6 Organic Homemade Sunless Self Tanners that Never Smells Bad Recipes

by katiem2

Get sun kissed glow with homemade sunless tanner that does not stink. DIY organic self-tanner works instantly is good for skin and smells good enough to eat.

Sunless tanners smell good at first, but after an hour or so, a very noticeable stench wafts around, making you sniff your pits and think, “Is that me?” The key ingredient in making commercial products work also causes us to smell horrible.

You think manufacturers would work this out, yet they have included an added scent, perhaps hoping to mask the odor. This makes the product smell good when first opened or applied, but later, the same embarrassing smell returns, causing you to wreak.

Well, no more; I have the solution using ingredients from your kitchen. This homemade self-tanner is organic, good for the skin, saves money, works instantly, and smells good from start to finish. You will smell delightful.

Why Self Tanners Stink

The Tell-Tale Smell of Sunless Tanners

The active ingredient in sunless tanners causes a chemical reaction when it comes in contact with the amino acids in our skin, ultimately creating that gorgeous glow. This process takes a bit of time and is also the cause of that terrible odor.

Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is responsible for the effortless glow and the unwanted smell. This awful stink will not disappear until you shower to eliminate the clingy odor, which is unsuitable for your fresh glow. Showering to eliminate the foul smell also removes the layer of skin holding onto the tan. It is a lose/lose situation.

Cosmetic companies make big money selling pricey self-tanners. These companies have been hard at work convincing us they have solved the stink problem. This is not true; the added scents geared to cover up the odor only mask it for a short time. There is no way around it: the key components in convenient self-tanner sprays, jells, and lotions are the reason they work and the reason they stink.  

You Have Two Options

  1. Risk the trademark stink using the new and improved odorless tanners.
  2. Make your homemade tanner that moisturizes, improves the health and longevity of your tan, and smells fantastic in your kitchen. 

Never Avoid Close Encounter Intimacy Again

The Solution to Stinky Self-Tanner Sprays, Jells and Lotions

The Real Odorless Self-Tanner

Staining our skin for an optimal glow should be good for us, and it can be. As a fair-skinned redhead, I was determined to come up with a solution and something that works better.

I did not want to settle for a lackluster option just for the sake of being odorless and healthy; no, I wanted something that was amazing. 

I discovered a way to make a sunless tanner that smells really good all the time and is good for the skin, with a luxurious tan occurring on contact.  

Homemade Self Tanner and Sunless Tanner

The Recipe for Homemade Self Tanner that Smells Good and Works Great!

This tanner is something you can whip up in mere minutes.  It is safe and organic, moisturizes skin, and adds a gorgeous glow instantly.  In fact, this homemade tanner can reduce the appearance of cellulite. 

This sunless tanner includes caffeine, a known ingredient that reduces the appearance of cellulite.  This amazing concoction also includes a well-known moisturizer that has many healthful benefits.

before after sunless tanner

Katie’s Pleasant Smelling Sunless Self-Tanner

The Two Simple Ingredients Sunless Tanner Recipe
  1. Prepare the Jar: Ensure your glass jar is clean and dry before use.

  2. Mix the Ingredients: Add 1 cup of organic coconut oil to a mixing bowl. Adjust the amount based on personal preference.

  3. Add Cacao Powder: Gradually add organic cacao powder to the coconut oil in the mixing bowl. Blend the cacao powder into the coconut oil until you achieve your desired color tone. The mixture should be thick, pasty, and dark.

  4. Transfer to Jar: Once the mixture is blended to your liking, transfer it to the glass jar using a spatula or spoon. This jar will be convenient for on-the-go tanning needs.

  5. Application: To apply the sunless tanning product, scoop a small amount from the jar and rub it onto your skin, ensuring even coverage. Massage the product into your skin for the desired depth of sun-kissed glow.

Tip:  You can warm the jar in the microwave for a few seconds before use for a warm oil hair tint treatment, making it versatile for multiple purposes.

Enjoy your customized sunless tanning product for a natural-looking glow!

 

Cacao Powder

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Cacao Powder
Cacao Powder

Island Fresh Organic Coconut Oil

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Island Fresh Organic Coconut Oil
Island Fresh Organic Coconut Oil

Homemade Coffee Self Tanner

DIY Coffee Grounds Sunless Tanner:
  • What You Need: Coffee grounds, unscented white lotion or moisturizer, cinnamon (optional).
  • Instructions: Mix coffee grounds with unscented white lotion or moisturizer until you achieve a paste-like consistency. Add a pinch of cinnamon to this homemade tanner for a richer bronze. Apply to skin and let it sit for about 30 minutes before rinsing off.

