Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy!

If you’re a mama with experience of tanning in tanning beds or spending hours under the sun to achieve a bronzed glow, or have been made aware of all the nasties in traditional self-tanners, you’re likely now reevaluating your options.

Tanning beds and the sun are known to cause bad sunburns and the occasional skin cancer due to its UV rays. And now that you’re expecting a baby, you’ve got another life to be mindful of!

But just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you want to ditch the confidence a good tan can provide. It just means it’s time to change your method!

Self-tanners with naturally-derived ingredients like Naru Organics make it possible to achieve a safe, gorgeous tan that will leave people thinking you just returned from a tropical vacation.

Wondering if self-tanning products are safe to use while pregnant? Never fear, we’re here to give you all the answers. 

Bronzing While Pregnant: Exploring Your Options

Pregnancy and Tanning Beds

Now that you’re expecting, there are some changes you need to make to your tanning routine to protect your unborn baby, and one of those is making sure you take a close look at your traditional tanning routine. 

Extensive exposure to ultraviolet rays found in tanning beds and the sun are not safe for anyone, period. But more importantly, if you’re using a tanning bed, it can affect your baby.

The UV rays won’t necessarily penetrate your unborn baby as it does you, but anyone who’s used a tanning bed knows how hot those devices get.

Once your tanning bed starts to increase in temperature, it begins to raise your body temperature to a point where, if you’re in your first trimester, can be harmful to your baby. 

The increase in heat from tanning beds during your first trimester can cause some spinal damage to your unborn baby if you’re not careful.

Melanoma, a form of skin cancer that can develop from tanning beds, can also potentially be damaging to your unborn baby.

​So, while tanning beds can be relaxing and an option during the colder months, it’s not healthy for anyone and should be avoided while you’re pregnant, just like tanning under the sun.

If you are on vacation during the summer, don’t forget your non-toxic sunscreen while you’re tanning to limit your chances of sunburn.

You should also limit the amount of time you spend outside so as to not overheat your body and developing baby. 

Pregnancy And Spray Tans

You may feel tempted while you’re pregnant to get a spray tan due to its simplicity and lack of UV rays. 

Spray tans cause so many what-ifs while you’re in the booth, and there hasn’t been a lot of studies that show the effects of tanning this route while pregnant, which is why you should consult with your doctor.

However, there are basic health concerns when getting a spray tan while pregnant, which is breathing in the mist as you’re in the booth. Let’s be honest, there’s no way to know what is in those sprays, but it can’t be good.

Spray tans contain the same ingredient as self-tanners, DHA, which is meant to sit on the outer layer of skin, not inhaled. However, they may also contain dyes and other toxic chemicals. 

It is possible that your doctor may deem spray tans as a safe option as long as you wear a mask, but let’s face it, spray tans almost never turn out how you plan!

The best way to achieve a safe and gorgeous tan while taking care of your developing baby is to use a healthy self-tanning lotion that is free of dyes and gives you the golden glow you want!

Are Self-Tanning Lotions Safe To Use While Expecting?

Sunless tanning lotions, creams, bronzers, and mousses have become trendy over the years for many good reasons. The first is that it makes it possible to achieve a tan easily in the comfort of your home.

But now that you’re expecting, it’s important to know if this is a safe option for you. The short answer is yes! 

Self-tanning lotions are dermatologist recommended for safer tanning and since the active ingredient is not harmful, these products are totally safe for expecting mamas.

That’s because these products do not absorb in the bloodstream and only sit on the outer layer of skin.

However, most leading brands are not non-toxic. They can contain dyes that are banned in Europe, synthetic fragrances that are known endocrine disruptors, and other nasties that can have long term damage for you or your baby. 

Instead, we, of course, recommend Naru Organics self-tanner, which contains no toxic chemicals, artificial fragrances, or anything that can harm your baby. 

The only downfall to using our self-tanner while pregnant is that the application may get trickier later into your pregnancy when your belly begins to expand more!

How Do Self-Tanners Work?

Self-tanners work with the active ingredient DHA (dihydroxyacetone) that blends with the amino acids in your skin to create a darkening look that simulates a tan. 

DHA is a non-toxic FDA-approved synthetic compound that is completely safe for your skin and developing baby. 

Since self-tanners do not go any further than the first layer of skin, they usually fade within a few days if you do not continue reapplying. 

Adding a self-tanner like Naru Organics into your skincare routine will leave you with a flawless and radiant glow while you’re pregnant that will leave you feeling confident. 

Finding A Pregnancy-Safe Self-Tanner

When it comes to using a self-tanner while pregnant, it’s all about selecting a product that uses organic ingredients and is safe for you and your unborn baby. 

Granted, self-tanners do not get in the bloodstream or affect your developing baby, but your baby needs a healthy mama!

A lot of leading sunless tanning lotions on the market have chemicals and other ingredients that are not safe for your skin.

Naru Organics came on the scene to try and change that. We use organic ingredients that are natural and safe for all skin types to achieve a bronzed glow any time of the year.

We recommend one application for a basic tan, or two applications around four hours apart for a deeper tone!

Using Your Self-Tanner

When you first start using your self-tanner, you have to prep your skin in order for the product to work.

The first step in prepping your skin starts with your exfoliation process. You need to exfoliate your skin before applying your self-tanner so that the dead skin cells rub away and your skin is clean before use. 

While you’re exfoliating, you should shave at least a day before using your product so you don’t fall into the temptation to shave after applying the product and stripping off the tan. 

Once you’re out of the shower, do not apply the self-tanner right away. It may be tempting to do so for moisturizing purposes, but this can cause your tan to dry in streaks since your body is not completely dry.

When you apply your self-tanner to your dry skin, if using a traditional self-tanner (yuck!) do not apply with your bare hands! Use a mitt to avoid the burnt-orange residue we’ve all seen self-tanners leave behind!

(Note: Naru Organics self-tanner won’t stain your hands and doesn’t require use of a mitt. Sounds a lot easier, huh?)

Parts of the body such as your wrists, ankles, and elbows should be rubbed thoroughly with less product since these areas can cause build-up and appear darker and less natural.

You should rub your self-tanner in a circular motion since this is the best way to apply an even tan and reach all areas.

Once you’ve applied your tan, wait at least ten minutes before dressing. If you are putting on your tan before going to work, you should wear loose clothing so the tan can appropriately soak into the skin.

Also, give your tan 6-8 hours to dry before coming into contact with water of any sort.

This includes working out or doing any physical activity that will cause you to sweat since sweat can cause your tan to appear streaky. 

Let Naru Take Care Of You! 

Tanning while pregnant is not impossible. As an expecting mama, you will start to make changes for your unborn baby, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look flawlessly tan!

Naru Organics has a pregnancy-safe self-tanner to compliment your pregnancy glow, while keeping you and your baby safe.