Top 10 Online Tanning Lotions

Summer is quickly approaching and soon the beaches will be filled with people, having fun or trying to get a tan. But before you jump right in to direct sunlight tanning or in the salons, you should be aware of the harms and affects of direct sun tanning, tanning beds, and tanning salons.

Too much sunlight from UV rays can increase wrinkles and lines on your face and body, making you to appear much older than you really are. Additionally, intense UV rays can cause skin cancer and other skin diseases. Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, has become the most common cancer among people 25 to 29, according to the American Cancer Society. For young women 15 to 29, rates of melanoma have increased more than 60 percent since the mid 1970s.

An alternative to direct sun tanning, tanning beds, and tanning salons are tanning lotions. Using a tanning lotion (sunless tanning) is safe and can produce the same physical results. Most people, however, do not use this method because they fear that they might "mess up," resulting in embarrassing streaks and blotches.

Below, is our list of the top 10 Tanning Lotions.

1. SkinCeuticals San Soleil
Self-Tanning Lotion for The Face and Body-Without the Sun. Most self-tanning products use the tanning agent DHA. When used alone, DHA can cause dryness and create an uneven, orange, unnatural looking tan. Sans Soleil contains a unique new DHA enhancer, Erythrulose. The combination of DHA and Erythrulose helps to ensure a more even, streakless tan without causing increased dryness.

2. BABOR Self-Tanning Lotion
Take advantage of the preferred self-tanner of those "in the know". With no orange tones or streaking, you will love the natural looking tan it produces. It even has a very pleasing scent. Enjoy the Saint Tropez look year-round.

3. Dermablend Reflections Self Tanner
Achieve a natural looking tan while protecting against the sun's harmful rays. This exclusive Self-Tanner, containing MELASYN®, a patented ingredient, will give skin a natural looking golden "tan" appearance without the damaging effects of the sun. The silky smooth formula is vitamin enriched to revitalize and rejuvenate skins appearance for a more natural, healthy look. It also contains SPF 14 sun protection and rich emollients to aid moisture-loss. What makes Dermablend's Self-Tanner different from all others? The combination of MELASYN® and DHA. The MELASYN® mimics a natural tan and provides the most natural color and the appearance of a golden tan. Dermablend® Reflections™ Self-Tanner goes on easy and washes off easily. Fragrance Free.

4. Cellex-C Bio Tan Sunless Tanning Gel
The traditional sin of sunless tanning products are well known. For years consumers have had to contend with products that produce unnatural, uneven skin coloration and a strangely flat and painted-on look. The good news from Cellex-C is that it has made an extraordinary advance in sunless tanning. Bio-Tan is a unique botanical based self-tanning gel. While standard tanning formulations work by staining the amino acids at the very surface of the skin, Cellex-C's proprietary Bio-Tan process generates the tan predominately in the lower skin layers. By going deeper into the skin the golden toned protients project their color through the skin's translucent layers thus stimulating the way in which a natural tan radiates from the skin's brown pigment. The result is a much closer emulation of the color and lively luminous look of natural sun tanning. The peach colored Bio-Tan gel is easy to apply and very easy to live with. It smoothly assimilates with the skin without streaking or tightening and it has a wonderfully fresh scent.

5. Gly Derm Glytan
Actually improve skin texture as you develop a golden-looking tan. This effective sunless tanner contains vitamins A & E as well as aloe vera. Available at Sephora.

6. Gly Derm Glytan Lite
Get a great sunless tan while actually improving skin texture. This Lite formula provides a lighter tan than regular Glytan with the same added benefits of Vitamins A & E and aloe vera.

7. Osmotics Extremely Natural Self Bronzer
A moisturizing, self-tanning cream for a streak and stain free, deeper, natural glow, without the harmful effects of the sun. Provides a smooth even tan without streaks or unnatural orange tones. Works beautifully on the face and body. Non-comedogenic, won't clog pores or cause blemishes.

8. DDF Sun-Free Self Tanner
This sun free self-tanner allows you to achieve that beautifully tanned appearance without the risk of damaging ultraviolet exposure. Repeat applications, tone and deepen the tanned effect.

9. NextDerm Foaming Quick Tanner
Allows you to enjoy a rich golden tan anytime of the year. Lightweight foam spreads evenly over the skin. Tan appears in just a few hours.

10. California North Titanium Self Tanner
Creates a deep, natural Caribbean brown tan without the sun, and maintains it. If has a light citrus/lime scent rather than the usual harsh chemical scent. Non-drying formula, with SPF- 7 sunscreen for protection during normal daily activities, along with the complex antioxidants.

Tanning Tips:
Here are some ways to obtain a healthy, natural looking tan from tanning lotions.
Before you Apply - Exfoliate & Moisturize with a product like Cellex-C Speed Peel & Polish Gel or Heidi's Tropical Scrub. Exfoliating the face and body before applying self-tanner eliminates dead skin cells and makes the skin smoother so the tan will be more even. It also allows you to refine and soften the skin where it's thickest - like elbows, knees, and heels. Exfoliation should be done the day before or a few hours before you apply the self-tanner. Thirty minutes before the self-tanner, you should apply a moisturizing cream. This will make your skin softer and make the self-tanner application easier.

Avoid Streaking - Spread the product in small strokes with flattened hands as you pull across the skin. On the face, avoid the eyebrows and hairline. Go lightly over the ears and don't forget your neck. For the body, smooth from top to bottom, side to side, and avoid going over the same spot twice. Watch out for the elbows, knees, heels and toes: application to these areas should be especially light-handed. After you're done, wash your hands well and don't forget to scrub your fingernails.

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