Mystic Tan Reviews and Product Line Overview

Do a quick search on sunless tanners and you’re certainly going to come across the brand name Mystic Tan. They are one of the industry’s leaders and they have been providing sunless tanning products for more than 15 years.

They’ve supplied countless products for salon owners and even for at-home tanners. However, their product line has expanded, and it can be difficult to determine which Mystic Tan product is the right one for your needs, goals, and desires.

With this in mind, I’ve put together this Mystic Tan review article. It looks at the whole spectrum of Mystic Tan products and goes into detail considering how they work, how effective they are, and which formats will be best for which users.

 

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Mystic Tan Buyer’s Guide

Choosing which Mystic Tan product to buy is easy if you know exactly what you want. Mystic Tan has a varied product line, similar to Body Drench which we looked at here.

In this buyer’s guide, we’ll help you decide by showing you what the brand has to offer by comparing Mystic’s product line. But before we go into detail about their differences, let’s first discuss their similarities.

DHA and Erythrulose

Sunless tanners all contain an active ingredient that changes the skin color. With Mystic Tan self-tanning products, a combination of DHA and Erythrulose is used.

DHA or dihydroxyacetone is a common ingredient among all other self-tanners or spray tan solutions. Commonly sourced from beets and sugar cane, this ingredient goes through a Maillard reaction with the amino acids found in the dead skin cells. This causes the cells to have a brownish color.

It is an ingredient that’s approved by the FDA for external use. In the case of spray tans, the FDA recommends using protective gear to prevent users from inhalation or ingestion of the mist. Protective cover for the eyes, ears, and genitals are also advised.

Apart from being approved by the FDA, the DHA used by Mystic Tan are also Eco-certified.

Similarly, Erythrulose also reacts to the amino acids in the topmost layer of the skin to produce a brownish coloration. It is sourced from red raspberries and is more expensive than DHA. Compared to DHA, it takes a longer time for the color to develop and the color produce fades faster.

However, the combination of DHA and Erythrulose results in less streaky, more even and longer-lasting tan.

Dimethyl Isosorbide (DMI)

Mystic Tan also adds dimethyl isosorbide or DMI in their formulation to further improve the effectiveness of their product. DMI helps the different ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin. It doesn’t only improve the effects of tanning but also the effects of the moisturizers and other nourishing natural ingredients.

Anti-Orange Complex

No one wants to be an orange goblin just because they applied self-tanning products.

Mystic Tan understands this dilemma that’s why their tanning products are formulated with a top-secret anti-orange complex. This is a blend of ingredients that balances the skin’s pH

D-Odor 200™

Aside from the orange skin color, most self-tanners aren’t also fond of the odor. With Mystic Tan’s D-Odor 200™, an odor control technology, the familiar odor produced due to sunless tanning is greatly reduced.

Different people have different skin chemistry so it is still possible for others to smell the associated odor. But,89% of their surveyed panelists agree that their product produced little to no odor.

About the odor, all self-tan products for the Mystic Tan come in just one scent. It’s a crisp linen scent with a hint of citrus. It’s a light and refreshing scent that isn’t overpowering at all.

Tri-Hydration

The self-tanners come in a similar moisturizing formula with the Tri-Hydration formula. This is a blend of moisturizers including glycerin, sodium PCA, and hyaluronic acid, which make the skin soft, supple and hydrated.

Natural Ingredients

Mystic Tan products are made with natural ingredients like aloe vera but they also have naturally derived products like their Eco-certified DHA. Other brands may claim that they are 100% organic but Mystic Tan doesn’t. The truth is, there is no such thing as a 100% certified organic DHA. That’s why tanning products with DHA can’t be 100% organic.

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Mystic Tan Options

Bronzers and Self Tanners

Many of Mystic Tan’s products contain bronzers. These make it possible for you to observe an instant darkening of your skin. By applying more of the bronzer, you’ll also be able to darken the instant results.

Bronzers are essentially makeup, and they wash off in the shower. They are used to get an instant tan while the actual tan develops on your skin.

Also, instant tanners with bronzer can be applied once and the results last for about a week. It is possible to maintain the tan by reapplying the instant tanner every 5-7 days. It’s only the bronzers that get washed off during a shower, but the tan produced through the active ingredients will last for about 5 days.

Gradual Tanners

A gradual tan, is a buildable product. Instead of one application, gradual tanners get applied multiple times until you get to the right shade. The changes are gradual and you’d have to apply the lotion regularly to achieve the color you’re aiming for.

A gradual tanner can be used every day.

It can take the place of your body moisturizer while also building your tan. And once you’ve got your color dialed in, you can stop applying the product on your skin.

It takes about a week to see the maximum intensity.

Lotion Or Spray

Using either the lotion or the spray can give your body a full and even tan. Different people have different preferences. Some like the lotions because they find it easier to apply even if it can take longer to apply. It can provide better control over the tan, especially for first-time self-tanners.

