How to Use Tanning Drops

Tanning drops come in two formats — topical drops you mix with your moisturiser, and drinkable drops you add to a drink. The instructions for each are different. This guide covers both, step by step. Skip to whichever section applies to your product and follow it consistently — that's the whole formula. For the science behind how tanning drops work, the how do tanning drops work? guide covers that separately — we're keeping this one purely practical. If you have fair skin and need help tanning read our best tanning products for fair skin guide.

For a complete overview of all tanning drop types, see our tanning drops complete guide

How to use topical tanning drops — step by step

These steps apply to gradual tanning drops and any other drops applied directly to the skin:

1. Exfoliate before your first application. Dead skin cells cause patchiness — exfoliating 24 hours before your first use gives the drops an even surface to develop on. A gentle body scrub or exfoliating mitt is all you need.

2. Choose your base product. Tanning drops are a concentrate — always mix them with a moisturiser, body lotion, or face cream before applying. Never apply drops directly to dry skin without a carrier base.

3. Dispense your drops. Start with 3–5 drops per body section, or 2–3 drops for the face. More drops builds deeper colour. Begin at the lower end — it's much easier to add depth gradually than to reverse an over-tanned result.

4. Mix immediately in your palm. Add the drops to a generous pump of moisturiser and blend together before applying. Do not pre-mix and store — use immediately once combined.

5. Apply with long, even strokes. Work section by section — arms, legs, torso — and blend in circular motions at the joins (wrists, ankles, knees, elbows) to avoid visible lines.

6. Wash your hands thoroughly after each application. Palms and fingers absorb the drops differently and will develop a stained appearance if not washed immediately. This is the most common application mistake and the easiest to avoid.

7. Allow to dry fully before dressing — five to ten minutes is usually enough. Avoid tight or light-coloured clothing immediately after application.

8. Repeat every one to two days to build colour. Once you have reached your target depth, reduce to every two to three days to maintain it.

If you have fair skin or are using drops for the first time, the tanning drops for fair skin range is formulated for a more gradual, controlled build — worth considering if you want extra precision.

How many tanning drops should I use?

The answer depends on the area you are covering and the depth of colour you want. Here is a straightforward guide:

Always start at the lower end when using a product for the first time. Your skin's response to DHA varies — starting light lets you build to your preferred depth without ending up with a result that takes several days to fade. You can always add more on your next application; you cannot undo an overdone one.

How to use drinkable tanning drops — step by step

These steps apply to drinkable tanning drops and safe natural tanning drops. If you have any questions about the safety or ingredients of drinkable drops before starting, read our guide on are drinkable tanning drops safe? first.

1. Read the dosage guidance on your specific product before starting. All 2 Damn Dark drinkable drops include clear instructions — follow them precisely and do not exceed the stated daily amount.

2. Add the recommended number of drops to your preferred drink. Water, juice, or a smoothie all work well. Avoid hot drinks — heat can degrade certain supplement ingredients.

3. Take at the same time every day. Treating it like a daily supplement — same drink, same time — is the single most effective thing you can do for consistent results. Consistency matters far more than dose.

4. Give it time. Natural supplement-based drops work gradually. Most users notice a subtle warmth and enhanced glow developing after two to three weeks of consistent daily use. Do not increase the dose in an attempt to speed this up.

5. Pair with UV exposure for faster visible results. Drinkable drops work best as a complement to UV tanning — whether sunbed sessions or natural sunlight — rather than as a standalone replacement for it.

6. Switch to maintenance once you have reached your target tone. Every other day or every few days is usually enough to sustain the colour you have built.

Topical vs drinkable — which type is right for you?

Not sure which format suits you? Here is a quick comparison:

Both formats can be used together as part of a combined routine — topical drops applied on rest days between UV sessions, drinkable drops taken daily as a supplement. It is one of the most effective ways to maintain and build colour across a full week. The tanning bundles are the easiest way to try both formats together.

Tips for getting the best results from tanning drops

• Exfoliate before every topical application session — not just the first one. A gentle scrub every three to four days keeps the surface fresh and prevents the uneven fading that builds up over time.

• Pre-moisturise drier areas before applying topical drops. Elbows, knees, ankles, and wrists absorb DHA faster than the rest of the body — a light layer of plain moisturiser on these spots before you apply your drops-and-moisturiser mix helps keep the colour even.

• For fair skin: start with two to three drops per area and build slowly over several applications. Gradual building gives you far more control than starting heavy and trying to manage an uneven result.

• Do not shower for at least four to six hours after applying topical drops. Water interrupts the DHA development process and can cause streaking or patchiness. Evening application works well for most people.

• For drinkable drops: do not double up on doses if you miss a day. Simply resume your normal schedule the following day. More is not better — the supplement ingredients work cumulatively, not in proportion to each individual dose.

• Pair drinkable drops with sunbed sessions or natural sunlight for noticeably faster results. UV activates the pigmentation process that the supplements support — the two approaches complement each other directly.

• Aftercare makes a significant difference to how long your colour lasts. Moisturising immediately after every shower, using a gentle body wash, and avoiding long hot showers are all worth building into your routine. Our guide on how to preserve a tan covers this in full.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Applying drops directly to dry skin without mixing with a moisturiser first. Always mix first, no exceptions. Direct application leads to dark spots and uneven streaking that is difficult to correct.

• Using too many drops on the first application. Start light, build gradually. An overdone first session means living with the result for several days while it fades — a slow build gives you full control.

• Forgetting to wash hands immediately after applying topical drops. Stained palms are the most frequently reported tanning drops issue and entirely avoidable. Wash hands thoroughly within a minute of finishing application.

• Applying topical drops over existing fake tan or accumulated colour from a previous cycle. Wait for the existing colour to fade fully before starting a new application cycle — layering over old product causes uneven build-up.

• Expecting drinkable drops to work like topical drops. They do not — drinkable drops produce subtle, gradual enhancement over weeks. If you need rapid full-body colour, topical drops or UV-activated products are the right choice for that goal.

• Mixing topical drops with an SPF product in the same application. SPF can interfere with DHA development. Apply your drops-and-moisturiser mix first, allow to dry, and apply SPF separately on top if needed.

Which 2 Damn Dark tanning drops are right for you?

Here is the quick version:

• Gradual, buildable topical colour without UV needed — gradual tanning drops

• Fair skin that needs a gentler, more controlled approach — tanning drops for fair skin

• Inside-out natural supplement approach — drinkable tanning drops

• The most natural-feeling supplement option — safe natural tanning drops

• A combined topical and supplement routine — tanning bundles

Ready to get started?

Tanning drops work consistently and produce great results — the steps above are all you need to get there. Mix with a moisturiser, build gradually, stay consistent, and the colour follows. Browse the full drops range to find the right format for your routine, or pick up a tanning bundle to combine topical and supplement drops together from day one.