How do sunless tanners work

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Tanning pills and other tanning products. American Cancer Society. Accessed March 18, How to apply self-tanner.

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Sisley Paris Phyto-Touche Sun Glow Gel is a gel bronzer for the face that melts into your skin so you look naturally tanned. Available in matte or iridescent, the colour is sheer but buildable—so you can apply more where the sun would naturally hit, like across your nose and cheekbones.

There's just one matte shade, a natural bronze, and once it dries down, it becomes waterproof—so you can even wear this while swimming. Fenty Beauty Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint has one of the most extensive shade ranges, with seven shimmery tints to choose from. Each is sheer but buildable, with a transfer-resistant gel-cream texture. Tanologist Insta Glow Instant Tan Illuminator is a quick-drying tint that you can apply all over your face and body.

It's waterproof as well as transfer-resistant, and is formulated with light-reflecting particles for a golden glow. Givenchy Mister Healthy Glow Gel is a gel bronzer for your face featuring tiny microspheres of pigment.

Upon contact with skin, they burst and release the colour, which is buildable and smudge-proof. Depending on whether you shake the formula or let it settle, you can have a matte or shimmery finish. It's also buildable and transfer-resistant. I hate being the bearer of bad news, but now you know that self-tanner isn't quite as safe as we've been led to believe. Yes, it's way better than getting a suntan.

But, as this study found, self-tanner "may cause cell damage via free radical reactions. Lucky for us, all the wash-off face and body bronzers that I've shown you here will deliver instant, realistic-looking colour with none of the aging side effects.

And if you just can't part with self-tanner permanently, you can still reduce the harm by applying it at the right time, along with a dose of antioxidants—and as always, protecting your skin from the sun!

If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. See our Disclosure for more information. Whether it's your makeup, skincare regimen or just genetics, here's how to deal with a mismatch.

Celebrity Beauty. Home Tutorials. Read more from this special report: The Science of Beauty. Randall R. Wickett, professor of pharmaceutics and cosmetic science at the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy, explains. Get smart. Sign Up. Support science journalism. Knowledge awaits. See Subscription Options Already a subscriber? Create Account See Subscription Options. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription.

More like make-up, these products tint or stain your skin only until they are washed off. It's important to remember that most of these products, unless they contain an added sunscreen, will not protect you from the sun's UVA and UVB rays. Even products that do contain a sunscreen won't be of much help, since they lose their efficacy within hours of application.

So, if you're planning to head outside to show off your new glow, be sure to apply some extra sunscreen. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Skin Care.