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With temperatures rising and blue skies ahead, the thought of sunscreen may have reentered your mind, but it should’ve never left in the first place. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, everyone over the age of 6 months old should be using sunscreen every. single. day. No matter the season or amount of cloud coverage, daily sun protection is crucial to fight against skin cancer and visible signs of aging.
Fortunately, we are no longer living in your mother’s version of what skincare used to be… the days of baby oil, foil reflectors, and tanning beds are over. Sun protection products of the present day are plentiful and vary in formulation depending on personal preference. However, just because we are more cognizant of shielding ourselves from the sun’s harmful rays as of late doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice the pleasure of having a sun-kissed glow.
The self tanner market is ablaze and ready to make your golden brown dreams come true this spring, summer, and beyond. Leading brands in the industry have developed a variety of mediums including tanning drops, waters, mousses, instant formulas – the list goes on. While the options are plentiful, the vast amount of products on the market can feel slightly overwhelming. But there’s no need to fret – I’ve tested my fair share of SPF, mousses, drops, and balms to provide you with the best products to get your glow on below.
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Protect The Skin You Live In
Every time you get a sunburn, your chances of skin cancer increase, so it’s important to incorporate applying SPF into your daily routine. Today’s sunscreen market is divided into two main categories: face sunscreen and more general all-over body sunscreen.
Facial sunscreens have lighter, less greasy formulations to prevent breakouts and tend to those with more sensitive skin. My favorite face sunscreen to date is the Moisturizing Gel Sunscreen ($19) from BYOMA. It’s the perfect blend of suncare and skincare with SPF 30 that offers protection against UVA/UVB rays, and I can really feel it locking in moisture due to the included hyaluronic acid and other hydrating ingredients. Not to mention, super affordable and conveniently now available at Target. Other great facial sunscreen options include Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen ($38) which is a clear, oil-free option that doubles as a makeup gripping primer, and EltaMD’s award-winning Clear Broad Spectrum Sunscreen ($41), both with SPF coverage over 40.
As for the body, I usually pick my sunscreen based on application. I’ve always favored a lotion sunscreen as I find I stay protected longer when I wear it. My recent go-to has been the SPF 50 Antioxidant Body Sunscreen Crème ($30) from Naked Sundays. This silky smooth lotion comes with a buffing brush to ensure that this hydrating product is applied to perfection. If you prefer a sprayable sunscreen, Bask makes a great Non-Aerosol Spray ($24) with SPF 30 coverage that is non-oily and absent of chemical propellants, making it reef friendly. For even more sunscreen fun, I’d recommend Vacation’s Classic Whip SPF 30 ($22) that is described as “dessert for your skin.”
Build A Beautiful Base Tan
Once you’ve created a base layer of SPF protection, it’s time to tan – well artificially tan, that is. Just because we are applying and reapplying our sunscreen forevermore doesn’t mean that we need to sacrifice radiant skin. Similarly to building a tan throughout the summer, self-tanner deepens and can be built upon over time to create a long lasting luminosity. I like to use tanning drops for my face, and alternate between mousse and tanning water for an all-over body glow.
Isle of Paradise recently gained traction on TikTok for their Self-Tanning Drops ($32), and for good reason. I’ve gotten into the routine of using this product every Sunday night, and the results last me through the week. All it takes is 3 drops of the self-tanning product mixed in with my normal face moisturizer to look like I’ve just returned from a tropical vacation by the time I wake up.
When it comes to using tanning mousse, I want a tan that will last. Application is a bit of a process between using a tanning mit, waiting for the product to dry, and avoiding getting wet before it’s developed to my liking. However, the Tinted Self Tan Mousse from Tanologist ($20) makes the process more bearable. This product produces fast results, with its darkest tan developing after only 4 hours, in contrast from the 8 that I was used to with previous products, and has a hydrating formula that helps your tan last for up to 7 days with proper care.
Tanning water is my most recent find in the vast world of self-tanners, and it's also one of my favorites. Specifically, Tan Luxe’s Water ($48) is the creme de la creme for creating a sunless sunkissed body. With their streak-free, invigorating, and completely transparent water formula Tan Luxe has created the ultimate remedy for quenching thirsty skin.
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Glow In Minutes
Sometimes we want to shine, sometimes we don’t. For the moments when you're seeking an instant shimmer, yet don’t necessarily want it to linger for days, turn to products that give off a glow from the moment they’re applied. I apply the Jones Road Shimmer Face Oil ($34) to my cheekbones, and bridge of my nose practically daily to bring a flushed brightness to my skin. On my shoulders, collarbones, and neck Patrick Ta’s Major Glow Balm ($50) is a staple product of mine. The “She’s Glossy” shade gives me the most decadent glow and smells exactly like Baccarat Rouge 540 at less than a sixth of the cost. For an instant tan on days when you don’t have the time to let one set, Isle of Paradise’s Disco Tan ($24) offers a no-commitment bronze for up to 24 hours that can be washed off with warm water once you’ve had enough.
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Ready, Set, Glow
Skincare and sun protection are much more achievable now more than ever, but with the high volume of product offerings on the market, it can quickly become overwhelming. Through this comprehensive guide of products that will help you get your glow on, I hope that you feel empowered to take on the sun while still achieving bronzed goddess levels of radiance.
