Monday, May 18, 2009

Healthy Monday: Eco-Friendly Sunless Tanners

Last Monday, I wrote about the dangers of tanning in the post, "A Healthy Tan or a Healthy Body?" It was encouraging to read so many comments from those of you who decide not to tan and instead show off your own, natural skin color.

However, there are options when it comes to sunless tanning. And there's nothing wrong with switching up your look a little bit, especially when summer rolls around. To give yourself a toxin-free, natural glow, Treehugger touts Lavera as being the greenest sunless tanner on the market. Made with organic soy extracts, jojoba oil, calendula, aloe vera, and rose water, it was voted the greenest cosmetic and beauty brand in Europe. It also won the "Best Sunless Tan" award in the New York Times bestseller, "Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth Friendly Life."

Unfortunately, it seems not too many other companies are following in Lavera's footsteps. According to Skin Deep, the cosmetics safety database, there isn't one sunless tanner given their "low hazard" rating. This essentially means that most sunless tanners will have some potentially hazardous ingredients. You can weigh the pros and cons though and move onto their "moderately hazardous" products, which include Kerstin Florian Sunless Tanner, Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tanning Foam, and Exuviance Sunless Tanning Facial Pads.

One of the more interesting sunless "tanners" I came across was a do-it-yourself concoction from Care2, involving natural ingredients like water and sesame oil. Although it seems a bit on the archaic side, it's certainly one of the most appealing in terms of being eco-friendly, health-friendly, and budget-friendly. Of course, this all is assuming it works. Check out the Natural Sunless Tanning Lotion from Care2.

If all else fails, I refer you to the comment of Jaime (from It's a Jaime Thing), who told us how she learned to "embrace the porcelain," by making the decision not to get a spray tan for her sister's wedding. You rock Jaime!

5 comments:

It's A Jaime Thing said...

Oh, thank you for the link mention, Jennifer! "Embracing the porcelain" was definitely somewhat empowering...in the way that instead of worrying what everyone else thought of my being pale, I decided to be happy just being me. ;)

I think we all have little insecurities about ourselves...for me, it was often that I was "too pale". But now, I'm grateful that over the years I've stayed out of the sun and protected my skin, because it means I'll have less wrinkles (hopefully) as I grow older. Also, by not spray tanning, I save a LOT of money! ;)

Age happens, though...so now that I've turned 30 I suppose I'm trying to find new ways to protect my skin. Perhaps you have some earth friendly lotions to suggest to keep the youth so I can continue to "embrace the porcelain"? ;)

Have a lovely day!
~Jaim

P.S. I've added you to my blog roll under stationery...keep up the fab posts & the great work you do! ;)

Liv Lundelius said...

to tan or not to tan? i guess there is no right answer.
some ladies look amazing with a porcelain tan others better with a tan! I tried the lavera self tanning lotion years ago and liked it! right now i prefer pale skin! but i love love love the sun!
if you are the same, i would recommend to use a bodylotion that contains shea butter and real essential vanilla oil, both with help you to built a deeper and faster tan!

Tabatha Carr said...

I never understood why women prefer tanning before their wedding day. If you have a natural tan from being outside in the summer then to me it's fine. But who wants to have a dark tan for a winter or fall wedding? It clashes with everything.

{The Perfect Palette} said...

thanks for sharing!

How To Attract Men said...

I love the sun and see no point whatsoever in any sort of artificial tan. When I need a tan, it is because I need sunshine!!!
Unfortunately, gone of the days of all day sun-tanning...
I would appreciate any recommendations for the best sun protection creams as I prefer natural, but one must protect!
How To Attract Men

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