Top To Toe Tanning, All you Need to Know

Get your glow with a top-to-toe tan using our Self-Tan Drops and Mousse.

The great thing with these is that they’re interchangeable and can be used on the face and body.

The Drops are colourless, with no added fragrance and can be mixed with your moisturiser to get your best tan, while our Mousse is dermatologically approved for sensitive skin and has a deliciously tropical starfruit and logan berry fragrance and you can see the tan as you apply it with the Mitt. Both work with your skin tone and give you a bronzed glow, without exposing your skin to the sun, and you’re in control of your tan.

  • Develops in 2 hours
  • Quick-dry formula and no sticky feeling
  • No dodgy fake tan smell
  • Contains natural DHA which works with your skin tone to give your all-over, natural glow
  • Vegan, Cruelty Free, palm oil free – ethical beauty at its best
  • Enriched with essential nutrients from coconut water such as amino acids, sugars, vitamins and minerals to nourish and hydrate your skin
How To Use

The main difference with the Drops and Mousse is that you mix the Drops with your moisturiser or serum to apply, while the Mousse is applied straight onto your skin using the Mitt.

Drops:

Add 3-5 drops to your favourite moisturiser or serum and mix together well in your hand and apply to your cleansed and dry face and neck. If using on your body, mix well in your hand with your favourite body lotion to apply, again ensuring your skin is completely dry first.

The more drops you add, the deeper your tan, which works with your natural skin tone from paler skin right through to olive and darker skin tones.

Wash hands after application. Tan will develop in 2-3 hours and full colour can take up to 6 hours. Use as often as desired.

Mousse:

Get the best tan you can by first prepping your skin. By this we mean exfoliating and moisturising any dry patches before tanning, this will give you an even tan and glow! 

Pump the mousse directly onto the dry tanning mitt and apply to the skin in sweeping motions, making sure you cover all areas – you’ll see the product as you rub it over your skin, which makes this part much easier! Use it sparingly on your elbows, hands, knees, wrists and face for a natural-looking tan.

The tan will develop in 2 hours, after which you can rinse off the excess and pat your skin dry. If you want a darker tan, apply another layer.  You must use a mitt to apply the mousse, rather than bare hands. We find that the longer it is left on the deeper it goes. The great thing with this tan is it doesn’t smell of fake tan, or leave you feeling gross and sticky due to the quick dry formulation which means you can leave it on as long as you like, whether that’s during the day, or throughout the night, so you can wash off after 2 hours or leave on for longer. 

Things to be aware of when self-tanning:

Moisturise regularly to make the most of your tan.

Do not apply to broken or irritated skin.

Avoid contact with eyes, hair and fabrics.

Our self-tanning products do not contain any sunscreen, so we advise you to wear SPF with these.

No Palm Oil

Many skincare products list palm oil, or its derivatives, in their ingredients but we choose not to use it in any form in ours, due to its negative impact on the environment, habitat, animals and eco-systems.

There’s hardly a day goes by without reading in the press about deforestation for palm oil production and the fact that the very existence of orangutans is threatened because of this.

Many ingredients used in skincare include a derivative of palm oil, and it’s not always obvious that it’s been used. For example, some emulsifiers are sourced from either palm oil or coconut and the manufacturer of the emulsifier may not differentiate the source. We can confirm that no palm oil or derivatives of palm oil are used in any of our products.

Formulated Without

Drops:

Palm oil (including derivatives of palm oil)
Formaldehyde
Petroleum
Sulphates
Silicones
PEGs
Artificial dyes
Soy
Gluten

Mousse:

Palm oil
Petroleum
Silicones
Alcohol
Formaldehyde
Artificial dyes
Soy
Gluten
Phthalates
Synthetic dyes
Methylisothiazolinone
Parabens
Mineral oils
Toxins

Packaging/Material

Drops:

Frosted glass bottle - recyclable
Plastic pipette lid - recyclable

Mousse:

Container - 100% PCR plastic - recyclable
Pump - not recyclable
Lid - virgin plastic - recyclable

We have used 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic for the bottle. PCR plastic is plastic that’s already in the world – it might previously have been a water bottle or a milk carton, for example.

By using PCR plastic, it reduces the reliance on fossil fuels. The carbon footprint of manufacturing 100% PCR is 60% lower than virgin plastic.

PCR can be recycled and used again, and it reduces landfill dumping and reuses recovered plastics.

