Summer is slowly creeping in. It seems as soon as we have our first pool party or get invited to one we panic, “I have no tan!” Well no worries! There is a SAFE and very effective way to get that golden tan we all dream about.
Sunless tanners and bronzers give you the results you want quicker than the dangerous tanning beds, cheaper, and will not flirt with getting skin cancer.
Many of you are thinking, “they make my skin orange and dark in spots!” Rest assured, there are some super products out there. We just need to find them! That is what I am here for.
There are two types of sunless tanning products:
- Sunless tanning products that stain the skin and will remain until it is sloughed off with ordinary daily activities. They usually last 3-7 days and can be reapplied as needed.
- Cosmetic bronzers are applied and have no staining affect. They are removed simply with soap and water, similar to makeup. It is personal preference which one you use.
Do Self Tanners Work?
A darkening agent called DHA that is in all self tanners is a color-producing sugar that interacts with amino acids in the outermost layer of the skin which causes the skin to become darker. It is FDA approved and very safe to use.
It is advised to test the product on a small area of your skin first to make sure there is not an allergic reaction. Some people have sensitive skin so it is best to find out on a small area than your entire body!
Sunless Tanner Application
Tips on Applying a Self Tanner:
Wax or shave the day before you will be applying the sunless tanner. If you have any knicks or cuts the self tanner lotion, oil, gel, etc. can sit in the damaged area and can cause the area to appear darker. So it’s best to wait a day to let the minor skin irritation heal.
Exfoliate your dry areas on your body prior to applying product: elbows, knees, feet, and hands. Dry skin causes the skin to have creases so the tanner has somewhere to penetrate.
Moisturize! Apply a moisturizer to the areas where you exfoliated. This will inhibit the tanner from soaking in and darkening. If you have any age spots, apply lotion on them as well. Don’t forget your fingertips. Our fingertips tend to be dry from using our hands so much.
Wear gloves that fit well before applying the tanner.
Shake the product well before using mix up all the ingredients. Start with the legs first and massage the tanner in a circular motion to prevent streaks. Next apply it to the arms, torso, neck, and face if you are using the tanner on your face. If so, apply only one coat so the face doesn’t get too dark. I recommend using a separate product on your face. A bronzer is recommended for your face but again, its personal preference.
Lightly apply the product to your feet and hands. These areas are where we tend to see self-tanning mistakes. Use a washcloth to remove any excess on your knuckles. When applying to your hands, put it on the back of your hands and rub them together. Be careful not to get any on your palms. Use a washcloth to remove any tanner from the creases of your hands and blend the product on the sides by your palm.
Dry! Let the product dry before putting on any clothes or you may accidentally stain your outfit. Try to reduce any activity so you don’t sweat and cause streaks. Wash your hands after applying to remove any excess product.
Wait several hours before showering. The longer the better. Try to wait at least eight hours before showering and do not exfoliate for at least 24 hours. Let the product soak into your skin. This also means staying away from any water activities like the pool or beach. So prepare the best time to apply your Top Rated Sunless Tanner!
Moisturize! The key to longevity with your sunless tan is hydration! Apply lotion daily.
Top Rated Sunless Tanners
Tanceuticals CC Self Tanning Body Lotion
#1 RATED BEST SELF TANNER – Tanceuticals has received numerous awards by beauty editors worldwide
Easy to Apply, Easily Blends
Gorgeous Dark Shade of Bronze
Inviting Coconut Scent
Made from Healthy Cosmeceuticals – Acai Berry, Mango Butter and Vitamin E
St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
Awards: ELLE Beauty Awards, In Style Best Beauty Buys Winner
Super-light-weight Tinted Mousse
Rich Golden Natural- Looking Glow
Dries in 60 Seconds
Great Citrus Fragrance
St. Tropez Luxe Dry Oil
Dry Oil with a Brown Tint
Gorgeous Shimmery Glow
Herbal Pleasant Smell
No Streaks
Moisturizes Skin Leaving it Nice n Soft
L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Serum
Easy Spray Application with 360° continuous mist coats skin evenly
Quick Drying
Natural Sun-kissed Tan
Made with Vitamin E and Gentle
Long-Lasting
Clinique Self Sun Tinted Lotion
Tinted Lotion with a Glowing Shimmer
Immediate Results with a Beautiful Medium Shade
Streak-Free
Moisturizes Skin to Keep Skin Soft
Lasts 4 to 5 Days
Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel
Award Winner
Great for Pale Skin
Colorless Application that Slowly Darkens
Vitamin Packed Tanner Featuring Aloe Vera
Beautiful Natural Glowing Tan
Great Smell
Fake Bake Flawless
Self-tanning Liquid Spray
Tans darker – Lasts Longer
Dries Instantly for On The Go
Rich Dark Brown Thin Liquid
Leaves Skin with a Flawless Glow
Somerville360 Face and Body Self Tanning Towelettes
Easy-to-Use & Fast Drying
No Mess, No Streaks, No Uneven Skin tone
Gradual, Healthy Looking Tan
Calming Cucumber that soothes and refreshes the face and body
Vitamin E to condition the skin
The Balm Bahama Mama Bronzer
Features a Pigmented Sheer Color
A Compact Caribbean Getaway
Washes Off – No Staining
Look Beautifully Tanned
Summertime is right around the corner. A time for fun in the sun, vacations, relaxing at the beach or pool. And also time for sun protection. The days are longer and the sun is hotter. We certainly don’t want a sunburn to get in the way of our comfort. There are several sunburn prevention tips we can easily follow to have a positive day in the sun. First and foremost is protection.
About 15-30 minutes before you go outside, generously lather up your body with sunscreen. Most people only apply 25-30% of what is recommended. A good rule of thumb dermatologists recommend is to use as much sunscreen to fill a shot glass, 1 ounce. Of course adjust the amount as necessary to your body size.
Hats are fun to wear and boy do they make getting ready easy! Hats add value to any outfit and have many benefits. We typically see people wearing baseball caps but there is a whole world of different hats out there that really give the icing on the cake look.
that is safer. There are so many styles of hats and fun ones.
Baseball caps are great but for sun protection they don’t cover the ears or neck, typically where skin cancers develop. The best protection from the sun is a hat with a wide brim, at least 2-3 inches all around the hat. This wider brim protects your ears, forehead, neck, eyes, and top of head.
The tighter the better!
Over the years I have been fortunate to have ownership of various types of beach towels. My husband and I have been know to host many interesting pool parties. After a few margaritas and/or cervezas our friends tend to leave things behind. Oops!
We work very hard and look forward to our time off so we can enjoy our family and friends. Having fun and relaxing outdoors can be a great memorable experience.
I have provided educational tips, safety products, best travel destinations, cheap airfare, and products that will benefit you as well as “Make a Difference!”
Dries half the time!
Marine Conservation Institute is an non-profit organization dedicated to securing strong permanent protection for the oceans. Many people don’t realize that our oceans are our life support system. Every breath we take comes from the ocean. It is vital to humanity to take care of the marine ecosystems to preserve human survival.
