Contained in indoor tanning lotions is the active ingredient dihyroxyacetone (DHA) which is a sugar that interacts with the dead skins cells on the surface of your epidermis. The reaction is a coloration of the dead skin cells. So the tan created is actually an external layering on top of your living cells. Since dead cells are constantly being discarded the tan eventually fades at the rate of dead cells being worn off your body. That’s why many product labels recommend reapplying the self-tanners every three days to maintain the tan.

An interesting self-tanning product is the tanning pill. It’s a simple concept of using canthaxanthin, a food
coloring agent and getting it into your skin through ingestion. However, as a food coloring agent in small quantities it is deemed safe by the FDA. But in larger quantities such as the pill it is not approved by the FDA to be used as a tanning agent and the side effects reported range from hepatitis to canthaxanthin retinopathy, a condition in which yellow deposits form in the retina of the eye.

Another self-tanner is the bronzer. It works much the same way as make-up for the body. Usually in powder or moisturizer form, it only gives you a tan as long as you don’t wash it off. A simple shower with body wash is enough to take it completely off.
And after a long day of showing off that sexy tone, who wouldn’t want to relax in a hot shower covered in your favorite lavender body wash from head to toe. The point is, bronzers are great for one day wears.

Even when using these products, remember to use a strong enough sunscreen to protect yourself if you will be outdoors. None of these products offer sun protection and with lotions, these are designed for indoor use and thus we tend to refer to them as indoor tanning lotions.

So I figured the best way was to ask people what brands they use to become the envy of the party. Some people won’t admit that they use a self-tanner and get offended. What I’m learning is that more people are using sunless tanning lotions than ever. Usually it is just a slight tint in their skin so it looks hardly noticeable and very natural.

So how do you decide which product to use? It’s one of those products, so specific in its function and purpose that all the brands seem the same. Unlike acne skin care products, it’s not specific to skin type. There is no major variation in ingredients or production process. And by what criteria do you measure tanning lotions.

One thing I’ve learned is that new formulas don’t turn your skin orange anymore. Apparently manufacturers realized they don’t have to use as much of the same ingredient that turns your skin orange.  Many tanning lotions are also designed to serve as skin moisturizer but I guess that just makes the selection process more complicated.