Challenge accepted! I’ve been encouraged to write this blog and share my research with you, the reader, technicians and/or users of tanning products (tanning foams, lotions and sprays) to help answer the question: “Why do fake tans turn green?”
I’ve always stated that Sundance the Designer Tan tanning products are NOT green based. The reason for not designing a green based tan is because green is not a natural skin colour and our company only creates a tan that appear so natural-looking, you won’t believe its fake!
There is a massive misconception from both technicians and users of tanning products that green-based tanning products counteract the underlying red-orange tones within the skin, giving the skin a more natural brown appearance. Furthermore, both technicians and users are of the belief that green-based tanning products would assist in counteracting the active ingredient in all fake tanning products – DHA – that can create red-orange tones. This is simply is NOT true!
Although the hair and skin are composed with the same keratin and proteins, the process for colouring hair compared to fake tanning skin to counteract red-orange tones are not the same. For example, when hair has too much yellow pigments, the counteracting colour to use is a colour of violet-based. When someone has ruddish (red) skin tones, the first thought is to use a green-based tanning product, right?…
Wrong! Using green colourants within fake tanning products is like placing a piece of green cellophane over the user’s skin and believing that the green cellophane will transition to a natural looking brown. The green colourants generally last up to 3-4 days, meanwhile the undertones become evident from the residual active ingredient within all fake tanning products, that being DHA.
The above picture shows 5 fake tanning samples used on blotting paper. Please note that all of these fake tanning solutions are newly formulated and unopened.
Starting from the left, each sample will be explained:
| Column | Fake Tanning name | Manufacturer | Application | Notes | |
| 1 | Natural Cool. Ultra-Dark 20% Natural DHA | Sundance The Designer Tan | Wet | The edges of the fake tan are already quickly dispersing, showing no evidence of green undertones. | |
| 2 | Natural Cool. Ultra-Dark 20% Natural DHA | Sundance The Designer Tan | Dried | Note that the edges of the fake tanning product are completely dry, showing no evidence of green undertones. | |
| 3 | Natural Cool. Ultra-Dark 20% Natural DHA | Sundance The Designer Tan | 1000/1 dilution | The edges of the fake tanning product are completely dry, showing no evidence of green undertones. | |
| 4 | Natural Warm. Ultra-Dark 20% Natural DHA | Sundance The Designer Tan | Dried | The edges of the fake tanning product are completely dry, showing no evidence of green undertones. | |
| 5 | Double Dark. 1 hour express pro spray mist. | Mine Tan | Dried | The edges of the fake tanning product are completely dry, showing evidence of green undertones |
This evidence proves that Sundance the Designer Tan tanning products do not have green undertones. This evidence shows other tanning products do contain green.
So, why do fake tans turn green?
There are a number of factors to consider towards the reason, why tanning solutions turn green.
Within tanning products:
- Companies formulate and market green based formulations. Green based tanning solutions become so widely & worldly acceptable, that green tan’s became requested?
- Oxidation of the active ingredient DHA within all tanning products occurs when it makes contact with air. This process is sped up when the lid is not placed on tightly and air can enter into the bottle of tanning solution. Oxidation will also occur when:
- fake tanning solution remains inside the spray gun canister,
- residual solution is left within the spray tanning gun, and
- unused solution is not disposed of or when the solution has been put back into the container, contaminating the original solution.
- To create the colour brown, you mix parts of red, blue and yellow. If fake tanning products are left in direct sunlight, the first colourant to dissipate is red. When you mix blue and yellow together, you get green. It is always recommended to keep all fake tanning products out of direct and indirect sunlight, storing in a fridge or a cool, dark cupboard.
- Most spray tanning formulations can last 6 months to 2 years dependent on preservatives, even when stored in the fridge or a dry cool cupboard. When spray tans have come to their used by date, they normally show a green colouration and the tan won’t develop to the depth suggested.
Within the body:
- The principal reaction that causes tanning products to work occurs between the DHA active ingredient and the amino acids present on the skin. This reaction is known as Maillard reaction resulting in melanoidin formations.
- One potential cause for poor activation of a fake tan is insufficient protein from a low-protein diet. Protein is absolutely necessary for the body to make amino acids. Because amino acids are not stored for very long, people need to eat enough protein every day.
- According to medical research, amino acids are strongly linked to hormone development. However, there is still insufficient evidence to establish whether hormones could create changes within the fake tanning solutions.
