Is “Tan Blindness” A Thing? What We Should All Be Looking For When Buying Our Next Self-Tanner

You may remember the term “blush blindness” surfacing last summer. It’s essentially the Sabrina Carpenter-inspired tendency to over-apply blush in pursuit of a not-so-subtle sun-kissed glow. Those with “blush blindness” (cough, cough—me) tend to layer on blush so frequently that they become accustomed to the intentionally intense look and don’t realize it may appear slightly overdone to the general population. Personally? I was—and still am—a proud blush blindness advocate.

But now, a new beauty term has entered the chat, and I fear I’ve fallen victim to it: tan blindness.

Tan blindness happens when you continue layering on self-tanner, convinced you still haven’t achieved your desired golden glow, only to see photos later and realize you are unmistakably too dark—or, in my case, too orange. The issue isn’t always applying too much product. Often, it’s choosing the wrong self-tanner for your skin tone and undertone.

The wrong self-tanner can leave you looking too dark, too orange, or too sallow. Thankfully, the self-tan category has come a long way. Today, several Canadian, female-founded brands are creating formulas that consider skin tone, ingredients, and overall skin health while delivering a more natural, believable glow.

See You Sundae, based in B.C., is known for its Clean Face Tan Water, a lightweight, bronzer-free formula enriched with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. It comes in three shade options designed for different skin tones, from fair, pink-toned complexions to deeper olive and caramel tones.

NUDA creates both at-home and professional self-tanning products formulated in Canada with a vegan and cruelty-free ethos. Its colour-correcting mousses, available in violet and olive tones, help prevent tans from looking overly orange or too ashy.

Meanwhile, Saltyface takes a more effortless, beachy approach to self-tan: natural, subtle, and never overpowering. Its formulas include skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract, jojoba oil, and raspberry seed oil, making it a strong option for anyone who wants a glow while prioritizing skin health first.

So whether you’re going for an “Italian Riviera deep” tan or opting for a more “gently Canadian sun-kissed” look, there are excellent Canadian-founded options that prioritize both skin health and a wide range of skin tones—so you don’t fall victim to tan blindness like me. —Gabrielle Rohovie