I was blessed with a glorious combination skin-type (sarcasm) and also some mild breakouts here and there. However, my skin just never quite does what I want it to do. Its generally fine, no one would say I have acne or even 'bad skin', I just don't like it! For instance, right now, it is perfect on 85% of my face, and then around hte left side of my mouth, I have a few flaky breakouts, and I swear, the more lotion I put on them, the more time it takes them to heal. The problem with this is: I would like to use face tanner, and do from time to time, especially the kind that builds up over time. I just am never quite satisfied with the results. If my skin gets dry, then the 'tan' flakes off in certain areas, so it looks sort of uneven at times. And, if I have a zit or a scab or a scar (I tend to pick things that aren't really there and make them worse), then it goes on darker over that area.
Is there anything that might work better for me? There are certain times of the month that my skin is flawless, but I never quite know what its going to do- it has a mind of its own. Id appreciate any suggestions!

What kind of self tanners have you used? Do you only want one of the lotions that gradually turn into a tan? And have you tried exfoliating over the rough, flaky areas?

Right now I use some sort of Hawaiian Tropics gradual facial lotion...works like a lotion and then gives you a gradual tan depending on how much you put on. Its OK. I also use Loreal Sublime all over, from time to time, but its greasy and it leaves me sort of orange if I put on too much (and I have tanner skin in general, so it looks really fake).
I exfoliate every day and moisturize, but when I say that my complexion has a mind of its own, it does. I can scrub a place that is dry- like right now, its right by my mouth, my jawline (for whatever reason it is dry, I dont know), and I'll put vaseline on it even, and I swear, 20 min later it is flaking or even cracking if I laugh too hard or eat a sandwich or something! Sometimes if I scrub too much, it will be bright red and sensitive for days! So I just never know what it is going to do.
I would prefer the ones that gradually turn into a tan, I'm just looking for something that can deal with my unpredictable skin and will look more even. I wish I had the baby's bottom type of complexion, it would be so much easier to just smear self-tanner all over it!

I use the Loreal Sublime too.. do you use the gel one or the cream? I use the gel before going to bed, but it doesn't really make me orange. I have pretty pale skin naturally.

Have you tried just putting some vaseline over the problem dry spots before the self tanner? Not to necessarily FIX them, since that never happens when you want it to :rolleyes: , but just so not as much tanner goes straight to that area! I would try that and hopefully it will come out smoother. What kind of makeup do you use? I would wear something over your face to even it out just in case it still doesn't go on even. I use Cover Girl Aquasmooth and it is pretty light and doesn't make my face go crazy! I also like Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse.. it's even lighter!

Also, you can always try a bronzer or a face highlighter to brighten up your face and not make it look uneven. They can make you more tan without collecting more in some areas and what not.

I use Bare Minerals and I love it. It makes my skin look flawless :) I put a little of that mineral veil over my imperfections and it typically keeps it looking non-existant. So as for makeup, Im pretty happy.
However, underneath, there are just some imperfections that can ruin the application of self-tanner. And my skin tends to get a lot worse during the winter- during the summer its usually fine. I use the gel stuff of Loreal Sublime, but I only put it on my face- maybe thats why I come out orangey, since its different than the rest of me! I just dont have the patience to slather the stuff all over me and then sit around naked and wait for it to dry! (plus i have white sheets). I also notice that it gets all over my pillow, even after its dried for awhile, so then my white pillow looks dirty!
Your idea of using vaseline might work- I actually never thought about that! I'll have to try that. :)

Oh wow that's no good about it getting on your sheets!! I always wear PJ's that I don't really care about and cover up my skin just in case of that.. and sometimes I'll put an old shirt over my pillow.. but it can be such a pain! How much do you apply? If I put on a LOT it can come out a lot darker than I wanted to, but if you just put a thin coat, maybe mix it with some moisturizer or a light lotion that won't make you break out, then put it on.. then it will make it not so intense and orange! This will probably also help it not get darker in the dry spots.