Get the "Summer Glow" without the Skin Damage and Wrinkles

I am a big advocate for saving your skin from the damage of UVA/UVB rays. In high school, I would fake-bake all the time, and yeah the tan looked great but I was giving myself pre-mature wrinkles, dark freckles, and sun spots, and putting myself at risk for skin cancer. Nowadays, I never go to a tanning booth, and I always were moisturizer with SPF15 on my face. So how do I get that sun-kissed glow without the damage, Self-tanner!!! Self-tanner has improved greatly over the past few years. In the past, the active ingredient in self-tanners, DHA (dihydroxyacetone), reacts adversely with the skin causing your skin to appear orange. This was due to using poor quality DHA. Today, most self-tanners use higher quality DHA, and have different varieties of shades for different skin types. Some of the best self-tanners can also be expensive, but here are a list of great expensive and inexpensive self-tanners:

1. St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse:
"This super-lightweight, easy-to-apply, velvety mousse delivers the ultra-even all-over tan you’ve always wanted. Infused with conditioning aloe vera and long-lasting color, you’ll have a perfectly natural looking, streak-free tan that dries in an instant. Our innovative Aromaguard™ fragrance technology eliminates the tell-tale self tan aroma by a minimum of 70% and instead gives a beautiful subtle, yet refreshing fragrance."

http://www.sttropeztan.com/self-tan-bronzing-mousse

This stuff works miracles! If applied correctly it gives you an amazing bronze color, without the orange hue. It's a little costly though, $30 for 4 fl oz. and $40 for 8fl oz., But It is well worth the money! Make sure you exfoliate with an exfoliating wash and a washcloth, loofahs tend to exfoliate unevenly, and put a light coat of water-based moisturizer on your ankles, knees, elbows, hands, and feet to keep them from absorbing too much color.


2. L'Oreal Sunless Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer, Medium Skin Tones

This is an inexpensive self-tanner and is a great choice if you apply sunless tanner only to your legs. If you are very fair-skinned, one application a week may be all the color you need.It contains mica, a natural mineral that provides a slight shimmer. The shine looks great on legs, not so great on the face. Available at drugstore and drugstore.com for $10.99; up to $13.00 retail.

3. Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel
This lightweight and non-oily gel creates a natural, golden tan for both your face and body. It absorbs instantly so you don't have to wait 10 minutes before you can put your clothes on, but the gels texture allows you to feel exactly where you placed it so you know if you missed a spot. Available at Sephora and www.sephora.com, 4.4oz for $33.                  





4. Neutrogena Sun Fresh Sunless Tanner

The ultra-lightweight formula glides on evenly, dries quickly, and gives a radiant glow. With the hint of grapefruit and nectarine, it gives you a fresh sensation. Available at Walmart and drugstores, 4 fl.oz. for $9.99








5. Geurlain Terracotta Sunless Tinted Self-Tanning Gel

This gel provides a warm glow to your skin without streaking. It dries instantly leaving a hint of color. The formula is enriched with 100% Moroccan Argan Oil which helps hydrate, protect, and regenerate the skin for a smooth, flawless finish. Available at Sephora. 5.4 fl.oz. for $52.







6. Aveeno Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion

This product provides moisturizer, a tan with no streaks, and the ability to control how much color you want. It has a dial on the top so you can regulate the amount of tanner comes out with the lotion. Available at Walmart and drugstores for $11.99.







7. St. Tropez Everyday Gradual Self-Tanning Mousse

This formula allows you to build your tan overtime. Apply it daily for the effect natural tanning. St.Tropez's formulas are infused wi+
th an innovated AromaguardTM technology that reduces the self-tanning aroma by 70%. Available at Sephora. 4 fl.oz for $30.







8. Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer

Much like the more expensive St.Tropez formula, this daily moisturizer allows to build a tan gradually. It comes in three shades for fair skin, medium, and medium/tan. Available at drugstores. 7.5 fl.oz. for $7.89.





9. Clarins Liquid Bronze Self-Tanner for the Face

This product is great for people with oily skin. It leaves the face with a bronzed glow without the greasiness. Available at Sephora. 4.2 fl.oz. for $33.








10. Victoria Secret Beach Sexy Tan Enhancing Shimmer Lotion with Tint

This isn't a self-tanner, but a lotion that boosts your tan and adds a little tint. Provides the benefit of a lotion along with skin perfecting shimmer, the bronze tint helps hide any imperfections caused by your self-tanner. Available at Victoria Secret, 7.6 oz for $12.







Remember that a self-tanner does NOT provide skin protection. Moisturize everyday and apply sunscreen often in order to prevent sun damage!