You have two detan packs in front of you. One is dark grey. The other is soft and creamy. Both say they remove tan. So you ask the question everyone asks: which detan cream is best for me? The simple answer is that it depends on your skin, not just your tan. Some skin is oily. Some is dry. Some is in between. The right detan is the one that matches your skin type. This guide will help you pick the right one in a few minutes.
- Oily skin, blackheads or humid weather? Choose the Charcoal and Dead Sea Mud detan.
- Normal or dry skin with an even tan? Choose the Kojic Acid and Milk detan.
- Oily in some places, dry in others? Use charcoal on the oily parts and kojic and milk on the rest.
What Is a Tan, and How Does Detan Work?
When sunlight falls on your skin, your skin tries to protect itself. It makes more melanin, which is the natural colour in your skin. This extra colour comes up to the top layer of your skin. That is what we call a tan.
A detan pack helps in two ways:
- It removes dead skin. The top layer of your skin has old, dead cells that hold the tan. Detan gently clears them away. This is called exfoliation.
- It slows down extra colour. Some ingredients tell your skin to make less melanin, so the tan fades step by step.
Want to learn more about skin colour? Read our simple guide on melanin vs skin tan.
Why Doesn't One Detan Suit Everyone?
Everyone's skin behaves differently. Oily skin makes a lot of natural oil, called sebum. On oily skin, the tan mixes with oil, dust and pollution, so the skin looks dull and dirty. Dry skin makes less oil. Its tan looks more even, but dry skin can get tight or itchy easily. So a detan that is perfect for oily skin may feel too strong on dry skin, and a gentle one may not clean oily skin enough.
Which Detan Cream Is Best for Me?
If your skin is oily or gets pimples and blackheads, the charcoal detan is usually the better choice. If your skin is normal or dry, the kojic acid and milk detan is usually the better choice. Here's where most people get it wrong: they pick a detan by how dark the tan looks. It is smarter to pick by skin type first.
How Can I Find My Skin Type at Home?
Try this easy test:
- Wash your face with a mild face wash.
- Do not apply anything. Wait 30 minutes.
- Press a tissue or blotting paper on your forehead, nose and cheeks.
- Look at the paper.
- Oil on most places: your skin is oily.
- Oil only on forehead and nose: your skin is combination (oily in the middle, normal or dry on the sides).
- Almost no oil, and skin feels tight: your skin is dry.
- Very little oil, and skin feels comfortable: your skin is normal.
Who Should Use the Charcoal and Dead Sea Mud Detan?
The Raaga Professional Detan Advanced Pack has two main ingredients:
- Activated charcoal: works like a sponge. It pulls out extra oil, dust and pollution stuck in your pores (the tiny openings in your skin).
- Dead Sea Mud: a special mud full of minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium. It gently rubs away dead skin and keeps skin healthy.
This detan is good for you if:
- Your skin is oily or combination.
- You get blackheads or pimples.
- You live in a hot, humid city or spend a lot of time outside.
- You want to remove tan from your arms, back or legs too.
How to use it: Apply on clean skin, leave it for 5 to 7 minutes, then wipe it off. Use it once or twice a week. It does not contain peroxide, hydroquinone or sulphates, which are harsh chemicals some products use.
Tip for dry skin: Charcoal can make dry skin feel a little tight. If you use it, always put on moisturiser afterwards. Learn more in The Power of the De-Tan Advanced Pack with Charcoal and Dead Sea Mud.
Who Should Use the Kojic Acid and Milk Detan?
The Raaga Professional De-Tan Pack with Kojic and Milk is gentler. It has:
- Kojic acid: a natural ingredient that tells your skin to make less melanin. This helps the tan and dark patches fade slowly.
- Milk extracts: keep your skin soft and smooth while the pack works.
This detan is good for you if:
- Your skin is normal or dry.
- Your tan looks even, without many pimples or blackheads.
- You are using a detan for the first time.
- You want something gentle to use regularly.
It can be used on both your face and body. Want to know more? Read why kojic acid works for tan removal.
What Is the Difference Between Charcoal and Kojic Detan?
| Charcoal and Dead Sea Mud | Kojic Acid and Milk | |
|---|---|---|
| What it mainly does | Cleans deep, controls oil, removes tan | Gently brightens and softens skin |
| Best for skin type | Oily, combination, pimple-prone | Normal, dry |
| Best for which tan | Dull tan with oil and dirt | Even, everyday tan |
| Best season | Hot and humid months | Any season, especially dry months |
| Where to use | Face and body | Face and body |
| After using | Moisturiser + SPF 50 sunscreen | SPF 50 sunscreen |
For oily and combination skin
Charcoal and Dead Sea Mud Detan Pack (500g)
Deep cleans pores, controls oil and helps lift tan. Suits oily, pimple-prone skin and humid weather.
See if it suits your skinFor normal and dry skin
Kojic Acid and Milk Detan Pack (500g)
Gently brightens and softens skin while tan fades slowly. Suits normal to dry skin and first-time users.
See if it suits your skinCan I Use Both Detan Creams?
Yes, but not on the same day on the same area. Using two detans back to back can make your skin red or itchy. Use one at a time, and wait a few days before the next session. Some people use charcoal in summer and kojic and milk in winter. If your skin is combination, you can use charcoal on your forehead and nose and kojic and milk on your cheeks.
Always do a patch test first. This means trying a small amount on a small area, like behind your ear, to check your skin is okay with it. See our patch test guide and our guide on how often to use detan.
Which Detan Should Salons Use for Clients?
It helps to keep both at your salon. Ask your client three simple questions: Does your skin get oily? Do you get pimples or blackheads? Does your skin feel tight after washing? Clients with oily skin or tan from outdoor work usually suit charcoal. Clients with dry or normal skin usually suit kojic and milk.
How Soon Will I See Results?
Tan does not go away in one day. It usually fades slowly over a few sessions. How fast depends on how dark your tan is, your skin type, and how much time you spend in the sun. The most important step is sunscreen. Without it, new tan comes back as fast as the old tan fades. After every detan, apply an SPF 50 sunscreen when you step out. Read why tan keeps coming back to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which detan is better for oily skin?
The charcoal and Dead Sea Mud detan is usually better for oily skin. Charcoal pulls out extra oil and dirt, and the mud gently removes dead skin.
Is charcoal detan too strong for dry skin?
Not always, but it can make dry skin feel tight. For dry skin, kojic and milk detan is usually more comfortable. If you use charcoal, keep it on for only 5 to 7 minutes and apply moisturiser afterwards.
Can I use detan on my body?
Yes. Both detan packs can be used on your face, neck, arms, hands and legs.
Can I switch between the two detan creams?
Yes. Use one per session, wait a few days between sessions, and do a patch test before trying each one for the first time.
Do I need sunscreen after detan?
Yes. After detan, your skin is fresh and more sensitive to the sun. An SPF 50 sunscreen protects your skin and stops new tan from forming.
Find the Right Detan for Your Skin
The right detan is the one that matches your skin. Try the tissue test tonight, check if your skin is oily or dry, and use the table above to choose. If you are still not sure, start with the gentler kojic and milk detan, do a patch test, and see how your skin feels.
