Our Top Three Self-Tanning Products

Our top three self-tanning products give your body a beautiful, healthy glow.

When we are tanned, we feel more attractive. Why? We are full of the sun’s radiance, making us feel happier, healthier and sexier. A tan can help minimize the appearance of spider and varicose veins, balance uneven skin tone and even help to camouflage cellulite and stretch marks. Unfortunately, prolonged exposure to the sun and UV radiation can cause wrinkles, brown spots, blotchiness, leathery older-looking skin and, in the worst cases, melanoma. Lucky for us, we live in a world where we can achieve a tan in the comfort of our own homes, sans prolonged sun exposure.

Let’s face it, blotchy, streaky, orange-hued skin is never in style. For best results with a self-tanning product, always exfoliate first in the shower with a loofah or an exfoliating scrub. Follow with a light moisturizer and pay special attention to elbows, knees, toes, feet-anywhere the skin tends to be dryer (the dryer parts of the skin will pick up more colour and could obscure the overall effect). Once the skin is prepped, it’s time for the self-tanner.

What I Look For In A Self-Tanning Product:

1. Easy to use
2. Flattering colour (not too light or too dark and NOT orange)
3. Even coverage
4. Minimal odour (the active ingredient in self-tanning products is DHA, which has a distinct smell)

MY SELF-TANNER PICKS

Best Quality: Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning Cream 125 ml, $42
This is an ideal self-tanner for face and body. The gorgeous caramel colour is natural looking and never obvious, and the heavenly texture luxuriously “melts” into the skin. Cocoa extracts enhance this cosmic cocktail and produce a virtually odourless self-tanning product. No wonder they call it “delicious.” Results will last three to five days.
Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning Cream is available at Holt Renfrew, Sears, The Bay, and at many London Drugs and Shoppers Drug Mart locations

Best for Less: St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse Self-Tanner 120 ml, $27
Of all the self-tanning products available, I (and many others) credit St. Tropez for the absolute best colour result. Infused with aloe vera, this product is light-textured and easy to apply-the mousse effortlessly glides over the skin and dries quickly. St. Tropez also boasts a 70 percent odour reduction with its patent ingredient, Aromaguard. Results will last up to five days.
St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse Self-Tanner is available at Essentials Day Spa and Skin Care Store, 4356 W. 10th Avenue

Best for the Budget: Nivea Summer Touch 200 ml, $10 or less
This product is available in two shades: Fair to Medium and Dark Skin Tones. Pick your shade based on your NATURAL skin colour, NOT the colour you would like it to be. Although this is a body moisturizer with a less concentrated amount of self-tanner, with regular use for five days you will achieve a beautiful summer look. A Frugalbits Tip: To extend the life of the Clarins or St. Tropez products, use the Nivea Summer Touch between applications and you won’t need to apply the expensive product as often.
Nivea Summer Touch is available at London Drugs, Pharmasave, Rexall, Shoppers Drug Mart and Superstore

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that self-tanning products do not contain sunscreen and do not protect us from sunburn and UV radiation, so remember to wear your sunscreen!