External Factors:
- Perfumes, deodorants, soaps and zinc creams largely contribute to fake tans turning green. Aluminium chlorohydrate and aluminium-zirconium tetrachlorohydrate Gly are the most frequent active ingredients in commercial antiperspirants. Aluminium-based complexes react with the electrolytes in the sweat to form a gel plug in the duct of the sweat gland. No matter how much a user believes they have washed/ removed these above ingredients from their skin, the fake tan solution will ALWAYS turn green if there is any residual present. I have provided a table below to demonstrate how deodorants, perfumes zinc creams effect the fake tanning result:
 |  |  |  |  |
| Image 1 | Image 2 | Image 3 | Image 4 | Image 5 |
Image 1: Male model. Ultra Dark 20% Natural DHA. Natural Cool 5 – Pre Spray Tan Formulation
Conditions: Applied a thick amount of Roll-on Deodorant, Deodorant spray, soaps, perfumes and zinc cream to the right arm.
Image 2: Male model. Ultra Dark 20% Natural DHA. Natural Cool 5 – Post Spray Tan Formulation
Conditions: Applied a thick amount of Roll-on Deodorant, soaps, Deodorant spray, perfumes and zinc cream to right arm.
Results: Immediately while spraying fake tanning solution, the spray solution turned bright green to muddy green on the deodorant sections, within seconds. The zinc cream did not change colour on the skin. The underarm pits immediately turned green.
Observations: Development of tanning solution proved deodorants reacted for a short time, remaining green. However, very quickly, the green residual dissipated. No evidence of green after washing off. The zinc cream acted as a barrier and the fake tanning solution did not penetrate to the skin’s surface.
Image 3: Male model. Ultra Dark 20% Natural DHA. Natural Cool 5 – Pre Spray Tan Formulation
Conditions: No application of Roll- on Deodorant, Deodorant spray, soaps, perfumes and zinc cream to left arm. However, there was overspray.
Image 4: Male model. Ultra Dark 20% Natural DHA. Natural Cool 5 – Post Spray Tan Formulation
Conditions: No application of Roll- on Deodorant, Deodorant spray, perfumes, soaps and zinc cream to left arm. However, there was overspray.
Results: The overspray of deodorants and perfumes appeared immediately as a problem. The zinc cream created a barrier for the spray tanning solution to penetrate to the skins surface.
Observations: Development of tanning solution proved deodorants reacted for a short time, remaining green. However, very quickly, the green residual dissipated. No evidence of green.
Image 5: Male model. Double Dark Minetan. – Post Spray Tan Formulation. This testing to was undertaken to compare our product with a different leading brand to establish what happens.
Conditions: Application of Roll- on Deodorant, Deodorant spray, perfumes to left arm.
Results: The use of deodorants and perfumes appeared immediately as a problem, turning green.
Post spray tanning testing before product removal demonstrating effect of skincare products on tanning solutions.
Preparation for spray tanning:
- Shower thoroughly for your pre tan. Ensure that all soaps, deodorants, creams etc are removed completely.
- Avoid application of deodorants, perfumes, powders or any other additional fragrances applied to the skin’s surface.
- Avoid moisturisers that may block the penetration of natural DHA to your skin. We have developed Hydrasoft Daily Moisturiser for pre fake tanning. Hydrasoft Daily Moisturiser is super light & absorbent and will not inhibit the penetration of natural DHA fake tanning active ingredient.
- Prior to the application of your fake tan, shave and gently exfoliate the skin’s surface ensuring that you focus on your knees, ankles, toes, elbows, heels and any other calcified or rough areas on your body. However, if you have sensitive skin, prepare 24 hours earlier to reduce any skin sensitivities.
- Most tanning applications are applied naked to reduce the effects of uneven tanning lines caused from underwear or other items of clothing. After the application of your tan, it is recommended that you wear loose style underwear (such as boxer shorts) or simply arrive/leave ‘Commando style’.
- Hydrate your body. Drink water, and then drink some more. Evidence shows that when we drink more water our skin changes for the positive.
- Moisturise your skin daily. However, on the day of your fake tan only moisturise your knees, ankles, toes, elbows, heels and any other calcified or rough areas on your body.
- Stay cool. Heavy perspiration can also react with the natural DHA, turning the fake tanning solution green.
- Avoid alkaline PH based soaps. Microfibre by itself is amazing for gently and effectively cleansing the skin without drying or irritating the skin.
- Wear loose-style clothing wherever possible. Anything abrasive against the skin is, well, abrasive.
- To reduce splash up, empty your bladder before the fake tan is applied and dry the areas thoroughly.
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