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Its summer and the question is "to tan or
not to tan". What about suntan in a bottle products
to balance the desire for the glow of a tan with over-exposure
to skin damaging UV rays?
Why do you care?
- Self-tanner is essentially a "stain" on the surface
cells - it does not penetrate too deeply into your skin and
fades within a few days.1
- Key ingredient in most tanning products is dihydroxyacetone
(DHA), which reacts with the sugars in dead skin cells to
dye your skin.
- DHA is naturally present in the human body, but may
still cause allergic contact dermatitis.2
- Spray-on tanning products can get into eyes and nose
and the risk of inhaling or ingesting DHA have not been
tested.
- But one study suggests that highly concentrated DHA
may actually delay skin-cancer development because the
chemically induced pigmentation absorbs a small amount
of UV rays.3
- Self-tanning products may still contain ingredients to avoid
that that are common to most mainstream personal care and
cosmetic products.
The Know How
- Natural self-tanning products - look for "plant-derived
DHA" in the ingredients list, with a concentration of
2%-5%.
- Exfoliate to avoid streaks.
- Mix tanning product with body lotion to have a gradual
tanning.
- Bronzing powders - natural mineral powders are available
in varying shades and tones and can provide a sun-kissed and
sparkly glow with a swoop and a sweep.
- Sunscreen - you still need it - even with a fake tan as
it will not protect against sun damage. See Sunny
Days for tips on natural sunscreens.
- Ingredient alert - check the ingredient list for other "not
so natural" ingredients, like parabens, FD&C colourants,
fragrances. Check our Avoid
List.
- The Environmental Working Groups, Cosmetic Database rates
several mainstream
self tanners.
Know and Tell
- Patti wanted to try a sunless tanner for "research
purposes" and was surprised by the result - it looked
good. But reminded herself not to wear her orange shorts with
her newly tanned legs - the colours clashed. See her product
review.
- Tamey has never tried a sunless tanner as her skin is dry
and she has never been a fan of the orange streak look. She'll
stick with a little bit of the real thing and get some vitamin
E while she's at it.
1. Ideal Bite: You've
opted for a 'safe' tan, but are you wary about the chemicals
in self-tanners?
2. A
Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, Ruth Winter,
2005
3. The Green Guide - Sunscreens
And Sunblocks
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