Recommend Good Sunless Tanning Lotion?

[ldb1030]

I've tried them all and AVON is the best!

 

[LADYnTRAMP]

Great Thread!!! Does anyone know what the shelf life is on most of these products? I bought the Banana Boat brand last year and haven't used it yet. Thanks!
P.S. Garretts92....Just wanted to say "Hi" neighbor. We live in Bartlett!

 

[Garretts92]

Hi LadynTramp! If you're in Bartlett, then we are close neighbors indeed!

 

[tezb]

Actually I do think they have a shelf life. At least the AVON one does...it says once bottle is opened, use w/in 6 months. Wonder if the others are the same? They probably just may not work as well anymore...or maybe not at all depending on how old.

I also thought of the Mystic Tan ...we have a few here in Calif. Costs about 25.00 and they say only lasts about a week or so. I will do some testing/experiementing before our cruise in July. I don't like lying out anymore anyway, so the instant tan will give me more time to do other things! Healthier too!

BTW, I think Clinique & Neutrogena are winning so far...those 2 brand keeps being repeated on this thread.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Like I said previously I used Neutrgena for the last 4 years then out of necessity had to use Banana Boat since I could not find the other and have ended up loving it! It costs about $7.00 for a huge tube and goes on tinted so you can see where you have streaks. I apply 3 times a week and have never had a problem with color, streaking or color on my hands, which I did have with Neutragena. I have become confidant enough with B. Boat that I will even apply the day I need it bc I don't have to worry about touch up's!

As a FYI be careful with your feet, toes and ankles. As I stated yesterday mix with some plain lotion, i.e. Curel around those areas and also wheer your hands meet your wrist. Sometimes I hurry to wash my hands but wash to far up and my wrist look white bc I wash it right off.

Happy SAFE tanning

 

[labr]

I have had great luck with Banana Boat sunless tanning. I am fair but use the dark since it does a better job than the medium. It works GREAT, especially since I have trouble tanning. It is very inexpensive and can be found anywhere (target, walgreens, k-mart). I use the lotion and don't bother exfoliating. It looks really natural. In fact, I just started to prepare for summer.

You need to remember to wash your hands right away or you will have the tannest palms around!!

 

[Kimnicki]

I too am a lover of the Nutragena product! I started off using the lotion and eventually switched to the spray. It's wonderful. It sprays on a fine mist so that you don't overdo it and it dries a little faster than the lotion. I use a rubber glove ( usually one I've saved from a hair dye kit!) and then switch hands when I'm ready to do the other arm. They also make Instant Bronze for your face that's a tinted sunless tanner. Makes it a whole lot easier to see where your applying it to your face. And it's made specifically for your face so you'll have less of a chance of breaking out!

I totally agree with the exfoliating before hand. Especially on the knees and ankles where the skin is thicker....lotion tends to color darker on those areas so take it easy on them to start!

Good luck!

 

[MarkRG]

I am very surprised that one comment has not surfaced in this thread.

NONE of these instant tans will protect your skin unless they specifically say they have a good strong suncreen in them. They are only good for fending off the 'where's your tan' questions upon your return, which I honestly then say I don't want skin cancer, I wear good sunscreen.

You will still need to use a nice, high SPF sunscreen, especially on Castaway Cay for good protection for your skin.

I use spf 45, btw, any less and I get color. The sun is a lot stronger in the carribean.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

MarkRG is right. I should have known to add that information since I have melanoma. For the first 4 years after my diagnosis I was scared and mad and hid from the sun but with 2 DS's under 5 I could not hide forever.

Most Dermatologists will tell you that once you reach a SPF of 30 that is fine, the higher the number is not necessarily better. What does matter is the brand and ingredients in the sun screen you buy and wear and that it is appropriate for your activity (i.e. water proof etc.) and the most important thing to remember is to reapply no less than every 2 hours and more so if in the water. The sunscreen that has been recommended to me the most are L'oreal Ombrelle and Neutragena. Both contain Parasol 1789 and make sure they have UVB and UVA block.

Last summer my DH and I spent a week in Playa and spent a day snokeling in Cozumel. I did not realize when I was snorkeling by swim suit in the bottom area raised up on my "bootie" therefore leaving areas that were not protected by my sunscreen. Lesson learned apply before dressing and reapply liberally and frequently

 

[tezb]

Yes, I know to wear a sunscreen in addition to using the sunless tanning application. I already have a sunscreen but I was specifically asking about the self tanning products. I think most sunless tanners specifically say that their product is NOT a sunscreen and to use other sun protection.

