We all want to look our best in the summertime, and that includes having a nice glowing tan. Many people use many different products to achieve this goal. Some people turn to lotions with SPF, some turn to spray tans, and others use self-tanning creams or other methods.
One product that is often overlooked as an option for tanning is Vaseline. Should you be using Vaseline for tanning? Yes! But there are a few things you should know about first before diving in headfirst…
What is Vaseline?
Vaseline is a petroleum jelly which has been made from the by-products of oil lamps. It is petroleum jelly which consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon chains that are products from crude oil.
What does Vaseline do?
Vaseline is used as a moisturizer for hair, face, nails and body. It can also be used as lip balm, makeup remover and for treating minor cuts.
Is Vaseline safe?
Vaseline is currently considered to be 100% safe when used correctly. However, if it is ingested by mistake, there are possible consequences such as vomiting or nausea. If you suspect that you have ingested some of the product (such as by licking it off your fingers), drink a glass of milk and call poison control.
Vaseline for Tanning
There’s a belief in the tanning business that Vaseline will help you tan more quickly, allowing you to make the most of a short period of time in the sun.
Vaseline, according to reports, boosts the UV radiation that reaches the skin and causes it to tan your skin more rapidly and intensely.
Should you apply Vaseline to your skin in order to tan?
No. Petroleum is used to make vaseline. It’s essentially grease. It’s a lotion that is used to hydrate the skin and can also be used as a barrier cream from time to time. However, if you want to prevent sun damage to your skin, you should avoid using Vaseline.
Tanning With Vaseline Is A Bad Idea
There is a myth that Vaseline will help you get tan faster, but in reality it can actually do more harm than good. Petroleum jelly blocks your pores and reduces the amount of oxygen getting to your skin, which limits the production of melanin—the chemical responsible for giving color to human skin. So it means that there are side-effects to using Vaseline for tanning.
Vaseline is Not Good for Your Skin, Why?
Mineral oils and various waxes combine to form a jelly-like substance in Vaseline and other petroleum jellies. The jelly’s petroleum helps it form a water-proof barrier on the skin and retain moisture.
- This petroleum-based product is excellent for moisturizing the skin, but it can harm the skin if utilized while tanning. As UV radiation reaches the skin, it is absorbed and amplified by the Vaseline. While this may appear to be the ideal method to acquire a tan quickly, it is in fact quite hazardous.
- Tanning in the sun has several risks, including sunburn and an enhanced chance of skin cancer, and applying Vaseline will only make things worse.
- When exposed to the sun, skin cells generate more melanin, resulting in a tan tone. As this tanning occurs, melanin is released into the skin. Melanin takes on its characteristic colour as it absorbs UV radiation, causing it to darken. When elastin (fibers in the skin) are exposed to increased UV radiation, they begin to break down, which leads to premature aging of the skin.
- Another disadvantage of using Vaseline in the sun is that it will almost certainly cause breakouts and irritation. Vaseline is a thick substance that will soak down and clog pores as it does so.
- Sweating and excessive oil in the sun are all factors that can contribute to breakouts. Those who have sensitive or acne-prone skin should avoid this product entirely.
Therefore, using Vaseline to tan is not an excellent idea.
Let’s Insist – How Can Vaseline Help With Tanning?
There are still a few methods, however, in which Vaseline can assist you with your tan; they simply don’t involve burning your skin in the sun.
If you want to self-tan at home, Vaseline is a good product to have. The oil in Vaseline (or any other type of petroleum jelly) can prevent your self-tanner from staining your face, hairline, and other out-of-bounds regions. Nails are particularly vulnerable to self-tanners, which will stain them if they aren’t protected. Vaseline is an excellent barrier lotion to prevent this from happening.
There are several tanning-specific barrier creams on the market, but Vaseline performs equally well if not better and costs less than half.
Certain tanning salons will also apply Vaseline to protect certain regions of the skin and body during a spray tan. If the experts are using it, it’s time for you to get up and use it too!
Soothing Your Skin After Sunburn
If you apply Vaseline to your skin before a sunburn and develop a sunburn, irritated, or painful afterward, you may be seeking methods to ease the discomfort.
Use SPF Sunscreen for protection – at the very least, use an SPF 15. This way you’ll decrease your skin damage and cut down on discomfort.
Use appropriate clothing – long sleeved shirt, long pants, hat and gloves/mittens. Use loose clothing that can cover you up. Apply any pain relief products – such as aloe vera, baking soda with water, ice packs.
Apply aloe vera – Aloe vera is a wonderful option for sunburned skin, as it has several healing properties. It has antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and provide a soothing effect, as well. Aloe Vera lotions, ointments, and creams assist to soothe the skin and calm peeling.
Keep your skin dry and avoid sweating – When you get out of the shower, don’t rub your skin dry. Dry your skin by gently patting it instead. Apply an unscented lotion or cream to keep your skin hydrated. To restore the moisture lost in a sunburn, you’ll have to apply moisturizers to your skin on a regular basis.
