Sunless Tanning: Reviews

Updated November 2008

Sunscreen

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Best sunless tanner

*Est. $30 for 4.4 ounces Compare Prices

Reviews point to Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel as the best do-it-yourself tanning product; it's easy to apply and doesn't streak. Although it's more expensive than others, some testers say that a little goes a long way… and that the natural-looking tan that results is worth the extra cost. While applying a sunless tanner yourself isn't as convenient as spray tanning in a salon, it's certainly less expensive to maintain. The tanning ingredient in this and all sunless tanners is DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a substance that temporarily stains skin and fades with time like a suntan.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: Paula Begoun rates self tanning lotions and creams in this comprehensive book that's become a beauty-product bible for many. ...

Washingtonian: Three bartenders, each with a different complexion, rate Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel as one of the best of seven ...

Allure: Allure editors choose Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel as one of the three best self tanners after testing thousands of products. ...

Elle: Readers of Elle magazine pick Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel as one of the top five self tanners, saying that it dries quickly ...

MakeupAlley.com: User reviewers at MakeupAlley.com give Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel 4.1 out of five stars (based on 166 reviews at ...

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Best sunless tanning lotion/moisturizer

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

*Est. $7.50 for 7.5 ounces Compare Prices

Moisturizing body lotions that include a mild self tanner are gentle enough that you can use them daily as a substitute for a regular body lotion. The tan develops over a few days of use, and maintains the color if you… continue regular usage. Jergens Natural Glow ranks most highly in reviews with users praising its easy and goof-proof application. It comes in three shades, enabling you to better match the shade to your skin tone.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Washingtonian: Jergens Natural Glow is chosen as one of the best of seven self tanners by three bartenders, each with a different complexion. ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports includes Jergens Natural Glow and five other products in its report on sunless tanners, all of which are ...

Prevention Magazine: Prevention magazine gives Jergens Natural Glow an "A+" for its low price, great scent and for being steak-free. The color doesn't ...

SqueezeOC.com: After testing Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer for a week, this reviewer claims that her skin is two shades darker and that ...

LifeScript.com: The author of this article claims that Jergens Natural Glow gave her skin a smoother and more even-toned appearance after ...

MakeupAlley.com: There are hundreds of reviews posted to MakeupAlley.com for Jergens Natural Glow but consumers have mixed opinions. While the ...

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Home spray tanning

Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray

*Est. $10 for 5.3 ounces Compare Prices

If you like the idea of a spray you can apply at home, reviewers suggest Neutrogena MicroMist. Users say it imparts a natural color but is colorless itself, so it won't stain surrounding areas. It takes about five minutes… to dry. Spray-on formulas make it a bit easier to apply product to hard-to-reach spots like your back.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Prevention Magazine: After testing 30 sunless tanners on 30 volunteers, Prevention lists the nine that produced the best, most even results. ...

Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: Paula Begoun is critical in her review of Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray, saying that it contains too much witch ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports tests six self tanners on 14 people; results are compiled in a ratings chart. Editors recommend spray tanners, ...

LifeScript.com: Testers at LifeScript.com say that the online tutorial video for Neutrogena MicroMist Sunless Tanning Spray is easy to follow and ...

MakeupAlley.com: Reviews at MakeupAlley.com are mixed for Neutrogena MicroMist, with some who absolutely love the self tanner and others who hate ...

Drugstore.com: Consumers posting to Drugstore.com say that Neutrogena MicroMist works best when it is applied in a circular motion and rubbed in ...

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Tanning wipes

Estee Lauder Go Tan Sunless Towelettes

*Est. $23 for 10 towelettes Compare Prices

Reviews say Estee Lauder's Go Tan Sunless Towelettes are good for touch-ups or covering tan lines. You rub one of these tanning wipes over your skin and it darkens within an hour. Towelettes are available for both body… and face. These are better for spot applications than for your whole body, however.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Prevention Magazine: Prevention magazine tests 30 sunless tanners and lists Estee Lauder Go Tan Sunless Towelettes as one of the best, saying that ...

Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: Paula Begoun calls Estee Lauder Go Tan Sunless Towelettes "average" because she thinks they are nothing more than a convenience ...

Allure: After testing thousands of products in several categories, Allure editors list Estee Lauder Go Tan Sunless Towelettes as one of ...

MakeupAlley.com: Owner-reviewers at MakeupAlley.com give Estee Lauder Go Tan Sunless Towelettes an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5. Consumers ...

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Amazon Marketplace

for $25.95

Professional spray tanning

Mystic Tan UV-Free Spray-On Tanning

*Est. $25 per session Compare Prices

Mystic Tan is a form of spray tanning that can be found in tanning salons nationwide, including Hollywood Tan chains. Although more expensive than a home-applied self tanning lotion or foam, spray tanning allows you to… step into a salon booth and emerge minutes later with an even tan. Mystic Tan is delivered by a series of jets, and dries within a few minutes. Reviews say you'll achieve results in one session, but you'll need to repeat the process every four to six days for darker color and to maintain the tan. Professional spray tanning overcomes the most common complaint about home sunless tanners: it's tough to cover hard-to-reach areas, resulting in an uneven fake tan.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Washingtonian: After trying a handful of sunless tanning methods, Kim Forrest states that Mystic Tan is the easiest. She details the process of ...

MakeupAlley.com: Consumers posting to MakeupAlley.com give Mystic Tan 3.5 out of five stars saying that the booth spray-on tan provides good color ...

Harper's Bazaar: This article discusses various methods of sunless tanning but does compare or rate products. Mystic Tan is mentioned as a Paris ...

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Amazon Marketplace

for $38.00

Clinique Quick Bronze Tinted Self Tanner *Est. $20 for 4.2 ounces

4 picks by top review sites.

L'Oreal Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer *Est. $10 for 8 ounces

4 picks by top review sites.

Clinique Touch of Bronze Moisturizing Body Lotion *Est. $19 for 5 ounces

3 picks by top review sites.

Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer *Est. $7.50 for 7.5 ounces

2 picks by top review sites.

Banana Boat Every Day Glow Sun Dial *Est. $12 for 6.7 ounces

2 picks by top review sites.

Jergens Natural Glow Express Body Moisturizer *est. $7 for 4 ounces

2 picks by top review sites.

Coppertone Gradual Tan Sunless Tanning Moisturizing Lotion *Est. $10 for 9 ounces

2 picks by top review sites.


	Clinique Self-Sun Body Quick Bronze Tinted Self-Tanner 125ml/4.2oz from Amazon.com New: $27.50 Average Customer Review:


	Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer - Skin Firming-Medium/Tan Skin Tone 7.5 oz. from Amazon.com New: $7.99 $2.85 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Banana Boat Every Day Glow SunDial Self-Tanning Moisturizer, For Darker Skin Tones, 6.7 fl oz (198 ml) (Pack of 2) from Amazon.com New: $23.98 $12.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Sunless Tanning: Reviews

Best sunless tanner

Best sunless tanning lotion/moisturizer

Home spray tanning

Tanning wipes

Professional spray tanning

Sunless Tanning by Price Range