Lotions are a good choice for those looking to tan while pregnant.

A spray, on the other hand, is a quicker way to apply the tanner but it can be messy due to the over-spray. For spray tans, Mystic Tan suggest doing it inside the shower or bathroom to easily wash off any excess product that goes to the walls.

Also, you need to be careful when spraying Mystic Tan’s DHA formula near your mouth, lips, nose, or eyes.

Mocha-Kyssed VS Island-Kyssed

Mystic tan offers two bronzer shades with their self-tanners. The Mocha-Kyssed shade features warmer brown undertones while the Island-Kyssed offers cool brown tan with violet undertones.

If your going for a bronze tan, the Mocha-Kyssed is your best bet. The Island-Kyssed, on the other hand, exudes a more exotic tan.

Tanning with Spray Tan

Remember if you UV tan with a spray tan already on your skin, you’ll cause your fake tan to fade prematurely, and you’ll probably get a sunburn!

See our outdoor tanning tips for more information.

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Mystic Tan Reviews

In this section, we’ll look carefully at all five of Mystic Tan’s most popular options and formats. Let’s start with a comparison table, and then move into the individual products.

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Mystic Tan Duo 2-in-1 Mocha-Kyssed Bronzer + Booster

Key Points at a Glance

• 2-in-1 Bronzer & Booster
• Anti-Orange Formulation
• Hydrating & Nourishing
• Buildable Color
• Mildly Scented

The Details

The Mystic Tan Duo 2-in-1 Mocha-Kyssed Bronzer + Booster is specifically formulated to produce a beautiful tan without the hideous orange hues. It is made up of a bronzer and a booster, which helps balance the pH level of the skin. This prevents the orange undertones from showing up.

Hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA and glycerin are also included to make the formula nourishing and moisturizing. This also helps achieve a more balanced tan by preventing patchy dry areas or streaky tan. Additionally, it also contains natural ingredients like aloe vera and witch hazel that pampers and soothes the skin.

It comes in the Mocha-Kyssed color featuring warmer brown undertones, which are perfect for light to medium skin tones. Thanks to the bronzer, you’ll instantly get a darker skin tone after the application.

The squeeze bottle cap is parted in two ways to make it easier to add more bronzer if as needed. Using more of the bronzer deepens the tan color. Both caps can also be opened at the same time to get a bronzer and booster combo. Manually mixing the two before applying to the body is not required as they will eventually mix as they are spread on the skin.

Upon dispensing the product, you’ll notice a mild and fresh scent. But as the color develops in a few hours, a hint of the usual self-tanner odors may also be noticeable, but aren’t as strong.

Most customers agree that it doesn’t transfer to clothes easily as long as its already dry. Many love how effective and affordable it is but there are also still some who experienced difficulty in combining the products or getting it out of the bottle evenly.

The Bottom Line

What’s unique about this product is the bronzer and booster combo. The whole formula isn’t entirely mixed so it’s possible to use more of the bronzer if a deeper instant tan color is preferred.

Apart from the tan due to the bronzer, a tan due to the DHA and erythrulose will also develop. This lasts for about 5 days. Additionally, it is the most affordable self-tanner with a bronzer from their line of products.

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Mystic Tan Self-Tanning Lotion with Bronzer

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Key Points at a Glance

• Hydrating Lotion Form
• Lasting Tan Through Self-Tanner
• Instant Tan Through Bronzer
• Available In 2 Shades
• No Self-Tanner Odor
• Moisturizing On The Skin
• Anti-Orange Complex

The Details

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The Mystic Tan Self-Tanning Lotion with Bronzer is formulated to provide you with an instant tan as you build up gradually to a lasting tan. The bronzers mixed with the self-tanners are available in 2 shades, making it suitable for fair to darker skin tones.

The Mocha-Kyssed shade results in a tan with warmer brown undertones, which is ideal for fair to medium skin. On the other hand, those with medium to darker skin tones would look best with the Island-kyssed shade, which produces a cool brown tan with violet undertones.

Take note that due to the bronzers present, it will stain the hands as the product is spread on the entire body. Prevent this by making use of a blending mitt. Mystic Tan also offers a washable, reusable and high-quality blending mitt.

Both shades are made with a top-secret proprietary formulation, a blend of Eco-certified DHA plus erythrulose. The combination produces a lasting tan that gradually fades to an even and flake-free lighter tone.

This 2-in-1 self-tanner doesn’t only give color to the skin but it also provides nutrients and hydration to keep the skin soft and supple. Dried patches on the skin, which don’t tan well, are avoided, thus resulting in an even tan.

The lotion may seem thick but it spreads out well and dries easily. It is more affordable than the spray counterpart. People’s preferences for lotion or spray are varied. Some love this lotion because it is easy to spread evenly on the skin.

