Lux Unfiltered Summer Skin Original vs Deep Gradual Self-Tanning Body Cream Review and Comparison
After trying and liking Lux Unfiltered’s N36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse, I was eager to try the brand’s Summer Skin Hydrating Gradual Self-Tanning Cream (formerly known as N32 Hydrating Gradual Self-Tanning Cream). While I prefer self-tanning mousses for the ease of application and quicker results, I love how Lux Unfiltered products are hydrating, gentle on my sensitive skin, and smell amazing, so I wanted to see if their self-tanning cream would make its way into my regular self-tanning rotation.
Similar to their self-tanning mousse, the Summer Skin Hydrating Gradual Self-Tanning Cream comes in two formulas - Original and Deep. While I may be naturally fair, I typically gravitate towards the deeper formulas of self-tanning products, but preferred Lux Unfiltered’s Original mousse, so I was eager to see what my results would be like with the self-tanning cream.
Lux Unfiltered products are known for their “clean beauty” formulations, smelling amazing, and providing tons of hydration alongside a healthy glow. Keep reading for my full review, results, and side-by-side comparisons of each formula.
Interested in more Lux Unfiltered self-tanning products? Check out my reviews and demos for their Lux Unfiltered N12 Bronzing Face Drops and N36 Original vs Deep Supernatural Tanning Mousse Review and Comparison.
lux unfiltered summer skin original hydrating gradual self-tanning cream before and after
lux unfiltered summer skin deep hydrating gradual self-tanning cream before and after
lux unfiltered summer skin original hydrating gradual self-tanning cream review and application tips
The Lux Unfiltered Summer Skin Hydrating Gradual Self-Tanning Cream is one of the most luxurious self-tanners. It smells great, is hydrating, easy to use, and the color payoff is subtle yet natural - for both the Original and Deep formulas. The lotion does not have a color guard (tint), but the formula is so hydrating that it helps you notice where you have and haven’t applied the tanner. I waited a full 10 minutes before getting dressed to allow the tanner to set, and it didn’t transfer onto my clothes or sheets, but I recommend wearing dark sweats while you let the tan develop.
I will say this brand makes the best-smelling self-tanners I’ve ever used; the santal scent is warm and slightly musky, without being too heavy or overpowering. I was worried that it would just temporarily mask or eventually clash with the “self-tanner smell,” but the tanner smell was extremely subtle (only I could notice it) the next morning).
This product ideally requires 8 hours of application time for maximum results, and the tan will develop for up to 24 hours after. For the sake of this comparison post, I left it on overnight for the 8 hours, and showered in the morning - repeating the process for 3 applications total.
Regarding results, both formulas give you a natural looking tan - not orange at all. This tanner has “clean” ingredients with a focus on hydration, so the results aren’t as dramatic as some of the other mousses you might be used to (like Loving Tan), but your skin doesn’t feel as dry, either.
The tan lasts a week (even with daily workouts and hot showers), and I’ve never had a streaky or patchy application. It also fades nicely, though it takes a few tries scrubbing in the shower to fully remove it.
One downside to this self-tanner is that my skin had a bad reaction to it - my chest got really itchy and had little red bumps after the 4th application for the Original, and 3rd application for Deep. I tested the Original formula first, and initially planned on testing each of these creams for a full week, so I powered through - my skin reaction didn’t get any worse for days 4-7, but I should’ve stopped after day 4.
When it came time to test the Deep formula, my skin got the same reaction one day sooner (after the 3rd application), so I stopped there and that’s why I’m sharing 3-day results on this post as opposed to a full week of application.
I haven’t had a bad reaction like this to self-tanner before, so I would not recommend it for sensitive skin (or at least do a multiple-day patch test first, because I was fine for the first two days). I didn’t have a bad reaction to the Lux Unfiltered N36 Supernatural Tanning Mousses, so I’m not sure what caused me to react badly to the cream formulas.
tips for applying summer skin original hydrating gradual self-tanning cream
Use your hands to apply the self-tanning cream in circular motions. Start with your legs and work your way up, stopping at your waist, and then start at your neck/ chest and work your way down to your stomach for the most even all-over tan.
Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards! No matter how well I wash (scrub) my hands afterwards, I sometimes still notice the self-tanner clings to dry spots around my cuticles and fingertips, but that did not happen with the Lux Unfiltered cream, which I appreciated.
Because this is an extra-hydrating self-tanner, I used disposable gloves to make sure my hands didn’t stain.
To avoid a harsh line after you wash your hands, I like to put a tiny little drop of lotion onto the top of a brush to buff in the product and help blend the product onto the backs of my hands/ fingers. For more tips on tanning your hands and other tricky areas, click here.
