Looking for a natural glow without the sun damage or toxic ingredients? This DIY self-tanning lotion is one of my favorite things to whip up when I want that little color boost, without going anywhere near a tanning bed or harmful sunless tanning lotions packed with chemicals. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, nourishing for dry skin, and gives you a beautiful, natural-looking tan that you can feel good about.
With just a few simple ingredients, this homemade tanner lets you skip the spray tan appointments and chemical-heavy products. It’s completely free from synthetic dyes, alcohols, and preservatives, making it a perfect choice for crunchy families who care about what goes onto their skin.
Why Choose a Homemade Self Tanner?
Let’s be honest – tanning beds are a thing of the past. With the risks of UV rays and skin cancer, more and more people are turning to sunless options. But commercial self tanners often come with a long list of mystery ingredients that can be irritating or drying.
By making your own, you control every ingredient, and your skin gets treated to nourishing goodness like coconut oil, shea butter, and even cocoa powder (which smells amazing, by the way).
This homemade self-tanning lotion is packed with natural ingredients your skin will love. Coconut oil is deeply hydrating and full of antioxidants, making it perfect for soothing dry or irritated skin. Shea butter adds a rich, creamy texture while nourishing the skin with essential fatty acids and vitamins.
Cocoa powder not only provides that beautiful bronzed tint but also brings a subtle, natural scent without any synthetic fragrance. And if you choose to add essential oils, you get the bonus of calming or uplifting aromatherapy benefits—completely customisable to your mood and skin type. Every ingredient is gentle, natural, and safe enough for even sensitive skin.
And here’s a little tanner tip: this recipe is customisable for different skin tones. Want a deeper tan? Add more cocoa. Looking for a golden touch? Try mixing in a bit of black tea or even steeped tea bags or coffee grounds as a DIY add-on for darker skin tones.
Some people even like using a hint of olive oil or aloe vera for added hydration and a silky finish.
DIY Self-Tanning Lotion Recipe
Follow along with this simple recipe to make your own diy self tanner.
DIY Natural Self Tanner
Whip up your own natural glow with this homemade self-tanner made from coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa powder — the perfect sunless tan for sensitive skin and crunchy families!
Materials
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons shea butter
- ½ tablespoon or more cocoa powder (or mica powder)
- 5 drops essential oil (optional—lavender, frankincense, or carrot seed are great choices)
Instructions
<ol><li>Whip up the shea butter until nice and creamy. 
</li><li>Slowly add in the coconut oil 
and mix until all combined. 
</li><li>Then, add in your cocoa powder or mica powder until the color is to your liking. 
and mix it well 
</li><li>If you are adding essential oils, add and whip one more time. 
</li></ol>
Notes & Tips
Cocoa powder gives a richer, deeper color compared to mica powder, and it’s a pantry staple in most natural homes. Your lotion will look darker than how it appears on the skin, so don’t worry, it blends out to a smooth, subtle instant tan. If you’re using this on dry skin, you’ll love the moisturizing benefits. Coconut oil and shea butter both contain fatty acids and amino acids that help to soften and repair the skin barrier.
This homemade tanning lotion is best applied after exfoliating (a quick rub with coffee grounds works wonders!) and can be reapplied every few days to maintain your color. Unlike many store-bought lotions, this version won’t streak or smell odd, just a light cocoa scent, especially if you skip the essential oil.
A Natural Alternative That Just Makes Sense
In the words of Coco Chanel, “A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.” Well, we’d like to update that for the crunchy era—“A woman who skips toxic tanners is ahead of her time.” Okay, maybe not as catchy, but you get the idea. Homemade tanning lotions are not just safer, they’re empowering. You get to create something natural, nourishing, and uniquely suited to your skin.
So skip the chemical spray tans and drugstore bottles full of who-knows-what. With this simple DIY, you’re not just getting a sun-kissed glow, you’re choosing health, self-care, and natural beauty the Crunchy Family way.
More Homemade Beauty Products to Try
If you loved making this DIY self-tanning lotion, you’ll definitely want to explore more natural beauty recipes. From homemade body scrubs to soothing lip balms and gentle face masks, these recipes are perfect for anyone who wants to pamper their skin without the chemicals. They’re fun, budget-friendly, and made with ingredients you can actually pronounce!
- Natural Sea Moss Sugar Scrub Recipe
- Homemade DIY Coffee Scrub for Acne (Face & Body)
- Simple Homemade Calendula Soap Recipe
- Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Curly Hair
- 18 Natural Remedies for Teen Acne That Actually Work
If you try this at home, let us know how it went! And don’t forget to share this post with a friend who might be searching for a healthier, homemade tanner option.
