How to Get a Realistic Looking Tan

We have always known that using tanning beds and baking in the sun are harmful for our skin. These activities can make us age faster by give our skin a wrinkly, leathery appearance and can even contribute to the growth of certain skin cancer cells. This year, make it your goal to avoid spending time tanning and laying out and instead look towards another, alternative method that is safe, inexpensive but can still produce the golden glow you long for - whilst preserving your beauty and health at the same time.

Things You'll Need

• Self tanning product
• 1 cup white sugar
• Water
• Petroleum jelly
• Unscented body lotion
• Towel
• Wash clothe

Instructions

1. Purchase a self tanner. Decide first on how much money you are willing to spend. If you can afford to spend more than $20, then head to a department store and hit up the Clarins, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden or Estee Lauder counter. If you are looking to spend $15 or less on a product, go to the drugstore. Bain de Soleil, Neutrogena and Banana Boat are make excellent self-tanners and are sold at CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid.

2. Exfoliate your skin. This will help to remove dead skin cells, resulting in younger, smoother looking skin. To make a natural skin exfoliator at home, mix one cup of plain white sugar in a bowl with a bit of water. Keep adding more water until you have formed a thick paste. Rub the paste on you skin for about 10 minutes while in the shower, being gentle around sensitive areas. Rinse off completely and pat your skin dry with a towel.

3. Moisturize your skin. Use an unscented body lotion on areas where your skin is the roughest, including your elbows, knees, ankles and the tops of your heels. (ref. 4) This will prevent too much self tanner from absorbing into these particular areas.

4. Apply the self tanner in an even, thin coat. Follow the directions listed on the product precisely to avoid ending up with skin that looks orange, streaky or blotchy.

5. Wash your hands immediately, taking care to scrub in between your fingers, along your wrist bone and around your cuticles.

6. Wipe off any excess product from your elbows, knees and feet with a damp wash cloth.

7. Allow the product adequate time to absorb into your skin and dry before getting dressed.

Tips & Warnings

• Most self tanners will develop within 12 hours. After the first application, you can reapply the product once a day until you have reached your desired effect.

• If you plan to use a spray form of self tanner, protect your hairline by using your finger to dab on a thin coat of petroleum jelly where you hair and forehead meet. Be sure to also wear a shower cap during the application process. Also use petroleum jelly to protect your eyebrows, lips and heels from absorbing too much product.

• Wait at least three hours after using the product before applying makeup and wait at least 12 hours before showering, swimming or perspiring heavily.

References

• The American Academy of Dermatology -- The Sun and Your Skin
• Sunless Tanning: Reviews
• The Ten Best Drugstore Sunless Tanning Products