Sunless Tanning Reviews

Magazines like Redbook, Harper's Bazaar, Shape and Elle are full of reviews for sunless tanning, but the best objective reviews we found are comparative reviews appearing in The Washingtonian magazine, The Washington Post, Prevention Magazine and Consumer Reports. These three publications test multiple self-tanning products on staffers and other volunteers, and test results are well documented, with comments on application, effectiveness, smell and longevity. SqueezeOC.com and InStyle Magazine were also good sources for reviews. About.com has some picks for self tanners, but we found no less than four different and unrelated top-5 lists on the site, with no agreement between the articles, which are all written by separate people.

Since unprotected sun exposure is a sure way to develop wrinkles, skin damage and a greater risk for skin cancer, many are curious about sunless tanning products. These products give users a natural-looking simulated tan without any sun damage. All sunless tanners, or self tanners, contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which temporarily stains the skin surface and fades like a suntan as skin cells are naturally shed. DHA is considered by experts to be completely safe for skin. DHA gives no protection from the sun or from UV exposure in sunlight. If you're going to be in the sun, you still need to wear sunscreen.

Daily self-tanning moisturizers are the latest trend; these claim to combine a daily moisturizer with low-strength tanning ingredients. Reviewers call these gradual tanners "goofproof" because the diluted DHA formula tans over time and will not streak. Still, it may take a bit of trial and error to find the perfect match with these mild self-tanners. For testers at SqueezeOC.com, for instance, only two out of the five self-tanning moisturizers resulted in any tan at all over the course of a week. Another reviewer reported that choosing a shade that is too dark for your complexion can turn your skin orange. As with all other self-tanners, it is best to test daily sunless tanning moisturizers in an inconspicuous area before using it all over your skin.

Sunless tanners can be used all year long and can quickly add a realistic glow to wintry white skin. They're also a great way to temporarily cover tan lines. However, they are not always easy to apply. Experts say the best way to achieve an even, sunless tan is to exfoliate and be sure skin is smooth before applying the product. Rough skin attracts uneven color, but smooth skin provides a good base for a natural-looking sunless tan.

One prevailing complaint about all sunless tanning products is the smell. DHA has a definite odor, and despite manufacturer efforts to minimize the chemical smell of DHA, most users say they can still smell it. Some don't mind the smell, while it's a deal breaker for others. If you haven't yet tried a self tanner, you might sniff one in a store -- you'll smell the DHA immediately -- it's a chemical-ish undertone.  ... Continued

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

In the most recent comparative testing, Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel wins the most acclaim from reviewers. Although we also read good reviews for a similar Clinique sunless tanner, we did read comments about clogged pores. Salon and booth tanning is frequently recommended as a convenient sunless tanning option, although it can be more expensive to maintain than products you apply at home. Estee Lauder's Go Tan Sunless Towelettes are a novel alternative for touch-ups, and Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray wins some of the best reviews from users among at-home, spray-on misting tanners.

Of the daily sunless tanning moisturizers, we found numerous recommendations for Jergens Natural Glow. We also found that most users are pleased with Jergens’ new Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer, even though they don’t notice much firming effect.