On TikTok, one video after another shows young women slathering their bodies with baby oil before going for a tan. The product looks soft, smells good, makes the skin glow beautifully, and supposedly promises a more intense tan in record time. Behind this viral gesture, a very real risk hides.
Originally designed to soothe the fragile skin of toddlers, baby oil is therefore completely diverted from its intended use. Formulated with fragrant mineral oils, it remains on the surface and contains no sun protection. This cocktail, presented as a shortcut to the perfect tan, nevertheless worries many specialists.
On TikTok, baby oil has become a false tanning ally
On the Internet, baby oil attracts all eyes: on TikTok, some users apply it generously before exposure and praise a faster, more intense tan. The treatment designed for babies becomes a beauty “hack”, recommended in the comments as a miracle tip for sunny days.
In reality, this practice is based on a misleading effect. By leaving a greasy film on the surface of the skin, the oil increases exposure to UV rays. No sun protection: the skin receives more radiation, which certainly intensifies the coloring, but also the severity of sunburns, a practice strongly discouraged by dermatologists.
Baby oil and the sun: the warning from dermatologists
Dermatologist Dr Massick clearly warns of this diversion. , declared the specialist, in the columns of Byrdie magazine. In other words, the feeling of heat can occur when the damage is already well established.
Still according to Dr. Massick, the use of baby oil promotes increased penetration of the most harmful rays: UV rays also accelerate the aging of the skin and can cause lasting damage.
Sunless tanning: alternatives to baby oil
To obtain a golden complexion without putting your health at risk, experts tend to opt for self-tanners. Some recent facial treatments rely on plant-based DHA, a self-tanning active ingredient of natural origin that creates a gradual and uniform tan, without exposure to harmful UV rays. , promises for example the Biotherm brand with its facial drops.
This type of product combines several advantages over baby oil used in the sun:
- it provides a visible tan in a few hours, without direct UV;
- it provides long-lasting hydration for supple skin;
- it protects the skin from sun damage and irreversible damage linked to UV rays.
Enough to show off a nice tan while preserving your skin, far from the false good ideas circulating on TikTok.
Baby tanning oil: does it protect from the sun?
No. Baby oil stays on the surface of the skin, contains no sun protection and does not filter UV rays. Used for tanning, it intensifies exposure to the sun instead of limiting it.
Why does baby oil make you tan faster?
The fatty film created by the oil increases the absorption of the sun’s rays. Tanning seems faster, but the skin also burns more easily, as Dr. Massick explains, with the risk of sunburn before you even realize it.
What are the risks of using baby oil for tanning?
Dermatologists point to faster burns, deeper penetration of UVA rays, which are more carcinogenic, and an increased risk of skin cancer. UV rays also contribute to premature skin aging and lasting damage.
What alternative to baby oil for a quick tan?
Self-tanners, particularly those based on plant-based DHA, allow you to obtain a gradual and uniform tan without exposure to UV rays. Some treatments offer a visible tan in a few hours while providing long-lasting hydration.
