Non Orange Self Tanning Lotion

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My Non Orange Self Tanning Lotion Review

I tend to get a nice tan in the summertime relatively quickly. But in winter time I do get pale very rapidly as well. Because my pale skin makes me appear a little tired I feel like I need a little help. I don't have the time to go to the sun studio regularly, nor would I want to because it is detrimental to my skin. So the introduction of alternatives for tanning by sunlight a few years ago really was an outcome to me. Easy to apply and fast results.

Downside is the fact that most self tanning lotions make your skin turn orange. That's why I started my search to find the best non orange self tanning lotions. Thanks to my efforts I have learned a fair bit about which products are worth money and time and which not. So I thought why not share my experiences with others who are in search for the best non orange self tanning lotion. I have also listed some useful tips on how to get the best results. Read on to find out more..

The Best Non Orange Self Tanning Lotion

without downsides

Sunless tanning (also known as UV-free tanning, or self tanning) refers to applying a cream, lotion, gel or spray to the skin to achieve a natural natural brown, bronze, golden tanned skin. But what to keep in mind when determining which product is the best?

In my opinion most self-tanner lotions and other sunless tanning products have some major downsides. A large deal gives your skin an unattractive "orange" hue. Others smell really bad and also, especially the really cheap products tend to dehydrate skin.

Only a few products actually give you that beach body you've always wanted. Just apply, get dressed and in several hours get ready to show off your new healthy sun kissed, celebrity tan to the world.

Important Criteria Best Self Tanning Lotions

My Preferences


I prefer to use creams or lotions because in my experience sprays and gels tend to flake off. I guess it has to do with creams or lotions being more firm thus are rubbed into the skin better thus preventing streaks.

Gradually building a fake tan always had my preference because some parts of the face or body just get tanned more quickly thus an uneven tan can be the result. With some of the products I used parts of my face in the jaw and neck area and my for example my knees got darker then the rest of my body. That's why I preferred to use a gradual tanning lotion for my pale skin that builds my tan step by step. Most ideally it takes two to three days to tan and no longer. (This was until I found a natural instant non orange self tanner)

Photo by bluewaikiki.com.
When you already have a nice fake tan you can enjoy sunshine safely by using a sunblock and keep applying it throughout the day.


I need a product that dries quickly after applying. You don't want to stench your clothes or having to wait long (some creams take up to an hour to completely absorb) before the lotion has dried. Sometimes you just don't have much time (commonly most of the times). That's why I think it is important to go for a product that dries quickly.

It has to be moisturizing. Most of the cheap self tanning lotions will dry my skin out.

And of course, but that will not be a surprise, the lotion has to provide a non orange finish.

How Do Self Tanning Lotions Work?

Sunless tanning lotions temporarily dye the outer layer of the skin. When the skin cells slough off, the color slowly fades and the lotion has to be reapplied.

69% of men and 61% of women think they look better with a tan.

Products I Used

but didn't completely satisfy me

Since I started using self tanning products I have tried a whole lot of them. The well known disadvantages of some of the self tan lotions I used are the stained, orange palms and finger nails, blotchy knees, elbows and feet, and the tan that only looks well for a day and then starts to look real messy and uneven toned.

It's just important to me to feel a bit more confident and better looking in the darker periods of the year. I will list two of them which did provide a high quality tan without appearing orange.

Jergens

Natural Glow Tanning Lotion

The big plus of Jergens Natural Glow Tanning Lotion is that it is cheap. For less than $5 you can already buy a bottle. It does provide a smooth and natural tan that does not look orange. Since this is a gradual tanning lotion it takes a while but for me it took to long. In fact it takes almost a week to get your desired effects. And I am not someone who wants to be really dark skinned. Just a little less pale, a more healthy tan is my goal.

The biggest downside of Jergens according to me is its smell. Although most products do have a certain scent thanks to the active ingredient I found the scent of this lotion overpowering and not pleasant at all.

You can find out how others rated this product by reading the reviews on Amazon.
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Smell of Self Tanning Lotions

smell of self tanning lotionsI mentioned the unpleasant odor of Jergens lotion. In fact all self tanning lotions smell to a certain degree. This is because of the active ingredient DHA (dihydroxyacetone). This chemical is what causes the products to have that typical odor. Many brands attempt to mask this smell by adding additional fragrances such as those of essential oils but many times unsuccessfully.

