Since Jimmy Coco changed their formula and colour selection, I have been looking for a self tan that I can live with. I don’t want to look deeply tanned or even medium tanned – warmed is about where I need to be. I find a lot of self tans far too drying for my skin and they have a tendency to stick to any dry patches and make those a deeper shade than anywhere else – grr.

I was immediately interested in a) a tanning water and b) the light to medium option. Like many or even most self tans, Saltyface Tanning Water uses DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) and also Erythrulose that both react with the skin to give it a more bronzed appearance. Saltyface Tanning Water only contains 13 ingredients which is very low for any beauty product so I feel happy there are no fillers in there just for the sake of it. Other ingredients include cucumber, Marshmallow root and Calendula flower – the DHA is taken from organic sugar beet.

The miraculous thing about this tanning water is that you only need a couple of drops – literally – and it is the same consistency as actual water. I wondered if I’d applied enough and am pleased I didn’t lose the faith and add more because what I have now is exactly right for the tone I want. Bear in mind that I have a warmer base to start with that just happened naturally over the summer and I do think that self tan on porcelain skin never looks completely natural, so for me this product is a summer warmth extender rather than suddenly looking like I’ve been to Barbados in mid-January.

The before and after! Two tiny drops is all it took. The smell of Saltyface is somehow almondy – a long way from the biscuity smell that DHA can naturally have – and not unpleasant. I don’t mean to lecture but of course, you will need to use SPF. The wonderful thing about it is that it isn’t drying – even presented as a water. It’s £36 HERE.