Q&A about A Hint of Summer
How do you apply self tanner? What can you do if you accidentally end up with tanning streaks? We've answered all the frequently asked questions to our self tanning series here.
A Hint of Summer is a series of certified organic self tanners that enrich your skin with a beautiful golden glow – without the sun's rays. The three variants, The Classic, The Lotion, and The Mousse, also nourish and add moisture with a high level of active ingredients. Get to know the three products here.
It all depends on the variant you choose.
A Hint of Summer – The Classic is self tanning drops for face and body; you simply blend with your face cream or body lotion/body oil.
A Hint of Summer – The Lotion is a self tanner and body lotion in one product.
And A Hint of Summer – The Mousse is a moisturizing body mousse with a self tanning effect to use over your lotion or oil.
Remember these three essential steps when applying A Hint of Summer.
1. Get the smoothest and most even result on exfoliated skin. Use a body scrub and/or face scrub before you start.
2. Moisture is key when applying self tanner. Before starting, make sure to generously moisture extra dry areas like elbows, knees and ankles. When using A Hint of Summer – The Mousse, we recommend nourishing your body with a body lotion or oil before applying the self tanning mousse, as this product doesn't provide the same amount of moisture as the two other self tanners.
3. Patience is everything when applying self tanner – it really pays off! Be meticulous and start from your feet in order to see where you have been. Allow the product to absorb before putting on clothes and continuing your day. You risk stains on your clothes if the product isn't fully absorbed. Follow this guide if the stains are already there:
1. Wet the stain with laundry detergent for colored fabrics and leave overnight – optionally in a closed plastic bag. This makes the fibers expand, allowing the discoloration to loosen.
2. Wash the clothes according to the care label.
3. If necessary, repeat the process 2-3 times.
Please note: We don't recommend laundry detergent with optical brighteners, bleach, or spot removers with OXI-effect, as these can worsen the stains making them more challenging to get out.
The series, A Hint of Summer, consists of the self tanning trio: The Classic, The Lotion and The Mousse. All three leave your skin with a beautiful and natural summer glow – but possess individual qualities and applications. The Classic is self tanning drops for face and body that you blend into your daily face cream and/or body lotion. The Lotion is a two-in-one self tanner and body lotion that nourishes your skin with an abundance of active, natural ingredients while a natural summer glow develops. The Mousse is an airy and moisturizing self tanning mousse to use over your body lotion or body oil.
Get to know the three different self tanners here and how to use them.
The A Hint of Summer series carries the Ecocert COSMOS Organic and Vegan Trademark certifications. Ecocert COSMOS Organic is the organic certification that safeguards the product's natural ingredients and level of organic ingredients – and your guarantee that ingredients are grown responsibly and with respect for the environment. The Vegan Trademark identifies that a product is free from animal ingredients.
A Hint of Summer doesn't carry the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, as the certification has been revised in regard to the DHA ingredient. Read more about it here.
Use the same amount of cream/oil, that you normally would; add 1-3 pumps for your face and 4-6 pumps for the body.
Apply the product to your face and/or body. Be extra careful distributing the product around your eyebrows (especially if you have fair brows), jawline, elbows, knees, ankles and hairline – optionally remove excess product with a damp cloth. Afterward wash your hands thoroughly. Allow for the product to fully absorb before putting on your clothes.
We recommend you use the same dose as you would applying your daily body lotion – optionally, a smaller application if you have a very fair complexion.
We suggest 2-4 pumps per body part but try it out for yourself – someone prefers 6 pumps per leg, whereas others are happy with 4 or fewer pumps. It's a matter of preference.
A Hint of Summer - The Mousse is our most intense self tanner product, providing the most notable result. Before using The Mousse, we recommend applying body lotion/oil to your skin – we have experienced this ensures a beautiful, smooth glow and the skin gets all the care it needs.
You can if you like, but it isn't necessary. Just make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after application. If you applicate your entire body, wash your hands between every body part, wash after legs and buttocks, stomach and back, and lastly, arms and chest. That way, your hands will not darken before you finish the application.
To create a fine and subtle transition to hands and feet, simply mix one pump of A Hint of Summer – The Classic with hand cream or body lotion. Apply without touching your nails; if necessary, wipe clean with a washcloth.
