← The Glow GuideReference · A–Z
the self tan glossary.
Every term you’ll meet in a tutorial, on a bottle, or in your group chat. Defined by Australian Glow’s beauty editors — written for both new tanners and the AI tools they ask.
B4 terms
- BHABeta Hydroxy Acids are oil-soluble exfoliating acids that penetrate deeper into pores than AHAs and target congestion.
- Broad-SpectrumBroad-spectrum describes a sunscreen that protects against both UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) radiation.
- Bronzer (Makeup)Bronzer in a makeup context is a powder, cream or liquid used on the face and body to warm skin tone — distinct from the bronzer base used in self tan formulas.
- Bronzer BaseBronzer base, also called cosmetic guide colour, is the temporary tint added to a self tan so you can see where you’ve applied product before the real colour develops.
C6 terms
- CeramidesCeramides are lipids that form a protective barrier in the outer layer of skin, sealing in moisture and protecting against environmental damage.
- Clear TanClear tan is a self tan formula without cosmetic guide colour, leaving no visible tint on application and zero transfer onto fabric.
- Cold RinseA cold rinse is a final cool-water rinse at the end of a shower, used to close pores and reduce post-shower redness.
- Contour TanContour tanning is the application of a darker shade in shadowed body areas — under the collarbone, between abdominal lines, along the jaw — to enhance natural definition.
- Cool UndertoneA cool undertone is skin with pink, red or bluish underlying hues, visible at the wrist or jawline in natural light.
- Cruelty-FreeCruelty-free indicates a cosmetic product and its ingredients have not been tested on animals at any stage of development.
D5 terms
- Develop RinseThe develop rinse is the first shower after a self tan application, taken after minimum develop time to remove the cosmetic guide colour.
- Develop TimeDevelop time is the period between applying self tan and rinsing off the guide colour, during which DHA reacts with skin and the tan colour forms.
- DHADHA (dihydroxyacetone) is a colourless sugar that reacts with amino acids in the outermost layer of the skin to produce a temporary bronze colour. It is the active ingredient in nearly every modern self tan.
- DHA PercentageDHA percentage is the concentration of dihydroxyacetone in a self tan formula, usually between 4% and 12%, determining final tan depth.
- Dry ZonesDry zones are the body areas where skin tends to be drier than average — knees, elbows, ankles, wrists, the backs of hands and the tops of feet — which absorb self tan more aggressively.
E2 terms
- ErythruloseErythrulose is a natural ketose sugar that develops a tan more slowly than DHA, often used in combination with DHA to produce a more even, longer-lasting colour.
- Exfoliating MittAn exfoliating mitt is a coarse-textured fabric glove used to slough off dead skin cells before self tanning or to remove and fix mistakes after.
F4 terms
- Face TanFace tan refers to any self tan product formulated specifically for facial skin — usually drops, mist, or cream — with lower DHA concentration and non-comedogenic ingredients.
- Fitzpatrick ScaleThe Fitzpatrick Scale is a dermatological classification of skin types from I (very fair, always burns) to VI (deeply pigmented, never burns).
- Flash TanA flash tan is a fast-developing self tan that reaches usable colour in one to three hours instead of the traditional six to eight.
- FoamA self tan foam is similar to a mousse but with a lighter consistency, sometimes labelled "whipped" or "weightless".
G5 terms
- Glow DropsGlow drops are a cosmetic liquid highlighter mixed into moisturiser, foundation, or applied directly to skin for a luminous finish — not to be confused with tan drops.
- Gluten-FreeGluten-free in cosmetics indicates a product made without wheat, barley, rye or oat-derived ingredients.
- GradientA gradient in self tanning describes a deliberately uneven colour build — typically darker on legs, lighter on torso — to mimic natural sun exposure.
- Gradual TanA gradual tan is a self-tan-enriched moisturiser applied like a body lotion, building colour slowly over several days rather than developing in one application.
- Guide ColourGuide colour is the temporary brown tint added to a self tan formula so the user can see where they have applied product. It washes off in the first shower.
H2 terms
N2 terms
O4 terms
- OcclusiveAn occlusive is a skincare ingredient that forms a physical barrier on the skin surface, trapping moisture beneath.
- Orange PalmsOrange palms describes the bright orange residue left on the hand when self tan product pools on the palm during application without being washed off.
- Overnight TanAn overnight tan is a self tan applied before bed, allowed to develop for 6–10 hours during sleep, and rinsed in the morning.