 

[MarkRG]

Just wanted to make sure you knew, as your first line specifically says that as you get older you're getting concerned about skin cancer. Ok, back to the cosmetics discussion now

 

[tezb]

I appreciate your bringing it up Mark....in case anyone forgot its importance. I guess what I meant about my skin cancer concern was that I don't intend to sun bathe anymore and therefore choose to use a sunless tanner instead. So I can still have the tan and NOT have to lie out in the sun to get it.

thanks for your input...very important point.

 

[pouncingpluto]

>>I use spf 45, btw, any less and I get color. The sun is a lot stronger in the carribean. [/B][/QUOTE]

Same here. Labor Day weekend I was in the Bahamas, and I went away for a day to a little private island where you spend the day on a quiet beach. My boyfriend wanted to put his sunscreen in my bag, because of course he wasn't carrying a bag. His was only SPF 15 or 25, and he didn't want to use my SPF 45. I didn't want to carry both bottles, because the straps on my bag were really narrow and would cut into my skin if the bag were too heavy.

Anyway, after a mild argument, I gave in and carried his sunscreen instead of mine. By the end of the day I had a bad sunburn, despite reapplying constantly. He felt really guilty, and I don't think he'll ever try to talk me out of "unnecessary" SPF 45 again.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

I want to stress it is the brand and ingredients in the sunscreen not just the SPF even though it is importan. After having melanoma for 5 years and seeing at least 10-15 Dermatologist in 4 states I have told over and over ingredients and brand is so important. My life depends on no sun exposure since I already have 1 melanoma I have a 50% chance of developing another I am in my early 30's.

Happy safe "fake" tanning

 

[pouncingpluto]

Originally posted by buzz&woody'smom
I want to stress it is the brand and ingredients in the sunscreen not just the SPF even though it is importan. After having melanoma for 5 years and seeing at least 10-15 Dermatologist in 4 states I have told over and over ingredients and brand is so important. My life depends on no sun exposure since I already have 1 melanoma I have a 50% chance of developing another I am very early 30's.

Happy safe "fake" tanning

Can you give us more info? Which brands and ingredients have been recommended to you by doctors?

 

[disneydeb]

i use the sunless tanning lotion by mary kay its a bout 10 dollars but there always having 15-20% off specials thats when i buy them , being a redhead close to 50 years old , i believe you get what you pay for, also has anyone tried tan perfect by toma? i'll stick with my mary kay it has nmoistureizes in it too!

 

[TootyJane]

I did the Mystic Tan before our cruise last May. My girlfriend and I decided to try it one day. Afterward, my girlfriend was noticeably "tanner" and I was slightly "tanned" but I do have very pale skin. I decided to purchase a 7-series package and was pleasantly surprised by the results. However, about 1/2 through our cruise, I did notice my "tan" was streaking especially on the backs of my legs -- almost like I had been exfoliating, but I hadn't. As far as bottled "tan in a can" I hear that Neutrogena and Coppertone "Endless Summer" are very good. HTH

 

[Cindyluwho]

My husband had his bout with Melanoma just this last fall and we've certainly learned a lot about sunscreen. I'm a redhead so I've always been very careful about sunburns but my husband spent many years skiing and fishing with protection. Anyway, his dermatologist gave us two recommendations. One: stay away from Coppertone products. They offer the LEAST protection for the most $$. Two: Rite Aid drugstore has a fabulous line of sunscreens, very inexpensive and protect very well. And remember - hats, hats, hats!

 

[Cindyluwho]

One more thing to note: Clarins has a self tanning lotion that is also a sunscreen. It comes in different strengths, all the way up to 30 I think. It doesn't look orange and the sunscreen works very well. It is expensive however, but probably no more than the others.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I too am interested to hear which ingredients/products may be the best. And I totally agree with Cindy - I have NEVER liked any coppertone product!!! Many of them even smell bad to me.... yuck.

Has anyone had any experience with products making them break out, like in an allergic reaction? My son and I both tend to have problems with sensitivity. We like some Banana Boat products, but then DS started to say it was stinging his skin, and it caused his back and shoulders (where I had applied heavily) to break out in tiny bumps.

We do have a Panama Jack sunscreen that we really love. This stuff is not greasy. Not sticky. Not heavily scented. Which makes it good for DH to use when his job keeps him outdoors a lot! It is great! Just wish our Walmart carried it. Now I have to find some more!