No matter how many times people tried to make pale fashionable, it seems a sun-kissed tan doesn't go out of style, but that wasn't always the case. Suntan used to be for the working class, while the upper class lived with the expectation of pale skin and hid under the hats and parasols.

Just like with every trend, the trendsetters are always the people who have confidence and don't care about society's current trends. In such a manner, Coco Chanel said f-you to the world, went out on a yacht in Côte d'Azur, and got a tan. Suddenly, tanning was the thing for the rich.

Everyone finally realized how flattering a tan is and the trend never left. Surprisingly, tanning products boomed only in the 80's. Of course, they did, that was when the world decided to destroy the ozone layer with the amount of AquaNet people used, so tanning beds and chemical products skyrocketed. Because, why would anyone care about skin cancer in the 80's?

Luckily, education about skincare rose and the deep dark orange tan is a thing of the past. What women around the world aspire to now is a natural glow, the kind of glow that happens, well, naturally. Olive oil has been a popular natural tanning product for a long time, but how safe is it to use it daily and is there a product out there better than olive oil for tanning?

Coconut Oil

The fatty acids in coconut oil help your skin and the oil itself contains light SPF. It's fantastic for people with sensitive skin and works great as a moisturizer. Olive oil and coconut oil are both fantastic for tanning, but olive oil will still give you a better glow, and like olive oil, it's best to use extra virgin coconut oil.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is another big name in natural tanning products because it's full of natural fatty acids that moisturize your skin. However, avocado oil is not as accessible as olive and coconut oil. Avocado oil can backfire on oily skin types too.

Aloe Vera

Minerals and vitamins in the aloe vera is a popular product in the beauty world because it works wonders for treating sunburns, but the oil converted from aloe vera gel helps achieve a tan too. Still, it is best used as burning prevention and an added touch to a different type of tanning oil.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is beneficial because it contains the antioxidant vitamin E, which is great to the skin. It’s also favorable in tanning oils because it increases your ability to develop the beautiful natural tan. You can use olive oil on your steak, in your salad, in your martini and on your body. How great is that?

How to Use Olive Oil For Tanning

In our previous post, we explained the safe way to use olive oil for tanning. To summarize - exfoliate, moisturize and use sunscreen. Never apply olive oil directly in the hot noon sun, but instead use it in the morning or the late afternoon. Use sunscreen! We can't stress this enough, olive oil is not a sunscreen replacement.

Here’s how to use olive oil the safe way:

apply Selo Olive Oil at home 30 minutes before stepping out
apply your sunscreen at the beach, preferably in the shade, and give it a few minutes to penetrate your skin
while in the sun, change position every 15 minutes
take breaks in the shade, more often in the beginning when your skin is still quite fair
use moisturizer after the beach

Effective DIY Olive Oil Tanning Recipes

Olive Oil and Coffee Grounds

1 cup used coffee grounds

1 cup of Selo Olive Oil

Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes

Apply the mixture with plastic gloves to prevent palm staining

Rinse with warm water

Olive Oil and Carrots

2 medium grated carrots

½ cup of Selo olive oil

4 tablespoons coconut oil

Mix all together, fry on medium heat, and stir the carrots until they reach a light brown color

Strain the oil out

Wait for the oil to cool down!

Apply before the beach

Olive Oil and Oranges

2 oranges

½ cup of Selo Olive Oil

An airtight jar

Peel the oranges and put them in the container with the oil

Make sure the olive oil covers the oranges

Keep it aside for 4 days in a cool and dark place

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Safe DIY Olive Oil Recipes For Tanning | Selo Olive Oil Blog