We are working closely with our manufacturing partner to offer refills of the Mousse with the idea that you keep the pump to reuse with the refill.

Mitt:

Velour (Polyester) - 70%
Sponge (Polyurethane) - 25%
TPU film (Thermoplastic polyurethanes) - 5%

FAQs
  • What’s the difference between using the Tanning Mousse over the Drops?

Our Self-Tan Drops mean you are in control of the colour you want to go and it is more of a gradual tan, whether that be a couple of drops mixed with your moisturiser for a little glow, or more for a deeper tan. They are also colourless and develop between 2-6 hours. You can use them on the face and body.

With our Tanning Mousse, it works in the same way and it still looks completely natural, but it is an instant colour and it takes you straight to a medium tan. If you prefer a darker tan, then double it up. It is a little different in the sense that you apply it with a mitt. It takes 2 hours to develop and then you can wash off any excess if you wish with warm water, leaving you with a glowing tan - the natural DHA only needs 2 hours to develop on your skin so you can shower after this. You can also see the colour when applying the Mousse. 

They both have the same principle – no sticky feeling, a quick dry formula, develops in 2 hours with a natural glow which works with your skin!

  • Can I use the Self-Tan Mousse on my face as well as body?

Yes of course, we’d recommend applying a small amount to the face. If you’d prefer to be more in control of your tan, then we’d recommend using our Self-Tan drops. With these you can use less drops for a little glow or add more for a deeper tan.

  • Can I use the Tanning Drops on the rest of my body?

Yes of course, just mix in as many drops as you’d like with your favourite body moisturiser and rub in well. Everyone's body size and shape is different, so it's hard for us to say how many drops you'll need. We recommend starting off with less and building up if you want a darker tan. 

  • Is the tan visible as I apply the Mousse?

Yes, you’ll be able to see where the mousse has been applied. We always recommend starting from the bottom and working your way up so that you don’t miss anywhere.

  • Can I use the Tanning Mousse and Tanning Drops while pregnant?

According to the NHS it's generally considered safe to use fake tan products during pregnancy. The active ingredient in fake tan - dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a non-toxic substance. It can’t penetrate further than the top layer of the skin and it is not absorbed into the body.  

  • How long will my tan last?

Generally, it will last about 5 days, but It really depends on a number of things, such as: your exfoliating routine; your skin type; and your individual cellular renewal – the older you are, the longer the cell turnover. 

  • Can I suntan whilst wearing Lucy Bee Tanning Mousse and Drops?

Whilst using a fake tan product, you can still tan naturally when in the sun. Fake tans do not produce a skin-protecting barrier like sunscreens, so tanning naturally can still occur. 

Please note these do not contain SPF or sun protection so it is important to also use an SPF.

  • How long does the Tanning Mousse take to develop?

It develops in 2 hours, and we find that the longer it is left on the deeper it goes. The great thing with this tan is it doesn’t smell of fake tan, or leave you feeling gross and sticky due to the quick dry formulation which means you can leave it on as long as you like, whether that’s during the day, or throughout the night, so you can wash off after 2 hours or leave on for longer. 

  • How long do the Tanning Drops take to develop?

They develop in 2-3 hours and full colour can take up to 6 hours.

  • What colour will I go?

It really depends on your skin type and how much of the product you use – the more drops or mousse, the darker the tan. We've added a few functional ingredients to gain a natural looking colour. The key one is erythrulose, a natural keto-sugar which takes part in Maillard’s reaction and leads to the formation of brownish polymers. It balances out the orange tones created by DHA (a colour additive), giving a deep, even and natural long-lasting tan.

  • What is the base colour of the Self-Tan Drops?

There are no green or orange base colours in the Self-Tan Tan Drops. The colour comes from how the DHA reacts with your skin & UV light. The colour is dependent on your skin, this means as it develops it will give a natural look and glow.

  • Are there other options  than medium?

Our medium tanning mousse and drops cover many skin colours. If you have fairer skin we recommend using less product. If you find you want a deeper tan after the initial layer then you can build it up with more mousse or drops.

  • How does fake tan work? What is the reaction that creates tanned skin?

Sunless tanners contain dihydroxyacetone- commonly known as DHA. DHA molecules combine with the amino acids in the top layer of your skin to cause a chemical reaction which forms brown-coloured melaninoids. It is well known as Maillard reaction.  

The individual cocktail of amino acids in the skin determines the tanning effect, that’s why each individual tans differently.  

