Features

The bronzed age

25 Apr 2007 by business traveller

As awareness of skin cancer has risen, more and more people are turning to self-tanning to get that sunkissed look. Eve Cameron shares her top tips on achieving a golden glow without leaving home

For years a tan was something to be avoided at all costs. It was evidence you worked outside and were therefore poor, common or unfortunate, or indeed all three. Ladies and gentlemen aspired to creamy, even-toned skin, until the 1920s when fashion designer Coco Chanel got a tan and it suddenly became a must-have – a sign of health and beauty.

With the advent of paid leave and package holidays for the masses, everyone could enjoy having a tan, but by the 1980s dermatologists were warning that a tan was not such a good idea. Tanning, it was discovered, is basically a defence mechanism – your skin produces pigment for protection from the sun. The fact that the tan is visible means damage has already occurred at a cellular level.

Experts estimate that some 80 per cent of skin ageing is caused by exposure to the sun. Burning is the worst, as it's linked to developing skin cancer, especially in fair-skinned, light-eyed people. Yes, the sun has its dark side. The same goes for sun beds, which people often like to think of as a safe alternative to real sun-bathing. They're not: according to Cancer Research UK, sun beds, like the sun, give out UV rays which damage the DNA in your cells and can actually be 10 to 15 times more intense than midday sun.

So, what are you supposed to do if you want a bit of golden colour without damaging your skin? Cue fake tans. The main ingredient in fake or self tan is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), originally used as an oral medicine and discovered to colour the skin after it was spilled on children's skin at a paediatric hospital back in the Fifties. It works by reacting with amino acids on the skin to create a brown colouring.

Having said that, early fake tans turned your skin more orange than sun-kissed, but formulations have come a long way. Now, whether you want a year-round healthy glow or to look as though you've just had a week in the South of France, there's something that looks pretty natural in a mousse, gel, cream, wipe or spray form that will be perfect for you.

The key to convincing fake tan is the application. It's hard to beat a salon-tanning session, where self-tan is applied by a therapist or where you're machine-sprayed (like a car paint job) in a booth. St Tropez is the biggest name is self-tanning and with good reason – results are fabulous, even and natural-looking, and will last up to ten days. Call +44 (0)115 983 6363 to find your nearest salon.

If you are going to fake tan yourself, there are some simple guidelines to follow in order to get a streak-free glow:

- Whether you're tanning your face or body, exfoliate first to remove surface-dulling cells and dry patches that could "grab" the tan, making it look muddy.

- Read the label. If it says it's for "medium to dark skin" or promises a deep/dark tan, it won't work well on a lily-white skin. Equally, if your skin is olive or already slightly tanned, a product labelled "light" or for fair skin will probably disappoint.

- Moisturise your skin after exfoliating to provide a smooth canvas. To prevent colour build-up on bony areas such as knees, elbows and feet, mix the self-tan with extra moisturiser to thin it out. Use a cotton bud to keep colour from collecting in areas like the brows.

- For a naturally sun-kissed look, think about which areas of your body and/or face would turn brownest if you had a real suntan. It wouldn't be your inner arms, for example.

- To avoid getting tell-tale stained palms, wear thin rubber gloves or wash and scrub your hands and nails quickly after applying your fake tan. You can then get a little colour on the backs of your hands by brushing them lightly across your thighs.

l Don't be tempted to slather it on. Self-tan can take up to 24 hours to develop fully, though many do show results within a few hours. It's best to build up to the colour you like over the course of a few days.

When it comes to which type of product to use, the choice is yours. Some people prefer tinted self-tanners, both for the immediate bronzing effect and also because you can see exactly where you are applying the product. For novices, or those who really prefer a subtle effect, there's a new generation of face and body moisturisers with very low levels of fake tan. There are also quick-drying sprays, tanning wipes and gloves.

Whatever you choose, remember that fake tan doesn't offer sun protection – you need to apply a product with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) on top for that.


BEST FOR EVERYDAY USE

Estee Lauder Body Performance Golden Naturally Radiant Moisturiser, £21, has low levels of DHA to build colour gradually while hydrating and conditioning the skin.

L'Oreal Paris Nutrisummer Tone Up, £7.99, not only gives you a natural glow with regular use, but also contains ingredients to firm and tone the skin, helping to minimise cellulite.


BEST FOR THE FACE

Nivea Sun Touch Self Tan
Face Cream, £6.99, is a lightweight cream with skin-boosting vitamin E and macadamia oil which both hydrates and tans.

Pevonia Botanica Fitness Glow Hydrating Self Tan, £27.50, contains vitamin E and a botanical antiseptic, making it perfect for use after shaving to moisturise and calm the skin. Used daily it will build a light tan.

Biotherm Summer Source Face, £23, creates a natural tan and has pearlescent pigments that give highlights and radiance. It feels fresh on the skin and leaves it feeling supple and smooth.

Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint For Face and Décolleté, £18.50, is perfect if you are olive-skinned or already have a tan as it is darker than most. Apply it with a cotton wool pad for even, streak-free colour.

BEST FOR THE BODY

Garnier Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer Body Wipes, £2.39, are a quick and easy way to add colour, drying fast, so a perfect solution when you're on the go. Natural extracts of apricot and vitamin E give the skin a moisturising boost too.

Clinique Quick Bronze Tinted Self-Tanner Mousse, £13.50, is a bronze-tinted formula for instant results which also makes for easy application and blending. Underneath, a longer-lasting tan develops in about an hour.

Lancome Flash Bronzer Transfer-Resistant Self-Tanning Body Gel in Shimmering, £19.50, is fresh and light on your skin and dries quickly, giving you a great natural colour. It also contains light-reflecting particles making your skin look glowing and luminous.

Rimmel Sunshimmer Rapid Body Bronzer Self Tan Spray, £6.99, gives a natural tan in one hour. The ultra fine mist is non-oily, easy to spritz on quickly and dries in a flash.

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