You can avoid sun damage and still get a great tan.  Lyra Pappin tells you what you need to know about sunless tanners.Although we all love the look of glowing bronzed skin, nobody loves the damage that comes along with hours spent soaking up the sun.  The summer is a great time for relaxing outside with friends or getting active outdoors, but it’s a very dangerous time for your skin so you have to know how to protect it.  Health should be your top priority, not fashion, so make sure you get the right sunscreen for your skin type and activity level when outside.  Once that is out of the way, you can refocus on your desire for sexy summer-hued skin.  There are many products available for great sunless tans and you can find them easily on MSN Shopping Channels.

Looking at Your Options

There are different kinds of sunless tanners available depending on skin type, tone and what you are looking for.  Products are available as sprays, lotions and even foams so you can find a format that is most convenient and comfortable for you to use.  

Lotions tend to be easier for people new to tanning.  They spread easily and companies have been steadily developing their formulas to avoid greasy spots or a difficult application process.  Brands like Banana Boat, Jergens and L’Oreal offer affordable and effective tanning lotions.  Experiment until you find one that suits your needs.

Sprays and foams are better for people who are accustomed to applying tanners.  Although many products come with their own application sponge, you can also use a sponge-tipped paintbrush to ease the process.  Foams and sprays can be more drying than lotions, so be sure to moisturize or switch back and forth between a sunless lotion and a spray.

Sprays and foams have the advantage of covering a large area more uniformly.  They are also less likely to rub off on clothing and may last longer.  Neutrogena’s Sunless Tanning Spray recently won the Allure Award for best sunless tanner, so it might be a good place to start.  Once again, sprays and foams are available from many brands in different price ranges.  

Narrowing It Down

When it comes time to choose the right sunless tanner, there are so many options that it can become overwhelming!  Think about these questions:

Do you want to use it on your body and face?

If YES:  Make sure to look for specific face-friendly options like Lancome’s Flash Bronzer Lotion for the Face.  It is oil-free and therefore shouldn’t cause breakouts.

Do you want an instant bronze effect?

If YES:  Look for a tanner with bronzing material, which should be mentioned in the name, like L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion, as opposed to Coppertone’s Endless Summer Sunless Tanning Gradual Tan Moisturizing Lotion.  You might expect instant results, but not all tanners work that way, so make sure you get the product you want.

Do you want effective sun protection?

If YES:  Make sure to read the labels carefully.  Many sunless tanners include some SPF protection, but unless it is at least SPF 15, it might not be very effective in preventing sun damage.  If a strong SPF is important to you, search for a product including it like Palmer’s Sunless Tanner and Instant Bronzer with SPF 15.  

Are you looking for a socially responsible brand?

If YES:  Many people look for products that are environmentally friendly and that do not test on animals.  Carefully read labels to look for these options such as Kiehl’s Sun Free Self Tanning Formula or The Body Shop’s Body and Leg Shine.  Kiehl’s and The Body Shop never test their products on animals and Kiehl’s also runs a product exchange program where you can bring back empty bottles that will be reused by the company.

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sunning it up

There are so many sunless tanners available in different styles, strengths and scents that there is no excuse to add premature wrinkles, sun spots and damage to your skin!  Give your skin a break and find the best sunless tanner for you and enjoy your glowing golden healthy shine all summer!