10/02/2026
✨ Ask ID with Prof ✨
💬 The question
“I do not like wearing makeup all the time. During the week, I wanted a makeup-free solution, so I tried tanning drops, but they cling to my blemishes, and my skin looks worse. Any suggestions?”
✅ Prof Ralph’s answer
Prof Niki Ralph explains that this is a very common issue. Many people want a natural glow without wearing makeup, but facial tanning drops often do the opposite and can highlight uneven skin texture and imperfections.
Fake tan works whereby an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone, binds to amino acids in the top layer of the skin. This is the stratum corneum, made up of dead skin cells that shed daily. If the skin is not perfectly hydrated, tanning drops will cling to dry patches and make them more obvious.
This is especially noticeable if you have eczema-prone skin, healing blemishes, or areas of dryness. It can also settle into pores and sebaceous filaments, particularly around the nose, making them look darker and more visible.
✨ Prof Ralph’s recommendation
Prof Ralph’s preference is to avoid fake tan on the face altogether and instead use a tinted sunscreen to create a more even, healthy-looking tone.
Her go-to option for a makeup-free glow is UV Clear Deep Tinted. Even for fair-skinned Irish patients, it blends surprisingly well and gives a fresh, glowy finish.
It also contains niacinamide to help calm inflammation and support breakout-prone skin, along with hyaluronic acid for a more hydrated, dewy look.
☀️ Prof Ralph’s tips
✔ Avoid tanning drops on the face if you are prone to breakouts or have dry, dermatitis prone skin
✔ Use a tinted sunscreen for a more even tone
✔ Choose formulas with niacinamide for breakouts
✔ Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid
✨ Final word
If tanning drops are clinging to blemishes and dry patches, it is not your technique; it is how fake tan works on facial skin. A tinted sunscreen is often the most flattering option, giving you glow, protection, and a more uniform complexion in one step.
GlowySkin
