What they are:

Skin identical lipids found naturally in the outer layer of your skin.

What they do:

Reinforce the barrier, support moisture balance, and help create a smoother tan.

How they work:

Ceramides fill the spaces between skin cells to maintain barrier strength.

Why we use them:

Self tanning can leave the skin feeling a little dry as DHA develops. A supported barrier helps counter this dryness so your tan looks smoother and fades softly.

Skin compatibility:

Ideal for dry, sensitive, and barrier stressed skin.

What it is:

A lipid naturally present in healthy skin.

What it does:

Improves moisture retention and keeps the barrier flexible.

How it works:

Balances ceramides and fatty acids to maintain the skin’s structure.

Why we use it:

To replicate the natural lipid balance found in healthy skin.

Skin compatibility:

Gentle and suitable for all skin types.

What it is:

A skin identical lipid involved in natural barrier repair.

What it does:

Helps maintain balance, resilience, and overall barrier function.

Why we use it:

To complete the lipid matrix and support healthy skin responses.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive and reactive skin.

What it is:

A form of vitamin B5.

What it does:

Helps soothe, hydrate, and support overall skin feel.

Why we use it:

To maintain softness and minimise dryness during the tan development phase.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin.

What it is:

A moisture binding form of hyaluronic acid.

What it does:

Keeps skin soft and hydrated by drawing water to the surface.

Why we use it:

Hydrated skin develops colour more evenly and feels smoother.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for all skin types.

What it is:

A skin identical lipid involved in natural barrier repair.

What it does:

Helps maintain balance, resilience, and overall barrier function.

Why we use it:

To complete the lipid matrix and support healthy skin responses.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive and reactive skin.

What it is:

A gentle botanical antioxidant.

What it does:

Helps calm and protect the skin.

Why we use it:

To support the skin while the tan develops.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin.

What it is:

A gentle and stable form of vitamin C.

What it does:

At the level used in our Face Tan Cream, SAP helps support formula stability and offers light antioxidant support.

How it works:

SAP is used at higher levels for brightening. In tanning formulas, it is included at softer levels to keep the product balanced.

Why we use it:

To support overall formula quality while keeping the product steady on the skin.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin.

A note on trasparency:

Some formulas use SAP primarily as a preservative or stabiliser but promote it as a high level active. We do not do this. We are clear about its purpose and the level used.

What it is:

A classic hydration ingredient.

What it does:

Pulls moisture into the upper skin layers to maintain softness.

Why we use it:

Hydrated skin develops colour more evenly and fades without patchiness.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for all skin types.

What it is:

Light humectants.

What it does:

Draw moisture to the surface and keep the formula spreadable.

Why we use them:

To prevent dryness and create a smooth, easy application.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin and commonly used in daily skincare.

What it is:

A soothing botanical extract.

What it does:

Adds hydration and maintains a gentle skin feel.

Why we use it:

To support comfort during tan development.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin.

What it is:

A natural tanning active derived from sugar.

What it does:

Creates a temporary bronze tone by reacting with amino acids in the very top layer of the skin.

How it works:

The reaction is surface level. DHA does not penetrate deeper living layers.

Why we use it:

For reliable, natural looking, predictable colour.

Skin compatibility:

Well studied, widely used, and suitable for most skin types.

A note on hydration

DHA uses some surface moisture during the reaction, which is why skin can feel drier as the colour develops. Our lipid matrix helps counter this dryness for a smoother finish.

What it is:

Light humectants.

What it does:

Draw moisture to the surface and keep the formula spreadable.

Why we use them:

To prevent dryness and create a smooth, easy application.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin and commonly used in daily skincare.used in daily skincare.

What it is:

A soothing botanical extract.

What it does:

Adds hydration and maintains a gentle skin feel.

Why we use it:

To support comfort during tan development.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin.

What it is:

A natural tanning active derived from sugar.

What it does:

Creates a temporary bronze tone by reacting with amino acids in the very top layer of the skin.

How it works:

The reaction is surface level. DHA does not penetrate deeper living layers.

Why we use it:

For reliable, natural looking, predictable colour.

Skin compatibility:

Well studied, widely used, and suitable for most skin types.

What it is:

A natural tanning active derived from sugar.

What it does:

Creates a temporary bronze tone by reacting with amino acids in the very top layer of the skin.

How it works:

The reaction is surface level. DHA does not penetrate deeper living layers.

Why we use it:

For reliable, natural looking, predictable colour.

Skin compatibility:

Well studied, widely used, and suitable for most skin types.

What it is:

A soothing botanical extract.

What it does:

Adds hydration and maintains a gentle skin feel.

Why we use it:

To support comfort during tan development.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin.

What it is:

A natural tanning active derived from sugar.

What it does:

Creates a temporary bronze tone by reacting with amino acids in the very top layer of the skin.

How it works:

The reaction is surface level. DHA does not penetrate deeper living layers.

Why we use it:

For reliable, natural looking, predictable colour.

Skin compatibility:

Well studied, widely used, and suitable for most skin types.

A note on hydration: DHA uses some surface moisture during the reaction, which is why skin can feel drier as the colour develops. Our lipid matrix helps counter this dryness for a smoother finish.

What it is:

Light humectants.

What it does:

Draw moisture to the surface and keep the formula spreadable.

Why we use them:

To prevent dryness and create a smooth, easy application.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin and commonly used in daily skincare.

What it is:

A soothing botanical extract.

What it does:

Adds hydration and maintains a gentle skin feel.

Why we use it:

To support comfort during tan development.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin.

What it is:

A natural tanning active derived from sugar.

What it does:

Creates a temporary bronze tone by reacting with amino acids in the very top layer of the skin.

How it works:

The reaction is surface level. DHA does not penetrate deeper living layers.

Why we use it:

For reliable, natural looking, predictable colour.

Skin compatibility:

Well studied, widely used, and suitable for most skin types.

A note on hydration: DHA uses some surface moisture during the reaction, which is why skin can feel drier as the colour develops. Our lipid matrix helps counter this dryness for a smoother finish.

A note on PEGs: PEGs are often misunderstood in beauty. Concerns usually relate to contamination risks in poorly regulated manufacturing environments, not the PEG ingredients themselves. Cosmetic grade PEGs are purified, safe, and non irritating. We use PEG 5 Ethylhexanoate in low levels under strict quality standards.

What it is:

A soothing botanical extract.

What it does:

Adds hydration and maintains a gentle skin feel.

Why we use it:

To support comfort during tan development.

Skin compatibility:

Suitable for sensitive skin.

What they are:

Safe preservatives used widely in skincare.

What they do:

Prevent unwanted bacteria, yeast, and mould.

Why we use them:

To keep the product safe once opened. These preservatives are approved for use in both natural leaning and certified organic formulas.

Skin compatibility:

Used at low levels and suitable for sensitive skin.

What it is:

A protective stabiliser for DHA.

What it does:

Prevents unwanted colour shifts and keeps the tan tone consistent.

Why we use it:

To maintain formula freshness and ensure predictable results.

Skin compatibility:

Used at very low levels and does not affect skin function.

What they are:

Soft, skin friendly scent components.

What it does:

Provide a gentle fragrance without heavy perfumes or sensitising essential oils.

Skin compatibility:

Used at low levels and suitable for sensitive skin.

What it is:

A fruit derived pH adjuster.

What it does:

Balances the formula’s pH to keep it gentle and effective.

Skin compatibility:

Gentle and well tolerated. Does not exfoliate or disrupt the barrier at the level used.