Maybe it's your first time using a self tanner, and you are a little anxious thinking about color intensity and potential streaking. But we can assure you; it's way easier than it sounds.
If you're unsure about the intensity of the color, test it on an unseen part of your body and see how the self tanner develops on your skin. This indicates the tanner's effect and will give you the courage to complete a full routine.
Fear not, if you experience streaks – believe it or not, this is solvable. Should you, despite of careful application, notice irregularities, there are easy fixes. A shower will naturally remove some of the color but will presumably not be enough. Instead, use a gentle exfoliating product and carefully and gently exfoliate the area. Afterward, the result will be significantly better. Also, remember to finish off with lots of moisture from creams or oil - this too will help get rid of visible streaks and patches.
A tip to erase patches or streaks is to rub the area with a cut lemon and wipe with a damp cloth.
Yes, that will work just fine.
The Mousse provides the most intense glow of all three self tanners, making it ideal should you prefer fast, visible results. In return, The Mousse treatment is more time-consuming, as we recommend moisturizing your skin with body lotion, before applying The Mousse – and because you need to concentrate on distributing the light foam evenly all over the body.
Some days you might want a little glow to your cheeks, and you'll want to go for the tanning drops in The Classic, as this product is the only one, we recommend for your face.
And sometimes, you want to combine your body treatment into one product, and you should reach for The Lotion. It's a two-in-one self tanner and body lotion, packed with natural ingredients that nourish, moisturize and strengthen the skin.
A Hint of Summer – The Classic is suitable for both your face and body, whereas we solely recommend using The Lotion and The Mousse on the body.
Yes, but some may find the product difficult to distribute evenly. You may want to do a patch test somewhere on your body that is not usually visible and await the results before you decide to use the drops on their own. Before applying the drops on their own, remember to moisturize the dry spots for a smooth glow.
The product absorbs quickly and isn't greasy or sticky. Wait until the product is fully absorbed into the skin before putting on your clothes to avoid staining.
A Hint of Summer leaves your skin with a gorgeous golden tone. The intensity builds upon your natural skin tone and varies depending on how many doses you choose to use. If you prefer a more intense tan, you can easily build it up by repeating the treatment in the next few days.
The Mousse provides the most intense glow of all three self tanners, making it ideal should you prefer fast, visible results.
It depends on the tan you wish to achieve. We recommend you build your tan gradually over a few days and pause the applications when you have reached the desired intensity. Repeat the routine when you want to refreshen the glow.
A Hint of Summer typically lasts for 2-3 days. After that, it's necessary to repeat the treatment.
Make your summer glow last longer and get a more even result if you thoroughly prepare your skin before application. Get the skin ready for a bronze summer glow with gentle exfoliation. Exfoliating the face and body helps boost cellular renewal and remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin with a smooth surface and enabling it to absorb the DHA molecule more easily. You can also maintain your beautiful A Hint of Summer glow for even longer by moisturizing your skin morning and evening.
Feel free to use A Hint of Summer year-round – anytime you like to pamper yourself with a golden summer glow. A Hint of Summer is especially fantastic for those first summer days when your legs see sunshine for the first time in months or if you want to make your holiday tan last.
Perhaps you're invited to a special event or party where you want a little extra glow. Either way, remember to build your tan gradually, if the invite says Saturday, start the treatment on Thursday – and preferably even earlier.
It varies depending on how your skin obtains and reacts to the tan molecule DHA. But typically, the tan develops within 2-6 hours.
Wait until the glow has fully developed before showering. The product will wash off if you shower just after application. Instead, wait the recommended 2-6 hours.
Sure you can! A Hint of Summer provides your skin with a natural tan that simply boosts your own skin tone – even if you're getting a tan from the sun's rays. A Hint of Summer is especially suitable for those first sunny days at the beach when you may dream of achieving a golden glow before it comes naturally from the sun. Just remember, the product does not offer sun protection, so you must always remember to use sunscreen when you are out in the sun.
We recommend using a sun care product from our sun series containing SPF 15, 30 and 50.
You can use A Hint of Summer - The Classic with any favorite skincare product. If you already have a favorite cream or oil, simply add the recommended dose to the product.
