Self Tanners

T

treebaby

Cathlete
Hello all! I have a question about self tanners: Do they all have the same active ingredient in them? If so, I have to stop kidding myself and trying the different brands and methods because I am allergic to this particular ingredient (I break out into an itchy rash).

Thanks for any input,
Teresa
 
do you know what the ingredient is that you are allergic to? yes most self tanners have DHA (dihydroxy acetone) in them to make you tan
 
Teresa,

I've only used self tanners once. I liked the color, but not the spots I missed. I haven't used it again because of that. However, I was at the cosmetic counter yesterday and saw a product called Air Stockings. It's not a self tanner, but an application to give your legs some color. There's a web site airstockings.com. I never checked out the web site, but maybe this would be an alternative for you.

We have a christening coming up and I'm wearing sandals and you can't wear nylons with these shoes. My legs need a little color. I'll have to try this product out before the christening to make sure I don't look ridiculous. I'll let you know how it works.

Dallas
 
carmenelectra - I am assuming that I am allergic to the active ingredient you are referring to because these self tanners are the only lotions that cause me to breakout.

Thanks Dallas.
 
That's an interesting question. I go to a tanning salon year round but I don't tan my face, that's where I use a self tanner & I use it almost every day. I have definitely noticed a difference between self tanners, so I don't know if it's a difference in the amount of active ingredients or if it's a difference in the ingredients themselves.

If you're looking for something that covers everything you might try the professional spray tans that are almost everywhere now. I think it lasts 4-5 days & is typically $20 a shot. Maybe some places offer packages the way they do w/tanning.

BTW I saw that spray stocking stuff on a local news program last night. That stuff is pretty cool. The story was on how to cover unsightly scars & birthmarks, & the spray stocking really did the trick. Worth looking into. I think the only place I've seen it is at Bed Bath & Beyond, but I wasn't really looking so maybe you could find it at a CVS or something.
 
i have used airstocking and did not like it. It did not look real and was really dry. Although I have found with self tanners that it helps to get a shade darker then what ya want. With the airstocking I got the shade that matched my skin like on the bottle.
 
yes the airstocking is def at CVS and Eckerd is where i got it..I dunno if that chain is everywhere. I think saly hansen makes the one I tried. The professional spray tan is good too although I only use that for special accasions cuz its so expensive:)
 
Don't the professional spray tan places have the same active ingredient in their spray as the self tanners? I want a product that I can use all over, but I am losing hope.
 
oh geez! I totally forgot that the whole point of the thread was that you were allergic to DHA. Sorry! Yes the Mystic Tan in the salons has DHA in it also. I looked up the airstocking stuff though and it does not contain it.
 
Teresa, I also get the little rashy bumps. The only one I have found that I can tolerate is Neutrogina (sp?) self tanning foam. I don't know why it is different because I assume it has the same ingredient but I never get the rash with this one.

Debbie
 
I don't THINK I've tried Neutrogena. It may just be a matter of trying them until I find THE one that doesn't break me out. I may go broke handling it this way, but I am trying to avoid tanning, so it might be worth it. Thanks everyone!
 
Just in the case of wanting something to use all over, I actually have started using the Jergens Natural Glow daily moisterizer. I have been really happy with it. I have used many different self tanners and hated the streaks and missed spots. This is essentially just like a regular moisterizer so it seems to blend in better. Also, since you use it daily it gradually tans you, so I think that helps it blend with each new application. You still get the issues of it getting darker on your elbows and knees and you still get the light chemical smell (it's biggest downfall as far as I'm concerned), but all in all I have been very happy with it as far as self tanning lotions are concerned. And it's not very expensive.

Katie
 
I bought this brand last week. I didn't break out NEAR as bad with this, but I would if I used it every day. Initially it smells SO good, doesn't it? After a few hours it changed over to the "typical" smell. Let's face it, if this brand's coloring is supposed to be "subtle" (as the label states), I probably can't use any of them! It would be good for others though.......
 
I have had such bad results with self-tanners that I am afraid of all of them now. I haven't used one for a couple of years. I would love some color on my arms and legs. I am intrigued by the Jergens lotion. Have self-tanners improved?

--Lois
 
They have improved a lot over the years, however, if they can ever get that "smell" out, that is when people will use them.. I just tried the Olay one with self tanner, and it didn;t smell for hours, just had a heavy perumey smell, but during the night "the smell" was back! The Jergen's does a better job, more color than the Olay. They are both foolproof though, no streaks, not orange, just a shade of color.. if you use them every day you gradually get darker.
 
sorry, don't mean to make a 'plug here', honestly but I have to say, last week I saw two gals who had nice looking tans and I asked them if they were using the Before Sun Made In the Shade Self Tanner and they both said yes! I couldn't believe it, I thought, sheese, I gotta start using mine!!

In fact, when I saw the one, I told her "Wow!! no wonder you said 4 people want to order it, look at you!!"

There is no streaking, no orange color and this is the best tanning spray I have used.
 
Well, just a note that i am not a really highly allergic person but I was using the lightest tanning version of the Jergen's Natural Glow and after about 5 days (up to then I was really happy w/ the tanning) I got the worst case of hives that I have ever had in my life. I had to take the highest dose of antihistamines allowed for an adult and it still took almost 2 days for the reaction to totally go away. I was hoping there was a different ingredient choice in other self-tanning products b/c I'd love to be able to look tan w/o the damage. I'll have to compare the active ingredient in Jergens to the others, I guess.
 
This Jergens stuff appears to be this summer's hot item. It is sold out in all the stores around here and on-line as well. All the reviews say it works great (but it stinks!!)
Does the smell go away?

--Lois
 
Since you apply it every day you have the smell every day and unfortunately it lasts pretty much all day long. The smell is not as overpowering as some of the other self tanners, but it is still there. I haven't had any kind of allergic reaction to it, but I do also take a day off from putting it on about every 3 or 4 days.

Katie
 
So does it rub off on clothing at all? This Jergens I mean? It sounds like something I'd love. I tan every now and then because it helps with my skin, but I hate to do it. With it now getting closer to summer (month wise-NOT weather wisex( x( ) I want to be darker but I won't spend all my time in a tanning bed.
 
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