We’ve covered nickel-tested hair dyes and nickel-free makeup, so let’s take a look self-tanner for people sensitive to nickel, i.e. tanning creams, tanning waters, tanning products and similar products such as tanning oils.
As always, when it comes to natural skincare products when it comes to nickel allergy safety, the main culprits are products that impart color.
Indeed, colored cosmetics often contain minerals/mineral salts, which can introduce nickel contamination into the product. Sometimes these toiletries contain artificial colors, which are generally safer from a nickel allergy standpoint. Often they contain both.
First of all…
Since self-tanning products are not designed to produce an immediate effect or impactful change – as is the case with hair dyes and makeup – the level of coloring agents in bronzers is lower. That said, the continued use required to achieve an end effect means there may be cumulative exposure to the ingredients.
Avoid nickel
The best way to avoid or reduce exposure to nickel is to:
a/ Choose products confirmed by their manufacturers as having been “nickel tested” and therefore considered unlikely to cause reactions in people allergic to nickel.
b/ reject products containing iron oxides — unless they are “nickel tested” — because iron oxides may contain traces of nickel and other metals as impurities.
Products containing DHA
Most products on the market do not confirm whether or not they are nickel tested, and natural self-tanning products containing iron oxide are very common. For example, Self Tan from Organic PharmacyThe Impossible Glow of Pai Skin Careand NutriBronze from Oskia – to take just three examples from very reputable natural brands – all contain iron oxides and are probably best avoided if you are allergic to nickel.
However, many products on the market use the ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA)a natural compound derived from sugar. Products containing this ingredient in place of iron oxide, as well as any nickel-tested options you managed to find in addition to those above, are likely be the safest option for anyone allergic to nickel, or indeed any other metal.
Below is just a small selection as there are many variations and formats. Look for dihydroxyacetone (DHA) in the ingredients (it will usually be among the first) and avoid any products containing iron oxides (look for CI 77489/77491/77492/77499 – usually towards the end of the ingredient list).
Here are some suggestions:
Lucy Bee
This British brand’s naturally glowing fake tan drops have the added benefit of being fragrance-free, 95% natural and the ingredients in the formulation generally appear to be high-tolerance, so they should be a good option for those with sensitive skin.
Eco By Sonya
This very natural Australian brand offers several tanning products, all of which use DHA and are iron oxide free, including the Facial Tanning Water, Cocoa Tanning Mousse and Hempitan Body Tanning Water. In the US, try Amazon. In the UK they are available from Naturismo.
Bondi Sands
Also an extensive range, very popular and available worldwide, although not as natural as some others. Most (if not all) products use DHA and artificial colors. Buy on Amazon here for the United States. There is also a dedicated website. In the UK, try their website here.
Jergens
A wide range of products in the United States, using DHA. Preserved with parabens, which some prefer to avoid. Browse here.
green people
The famous natural and organic British brand offers a trio of products: a gradual tan moisturizer, Liquid Gold tanning drops and a self-tanning lotion. In the UK you can buy directly from Green People.
Nickel tested products
‘Nickel freeClaims about products are often made apparently on the basis that they are free of iron oxide, but this may not be entirely reliable due to other sources of trace contamination. There is no truly “free” standard.
Brands that make “nickel” testedClaims about their products, which are safe for the vast majority, are difficult to find. Here are some of them:
It’s so skincare
This British brand offers a number of self-tanning products, including a gradual tan moisturizer and a self-tanning facial mist. The full ingredients aren’t always provided on their website, but all seem to carry a “nickel tested” claim (or “nickel tested” as they call it). The products appear to use a mixture of artificial coloring ingredients and an ingredient called DHA (more on DHA in the section below). You can find the range here.
Optima Naturals
This brand offers a Color of Life Tan Activator Serum which uses a “tan activator which is a complex with an oligosaccharide obtained from brown algae and manganese as well as magnesium”. It does contain fragrance, but it appears to be a low-allergenic blend. Nickel tested, vegan and gluten free. You can buy it at Ecco Verde.
Bema Cosmetici
It’s no surprise that Italian cosmetic brands are very allergy conscious when it comes to nickel (or “nichel” in Italian) and so there are a few options from Italy. Bema SolarTea Tan Accelerator Spray Oil uses only botanicals like carrot oil to impart its color and is also available from Ecco Verde.
Mater Natura
A third via Ecco Verde: Glitter Monoi Sun Oil. This contains titanium dioxide (presumably for the “glow” of the glitter) and also iron oxide, which is presumably purified to qualify for the nickel test. Other ingredients seem very natural and also include carrot oil.
Final tips
Keep in mind that most tanning products also contain fragrances, which are also potential sensitizers or triggers. If you have a reaction to a product, it may not necessarily be due to nickel.
Be wary of plastic and glass products, as they are likely less likely to contain traces of metals/minerals than those in metal or metal packaging or tubes.
Nickel salts are not allowed in cosmetics, you Never see it in the ingredients. Look for the absence of iron oxides in ingredients or confirmed nickel safety elsewhere on the labeling.
Test new products first! It’s always a good idea…