Self tanning moisturisers

fairy_lights

Does anyone use these, and do they work?
I'm going on holiday next month and am ghostly white so thought it might be a good way to take the edge of my paleness before exposing myself on the beach (a spray tan is an option but I'd rather try something cheaper at home).
I remember using Johnsons Holiday Skin moisturiser about ten years ago as a teenager, when these things were a fairly new invention and they were awful back then - I ended up with very streaky shins.
Have they improved since then or are they just a gimmick?

ElusiveLucy

I use the Garnier summer body one and find it great. It pongs a bit but not too bad and you can build up colour gradually over 2-3 days

DomRavioli

I'd just plump for the spray tan - I've had some awful experiences with gradual tanner (Ambre solaire was the worst, followed closely by Johnson Holiday Skin).

I'm also whiter than white, and having had some disasters pre-holiday I find it easier to get a spray tan over self tanning. You cannot do your own back, and if someone else does applies it for you it can look awful.

missbiggles1

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

For the sake of your skin, you're supposed to stay out of the sun for a whole day after using a self-tan product (because it boosts free radical damage).

Self-tan isn't just a harmless tint; it works by the Maillard reaction which causes free radical production. Of course, it's better for your skin than a real tan but it's not totally innocuous. You are very slightly increasing the risk of accelerated skin ageing.

Therefore, I think if you're going to be in the sun, one big hit of a full self-tan application is better than daily application or a gradual product.

I don't use a gradual product for that reason.

Do you have a link to the risks of gradual tanning products because I can't find anything, even from dermatology sites?

adandem

I like the Dove and Garnier gradual tanning moisturisers. I think the Johnsons one is still awful, my daughter likes the Palmers cocoa butter one but I can't stand the smell of cocoa butter.

Dill

I am lamenting the demise of Clinique's self tan sunscreen. I think it was SPF15. Self-tan products don't have sun screen in them any more, as far as I know.

Beenie

Isn't raising the 'Maillard reaction' a bit alarmist??

Maillard relates to the action of intense heat on a surface, not a cosmetic colouring (which is what a self-tan is).

missbiggles1

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

Just google the Maillard reaction and self-tanners. Maybe there's something there.

I don't remember where I read that now. It just stuck with me. A lot of people were discussing it on beauty message boards at least 15 years ago and I remember reading links at the time. You have to be really diligent with your sunblock after using it or avoid the sun.

I only remember it was enough to make me rethink my fake tan habit even if it's only a tiny effect. It would be cumulative if you did it enough because you can't be UV-protected all the time, it wears off throughout the day.
I used to use fake tan all the time and I still do, but it made me back off a bit.
I'm a once-a-week girl now.

I don't think "maybe" is enough to justify such a stern warning as you gave nor do I think "I read it on a forum 15 years ago".

flossiea

I self tan all year round and have had no issues at all, I've been using self tan for at least 15 years. I tan once or twice a week using a spray tan solution applied with a mitt at home, I never use gradual tanners as they feel greasy, I don't like the smell, take ages to dry and give an orange tint I recommend trying a low strength solution, samples can be bought cheaply which will do one or two bodies if you like it then you could invest in a larger 1 litre is around £25-30 and lasts me about 9 months so very:money: I moisturise daily with a natural oil which enhances and maintains the tan without stripping it, when I do go out in the sun its factor 50 wherever is exposed

bellaboo86

I am also ghostly pale. I prefer a spray tan as i think it looks better. However, after a few days it will start wearing off and can look a bit patchy. I think this is because of all the sun lotion application and getting wet and drying off.
If i was to use a gradual tanner I would use St Tropez. I think it is the most natural looking.

Vicky123

flossiea wrote: »

I self tan all year round and have had no issues at all, I've been using self tan for at least 15 years. I tan once or twice a week using a spray tan solution applied with a mitt at home, I never use gradual tanners as they feel greasy, I don't like the smell, take ages to dry and give an orange tint I recommend trying a low strength solution, samples can be bought cheaply which will do one or two bodies if you like it then you could invest in a larger 1 litre is around £25-30 and lasts me about 9 months so very:money: I moisturise daily with a natural oil which enhances and maintains the tan without stripping it, when I do go out in the sun its factor 50 wherever is exposed

How do you do your back? Doesn't it all just wash off next days shower? Asking all the questions because I'm so very white, never tanned in my life despite lots of travel and time spent in hotter climates, always burn and back to white. All self tans have looked fake and always have some kind of line due to very pale skin.