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Choosing the Best Self Tanner

Years ago, sunbathing was a widespread practice. People thought of tans as not only beautiful, but healthy. These days, however, the dangers of too much sun exposure have been clearly exposed. Sunbathing is becoming a thing of the past, and people are covering themselves with high SPF sunscreen before going out. However one alarming trend that's popping up everywhere is that of tanning beds. Many women frequent these tanning salons, not realizing or caring that the tans they're getting are just as dangerous as those from the sun.

So what's a girl to do if she doesn't sunbathe or use tanning beds but wants a healthy bronzed color? Try a self tanner! In days past, self tanners had a reputation for turning skin orange. No more! Today's self tanners are designed to give healthy, natural color with no trace of tangerine!

There are many different types of self tanners out there, and the one you choose will depend on your skin tone, skin type and effect you're trying to achieve. There are self tanners designed for the face, and self tanners designed for the body. The ones designed for facial skin are usually more gentle and designed not to clog pores.

Self tanners come in many different forms. You can find lotions, cremes, sprays and foams. There are even self tanning towlettes available! For dry skin, try a moisture rich cream or lotion. If your skin is prone to oiliness, try a light mist. Mousses and foams work well with any skin tone.

When choosing a shade of self tanner, go by your natural skin tone. If you're fair skinned, you don't want to choose a self tanner in Dark. Start off with the lightest shade available and work your way up. Most self tanners begin to show color after a few hours, and can be reapplied as needed to deepen or maintain color. There are products on the market now offered by manufacturers like Dove, Jergens and Neutrogena that can be applied daily as a moisturizer and over time, a natural tan develops.

One important way to ensure your sunless tan looks natural is to apply it properly. Before applying the tanner, shower and be sure to exfoliate all over with a good body scrub. Exfoliation ensures that your color develops evenly and looks natural. Don't forget easily overlooked like ears, feet, and tops of hands. And be sure to wash your palms and between your fingers after applying, because if you don't you'll have unwanted color there.

Self tanners are a fantastic, safe way to get that gorgeous summer glow! And with all the choices available these days, you're sure to find something that suits your needs and your price range.