As a teenager, I was a sun worshiper. I would lay out in the sun, until I reached well-done. I didn’t think about the effects of the sun, the wrinkles, skin cancer. As a young adult, I would prepare for the summer season by cooking myself in tanning beds. Fifteen years later, I have a multitude of ‘freckles’ on my once fried upper arms to prove my carelessness.
I have very fair skin, if I were a paint, I would be a high gloss brilliant white. I learned the hard way it is not wise to roast thyself. On the other hand, I don’t want to be the cause of a shipwreck on shore, because the captain of a ship thought the light reflected off my thighs was a beacon. So I use sunless self tanning lotions these days.
I have tried a few brands of self tanning lotions over the years, I am going to give you the run down on the two most memorable. The best sunless tanning lotion ( Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer ) and the ‘not best’ (Coppertone Endless Summer) sunless tanning lotion.
The first sunless tanning lotion I ever tried (I am surprised I even tried another one after this experience) was a Coppertone Endless Summer. How could I ever forget? I bought a red dress for a formal dance in the middle of the winter. It fit beautifully, and looked stunning with my dark hair. I loved it. I ended up paying a small fortune for the dress. Only problem, I was pasty looking in mid-December. It was a last minute affair, and I didn’t even have a few days to roast myself in a tanning bed. A ‘friend’ (questionable) recommended I try Coppertone Endless Summer. The package claimed to give you a tan within thirty minutes. Thirty minutes later, I was glowing orange. Even though I tried to apply it perfectly even, I had streaks. Okay, maybe stripes even.I showed my mom, she said, you put too much on. The next day I followed the instructions and repeated. I became orange-er. My friends and I went to go get our nails done a few hours before the dance. It was obvious that my tan was not natural. One of the ‘friends’ picked up one of the fake fingers, where they display the nail designs. The fake orange rubber finger was a perfect match to my skin. Another sign that this product was less than best was the fact that Coppertone Endless Summer turned my white bra straps pink. I looked like a swirling red and orange freeze pop. Luckily, the event was at night and the lights where dim.
Here is the official description from Coppertone.com:
” Coppertone® Endless Summer® Sunless Tanning Lotion looks different from other sunless tanners because it is different! Coppertone® Endless Summer® is a breakthrough in tanning technology. This is the first sunless tanner that provides visible colour in just 30 minutes. You get colour so natural looking that no one will know you have a sunless tan – unless you tell them! Like we say, You can’t get any closer to the sun.”
True enough. I would have to agree, I looked as if I was so close to the sun, some of it rubbed off on me, and my clothes.
I gave up on sunless tanning lotion for a while. At a family event early in the spring, I noticed my sister (with the same complexion) looked great. I couldn’t figure out what was different. She said she had been using Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. I didn’t believe her. There is no way tan was from a bottle! She remembered the trauma I went through with the Coppertone Endless Summer. (And let me tell you, that stuff lasted!) For a moment I thought, it was just a trick to get me to use a self tanner, so she could sit back and have a laugh at my expense at the next family gathering when I showed up orange. Seeming sincere (I can tell when she is lying) I was convinced into buying Jergens Natural Glow Daily self tanning moisturizing lotion. I bought one for the face and one for the body.
When I first applied it, I didn’t notice a change in my skins color. Let me tell you ladies, this is a good sign! Soon, I noticed I had a very natural, light TAN. Yes, tan and not orange. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer has three color options, for fair, medium and dark tans. Being the impatient person I am; I got the dark option. I applied it again the following day, and I got a tad bit darker, but it still looked natural. After a few days, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer gave me the perfect tan I had been longing for!
Here is the official description from Jergens.com:
“Jergens® natural glow Daily Moisturizer delivers an optimum amount of color to even out and enrich the appearance of your skin. Formulated with a unique blend of non-drying Erythrulose, DHA and essential moisturizers to gradually develop a soft, natural glow, without streaking or orange coloration often experienced with using a self-tanner. Simply moisturize your skin to keep a beautiful and natural glow. It comes in three different shades to complement your unique skin tone. “
So Jergens Natural Daily Glow Moisturizer is the winner in my opinion. While visiting their website, I learned that they have won ‘best beauty product’ awards from just about every womens magazine you could think of! Allure, Redbook, Self, Shape, Glamor and more. I know why to, This stuff is a miracle! Their website also has a couple of different options in Jergens Natural Daily Glow tanners. Besides the moisturizer line for the face and body, they also have a face firming tanner, a tanner with SPF 20 for the face, and of course all the other Jergens lotions we are all familiar with. I also found great tips for using the Natural Daily Glow Moisturizer, how to’s and what if’s. They have a large FAQ section devoted to common concerns.
So let’s recap. Coppertone Endless Summer should have named its sunless tanning product “orange glow” but there is already a product by that name, and it is for housecleaning. When Jergens says “natural glow” they are telling you the truth.
