Categories: Beauty

Summer Product Review: Sunless Tanners, Questions and Answers

One thing remains constant from summer to summer. For millions of Americans, summer means it is time to get a tan. Most of us desperately long for that beautiful bronze glow, which is recognized as a symbol of beauty. After all, it makes you look healthier. It assists in giving the illusion of being thinner. It even helps most of those summer colors “pop.

Unfortunately, a large number of Americans can’t obtain the tan they want by the standard means. Some fear the dangers of the sun; an increased chance for skin cancer and aging of the skin. Others want to avoid the changes in their skin by freckling and age spots; not to mention those long term “leathery” effects. Still others know that they will not tan, but burn and that the process will be both painful and fruitless.

For these reasons, more people are opting to protect themselves against the sun. For tips on “Skin Protection Against the Sun,” see the article by AC writer Teresa Opdycke. Instead of sun worshipping, these individuals are exploring the benefits of sunless tanning. Luckily, the process has improved over the years. Today, you can get a tan without ever stepping out into the sun. However, they also leave you with a lot of questions. This article seeks to answer those questions.

How do sunless tanners work and why?

The active ingredient DHA (dihydroxyacetone) found in sunless tanners saturates dead skin cells to activate a protein found inside, turning them brown. A nice benefit of self-tanners is the fact that you don’t have to start tanning months in advance. Self-tanners generally begin working within a few hours. And you can control the depth of the tan as well as where the tan goes (e.g., the face, the legs, or all over). There will be no more tan lines where you don’t want them.

Are sunless tanners safe?

DHA has been considered a safe cosmetic ingredient since the 1970’s. Sunless tanners are temporary. The self-induced tan will fade away and be completely gone in about five days, if you so choose. Additionally, you will very likely age much more gracefully than your sun worshipping friends. When their skin looks like alligator brown leather, yours will still be soft and supple.

How much does a sunless tan cost:

That depends upon the method of self-tanning that you choose. Do-it-yourself sunless tanners can run as low as a $3. On the flip side, however, those posh spray tans can cost several hundred dollars a pop. The real truth is that most sunless tanners contain the same ingredient, which means that some of those cheap drugstore self-tanners can be every bit as good as the more expensive department store brands.

What should I avoid with regard to sunless tanning?

First of all, make sure the self-tanner is well mixed. Shake it carefully each time before you use it. Next, avoid over application. Some self-tanners suggest you apply additional coats every three or four hours until you obtain the desired color. However, most tanners continue to darken over time so wait until your tanner is finished setting – – about twelve hours. Otherwise, you could end up with that dreaded orange look even with today’s premier tanners.

Don’t choose a tan shade that is too dark for your natural skin tone. If you have pale ivory or fair skin, dark, deep, and extra dark products are going to look fake on you. Instead, try a lighter shade and slowly work yourself up to medium if need be.

Don’t apply sunless tanner to skin that isn’t clean and dry. It is also best to exfoliate your skin before applying any kind of self-tanner. Spend extra time on areas like knees, ankles, elbows, the tops of the feet (especially around the toes), and around the fingers. Skin is a different texture in those areas and tanning product tends to skew darker. Apply a plain lotion to those areas crucial areas before you apply tanner. Apply another coat after your tanner has been applied and then wipe off any excess product.

Note: Some believe that it is best to use warm water to cleanse the skin, rather than hot. There is some evidence that hot water might cause the skin to streak in color.

Use the product exactly as directed. Don’t skimp on the product but also do not over-apply. On the average, it should take about one to two ounces of tanning product for a full body application. Don’t get in the water, exercise, or apply any other type of moisturizer or lotion for at least three hours. Even light perspiration will ruin the tan, so do not overexert.

DHA degrades when exposed to air continuously so purchase a new sunless tanner at least once a year. Be aware that if you carry over product from year to year, it will likely be much less effective and might skew the color of your skin more to a yellow tone.

Wear gloves when applying sunless tanner in lotion or oil format or use a sponge for application. However, if the product seeps through the sponge to your hands, wash them immediately. Apply the tanner in an overlapping circular motion; not up and down.

Which sunless tanners work?

Actually there are a lot of good self-tanners on the market today. However, these are some of the best, listed by brand on a scale of one to five, with one being the lowest and five being the highest:

Bain de Soleil Mega Tan – 4 – Easy to apply and inexpensive at around $9.

Bain de Soleil Eternelle Self Tanning Cream – 5 – Leaves a beautiful bronze color on the skin for about $9.

Bain de Soleil Streakguarde Self-Tanning Cream – 5 – Doesn’t streak, won’t clog pores, and leaves a great coconut smell behind. Cost is about $10.

Banana Boat Summer Color Sunless Instant Bronzer and Tanning Foam – 4 – Leaves a beautiful tan for $8.

Banana Boat Sunless Tanning Cream – 5 -Leaves a gorgeous natural color, soft skin, and a pleasant odor for only about $8.

Clinque Self-Tanning Body Mist – 5 – Goes on evenly, smells great, and dries fast so that you can dress immediately. A little more expensive at $35.

Coppertone Continuous Spray Sunless Tan Moisturizing Mist – 4 – Moisture rich sunless tan for around $11.

Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tanning Lotion – 4 – Easy to do-it-yourself and not too expensive at $12.

Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tanning Foam – 4 – Easy to apply for even coverage at an cost of about $17.

Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tanning Gradual Tanning Lotion – 5 – Works well on pale or fair skin that should be tanned slowly over a period of time. Cost about $17.

Coppertone Oil Free Effortless Color Sunless Tanning Lotion – 4 – Looks natural and leaves an instant glow for $8.

Estee Lauder Go Bronze Tinted Self Tanner – 5 – Applies quickly and easily and leaves a beautiful bronze glow.

Estee Lauder Go Sunless Towlettes – 4 – Great for touchups and to cover tan lines. Cost is around $28.

Estee Lauder Self Action Tanning Cream – 5 – Makes for a nice, even tan.

Fake Bake Tanning Lotion – 5 – Excellent product, rich and creamy, but expensive at around $30.

Fake Bake Tanning Mousse – 5 – Leaves a wonderful bronzy glow for about $22.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion – 4 – Easy to apply for a natural tan at a cost around $9.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes – 4 – Easy application for a natural looking tan at around $9.

Neutrogena Build a Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning – 4 – Good for slow tanning and light skin. Cost is around $10.

Neutrogena Instant Bronze – 4 – Goes on evenly and leaves a stunning bronze glow for about $12.

Neutrogena Micro Mist Tanning Sunless Spray – 4 – A no rub flawless tan at about $12.

Neutrogena Streak Free Tanning Foam – 4 – Works well for darker skin tones. Cost around $9.

Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Foam – 4 – Goes on easily, covers well, and isn’t too expensive at about $8.

There are, of course, other tanning options. To explore those further, check out the article “Tanning Alternatives That Actually Work,” by Ashley Houdyschell.
Whatever alternative tanning option you choose, whether it is do-it-yourself or via spa application, one thing is certain. It’s a much safer choice than spending hours outside baking in the hot sun. For that, your skin will thank you!