilled water
  • 4.63 oz (131 g) potassium hydroxide (3% superfat)
  • 8 oz (227 g) calendula-infused coconut oil (40%)
  • 3 oz (85 g) castor oil (15%)
  • 9 oz (255 g) high oleic sunflower oil (45%)
  • 1/2 tsp coconut milk powder
  • Up to 6 oz (170 g) vegetable glycerine, for dilution (or more distilled water)
  • Up to 24 oz (680 g) distilled water, for dilution
  • Equal amounts of orange and grapefruit essential oils (see step 10 in the Liquid Soap Making Overview for how to calculate essential oil amounts)

Directions:

  1. In a stainless steel or heatproof plastic container, place the distilled water. Wearing gloves and goggles, weigh out the potassium hydroxide and carefully add it to the water. Stir well and set the lye solution aside.
  2. Weigh the coconut, castor, and sunflower oils into a slow cooker. Blend in the coconut milk powder using an immersion blender. Turn the heat to low, then pour in the lye solution. Alternate between blending with the immersion blender and stirring by hand until trace is reached.
  3. Keep the heat on low, cover the slow cooker with the lid, and check every 30 minutes. Stir with a heatproof spoon or spatula. Continue cooking for approximately 2 to 3 hours.
  4. Store the paste in covered jars. Follow the dilution and scenting guidelines in the full Liquid Soap Making Overview.

HEMP & PLANTAIN LIQUID SOAP

This soap combines plantain-infused coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and nourishing hemp oil for a truly unique blend. It’s lightly scented with lavender essential oil, though you can skip the scent for a more natural version.

Note: I used rich, unrefined hemp seed oil from Mountain Rose Herbs to give the soap a subtle green hue. However, hemp seed oil has a shorter shelf life, so it’s best to use this soap within 4 to 6 months. Over time, the green hue may fade to a brownish color, though the soap remains effective and fragrant. I’ve had a jar of this recipe for over a year, and it’s still good, but the color has changed.

Yield: 60 ounces (1.7 kg) diluted soap

Ingredients:

  • 13.75 oz (390 g) distilled water
  • 4.63 oz (131 g) potassium hydroxide (2% superfat)
  • 7 oz (198 g) plantain-infused coconut oil (35%)
  • 2 oz (57 g) castor oil (10%)
  • 6 oz (170 g) extra virgin olive oil (30%)
  • 4 oz (113 g) high oleic sunflower oil (20%)
  • 1 oz (28 g) unrefined hemp or avocado oil (5%)
  • Up to 6 oz (170 g) vegetable glycerine, for dilution (or more distilled water)
  • Up to 24 oz (680 g) distilled water, for dilution
  • Lavender essential oil (see step 10 in the Liquid Soap Making Overview for how to calculate essential oil amounts)

Directions:

  1. Place the distilled water in a stainless steel or heatproof plastic container. Wearing gloves and goggles, carefully weigh out the potassium hydroxide and sprinkle it into the water. Stir well, and set the lye solution aside.
  2. Weigh the coconut, castor, olive, sunflower, and hemp oils into a slow cooker. Turn the heat to low, then pour in the lye solution. Alternate between using an immersion blender and stirring by hand until trace is reached.
  3. Keep the heat on low, cover the slow cooker with the lid, and check every 30 minutes. Stir with a heatproof spoon or spatula. Continue cooking for approximately 2 to 3 hours.
  4. Store the soap paste in covered jars. Follow the dilution and scenting guidelines in the full Liquid Soap Making Overview.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, making your own liquid soap allows for creative freedom in selecting nourishing oils, natural ingredients, and essential oils to customize the formula to your needs. With the right ingredients, like plantain-infused coconut oil, hemp oil, or calendula, and careful attention to the cooking and dilution process, you can create a luxurious, natural soap that’s both effective and gentle on the skin.

By following the detailed steps provided in the soapmaking process—from creating the lye solution to diluting the soap paste—you’ll be able to craft a product that suits your preferences. Whether you want a soothing lavender scent, a bright, sunny color from calendula, or a gentle, unscented bar, homemade liquid soap offers a unique, customizable experience. Remember that patience is key, and each batch will have its own characteristics, including color changes over time depending on the oils used.

So, whether you’re making soap for personal use or as a creative gift, the process is both rewarding and satisfying. Happy soapmaking!