Both cream and oil give beautiful results to the skin. But it may require a little extra patience if you mix the product with oil. Since both oil and A Hint of Summer have a liquid consistency, it can be more difficult to ensure an even distribution of the product. Take your time if you are using oil and apply the mixture with long, smooth strokes across the body and make sure to carefully massage the mixture all over your face.
A Hint of Summer has a mild and delicate fragrance originating from the series' ingredients mixed with a hint of Rudolph Care's natural signature fragrance.
You can easily build a beautiful glow with A Hint of Summer, but be aware that it takes patience to achieve a deep, sun-bronzed tone. Start with blending the recommended number of A Hint of Summer - The Classic drops with your cream or oil – or apply the recommended dosage of The Lotion or The Mousse. The final tan intensity will be visible after 2-6 hours. Afterward, you can repeat the treatment as often as you wish.
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a naturally derived molecule found in plant, animal and human cells. Its self tanning effect is due to a tan building up on the outermost layer of the skin (the epidermis). DHA reacts with proteins, peptides and amino acids in the epidermis to generate golden polymers, called melanoidins, which lend the skin an even, golden tone. DHA is natural and plant-based.
A Hint of Summer doesn't carry the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, as the certification has been revised in regard to the DHA-ingredient. Read more about it here.
In order to avoid irregularities, it is important to prepare the skin before applying A Hint of Summer. Begin your treatment with a gentle exfoliation of both face and body to give your skin the best foundation for a smooth result. Açai Body Scrub, Açai Facial Scrub Mask and Exfoliating Soap for hands and feet is a great way to start your treatment.
Self tanner tends to settle and build up in dry skin areas. So it can be helpful to use a little cream or oil on dry areas such as elbows, knees and heels before applying A Hint of Summer. This will make it a lot easier to apply the product evenly ensuring the best result possible.
After applying A Hint of Summer – The Classic to your face, you can also prevent irregularities such as streaks, patches and edges by dabbing your jawline, eyebrows and hairline with a dry cotton pad to remove excess product. Be extra careful distributing the product around your eyebrows (especially if you have fair brows).
Apply the product with long, smooth strokes across the entire body to avoid streaks, edges and spots and be extra careful with the application on areas such as ankles, wrists, knees and elbows.
Hands and feet:
A tip to create an unnoticeable transition to hands and feet is to mix one pump of A Hint of Summer – The Classic with your hand cream or body lotion. Apply without touching your nails; if necessary, wipe clean with a washcloth.
Don't panic! Should you, despite careful application notice irregularities, there're easy fixes. A shower will naturally remove some of the color but will presumably not be enough. Instead, use a gentle exfoliating product and carefully and gently exfoliate the area. Afterwards, the result will be significantly better. Also, remember to finish with lots of moisture from creams or oil - this will also help eliminate visible streaks and patches.
A tip to erase patches or streaks is to rub the area with a cut lemon and wipe with a damp cloth.
The self tanner effect in A Hint of Summer develops on contact with your skin and generally adds glow to your skin only. But there is a small risk that the product can transfer some effect onto fabric. You can avoid clothing stains by allowing the product to fully absorb into the skin before putting on your clothes. We also recommend that you use A Hint of Summer in your night cream or oil, which allows the product to develop and absorb overnight so it won't stain your clothes the next day. You may want to place a towel over white or light-colored pillows to ensure that the product does not transfer onto your bedding. If staining does occur, follow these laundry instructions:
1. Wet the stain with laundry detergent for colored fabrics and leave overnight – optionally in a closed plastic bag. This makes the fibers expand, allowing the discoloration to loosen.
2. Wash the clothes according to the care label.
3. If necessary, repeat the process 2-3 times.
Please note: We don't recommend laundry detergent with optical brighteners, bleach or spot removers with OXI-effect, as these can worsen the stains making them more challenging to get out.
We recommend that you allow the product to absorb into the skin before continuing with your day and getting dressed. Optimal results are achieved by allowing the product to absorb for 20 minutes before putting on clothes. You can use A Hint of Summer overnight as part of your evening routine, so the product has time to develop and absorb into the skin. You'll wake up with a fresh, sun-kissed glow.