Sothys - Face and Body Self Tanner

Sothys France launched a new sun line this year and it includes this incredible self tanner. It has both DHA (from canola) and erythrulose (from sugar). The combination of these two self tanning ingredients gives an impressive, longer-lasting color (not orange). Erythrulose minimizes the dehydrating effects DHA can have on the skin, . . . this slows desquamation keeping the color longer. The polyphenols of jasmine contribute to the pleasant, soft fragrance of the product, but also help increase antioxidants in the skin, which is always a very good thing. Our skin needs an arsenal of anti-oxidants to deal with the free radicals that continually attack.

The velvety texture of this product makes it easy to apply and spread. Like all self tanning products, follow the guidelines to get the best and longest lasting results . . . exfoliate, hydrate, then apply. Within a few hours you will have a beautiful tan and a sunny glow without the sun. For a darker tan simply apply a few days in a row. This product gives incredible results on the face as well, but remember, it will not last as long on your face as it will on your legs. The continual cleansing exfoliates the skin on your face faster.

FYI . . . the new Sothys sun line also has a Progressive Sunny Glow lotion that has a lower concentration of DHA and Erythrulose that is designed to be used daily to gradually give color or to keep your color.

* Skin Care Hint - It is a great idea to apply a serum under the self tanner to treat your skin type at the same time. Double up!

Tanning Bed Warning Released

Tanning beds pose a substantial risk to its die-hard tan-fans, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). On Wednesday (today), tanning beds were elevated to the highest cancer risk category available. This is a huge leap since 1992, when the fake bake beds were listed as a "probable" cancer agent.

Vincent Cogliano, an IARC researcher clearly states, "the use of sunbeds is carcinogenic to humans. It causes melanoma of the skin, and melanoma of the eye." He goes on to say, "a tan is not a sign of good health, it is a sign of damaged skin." According to this study, melanoma, (the most lethal form of skin cancer), increases by 75% when the use of a tanning bed begins before the age of 30. Doctors have welcomed this warning and have called for tighter regulations for the multi-billion dollar industry. Knowing the risks, it is just plain common sense to find your tan in a bottle.

Cellex-C Bio-tan Sunless Tanning Gel

This oil-free, peach colored gel has the benefits of DHA and erythrulose, . . . the winning combination for a self-tan product. Both of these self-tanning ingredients react with the keratin in the stratum corneum to form brown polymers called melanoids. DHA works a little faster than the erythrulose. The combination of the two allows for a more natural tan color, a longer lasting color, and less possibilities of streaking. Say good-bye to the unmistakable orange glow of a bad self-tanning product.

Dihydroxyacetone on its own can be dehydrating, but erythrulose helps to counter this negative. It is still highly recommended to keep the skin hydrated to slow down the sloughing off of the dead skin cells. The hyaluronic acid in this product also helps to boost the hydration of the skin. The lecithin functions as an anti-oxidant in its ability to help protect and keep the skin soft.

This is an incredible self-tanner, but there is a little more to the application than some other self-tanning products. The gel is applied, left to dry on the skin for about twenty minutes, and then worked into the rest of the skin. After three or four hours a moistened cloth can be used to remove the excess product, eliminating the potential for color to transfer to your clothing. It might seem a little finicky, but the result will definitely hit the wow factor.

JAN MARINI - Bioglycolic Sunless Self-Tanner

It goes without saying that when using products within a line that believes in serious skin care you can be assured the self tanning product is not going to trash your skin and will more than likely offer other beneficial ingredients. Bonus time.

Jan Marini's self-tanner is a pleasant, fast drying product with a creamy texture that is easy to apply. This self-tanning product not only has DHA (Dihydoxyacetone - a sugar that reacts with the dead skin cells of the stratum corneum causing a color change), but the benefit of some coupled glycolic that facilitates the interaction of the DHA with the skin cells. Confused? Simply put, . . . a natural and personalized self-tan color appears sooner and lasts longer. Excellent. Squalene not only keeps the skin soft and protected, but along with vitamin C and E, it ensures this product also offers great anti-oxidant properties. The dimethicone gives the silky feel to this self-tanner and makes it a good choice for all skin types, including oily, and has been formulated for the face and body. As the saying goes, "exfoliate, hydrate and your tan will look great."