Rating the Best Self-Tanners on Market

N E W   Y O R K, May 25 -- Most of us know by now that getting a deep, dark tan means risking dangerous exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, so it's no surprise that sunless tanning products are flying off of store shelves.

Besides an increase in sales of 10 percent over a year ago (according to market research firm ACNielsen of Schaumburg, Ill.), the products are working better. Using self-tanners doesn't mean you end up looking like an orange anymore.

Good Morning America put four self-tanners currently on the market to the test. Four models — three women and one man — applied one bronzing lotion each to half their bodies, without knowing which one they were using.

The models used the following four self-tanning products: Neurtogena, Clarins, Estee Lauder and Coppertone. They rated them under three categories: color, application, and smell.

Self-Tanning Ratings

Estee Lauder sunless super tan $25.Model's Ratings:Color: 9 Application: 8Smell: 9

Coppertone endless summer sunless tanning lotion $12.Model's Ratings:Color: 8 Application: 8Smell: 9

Clarins self tanning instant gel $24.50.Model's Ratings:Color: 7 Application: 9 Smell: 7

Neutrogena sunless tanning foam $10.Model's Ratings:Color: 6 Application: 9 Smell: 3

Orange No More

The key ingredient in most sunless tanners is a chemical called dihydroxyacetone, which reacts with skin proteins to produce a brown coloring that mimics a tan. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the 1970s and it works similar to hair dye.

It colors only the top layer of skin, and as dead skin naturally sloughs off, the color fades.

Technology of sunless tanners has improved vastly, one health and beauty magazine editor said.

"We know what used to make these products smell bad, and what made them turn you orange," said Dana Points, executive editor of Self magazine. "Now you can get a natural-looking tan. There are a whole range of products: spray-ons, foams, and lotions."