Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion

Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion is a classic lotion-based sunless tanner. Although it has been around for several years, the formula remains popular with consumers. It comes in two shades: Deep Dark and Light/Medium.

Easy to apply

Lotion-based sunless tanners are usually the easiest to apply, because they are simply rubbed in just like a body lotion. Banana Boat goes a step further by adding a tint to the lotion so that you can see where it has already been applied. Several users at Drugstore.com, TotalBeauty.com and Amazon.com say the tint helps eliminate streaking. Others disagree, however. Streaking is generally the result of how a sunless tanner is applied. There is a bit of a learning curve -- most users say it takes a few times to get the process perfected. Experts say it's important to exfoliate first and carefully follow directions for the best results.

Enriched with aloe and vitamin E

Banana Boat Self-Tanning Lotion is enriched with aloe and vitamin E along with a slew of other emollient ingredients that add moisture to the skin. Editors at TotalBeauty.com agree that the formula is moisturizing and praise it for not being sticky -- a common complaint. Like all self tanners, the lotion contains dihydroxyacetone, which creates a distinct odor when it reacts with the skin. Users at TotalBeauty.com and Amazon.com say Banana Boat smells better than most.

Dries in about 15 minutes

Lotion-based sunless tanners take longer to dry than spray and mousse formulas, but users say that Banana Boat Self-Tanning Lotion dries faster than most. A few reviewers say it takes 15 to 20 minutes to dry -- still a lot if you're in a hurry but faster than the typical 30 minutes it takes for other tanning lotions. If you prefer a quick-drying formula, reviewers say Tan Towel Self-Tan Towelettes (*Est. $24 for 10 half-body wipes) dry instantly.

The bottom line

Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion dries faster than its lotion-based counterparts, isn't sticky and is tinted so you can see your application. There aren't many drawbacks, and it could be used as an alternative to the Best Reviewed Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel (Est. $35 for 4.4 oz.).