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 turned Clean.  Luckily, there are some good ones out there.

I was very skeptical when trying Clean self-tanners for some reason.  I thought I was going to look like Ross from Friends in this episode:

But read on, because I didn’t end up resembling Ross at all.

I looked more like this:

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!  My skin looked great after using all of the following:

LAVERA SELF TANNING LOTION

Lavera offers a large selection of clean products – I love their sunscreen – so I gave decided to give their self-tanner a shot and I am so glad I did!  The formula contains a mix of organic plant-based oils and aloe.  Very clean ingredients.  It applied very nicely, too.  The smell is present, but not at all offensive.  It leaves my skin silky and moisturized, but not greasy.  And the actual tan it creates is believable and not at all streaky. If you are not break-out-prone, it can also be used on your face.  A-Plus!!!  Cost: about $30 for 5 oz.  Purchase it here.

CHOCOLATE SUN COCOA GLOW MEDIUM TANNING CREAM FOR FACE AND BODY

Chocolate Sun is another great option.  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 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 dressed 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 “Medium”.  Cost: about $40 for 8 oz.  Purchase it here.

CHOCOLATE SUN SUNLESS TANNING GEL FOR THE FACE

I have also used Chocolate Sun’s self-tanning gel for the face and it is really great.  It goes on evenly, sinks right in, and does not leave your face goopy or greasy.  The scent is not as chocolate-y, (to me, a good thing) and the results are fantastic.  Again, shake the bottle a little, as the consistency looks a little weird, but who cares if it works, right?  Like the cream, this product also comes different intensities for different skin tones.  Cost: about $34 for 4 oz.  Purchase it here.

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Has anyone else used any other Clean self-tanners that we all need to try?  Let me know!

I hope you have a bronze, sunshiny day!