Clarins

non orange self tanning gel

The Clarins self tanner is a highly rated product. It is by far not as cheap as Jergens but it is better also. It is light so it does not cause breakouts. It lasts a couple of days, does not leave streaks, and does not smell. In fact it has a rather pleasant fragrance. This product also was the first non-gradual self tanning product I used and liked.

The downside however is that it is costly to use. This because the tan it realizes is not that strong. In other words, you have to apply a lot of it. More than according to instructions. It has served me well for while but when I want a darker tan in the summer time it doesn't provide enough tan.
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Many of the cheaper self tanning lotions make your skin dry out.

Natural Self Tanning

what about chemical compounds self tanners?

Sun tanning is risky and detrimental to the skin. One of the effects sun radiation has on the skin is that it breaks down DNA in it. Risks of skin cancer have grown the past decades and sun radiation ages the skin increasingly. Also, synthetic products can cause various side effects so in my opinion it is better to get your skin tanned with a natural solution.

My Favorite Non Orange Self Tanning Lotion

with natural ingredients

A few months ago I started using a product called Idol Tan. This lotion is marketed as a celebrity style sunless tanning lotion. Although it sounds great that didn't convince me. After trying their free trial offer ( I believe it is still available) I noticed this product to be really satisfying.

It does not have any adverse effects such as leaving patches or even breakouts as some products did. This product also is easy to use because it is applied really smoothly, absorbs really well, and does not smell.

This will probably be due to the fact that Idol Tan is a tanning lotion with natural ingredients.(the company is member of the Natural Products Association) That's why it is also a very safe product to use which I find very important considering the fact that many tan sprays contain harmful chemicals.

Furthermore this is a moisturizing tanning agent so it hydrates my skin instead of drying it out. I also found it to be the best tanning lotion I know of for camouflaging skin blemishes.

Find out if the manufacturer is still offering a free trial shipment of Idol Tan on their website.

Some key advantages of Idol Tan:

  • Idol tan is water based

  • does not contain alcohol which prevents dry, tight skin

  • aloe vera soothes the skin

  • dries quickly

  • no harsh chemical tanning smell

  • contains only natural ingredients
  • Certain bronzers are responsible for making your skin turn orange. Idol tan does not contain bronzers.

    Self Tanning Lotion for Stretch Marks?

    my experiences

    A much heard statement is that self tanning lotions can hide the appearance of stretch marks Well in my opinion it depends on whether your stretch marks are fresh or older. In my experience they are better camouflaged when the marks are younger and still purple or dark colored.

    When they are older and have turned more white colored sometimes using a tanning lotion makes them more prominent. But it also depends on skin type. For a friend of mine it works on older striae as well. Probably because she has another type of skin. I do know exfoliating is important, not because this has effect on the marks (I guess) but more because the lotion sticks better, and is better absorbed.

    A fake tan works slimming, makes you feel vibrant and boosts confidence.

    Non-Orange Self Tanning Tips

    exfoliate, scrub, was hands, different tones

    Exfoliate
    Make a habit of it of exfoliating before applying the non orange self tanning lotion. Your tan might flake off is if you don't exfoliate beforehand. It's recommended to start exfoliating a few days before you start applying your self-tanning lotion. For me, exfoliating works best with gloves. I would certainly recommend using them for optimal results. Make sure to pay extra attention at the dry parts of your body such as your elbows or knees.

    Make sure to use a gentle scrub because skin irritation needs to be avoided. Oil-free scrubs are best because oil may form a barrier between the skin and the self tanning lotion.

    Hydrate
    Use a hydrating cream such as a body lotion and use it every day for at least a few days before starting to use the tanner. If your skin is dry your non orange tanning lotion will get soaked up which will lead to an uneven tan. When you have prepared your skin with a hydrating cream the tanning lotion will come on more evenly.

    Think and choose what suits you best
    Think about what type of self tanning lotion suits you best, gradual or not. A dedicated face tanning lotion or a body tanner. The latter are generally more rich in fatty ingredients so if you are prone to break outs a facial tanning lotion might be a better choice since it lowers the chance on irritation and does not clog the pores. If you do not have a sensitive skin you can use the same product for both.