I applied the product after showering and before bed around 10pm, leaving it on overnight before showering in the morning. Prior to my morning shower, I noticed a subtle difference, but also found that it took 2-3 days of applying the tanner to build up to a noticeable tan. I repeated this process with each shade - Original and Deep, so the comparisons would be as exact as possible.
I typically hate wearing self-tanner overnight, but didn’t mind it with this one; I think lotions kind of require it, since they’re easier to crease or mess up with natural movement throughout the day.
The tanner itself is very hydrating, and almost feels damp after application. Definitely wait 10 minutes before getting dressed so the tan can set, but don’t panic if it still feels damp - that feeling never fully went away for me, but I still woke up with an even tan. To avoid any creases or marks, I used a regular fleece blanket instead of anything knit, woven, or textured.
There’s no color guard (tint) with this cream, but I still recommend wearing darker, loose fitted clothes in case any transfer happens while your tan develops overnight. I didn’t notice any stains on my clothes or sheets, but dark clothes are my go-to when using self-tanner anyways.
The santal scent is really beautiful and elevated; the scent lingers overnight without being overpowering. It was gone in the morning. I noticed a very light “tanner smell” when I woke up, but not as bad as you can get with other tanners.
Ready to remove the tan? Use an exfoliating polish or body scrub as opposed to an exfoliating mitt - scrubs gives better, quicker results when it comes to removing self-tanning creams.
lux unfiltered summer skin original hydrating gradual self-tanning cream original vs deep results
is lux unfiltered summer skin original hydrating gradual self-tanning cream in original or deep better?
They’re pretty similar. I felt like my results “peaked” around day 3, and it was just maintenance for days 4-7 when I tested the Original formula. I only tested the Deep formula for 3 days, but I didn’t notice much a difference between days 2 and 3, so I think you can expect similar results.
That being said, I think if you have fair skin, you should stick to the Original. I found myself still asking my boyfriend if I looked orange (even with Original), and I was even more self-conscious with the Deep version, even though he said it didn’t look orange to him. If you have a darker skin tone, definitely get the Deep lotion - my mom is much tanner than me, and still noticed results after one application of the Deep cream.
where to buy lux unfiltered summer skin original hydrating gradual self-tanning cream
Lux Unfiltered is sold at Sephora and Amazon. I recommend buying on Amazon for quicker shipping and to save a little (if you subscribe), or from Sephora to earn points through their reward program.
FAQs about lux unfiltered summer skin original hydrating gradual self-tanning cream
is lux unfiltered summer skin original hydrating gradual self-tanning cream suitable for sensitive skin?
Somewhat; my skin is extremely sensitive, yet felt fine for the first 3 nights of application. The morning after the fourth application of the Original formula, I started to get a reaction (little bumps and itchiness) and it took about a week for my skin to recover from it. I waited a few weeks before testing the Deep formula, and experienced the same reaction after the 3rd application (one day sooner than Original).
I probably wouldn’t use this lotion again as a result, because my skin reacts better to self-tanning mousses or other lotions.
It’s not ideal, but I would honestly recommend patch-testing this self-tanner for multiple days before you apply it to your whole body. I did not have even a hint of irritation at first, and then it went 0 to 100 on the third night, which was not a comfortable experience.
On the bright side, what's great about self-tanning creams (versus mousses) is that you can ease your skin into it; you could also apply it every other day (or every few days), and use your traditional skincare in between to give your skin a break and hopefully avoid any reactions.
does lux unfiltered summer skin original hydrating gradual self-tanning cream break you out?
I didn’t break out, but my skin got irritated around day 3-4. That being said, consult with your dermatologist or do a patch-test just in case, because this is one of the few tanners that my skin did not like.
how long does it take for the tan to develop?
The directions say to leave the tan on for 8 hours (avoiding contact with water). In the photos above, I applied the self-tanning cream nightly after my shower, and rinsed it off in the morning (around 8 hours). I saw a little bit of color after the first application, but didn’t have a deep, vacation-like tan until I had applied it 3 nights in a row.
how long does the tan last?
The directions say that the tan will gradually fade with water exposure. I shower nightly, and also used each formula of the self-tanning cream nightly for a 3 days in a row, and found that got me a healthy, natural tan. After I stopped and switched back to my normal body moisturizer, the tan started fading the next shower and was almost entirely gone after about a week.
is lux unfiltered summer skin original hydrating gradual self-tanning cream easy to remove?
Somewhat; I find self-tanning mousses to be easier to remove overall, but self-tanning creams fade on their own better than mousses do. The Summer Skin Hydrating Gradual Self-Tanning Cream faded really evenly. It was mostly gone after about a week and then I used the brand’s N28 Exfoliating Body Polish to get any remaining tanner off. Exfoliating scrubs remove self-tanning creams better than exfoliating mitts - not sure why, but that’s my experience.
Curious about other Lux Unfiltered tanning products? Read my reviews and demos for:
