Rating the Best Self-Tanners on Market
N E W Y O R K, May 25, 2001 -- 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."
Key Pointers for Self-Tanning
Exfoliate: Before using a self-tanner, remember to exfoliate (remove your dead skin), with a loofah or other scrub brush in the shower, Points said. It's important to get rid of the top surface of cells, because these tanners change the color of the top layers of skin only. They cause chemical reactions with the proteins in the top cells of the skin and if you let dead skin cells linger, the tan will disappear quickly.
Moisturize: You should also moisturize rough spots your elbows, knees, knuckles, and anyplace where you have rough, loose skin. This is where color accumulates. You will also want to apply lightly to these areas.
Wear Latex Gloves: Points also advises that you remember to wear latex gloves. These will protect your palms so that they don't end up overexposed to the lotion as you rub it into the rest of your body. The trick with these products is to only tan yourself where you would naturally get a tan.
Work From Bottom Up: You will get better results if you work from the bottom up, Points said. And you should save your belly for last or else you'll end up with creases where you've bent over from working.
Use Fingertips: Finally, when the gloves do come off, use only your fingertips to rub the lotion onto the back of your hands.
When you are done, you will want to wait at least a half hour to put on clothing. It is a good idea to do it at bedtime and wait before going to bed. By the time you wake up, the color will be there. It takes anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours for the color to appear. Coppertone only takes half an hour, Points said.