Being milk bottle white and allergic to the sun self tanning products are a definate blessing to me. But I have always wondered how they work and are they good for my skin? So I made it my business to find the answers and here is what I found.
Self tanning products contain Dihydroxyacetone commonly known as DHA. DHA is usually derived from plant sources and is simply a sugar. So far so good nothing harmful. Another ingredient often used is Erythrulose which is also a sugar but DHA is more commonly used. DHA reacts with the amino acids in the dead layer of the skin. This reaction causes a colouration which thankfully for you and me is a wonderful individual tan colour.
DHA and Erythrulose are often used together because Erythrulose develops the colour more slowly and therefore the tan effect lasts longer.
Therefore, self tanning lotions simply contain sugars often derived from plant extracts. The only people who may suffer a reaction are those with sensitive skin. The product might cause in some cases contact irritation. If you have sensitive skin it is best to patch test first.
The big bonus about using self tanning products is that hopefully skin will not be exposed to harmful UV rays for long periods of time eg sunbathing. However, always remember that self tanning products do not protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays and sun block must still be applied when necessary.
Every year new and exciting versions of self tanning creams become available. Clarins and The Body Shop have recently launched a new self tanning product for 2008.
Clarins have launched Delicious Self Tanning Cream. The texture of the cream is light like a whipped mouse. It has a beautiful caramel tint with a touch of iridescent gold which helps to guide the application, whilst giving the skin an instant golden glow. Delicious contains both DHA and Erythrulose for a deep and longer lasting tan. For moisturisation the cream also contains cocoa butter and cocoa powder.
The Body Shop have launched Cocoa Butter Everyday Summer Body Lotion which is available in fair/medium or medium/dark.
These lotions are light with a pleasant fragrance. The tanning ingredients are derived from wheat and the lotion also contains cocoa butter to moisturise and vitamin E to protect the skin. The lotion absorbs quickly into the skin and the Body Shop says it derives up to 12 hours moisturisation. It is very moisturising but it is best to exfoliate and moisturise the skin when using self tanning products just as you would when trying to prolong a suntan.
My personal favourite out of the two is the Clarins simply because the colour helps to apply the cream and the skin has an instant golden glow.
Clarins Delicious is available from garden.co.uk £19.50 for 125 ml and Everday Summer Body Lotion is available from The Body Shop £9.00 for 250 ml.