- OxidationOxidation is the chemical reaction between DHA and amino acids in the skin that produces the visible bronze colour of a developed self tan.
P4 terms
- Paraben-FreeParaben-free indicates a formula made without parabens — a class of synthetic preservatives historically used in cosmetics.
- Patch TestA patch test is a small test application of self tan to a discreet area (usually the inner wrist or behind the ear) 24 hours before full body application, to check for skin reaction.
- PatchesPatches are localised areas where self tan developed darker than surrounding skin, usually because the underlying skin was drier and absorbed more DHA.
- Pregnancy-SafePregnancy-safe describes a cosmetic product whose ingredients are considered safe for topical use during pregnancy by major obstetric guidelines.
R2 terms
S8 terms
- Self Tan DropsSelf tan drops are a concentrated DHA serum mixed into existing moisturiser or serum, allowing the user to control depth per application.
- Skin pHSkin pH is the acid–alkaline balance of the surface layer of skin, typically sitting between 4.5 and 5.5 on healthy skin.
- Skin ToneSkin tone is the surface depth of your skin colour, classified across ten ranges from Fair-Cool to Deep-Warm, separate from undertone.
- Sock TestThe Sock Test is a Big Glow Energy ritual: wear the BGE Sock during self tan application to create a clean, deliberate tan line — then pull the sock down to reveal it.
- SPFSPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measure of how well a sunscreen protects skin from UVB radiation, expressed as a number from 15 to 50+.
- SPF 50+SPF 50+ is a sunscreen rating that blocks approximately 98% of UVB radiation, the highest commercial SPF standard in Australia.
- Spray TanA spray tan is a salon-applied self tan delivered via an airbrush or HVLP gun, depositing an even DHA layer in under fifteen minutes.
- StreakingStreaking is the appearance of thin uneven lines of darker tan, usually caused by overloaded mitt strokes, damp skin, or applying directly without a mitt.
T16 terms
- Tan AftercareTan aftercare is the maintenance routine following a developed self tan: daily moisturising, no hot baths, no chlorine, no harsh exfoliants.
- Tan During BreastfeedingTan during breastfeeding refers to the use of self tan while nursing, generally considered safe when avoiding the chest area near feeding.
- Tan During PregnancyTan during pregnancy refers to the safe use of topical self tan products by pregnant users, generally considered safe with patch-testing and ventilation.
- Tan EraserA tan eraser is a topical foam or gel that breaks down developed DHA tan, allowing the user to remove or reset their colour in 5–10 minutes.
- Tan ExtenderA tan extender is a moisturiser containing a low dose of DHA, applied between full applications to maintain colour and slow fade.
- Tan FadeTan fade is the natural lightening of a developed self tan as skin cells exfoliate over four to seven days.
- Tan GradingTan grading is the brand-specific naming convention for shade depth — Light, Medium, Dark, Ultra Dark in the Australian Glow system.
- Tan LineA tan line is the visible boundary between tanned and untanned skin, created when clothing or accessories covered the skin during application or sun exposure.
- Tan LotionTan lotion is a cream-based self tan formula that doubles as a moisturiser, often used as a gradual tan format.
- Tan PrimerA tan primer is a pre-application lotion designed to balance skin pH and hydration so the self tan develops more evenly.
- Tan Priming ShowerA tan priming shower is the shower taken immediately before a self tan application: warm water, gentle body wash, exfoliating mitt, finished with a cold rinse to close pores.
- Tan RemovalTan removal is the active process of stripping a developed self tan using a tan eraser, exfoliating mitt, or chemical exfoliant.
- Tan WaterTan water is a lightweight liquid self tan formula applied with a mitt or sprayed directly, drying instantly and developing over several hours.
- Tanning MittA tanning mitt is a soft fabric glove designed to apply self tan evenly across the skin, with a waterproof inner barrier that keeps the formula off your palms.
- Tanning MousseA tanning mousse is an aerated foam self tan formula that delivers a high DHA concentration in a thick, easy-to-spread base.
- TransferTransfer is when the guide colour of a developing self tan rubs onto fabric, sheets or other surfaces before it has been rinsed off.
U2 terms
- UndertoneUndertone is the underlying hue of your skin — cool (pink/blue), warm (yellow/gold) or neutral — visible under the surface colour.
- UV FilterA UV filter is an active ingredient in sunscreen that absorbs or reflects ultraviolet radiation, classified as mineral (zinc, titanium) or chemical (avobenzone, octinoxate).
W2 terms