Blow Tan Review | BlowTan.com Self Tanning Towelettes As Seen On TV Exposed

What is Blow Tan?

Blow Tan is a self-tanning towelette that claims to deliver a visible, golden tan in under 60 minutes. It uses DHA and erythrulose, activated by heat from a household blow dryer, requiring no sun or UV exposure.

Blow Tan As Seen On TV Offer | Image Courtesy - BlowTan.com

How does Blow Tan claim to work?

Blow Tan Self Tanning Towelettes claim to be a fast, sunless tanning solution that delivers visible results in under an hour.

Application

The towelette is used to wipe on a clear formula that supposedly contains skin-safe ingredients like DHA and erythrulose. These ingredients are said to react with the amino acids on the skin’s surface to create a natural-looking tan, rather than a surface stain or bronzer.

Activation with Heat

After applying the formula, users are instructed to blow dry each area using a household hair dryer. The company claims that heat from the dryer activates the tanning ingredients, speeding up the reaction and making the tan appear much faster—within 60 minutes.

Result

The tan is said to develop evenly, without streaks or orange tones, and becomes touch-dry shortly after blow drying. The color may deepen slightly over the next few hours and can last up to 7–12 days depending on skin care.

BlowTan.com also claims that the Self Tanning Towelettes are dermatologist-tested, safe for the face and body, and won’t stain clothes or sheets once dry.

What does Blow Tan claim to do?

Blow Tan claims to replace or improve upon several traditional tanning products and methods by offering a faster, cleaner, and safer alternative. Here's what it potentially replaces and the supposed benefits:

1. Sunbathing / Tanning Beds

Replaced because: These rely on UV exposure, which can lead to premature aging, sunburn, and increased risk of skin cancer.

Blow Tan’s supposed benefit: Delivers a tan without UV rays or sun exposure, reducing health risks.

2. Traditional Self-Tanning Lotions or Mousses

Replaced because: These often require long drying times, can be messy, and may cause streaks or orange tones.

Blow Tan’s supposed benefit: Goes on clear, dries quickly with a blow dryer, and claims to leave no mess, stains, or streaks.

3. Spray Tans (Professional or At-Home)

Replaced because: Spray tans may be expensive, require professional application, or create a sticky residue and overspray.

Blow Tan’s supposed benefit: Uses a towelette, not a spray—so it's easier to control, less messy, and more portable.

4. Instant Bronzers or Makeup-Based Tanners

Replaced because: These offer only temporary color that washes off easily and can rub onto clothes.

Blow Tan’s supposed benefit: Claims to produce a longer-lasting tan (up to 7–12 days) that doesn’t transfer once dry.

5. Gradual Tanning Moisturizers

Replaced because: These require multiple applications over several days to build color.

Blow Tan’s supposed benefit: Claims to show visible results in under 60 minutes with just one use.

Drawbacks of Blow Tan

Slow Results

Traditional towelettes often take several hours (sometimes overnight) to develop visible color. Blow Tan claims to show results in under 60 minutes by using heat activation.

No Activation Control

Most towelettes rely on passive air-drying, giving users no control over how fast or evenly the tan develops. Blow Tan uses a blow dryer to "activate" the formula instantly, offering a more predictable outcome.

Streaking or Uneven Color

Many self-tanning wipes can leave streaks or patchy areas, especially if the product doesn't dry evenly or is over-applied. Blow Tan claims its formula dries quickly and evenly with heat, reducing the risk of streaks.

Orange or Unnatural Tone

Some towelettes produce an unnatural orange hue due to poor formulation or incorrect pH levels. Blow Tan emphasizes a golden-bronze tone and highlights the use of balanced, skin-reactive ingredients like DHA and erythrulose.

Sticky or Tacky Feel

Regular towelettes may leave a sticky or wet residue on the skin that takes a long time to dry. Blow Tan claims to be dry to the touch right after blow drying, allowing users to get dressed immediately.

Transfer to Clothes or Sheets

Many towelettes can stain clothing or bedding if the formula hasn’t fully dried or sets unevenly. Blow Tan says its clear formula, once activated and dried, does not transfer.

Unpredictable Wear Time

Some towelettes may fade unevenly or last only a few days. Blow Tan claims longer wear—up to 7–12 days—with proper care.

Limited Use Before Events

Because traditional towelettes take longer to develop and might stain clothes, they aren't always ideal for last-minute use. Blow Tan positions itself as ideal for event prep, with quick results and minimal prep time.

Bust the Claims of Blow Tan

There are several claims made by Blow Tan that appear overstated or scientifically questionable, along with explanations for why they may not work as advertised in real-world use:

1. “Glow Appears in Under 60 Minutes”

Why this may not be realistic: The primary active ingredient, Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), reacts with the amino acids in the outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum) through the Maillard reaction, a slow, non-enzymatic browning process.

Scientific reality: This process typically takes 2 to 4 hours to show visible color and up to 24 hours for full development—even with optimal conditions. Heating the skin may accelerate surface drying but does not significantly alter the core chemical reaction speed.

2. “Heat from a Blow Dryer Activates the Formula Instantly”

Why this may be misleading: Blow Tan implies that heat “activates” DHA, speeding up tanning. But DHA doesn't need heat to be chemically activated.

Scientific reality: Heat might help dry the skin faster and may slightly increase the reaction rate due to higher molecular activity, but the Maillard reaction remains gradual. The term “activated by heat” is more marketing than biochemistry.

3. “No Streaks. No Orange.”

Why this isn’t guaranteed: Streaking and orange hues are common in self-tanning due to uneven application, poor skin prep (e.g., dry patches), or overuse of DHA.

Scientific reality: Even well-formulated products can streak or turn orange depending on skin pH, hydration level, or buildup of dead skin cells. A blow dryer doesn't eliminate these variables.

4. “Won’t Stain Clothes or Sheets”

Why this could be situational: While Blow Tan claims the product is clear and doesn’t transfer, DHA still reacts with proteins—and can do so on fabrics.

Scientific reality: If the product hasn’t fully dried or if the user sweats or rubs their skin against fabric, residual DHA may still transfer and leave tan-colored stains, especially on light materials.

5. “Results Last 7–12 Days”

Why this varies widely: Skin naturally exfoliates, and the outer layer turns over approximately every 28 days. A self-tan fades as dead skin sheds.

Scientific reality: 7–12 days is possible but optimistic; most sunless tans last 3–7 days, depending on skin type, exfoliation, sweat, showers, and use of moisturizers. Few products maintain an even, wearable glow for more than a week without touch-ups.

6. “Dermatologist-Tested”

Why this is vague: The phrase gives a sense of medical credibility but is not regulated and doesn't mean the product is approved by dermatologists or that clinical studies were conducted.

Scientific reality: “Tested” could mean a single dermatologist reviewed it, not that it passed formal safety or efficacy testing under controlled conditions.

While Blow Tan may be a convenient and novel delivery system, its claims—especially about instant results and heat activation—oversimplify or misrepresent how DHA-based tanning works. Most of the “magic” is still standard chemistry, and the results depend heavily on skin prep, user technique, and individual biology.

Our Verdict

Blow Tan may sound innovative, but the concept behind it—DHA-based self-tanning—has been around for decades. It’s marketed by Telebrands, a company better known for infomercials than for credible beauty solutions. The lack of cosmetic science background raises doubts about the product's formulation quality. While it claims to offer instant, streak-free results with just a blow dryer, these promises appear exaggerated and lack solid clinical backing. We advise caution and suggest skipping Blow Tan. Instead, opt for well-reviewed, dermatologist-trusted options like L’Oréal Sublime Bronze, which offer consistent results and a proven track record.