Cold compress is a good idea – To compress sunburned regions, dampen a clean cloth with cool water and apply it to the skin. Alternatively, you may take a shower or bath with water that has been just slightly cooled.
Hydrate all the time – Your skin dries out in the sun. To regain this hydration, you must drink a sufficient amount of water on a regular basis. It’s easy to become dehydrated in the sun, so keep a bottle of water with you at all times.
Stay away from the sun – The greatest method to speed up the healing of a sunburn is to avoid going into the sunlight until your skin has recovered. A sunburn on top of an earlier sunburn can be excruciating, not to mention dangerous.
What are the Alternatives To Tanning With Vaseline
As mentioned, there are so many skin care myths out there about how to get the best, deepest tan possible. One of those is using Vaseline as a way to apply self tanners bronzed color. There are so many reasons why you should not be doing this!
Where To Get A Good Tan Without Tanning or Risking Skin Cancer
There are safer alternatives to tanning with Vaseline. The things that you should be using are a good self tanner, a mitt and a dye free body lotion. By using these three items all together you could get the same look as someone who is going for the Vaseline method of applying sun-tanning lotions.
The Real Danger Of The Vaseline Method For Tanning
The real danger in using Vaseline is that it locks in the UV rays from the sun. This is very dangerous because you are actually tanning your skin layer right off of your body. If you do this too often, you will have no melanin shield to protect you against the harmful rays.
Your skin could then become cancerous or cause actual skin damage. This is something you should never risk your health over.
The Types Of Self Tanners That Are Best For Your Skin
When using self tanners, it is good to know what ingredients are in the tanning lotion. There are some that have chemicals that can be harmful to your body if used too often. There are some with ingredients that may make you itchy or give you a rash.
These kinds of self tanners should be avoided because they could cause damage to your skin with repeated use. The best type of self tanner is one that has no dye, and is not creamy in texture. This makes for the most even color with the most even application process.
A dye free body lotion that is good for the skin is also another must have with a self tanner. This will help to nourish your skin and keep it from getting dried out or feeling ashy, which many people experience with some other self tanners.
Tanning without Vaseline can be done safely if you know what you are using. If self tanners have been used before, only to cause skin damage or have given you a rash, try a new type of self tanner and use it with a dye free body lotion.
Finding The Best Vaseline Alternatives For Tanning
To find the best alternatives to tanning with Vaseline, one thing to do is read the label on self tanners. Those that are dye free and made up of good ingredients for your skin will be the safest choice. Remember to also get a body lotion that has nourishing effects when thinking about alternatives to Vaseline.
Let’s discuss a few alternatives:
Alternative #1: Spray Tans
If you are looking for something to use quickly, easily and with no mess… spray tans might be the answer. Find out what it takes to do good spray tanning (with no orange color) here . When your skin is craving some color, but you don’t want to risk damage or a rash from a self tanner, you have the option of using a spray tan. It can be done easily and without any mess or fuss.
Alternative #2: Airbrush Sprays
Another way to get some color on your skin is to use an airbrush spray. This is almost like a paint spritz and makes it easy to get an even tan without streaks or mistakes. Find out more about this here .
Alternative #3: Light Tanning Pills
Have you ever heard of light tanning pills? They are a great alternative to tanning because they work in a different way than self tanners. They have a natural bronzer that comes from an assortment of herbs and spices. Find out all about light tanning pills here .
Alternative #4: Sunless Tanner Lotion
Sunless tanner lotion is another good option for those who want to get color, but not the sun. A good option when looking for alternatives to Vaseline is a lotion that goes on evenly and with no mess involved. Find out more about sunless tanner lotions here .
Alternative #5: Bronzers
Another great option for alternatives to Vaseline is a bronzer. It will give your skin a sun kissed hue and can be used all year long. The best part about a bronzer? It is not permanent… Because it has no UV rays, you do not have to worry about any sort of damage from this kind of self tanner.
Alternative #6: Tanning Beds
Of course, if you want to get a tan from sun bathing or artificial light, there is always the option of using a tanning bed. Find out what else you can use in a tanning bed here . When it comes to alternatives to Vaseline when tanning, this may be your best bet if you do not mind having a lotion rubbed into your skin.
What To Do With Vaseline On The Skin
If you have extra Vaseline on the skin after applying a self tanner, wash it off with soap and water as soon as you can. Until then, use plastic wrap to cover the area so it does not rub off onto your clothes or bed sheets if laying down.
Using The Most Natural Way For Getting Tan
The best way for getting tan is not by using any kind of self tanner at all. The safest bet for acquiring the most natural color is through the sun. Next time you are sitting around wishing for some color, try sitting in the sun to get your next glow.
Conclusion
Vaseline is a good protector of the skin when used correctly. It can protect from any UV rays or streaks that may happen with other self tanners. If you are looking for alternatives to Vaseline when tanning, remember that it has its positives and negatives. Using Vaseline with a self tanner can be dangerous, but it will also keep your skin smooth and help you avoid any damage from the sun or other forms of artificial light.
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