  • What is DHA in skincare?

DHA is the standard self-tanning agent for all types of cosmetic products and has been the most common active agent used over the past 70 years. It is a solely natural reaction of DHA with the amines, peptides and free amino acids in a Maillard reaction (independent of UV rays) – this means it reacts with the top layer of the skin to tan. The benefit of using tanning mousse is that you can achieve a sun-kissed glow without damaging your skin with harmful UV rays.

  • When should I do a patch test?

When using any new product we recommend doing a patch test first. See here for how to patch test.

  • Will the tan transfer to my clothes?

Whilst the product is sinking in and working its magic it is best to wear loose clothing and avoid any lighter colours to reduce the risk of the tan transferring!  

  • What is the fragrance of the Tanning Mousse?

It has a tropical fragrance. 

  • Self-tanning versus natural tanning?

When you sunbathe, UV rays cause the skin to increase its production of the protective pigment melanin, which manifests itself as a tan. Tan is actually a sign of skin cell damage, which can increase the risk of skin cancer and accelerate skin ageing. Using a self-tanner is always a safer option than traditional sun tanning as it can give your skin a tanned look without exposing it to harmful ultraviolet rays. 

  • What is the small percentage of non-natural ingredients in the tanning products? 

This is preservatives which protect products from harmful microbial contamination, antioxidants and stabilisers. You can find most of these ingredients in nature and they are synthetized in the laboratory to get a pure and unique molecule. 

  • Why use Lucy Bee Coconut Water in the tanning products

Coconut water is a great water alternative with additional skin-moisturising benefits.  

  • Will the tan wash off in the shower?

The Tanning mousse and drops aren’t ia wash-off tan. Instead, your tan will slowly wear off over a few days – the exact number of days depends on your cleansing/bathing routine, your skin type and your own individual cellular renewal. Generally speaking, the tan will last about 5 days. 

  • Can men use this?

Yes, they can. They work with your natural skin tone and are designed to be unisex.

  • Why is it better to use a Mitt to apply the Mousse than using my hands?

Using a tanning mitt helps to make sure the tanning mousse is applied evenly and streak-free.

Also, our Tanning Mousse is visible as you apply it to your skin and develops a deeper tan over 2 hours. So, to avoid staining your hands, we recommend using a tanning mitt to apply the mousse

  • How do I clean my Tanning Mitt?

Rinse the mitt with warm, soapy water or machine wash on a warm setting. 

Leave it to dry naturally as it’s not suitable for use in a tumble dryer. Ensure the mitt is completely dry before using again.

Any staining on the mitt from the mousse is to be expected.

  • How do I stop my beard/stubble going orange?

Our Drops are great to use on your face and won’t make you go orange due to the way it has been formulated. If applying it directly to your beard or stubble, you could find that the natural DHA in the product builds up as it clings to the hair.

It’s super simple to use - start with a few drops and add more over the week if you fancy, and don’t rush it.

Lucy recommends getting a dollop of your moisturiser in your fingertips, add a couple of drops of the self-tan serum and rub it together using your fingertips.

Start by applying on bare skin/cheeks and not directly putting it on your beard or stubble. Once you have applied to the cheeks, under the eyes, forehead, nose, neck, back of neck and ears, use the reminder that is in your hands to blend into the start of the beard or stubble or gently glide over it, avoiding your eyebrows (you do not need to go over these). 

Once a week, we recommend exfoliating because this will remove dead skin cells and will help the tan to last longer. It also removes any unwanted tan, so that you can start again.

It’s a gradual, natural colour, so build it up and don’t overdo it! The colour develops after 2 hours with the full colour after 6 hours

Lucy’s tip: You can also use coconut oil or a barrier oil on your beard/brows/hair line, but remember this would need to be washed out so if you’re going out and about it’s not ideal as the tan takes 2-6 hours to develop and you don’t want to get your face wet during this time.

Ingredients

Drops:

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aqua, Dihydroxyacetone, Alcohol Denat, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Water, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Water, Xanthan Gum, Erythrulose, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite.

*95% natural

Mousse:

Aqua (Water), Dihydroxyacetone, Heptyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Erythrulose, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon Oil) Peel Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene, CI 14700 (Red 4), CI 19140 (Yellow 5), CI 42090 (Blue 1).

93% natural

Certifications

Our Self-Tan Mousse and Drops are certified

Vegan
Cruelty Free