So, it’s July 13, and you still aren’t tan. I get it; you’re a busy woman.  My legs were looking pretty sad, too, until we went to Bermuda (more on that tomorrow).  This brings me to self-tanner: it can be so good or SO bad.  And just when you probably found one that you liked, here I am telling you to toss it.  Besides all the bad stuff that is in conventional body lotion (parabens, silicones, fragrance, dyes, penetration enhancers, etc.) it contains DHA.  DHA can be harmless if derived naturally, but it is toxic if inhaled – I’m talking to you, spray tan-orexics.  Also, DHA makes your skin incredibly susceptible to free radical damage when exposed to the sun, even a day later.  Yikes, isn’t that what we all do, put on self tanner the day before we are going into the sun for the first time in six months?

Full disclosure: I love being tan, LOVE.  I have used self-tanners on a regular basis ever since I was in college.  So, this was a high-priority product when I went Clean.  Luckily, there are some good ones out there:

Chocolate Sun is the safest option I’ve found.  Ingredients like sunflower and almond oil provide plenty of moisture and the DHA is sugar beet-derived.  Because it is so Clean, you need to shake the bottle a little, as natural ingredients separate sometimes.  A little goes a long way; the formula is a little thicker and doesn’t absorb on contact, you really have to move it around and rub it in.  However, it doesn’t leave you goopy and wet.  I dress about ten minutes later with no problem.  The scent: you guessed it, cocoa.  It may make some of you recall the tanning bed lotions of your college days. (But none of us ever used tanning beds, right?)  If you don’t love the fragrance, which is naturally derived, the good news is that it fades pretty quickly.  At any rate, it is effective.  I am always satisfied with the results of this self-tanner.  Also, it comes in different intensities for different skin tones.  I use “Cocoa Glow” (Medium).

Ingredients: aqua (pH-balanced distilled water), dihydroxyacetone (DHA, derived from sugar beets)  helianthus annus (sunflower seed) oil, prunus delcis (sweet almond) oil,  aloe barbadensis gel (aloe vera) gel, cocos nucifera oil (coconut oil), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil,  cetearyl olivate,  sorbitan olivate, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), glucono delta lactone (natural food grade preservative), sodium benzoate,  calcium gluconate (natural food grade preservative),
sodium PCA,  theobroma cacao (cocoa absolute),  vanilla planifola (vanilla extract), camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract.  92% Organic ingredients.

I have to say that Eco-Tan Invisible Tan Self Tanning Creme is my current favorite.  It goes on just like a body lotion and is absorbed by the skin very readily.  The color develops in 8 hours, so it’s perfect to apply before bed, and I’ve never experienced any streakiness with this formula.  This lotion is best for medium-olive skin tones, and my tan lasts 3-5 days, depending on how much I shower, shave, etc.  Eco-Tan also uses DHA derived from sugar beets, and most of the ingredients are very safe.  It is certified organic by Organic Food Chain Australia.

Ingredients: Aloe Bardadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Dihydroxyacetone**, Glyceryl Stearate**, Persea Gratissma (Avocado) Oil*, Macadamia Terifolia Seed Oil*, Glycerin*, Cetyl Alcohol **, Stearic Acid**, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate**, Xanthan Gum**, Lecithin* , Tocopherol Acetate **, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract*, Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Oil*, Lenconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate**, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract**, Citronellol**, Geraniol**, Linalool**, Citral Limonene**. *Certified Organic Australia **Natural

I’d heard a lot of great things about Vita Liberata Fabulous Self-Tanning Tinted Mousse, and thought I’d give it a try.  There is a bit of a learning curve involved in applying this tinted mousse, but the results are gorgeous, and instant.  It leaves a bronze glow (great for camouflaging bruises, spider veins, etc. on contact) and dries immediately.  Definitely use the Vita Liberata Tanning Mitt when applying to avoid stained hands; remember, the formula is tinted!  This formula is the least Clean of the three, but it’s still ten times better than conventional self tanners; it does not contain Parabens, Animal derivatives, Petrochemicals , Sulphates or Silicones, and the DHA is once again sugar beet-derived.  As long as you’re not planning on using this formula every other day, I do feel okay about it.  (I used Medium.)

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Water*, Dihydroxyacetone***, Glycerin*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol**, Disodium EDTA, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter (Beurre)**, Saccharide Isomerate***, Tocopheryl Acetate**, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract**, Benzyl Alcohol***, Salicylic Acid***,Sorbic Acid***, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract**, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract*, Fucus Vesicolosus (Bladderwrack) Extract**, Litchi Chinensis (Lychee) Fruit Extract**, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Extract*, Hydrolysed Silk (Soie), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Extract*, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil**, CI 42090 (Blue 1), CI 17200 (Red 33), CI 19140 (Yellow 5).  *Organic. **Natural. ***Ecocert

A Few Tips:

• EXFOLIATE!  Seriously, if you don’t exfoliate, you’re guaranteed streaks and stained elbows, knees and ankles.  I know that’s not the look you are going for.
• Speaking of those joints, apply product sparingly there.
• Don’t apply self-tanner and then immediately put on a white dress.  I’ve made the mistake and my favorite white shorts are ruined forever.
• Carefully wash your hands after application.
• Moisturize daily after application to make the tan last longer.  Use soap and body wash sparingly.
• All self-tanner smells, period.  Even the ones that claim not to stink leave a lingering odor, at least for me.  I just try to apply before bed (sorry, Richard) and shower up in the morning so no one can smell me at the cocktail party that evening.
• Read your labels.  There are so many self tanners out there that are promoting themselves as “Organic”.  Trust me, they approach me all the time, and I have to constantly turn them away.  The truth: very few are by my standards.  Do your research, and use your brain, especially if you are pregnant.  EWG is a great resource.

Don’t forget to use my personal discount code, BAREBEAUTY at Safe & Chic for a 10% discount!

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