On the contrary, there are still some who say they prefer the spray because of it’s quick and easy application. Either way, many people comment that using a booster will improve the use of this product.

The Bottom Line

Self-tanners usually come in the lotion form and many prefer it because it is spreadable. This specific product doesn’t only contain a self-tanner but also a bronzer, which is available in 2 different shades.

The bronzers produce an instant tan while the self-tanner produces the tan color within a few hours. It can stain the hands so a blending mitt is advised. For some, this product may seem thick but it spreads well and dries up easily.

The moisturizing ingredients help ensure the skin look and feel great even if it has undergone the sunless tanning process. Also, it’s more affordable than the spray counterpart so people are more likely to choose it.

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Mystic Tan Sunless Self-Tanning Airbrush Spray with Bronzer

Key Points at a Glance

• Liquid Spray Form
• Contains Bronzers For Instant Tan
• Contains Self-Tanner For Lasting Tan
• Odorless Sunless Tanning
• Tri-Hydration Formula
• Comes in 2 Shades
• Anti-Orange Complex

The Details

Look fabulous instantly with your tan skin by using this Mystic Tan Sunless Self-Tanning Airbrush Spray with Bronzer. The ultra-micro mist sprayer enables tiny droplets of the product to spread evenly all over the skin. These droplets dry quickly and instantly produce a sun-kissed glow.

The bronzers are responsible for the instant tan and they come in two shades. For those with fairer skin, the Mocha-Kyssed is advised while the Island-Kyssed shade is made for those with darker skin.

The proprietary formulation of the active ingredients, Eco-certified DHA and erythrulose, result in a highly pigmented and lasting tan. The results are further improved by the addition of other moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and sodium PCA.

The tan from the bronzers are eventually washed off in your next shower but the tan from the self-tanner will usually last for about 5 days. There is also a booster that’s available for separate purchase. This helps prevent the orange coloration of the skin and it also improves the lasting power of the tan.

Customers’ comments and reviews reveal that some were able to make the spray work and dispense the product evenly onto their skin. But others had a spray can that won’t properly spray the product.

Due to the added benefit of not needing to hold the product and manually spread it over the skin, the spray can format are more expensive than the lotions. One drawback is if the sprayer doesn’t work properly, then the product still needs to be spread out evenly to avoid streaking or blotching. And there are the dangers of inhaling DHA to be concerned about.

As for the scent, many were pleased with its freshness. Although the scent is mild at first, some were still able to smell the usual self-tanner scent while others didn’t smell anything at all.

The Bottom Line

The Mystic Tan Sunless Self-Tanning Airbrush Spray with Bronzer is quite similar to the lotions. They only differ in the way they’re spread all over the body. Sprays are more expensive because the solutions need to be in a pressurized can.

Sprays are preferred by many because of how easy they are to apply on the skin. Just spray the product evenly, let it dry, and you’re done! But sometimes sprayers don’t work as well as they are supposed to, and they end up producing an uneven tan.

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Mystic Tan Gradual Tan Lotion

Key Points at a Glance

• Gradually Tanning
• Customizable Color
• Hypoallergenic
• Formulated With Nourishing Botanicals
• Non-messy application

The Details

Build up to your desired shade of tan with the Mystic Tan Gradual Tan Lotion. Apply it onto the skin every day for about a week to reach the maximum color intensity. This gradual tanner enables users to customize how dark they prefer their tan to be.

Gradual tanners are easier to use, and there’s little risk you’ll go way overboard and land on orange goblin skin.

This gradual tanner is safe to apply on the skin and can even replace other body moisturizers due to the nourishing botanicals included in its formula. It contains green tea extract for anti-aging, aloe vera for deep hydration, avocado oil for nourishment, and walnut extract to counter oxidative stress.

Applicable for all skin tones and all skin types, it doesn’t contain any harmful and irritating ingredients such as parabens and glutens. It is also non-comedogenic, which means it won’t cause acne breakouts or blockheads.

It doesn’t contain any bronzer or tint that’s why you won’t see an instant change in the color of your skin. It isn’t messy to apply but it would be best to use a tanning mitt. Even if it dries up clear on skin, applying it with bare hands can cause over-tanning of the palms.

It also comes with the proprietary D-Odor 200 that prevents it from smelling like the usual self-tanners. Some users still smell the DHA while others don’t. There’s also the anti-orange complex that prevents it from turning the skin into an awful orange color.

Most users are also well pleased with the product because they get to control the intensity of their tan.

The Bottom Line

This self-tanner darkens the skin tone gradually day by day. Building-up on the color is possible through the daily application of the product. It’s also easy to control how dark your skin is because you can stop applying it when the desired color is reached.

The nourishing formula makes it great for everyday use because it doesn’t only produce a tan but also smooth and soft skin. Although it looks clear when applied to the skin, a blending mitt should still be used to prevent the over darkening of the palms.