Glow Science 101: How Our Solutions Interact with the Skin for a Natural Tan
Jul 10, 2025
If you’ve ever wondered how a flawless spray tan is possible without the sun, you’re in the right place. At X-Tan Sunless, we believe in science-backed, skin-loving formulas that deliver a natural-looking tan—and it all comes down to how our solutions interact with your skin.
Let’s break down the glow science behind our signature sunless solutions and explain how they work with your unique skin type to create a custom, streak-free tan every time.
The Active Ingredient: What Is DHA?
At the heart of every professional spray tan solution is DHA—short for Dihydroxyacetone. This plant-derived, FDA-approved sugar compound reacts with the amino acids in the outermost layer of your skin, called the stratum corneum.
This reaction is what causes the skin to gradually darken over 8–24 hours—without any UV exposure.
Key takeaway:
π DHA doesn’t stain or dye your skin—it creates a natural-looking tan through a surface-level chemical reaction. That’s why exfoliation and skin prep are so important before tanning!
Clean Ingredients. Real Results.
At X-Tan Sunless, we’ve formulated our solutions with clean, skin-nourishing ingredients that don’t just deliver color—they care for your skin, too.
Our formulas are:
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Vegan + cruelty-free
- Packed with botanical extracts and moisturizing agents like aloe, green tea, and hyaluronic acid
This means your tan won’t just look natural—it will feel amazing, fade evenly, and enhance your skin’s radiance for long after the tan-like appearance of your spray tan disappears.
Custom Bronzer Bases for Every Skin Tone
One size doesn’t always fit all—and your tan shouldn’t either. That’s why we’ve created a variety of sunless solution options with a neutral brown base that can be customized to help artists match every client’s undertone for the most flattering glow possible. With our Bronzite Drops, each Bronzite Sunless solution can be transformed to be green, red, or violet based to suit each client's need.
If the thought of using color theory in your business to enhance your client's experience gives you feelings of overwhelm, X-Tan Sunless is the right place for you. We've specifically formulated our Bronzite Sunless line to assist spray tan artists of all levels in incorporating simplified customization into their businesses.
Whether your client has cool, warm, or neutral undertones, we’ve got a solution that blends seamlessly and never looks orange or muddy.
Fast-Acting Options: Rapid vs. Traditional Tanning
We offer both traditional spray tan solutions (8–12 hour rinse) and rapid rinse tanning options (1–4 hour rinse) to fit any schedule or client preference. Rapid tan solutions contain a higher percentage of DHA, allowing for a quicker rinse and more convenient option—without compromising color depth or longevity.
Spray tan artists from all over the world have fallen in love with the versatility of our sunless solution options, such as Obsidian and Obsidian X, which provide the opportunity to use one solution as a rapid or 8-hour solution to achieve a variety of results for all skin types.
Pictured: Obsidian X
Why Skin Chemistry Matters
Every person’s skin reacts slightly differently to sunless tanning solution based on:
- pH levels
- Skin texture
- Moisture levels
That’s why our X-Tan Sunless Skin Types + Solutions Masterclass teaches artists how to properly assess the skin and choose the right base and additives for long-lasting, natural-looking results—every single time. This training is the key to feeling confident in creating custom sunless mixtures during every appointment.
Pro Artist Tip: Prep + Aftercare Make the Tan
Even the best sunless solution can’t do its job without:
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Proper exfoliation and skin prep before application
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Moisturizing and gentle cleansing after your tan develops
Our formulas are designed to work with healthy, clean skin—so we always recommend prepping the skin at least 24 hours in advance and avoiding heavy oils, deodorants, or lotions before application.
Ready to Glow the X-Tan Way?
If you’re a spray tan artist looking to deliver flawless, science-backed results, our X-Tan spray tan solutions are designed for pro-level performance with skin-first ingredients.
β¨ Shop our sunless solutions here »
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