Self tanner.  It usually smells terrible, streaks, turns your skin orange and stains your hands.  And deposits toxins into your bloodstream.  I first blogged about it here, but I felt I needed to remind you (and myself) that a good, Clean self tanner is an option this time of year.

Chocolate Sun’s Cocoa Glow Sunless Tanning Cream is the perfect self tanner for the chest down.  Ingredients like sunflower and almond oil provide plenty of moisture and the DHA (the ingredient that “tans” your skin) is sugar beet-derived.   The formula is thick; you do have to move it around and rub it in, but I’m able to dress 10-15 minutes after applying without a problem.  The results are effective and natural looking; within 6-8 hours my skin is a golden-tan.  Also, it comes in different intensities for different skin tones. I use “Medium”. The cocoa scent is 100% natural, but it does wear off pretty quickly if that’s not your thing.  Cost: about $40 for 8 oz.  Purchase it here.

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.

Chocolate Sun’s Cocoa Illume Sunless Tanning Gel for the Face is amazing!  The formula is aloe-based and lightweight, and it leaves a subtle bronze tint instantly while I wait around for the “real” tan to appear (about 6 hours).  Like the cream, this product also comes different intensities for different skin tones.  I use “Medium/Dark”.  This formula has a subtle citrus scent.  Cost: about $34.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: aqua (distilled water), dihydroxyacetone (derived from sugar beets), aloe barbadensis (aloe vera gel), mica (natural coloring agent), citrus sinensis (sweet orange oil), glucono delta lactone, sodium benzoate, calcium gloconate (natural food grade preservative combination).  94% Organic Ingredients.

*Note: the ingredients in thee formulas are totally natural, so separation may occur.  Just shake the bottle before using.*

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