The thought of sunless tanning may immediately take your mind to tanning salons and orange exteriors. However, the tanning industry has evolved far beyond this and is actually easy to do from your own home. Sunless tanning is not only the way to go for a 365 day glow but it can also protect your skin from many health risks. Sun damage is a major link to aging, dark spots, and even skin cancer. Avoiding long hours in the sun can seem like a challenge, especially in the midst of hot girl summer, but it can build long-term benefits for yourself. Here is a product list of sunless tanning options for that bronzed summer look year round.
Self tanner is the most common form of sunless tanning. It is a similar concept to spray tanning in that it bakes into your skin and can give you 1-2 weeks of a bronzed body. Self tanner is definitely the way to go if you want lasting results and a full coverage look. Just remember to blend and wash off following bottle instructions. Here are some products to get you started:
St. Tropez is one of the largest self-tanning brands with a product line that has something for everyone. Their products are 100% clean and are free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and more. Their most popular self-tanning product is the mousse, which can be purchased with a matching glove for an easy application. Using the glove, you can spread the mousse evenly throughout your skin to avoid streaks and pack the product in so that it can develop over time. Pro Tip: to make for a seamless blend, gently exfoliate the skin prior to self tanner application.
Bali Body is another great option for self tanning that is straight to the point. Bali Body products are 100% vegan and made with naturally derived ingredients. Their products range from tanning oils, skincare, and more but they are most known for their self tanning mousse. Their mousse, which can be purchased in bundle packages, is known for its natural finish. Bali Body products are known for moisturizing and nourishing the skin during the application process and even after you rinse off so your skin will be glowing inside and out.
Bondi Sands is another popular self tanning brand that is accessible in most stores and with a wide range of tanning products. Their best seller is their tanning foam which is cruelty free, vegan, and packed with aloe vera to enrich the skin. The application process doesn’t vary from that of the self tanning mousse, but they do offer a back applicator to make the process as easy as possible. And as a bonus, Bondi Sands will leave you smelling like coconuts. I mean, who could resist?
SPF tanner is the best method for sunless tanning without missing summer fun. SPF is the sun protection factor of a product and is a number that measures how protective the product is from the sun’s harmful rays (1). Rain or shine, we should be using SPF products on a daily basis to protect our skin from sun damage. So why not do so while also getting a tanned look? Using SPF tanner is the perfect way to look tan before you get tan while also protecting your skin. Here are some products to get you started:
Pacifica SPF tanner is the brand to use if you’re looking for an airbrushed summer glow. The Mineral Bronzing Sunscreen Coconut Glow is vegan, cruelty-free, and packed with ingredients that are just *chef’s kiss*. The key ingredients of this product are Coconut probiotic, Zinc oxide, Aloe vera, and Caffeine while the only active ingredient is zinc oxide 20%. This product is also SPF 30 and water resistant up to 80 minutes so it is perfect for everyday use. After using this product you will most likely be ditching your foundation and living by Pacifica products.
CeraVe is one of the most reputable brands in skincare and their SPF products are no exception. The Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen by CeraVe gives a sheer face tint to basic sunscreen products that blends into the skin for a natural, glowing finish. This sunscreen is SPF 30 and features the same dermatologist recommended formula that you can get with any CeraVe product.
Tanning moisturizer is another great sunless tanning solution if you want the look without the commitment. Tanning moisturizer is a great product option especially for a night out when you want a full-body Snapchat filter look. If you’re going to put lotion on anyway, why not add a little glow to the mix? Here are some products to get you started:
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs is a product that is so widely accepted, even Kim Kardashian is rumored to use it in her routine. The Airbrush Legs product is a lightweight leg makeup that is enriched with palmaria extract to leave skin feeling nourished. This product is also water and transfer resistant, making for a full day of a sunless tan look.
Charlotte Tilbury is another popular beauty brand that is most popular for their contour and blush wands. These makeup products went viral on TikTok after Madison Beer swore by them in a Vogue video, and to this day, they are still sold out. The Supermodel Body Highlighter is no exception to this success. This hydrating body shimmer is packed with supercharged ingredients such as rosehip oil, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, caffeine, and more. This product will leave you feeling sunkissed and like a supermodel.
Overall, there are many options to explore sunless tanning. Finding products that work with your skin tone and skin mood can take some trial and error. What is most important is that you are protecting your skin from sun damage without sacrificing your bronzed summer look!
Written by Daniela Jolie
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