    Choose the shade that suits your skin
    Sunless tanning lotions come in light, medium, and dark tones. It is strongly recommended to choose a tone that matches your skin. When the lotion is too dark this might lead to an orange skin.

    Wear gloves or wash your hands
    Always make sure you wash, scrub your hands when you are finished when using a non-natural ingredient product. Or wear gloves.

    People with dry skin can buy brands with emollients or humectants added for softness and moisture, while people with oily skin may find that gel or alcohol-based products work better. Keep in mind that alcohol based tanning lotions tend to have a more penetrating scent.

    Don't forget to do your feet. At the same time, be careful around your knees because tanners tend to darken there more quickly.

    Enhance Body Contours with Self Tanning Lotion

    a step by step guide

    This video shows you how to strategically apply a non orange self tanning lotion to make your body look slimmer and more muscular.
    How To Fake a Toned Body With Self-Tanner
    by Howcast | video info

    318 ratings | 529,119 views
    curated content from YouTube

    My Orange Tan

    how I got my first orange tan and was not amused (don't laugh!)

    Sometimes I get carried away a little and lose my critical view on things. This also happened when I started using a self tanning product for the first time. It was in the winter and I applied the lotion after showering and scrubbing. I really got excited because it did work, my pale skin disappeared and I got a tan, just out of a bottle. How convenient was that!

    Until, after a few days, a friend of mine told me that "I looked a bit orange-ish" I first thought she was joking, she must be jealous or something. But when I looked in a big mirror in a display window I noticed too. I was ashamed and wondered how I could not have seen this before. I then realized that I always applied it in the relatively dark bathroom and just hadn't payed that much attention about the exact color of my tan.

    Self tanning lotions have been proven to be safe and effective.

    Applying Self Tanning Lotion Made Easy

    with the Body Buddy lotion applicator

    You know that little spot in the middle of your back, just below your shoulder blades that you cannot quite reach? Sure you do. It is the one that always seems to get burned after a day in the sun, that remains pale even after applying sunless tanner and itches constantly because it is not well-moisturized.

    And you are not alone it is a spot everyone misses. Until now, there was no solution. The patented Body Buddy non-absorbent lotion applicator provides the extra reach you need to apply products to your own back.

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    Scars Tend to get Orange more Quickly

    I'm not sure about this but my guess is that it has to do with scars having less to no pigment. Because of this the application of a self tanning lotion will result in an orange color instead of the desired brown tan.

    I think the best thing you can do is put a little moisturizer on the scar before starting the self tanning session. If the scar is really thin or small using a cotton swab (q tip) will be handy.

    The moisturizer, if put on just before the self tanning lotion, will prevent the lotion from staining the scar. This has to be done with great care because you don't want the surrounding areas to be kept from tanning.

    Why Do Self Tanning Products Darken Certain Areas More?

    Some parts of the skin are darker. Some parts of the skin are thicker and other parts have more pigment in them. These areas tend to absorb more of the self tanning lotion or will stand out more after applying the same amount of product. That's why properly exfoliating is essential. Some parts need more attention. The same counts for the amount of tanning lotion you'll apply. Parts that are already darker need lesser product to get an overall even tan.

    More on Non Orange Self Tanning Lotions

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    Questions, Comments?

    drop them here..

    So in conclusion Idol Tan works best to give me a non orange tan. I'm also not annoyed anymore by an uneven, streaky tan so this really is the product for me!

    Did you try Idol Tan yet? Or do you have another favorite? I would love to hear your experiences. Drop me a note below if you like. Happy tanning!

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    • Reply
      Katherine Feb 19, 2010 @ 7:32 am | delete
      I also heard about tanning products that can make your skin turn orange. For a time, I have been scared of using these sunless tanning products. But there 's one that can be bought over the internet, sunless tanning lotion, that my friend tried. She let me try some and for about a week, we were sporting really cool tans! Surprisingly, it didn't make my skin dry or look unhealthy. I think I finally found the sunless tanning product for me.

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    Charlie-Pace

    Hi, this page is about my experiences with fake tans and how I found the best self tanning lotions that don't turn orange. more »

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