Recently I’ve started using self-tanners daily on my face once again. I don’t like to look overly tan, so I generally use self-tanners that do double-duty as moisturizers, so that I get a subtle look.
Currently I use:
L’Oreal Sublime Glow, Daily Moisturizer For Face
and
Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Face
These are good products because they don’t contain pore-clogging ingredients, so they should be okay to use if you are acne-prone. Most self-tanners smell horrible to me, but these are tolerable, and the scent fades after a few minutes.
Both the L’Oreal and Neutrogena contain SPF 15, but I kind of wish they didn’t. Neither product contains zinc oxide, which is the ingredient I look for in a sunscreen. Both products sometimes make my face sting a bit due to the chemical sunscreen ingredients. The results from them look the same, so it’s hard to recommend one over the other. They are both good, light moisturizers, which should be good for anyone with dry to normal skin.
Where did my tan go?
I’ve been using these self-tanners for a year or two and thought they were great. Within an hour of use, you have a subtle tan, and there’s absolutely no streaking, and the effect is very natural. With daily use, your tan is supposed to build to a nice, natural tan. It wasn’t until last week that I realized there was a problem with the self-tanners, and I was just too oblivious to notice. The tan washes away when you wash your face! Every morning I wake up, and my face looks just as pale as the day before. Maybe it’s ever so slightly darker, but not much. With regular self-tanners, the effect lasts several days. I exfoliate my skin quite a bit, which should help the tanner penetrate better.
I think the problem is that the self-tanner is tanning the moisturizer, which sits on your skin, and acts as a barrier. So little of the tanning product actually touches your skin. Do you have this problem? What self-tanners do you like for your face?
I’ll be looking into new self-tanners again soon, and will see what is available. I can’t remember the last non-moisturizer tanner I’ve used, since it’s been several years. I like how self-tanner moisturizers are foolproof, but I also want something that doesn’t require a daily application!
Don’t miss out…get Savvy Skin posts via email!
Related posts:
Get
Savvy Skin posts via email!
March 13th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Keep me posted on your self-tanner update. I, too, am experimenting with the new ones on the market. For the past year, I have been a fan of St. Tropez, but I think it’s time to switch.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Hey Jeni!
It’s anna again :) I used to work at a tanning salon, and we were told that the face exfoliates faster than the rest of your body, since it’s exposed to the world almost all of the time. Even when you’re sleeping, and the rest of your body is under the covers, your face is exposed. Not sure if this explains your self-tanner wearing off by morning, but I just thought I’d share. At the tanning salon, we’d always try to see facial tanning lotion with self-tanner, so the tanner’s face would match the rest of their body, despite the increased exfoliation. Who knows if it was just a sales pitch though :)
Also, are you using Retin-a at night? This would definitely remove the self-tanner, I think. Or, even if you aren’t using it the nights you’re noticing your tan going away, maybe your skin is replenishing itself so quickly (yay!), that you’re losing your tan.
Sorry for such a long comment :) Hope you have a great night!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Oh mi goodness! I completely agree. You must be so careful when purchasing any product on ebay. My husband bought me a “new” coat for Christmas and was so imbarrassed when he got an old coat worn and full of holes that looked nothing like the original picture. Anyway you can get Jan Iredale mineral makeup for the absolute best prices without haveing to resort to ebay. Just go to http://www.AgelessApple.com for Jane Iredale mineral makeup, which is the highest quality minerals available anyway. My skin has completely cleared up since I started using Jane Iredale mineral makeup. Also http://www.AgelessApple.com gives a portion of sales to animals in need!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Banana Boat is the best tanner I have found. It stays and it lasts. Has anyone found anything better?
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
My friend works for Yon-Ka Paris, the french skincare line, and he gave me a sample of the product they are launching in October – it is a daily moisturizer that has a built-in gradual tan. I’ve been using self tanners for years, and like you, I’d rather have a 2-in-1 and have it in my moisturizer. Anyway, the cream smells really good, not like a self tanner at ALL, and the color was really great. Apparently the ingredients are really high quality, they use Erythrulose for tanning, and some other plant for the intense hydration and there are tons of essential oils, which I always love. That’s probably why it’s so expensive (luckily for me, I get my friend’s employee discount).
I actually liked the men’s version better, because in the one he gave me, there’s a tint, and the men’s one didn’t have a tint. I get why they did it, for women who wanted immediate coverage without waiting for the gradual tan, but i rarely wear makeup during the day and I’d prefer a cleaner look. It doesn’t completely ruin it for me, the tint does spread very nicely on the face and overall it looks good. And I definitely loved the hydration and the color. But I’m still going to buy the men’s version when they launch.
January 7th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I’ve read the the California North Titanium Self Tanners are really subtle and light. And they really work.
January 21st, 2010 at 9:33 pm
After reading ModelingGirl’s comment some other tanning products that contain Erythrulose would be Jergens, Hawaiian Tropic, Lavera Natural Cosmetics, Alba Botanica, Tantowel, Palmers, Olay Body, Banana Boat, Boot No7, Bliss, Physicians Formula and a lot of Almay comestics contain this…in case you were looking for perhaps similar picks more readily available.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Self-tanner oxydizes your dead skin cells and they turn a tan color. So if you exfoliate, you get rid of the tan. SImple as that.