How to Choose the Right Spray Tan Solution for Every Skin Tone

Choosing the right spray tan solution isn’t just about going “light” or “dark.” It’s about understanding skin type, undertones, and solution formulations so you can deliver flawless, natural-looking results every time.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, mastering this skill is what separates average results from custom, luxury-level tans your clients rave about.

Let’s break it down in a simple, actionable way.

How Color Theory Matters in Spray Tanning

Choosing a solution that isn't fit for the client's skin type or tone can lead to:

• Orange or overly warm results

• Ashy or dull-looking skin

• Uneven fading

• Client dissatisfaction

The right solution enhances your client’s natural undertone and skin type, creating a seamless, believable glow that looks like it came from the sun, not a bottle.

Step 1: Identify Your Client’s Skin Type

Skin type refers to how light or deep someone’s complexion is naturally. Estheticians and spray tan artists typically refer to the Fitzpatrick Scale to determine their clients' skin types so they can choose a DHA percentage and solution that provides the most natural results.

The Fitzpatrick Scale was created as a classification system used in dermatology and aesthetics to determine how different skin types react to UV exposure (sunlight). It helps professionals predict burn risk, tanning ability, and treatment outcomes, including spray tanning.

The 6 Skin Types

Type I (Very Fair)

• Always burns, never tans

• Often has freckles, red or blonde hair

Type II (Fair)

• Burns easily, tans minimally

   

Type III (Light-Medium)

• Sometimes burns, gradually tans

Type IV (Olive/Medium)

• Rarely burns, tans easily

Type V (Brown)

• Very rarely burns, tans deeply

Type VI (Deep/Dark)

• Never burns, deeply pigmented

Why It Matters for Spray Tanning

• Helps you choose the right DHA level

• Prevents unnatural or uneven results

• Guides how dark you can safely go

• Supports custom, client-specific tans

👉🏼 Pro Tip: Skin type determines how deep you can go, but the solution you choose can be customized even further based on their undertone.

Step 2: Determine the Undertone

Undertones are the secret to choosing the perfect spray tan solution if you want to create the ultimate customized mixture.

Warm Undertones

• Yellow, golden, or peach hues

• Veins appear more green

• Tan easily

Best solution base: Violet or neutral

✔ Helps balance warmth and prevent orange tones

Cool Undertones

• Pink, red, or bluish hues

• Veins appear blue or purple

• May burn before tanning

Best solution base: Green-based solutions

✔ Neutralizes redness for a balanced bronze

Neutral Undertones

• Mix of warm and cool tones

• Veins appear both blue and green

Best solution base: Neutral blends

✔ Flexible and forgiving for most results

Step 3: Choose the Right DHA Level

The percentage of DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) controls how dark the tan develops.

General guideline:

• 6–8% DHA → Light, natural glow (great for fair skin)

• 8–10% DHA → Medium, buildable tan

• 10–12%+ DHA → Deep, rich bronze

DHA should always be adjusted based on:

• Skin type

• Client preference

• Event timing or lifestyle

Step 4: Customize for the Client Experience

Spray tan artists who want to stand out from the crowd don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach.

Instead, they consider:

• Event (wedding, vacation, photoshoot)

• Desired depth of color

• Skin condition (dry, sensitive, acne-prone)

• Previous tanning history

This is where your expertise shines and where premium pricing becomes justified.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a solution based on how dark the client wants instead of what suits them

• Ignoring undertones if you want a more customized result

• Using the same solution or DHA percent on every client

• Oversaturating DHA instead of adjusting based on skin type

Final Thoughts: Create Custom, Not Cookie-Cutter Results

The key to choosing the right spray tan solution for every skin type and tone is simple:

👉🏼 Match the undertone first, then adjust depth.

When you master this, you’ll:

• Deliver consistently beautiful results

• Build client trust and loyalty

• Position yourself as a high-end, knowledgeable artist

And most importantly…

You’ll create that “what did you do differently?!” kind of glow your clients can’t stop talking about.

Want to Elevate Your Results Even More?

At X-Tan Sunless, we specialize in professional-grade solutions designed to help artists create custom, undertone-correcting results with ease.

Explore our range of solutions and start creating beautiful, consistent tans that are formulated for simplified customization.

Don't know where to start? Check out our Bronzite Sunless solution. Each option in this line was made with a neutral brown base, making it a universal choice that will look stunning on all skin types and tones. Plus, we went a step further. For artists who want to implement color theory into their business, we have incorporated Bronzite Drops to easily and quickly customize the base color of each Bronzite solution to complement and correct all undertones.

And if you still feel like you need to study up on color theory as it pertains to spray tanning, take our Skin Types & Solutions Masterclass!