These homemade sunless tanning options offer natural alternatives to commercial products and can be customized to suit your skin tone and preferences. Before applying, exfoliate for best results!

Plastic Container Jars with Lids and Labels

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Plastic Container Jars with Lids and Labels
Plastic Container Jars with Lids and ...

Homemade Carrot Sunless Tanner:

  • What You Need: Carrot juice, natural moisturizer, or oil (coconut oil, almond oil, etc.).
  • Instructions: Mix carrot juice with a natural moisturizer or oil of your choice. Adjust the ratio to achieve your desired color intensity. Apply to skin and leave on for about 30 minutes before rinsing off.

Again, exfoliate before applying.

Cocoa Powder and Lotion Sunless Tanner:

  • What You Need: Unscented white lotion or moisturizer, cocoa powder.
  • Instructions: Mix cocoa powder with unscented white lotion or moisturizer until you reach your desired shade. Apply to skin and let it dry completely before getting dressed.

Turmeric and Yogurt Sunless Tanner:

  • What You Need: Turmeric powder, plain yogurt.
  • Instructions: Mix turmeric powder with plain yogurt to form a thick paste. Apply to skin and let it sit for about 20-30 minutes before rinsing off. Turmeric may temporarily stain skin, so be cautious and do a patch test first.

Homemade Sunless Self Tanner

Self-Tanner the Smells Good

How to Make Self Tanner Stick

Convenient Sunless Self-Tanner Stick

Follow these simple instructions to make a convenient tanning stick, great for travel or adding to a makeup bag or purse for quick touch-ups. 

  1. Add equal parts of homemade self-tanner to Bees Wax.
  2. First, melt the beeswax in a double boiler or in the microwave.  
  3. Once the beeswax is melted, blend it with the homemade self-tanner of your choice. 
  4. Lightly coat the inside of the plastic container lid with vegetable spray.
  5. Fill with the mixture, leaving enough room to insert the stick/lid.
  6. After the mixture cools, it will form a solid.
  7. Remove the lid to test consistency.
  8. If it is not firm enough, remove the product and repeat the process using what you've already made but adding more beeswax.
  9. This will vary depending on the climate where you live.


This can be used on the skin for touch-ups or tanning in general. It may take a bit of trial and error; have fun with it. You can even add body glitter if you want. 

DIY Tanning Sticks

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DIY Tanning Sticks
DIY Tanning Sticks

Bees Wax for Self Tanning Sticks

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Bees Wax for Self Tanning Sticks
Bees Wax for Self Tanning Sticks
Updated: 06/03/2024, katiem2
 
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Is The Stinky Smell of Self Tanners Worth it?

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DerdriuMarriner on 10/26/2024

This self-tanner is among my many favorites from your wizzley portfolio.

In particular, I like not only the self-tanner options but also the accessories such as the self-tanner stick.

But might there be a Katie DIY moisturizer to make sure of dewy, fresh complexions -- like the way you photograph ;-D -- between self-tanner applications?

katiem2 on 03/20/2017

Trinity, Thank you for the helpful and honest review of my homemade organic sunless tanning lotion. Glad you are now free of the terrible odor of store bought brands.

TRINITY on 03/20/2017

What a find I have tried every self tanner known to human kind and each and every brand stinks like a nasty arm pits after a few hours pass. Unfortunately I worried I may have something wrong with me. I would be out on a date or with friends and the embarrassing odor would creep up on me. I was going crazy trying to figure it out. I finally suspected sunless tanners and was right. I found your blog while looking for answers and you confirmed the source of my problem. I have been using your natural organic self tanner and love ito, your tan recipe is everything you promised and more
Thank you katiem2 you saved my life, my social life and mental well being...

katiem2 on 03/01/2017

DerdriuMarriner, I like the way you think and agree when it comes to achieving glowing skin

DerdriuMarriner on 05/05/2016

katiem2, Thank you! As far back as I can remember I've loved the scents of cacao and coconuts. This blend, with the cooled-down beeswax melt, is a completely fragrant, non-scary, pleasant alternative to the burned, freckled looks that being outdoors can give a fair-skinned lass ;-D!

katiem2 on 04/12/2016

lindylou2 and dustytoes, Thanks for commenting on the odorless homemade tanner

dustytoes on 04/12/2016

Very clever idea Katie!

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