Self tanning lotion

Generally speaking, I don't tan well... I'm pale, I burn easy, I've never liked tanning beds much. When I've "NEEDED" a tan (like for my daughter's wedding at the Beach while wearing a strapless dress) I went for a spray tan. In my area it cost me less than 10$ and lasted about a week. In the past I'd tried those self tanning lotions and they were fairly expensive and as you said, looked streaky or orangish. My daughter also gets spray tans about once every 2 weeks - she likes the tan look and doesn't want the skin cancer problems and always looks great.

(Suggestion: when they are spraying you, be sure you hold up your boobs or wear a super supportive bra or the bikini top you intend to wear if you plan on being seen in public... otherwise you'll have white shadows underneath!!)

Going tanning once your chances of getting cancer goes up 75%!!!! OMG then I should already be dead or had cancer years years years years ago!!!!!!!!........LOL!

I am VERY fair and don't tan. I use Jergen's Natural Glow lotion. Because I am so fair, one application works for me and lasts about 4 days. (of course, if you spend a lot of time in the water, that will lessen) It's not orange or streaky on me. For most people, you have to build up a tan through multiple applications over several days. It's pretty reasonable, too. It was about $7 dollars for a bottle that will proably last me 2 or 3 months.

I use Ocean Potion Lotion. Their sunless tanning lotion is called "Ever Glow", I believe. Not only does it change your skin tone gradually, by just slight shades daily (with daily use), but it smells yummy.

EDIT: I should say, "I use Ocean Potion Ever Glow Lotion" when I'm not being lazy and applying lotion or tanning lotions to myself. I've had my bottle for two years. I'm super lazy.

Know the feeling about being "fair".
I've tried the Jergen's brand and just purchased the Coppertone. Hoping to NOT be orange or streaky. Helps to apply after shower and shaving legs.

Wanting to stay out of the tanning bed.

Good luck with your self tanner!

P.S. I also heard Bath and Body Works has a good one, but I've never tried it myself. I may look into that one... I'll let you know!

I found a great organic based tanning lotion at target called Lavera. I was unsure because its organic that the quality might be compromised a little. It's the BEST self tanner I've ever used!!! It goes on little by little so you won't be orange overnight - similar to Jergens natural glow and those types of products. It's VERY natural looking. I use it about one a week on my body and maybe 3 times a week on my face (I wear stronger spf on my face daily). I HIGHLY recommend it!!!

Try using the Neutrogena one - it's a sunless tanning spray as opposed to a lotion, so you won't streak. I've tried lotions before and the spray is a million times better - the only thing to remember is to exfoliate good about 1-2x per week so it doesn't build up on your dry skin.

It's super easy to use and you see color pretty quick. Good luck! :blushing: <<-- that's a person getting tan, lol!

Please do not laugh about or minimize the possible negative consequences of the the sun or tanning beds. It is all too real. My ex passed away from melanoma less than 2 years ago leaving two 14 year old girls without a father. Please play it safe!

Mary Kay sells a really nice gradual tanner. The first few days it just feels like a lotion. No real colour at all, but then it slowly builds. Not orange in the least.

I'm irridescently (sp?) white... I glow, on the beach... so I tend to use this product in the summertime.

Is it the tanning that may cause cancer? I was under the impression that a bad burn was much worse for you.

I tend to hit the tanning bed for about a month or two in the spring; just before we go on vacation. Nothing worse than lounging around a pool in Mexico fully dressed because I burned myself on the first day.

I'm one of those "lobster in five minutes" people... but when honey and I went to Mexico last year (we cruised for 10 days), I didn't burn at all. Not once. I used Mary Kay's sunscreen the whole trip. 'Twas great!

From the American Cancer Society's website:

"Lights used in tanning beds and sun lamps give off mainly ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation, according to the study. UVA was classified as a probable human cancer-causing agent by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) in 1992, according to the Swedish study. IARC is a part of the World Health Organization."

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/nws/content/nws_1_1x_tanning_beds_may_increase_skin_cancer_risk.asp

The article further states that the lights in a tanning bed multiple the radiation to which one is exposed, which would actually make it worse than getting a sunburn.


I do not use tanning beds, and even though I tan easily, I always wear sunscreen.

I don't like self-tanners by themselves, I prefer the lotions. The best I have found by far (and I've tried pretty much everything) is the Jergens Natural Glow Express. It's a much smaller bottle, but it does not leave your skin orange or streaky. It builds up gradually if you care to apply more than once, and results show rather rapidly.

My secrets for flawless self-tanning: exfoliate with a moisturizing exfoliator in the shower (i.e. one that has natural oils in at as opposed to simply a loofah or dry salt), apply the tanning lotion quickly and evenly upon patting dry after the shower, follow up about ten to twenty minutes later with another lotion (I use Palmer's Cocoa Butter) to increase moisture and help to even out any areas. Of course avoid elbows, knees, wrists, and ankles. Wash your hands after initial application and follow up (colorless) lotion application.

In a quick fix, you can use a body makeup spray like Sally Hansen Salon Airbrush Legs, although I find applying this evenly takes much more practice and if you don't let it set long enough it will definitely come off on your clothing. I have, however, used it over all of my exposed skin (arms and chest included) when I didn't have time for a self-tanning session.

Bump! Great info here! I am happy to say I avoided the tanning bed this winter.