The Best Self Tanner – All You Need To Know To Find Out For Yourself

Your Search For The Best Self Tanner Has Just Ended.

A self tan, or sunless tanning is the process of applying cream, lotion, or spray to the skin topically to cause a semi-permanent change in the tint/color in the outer layer (a.k.a. � “a tan”).

The desired tan normally lasts 2-10 days depending on the type of product and method used in application. Obviously, the best self tanner products will provide results toward the upper end of this range.

Tanning pills are NOT included in the category of sunless self tanners and are considered highly dangerous and experimental by virtually every regulating and medical agency. Our goal was to try to identify the best self tanner on the market.

How Does The Best Self Tanner Work?

The most common active ingredient in sunless tanners today is DIHYDROXYACETONE. (DHA) works by reacting with the keratin protein in the outer [or "dead"] layer of your skin. This is why the results are temporary; this outer layer of skin is continually exfoliating. DHA in sunless tanners is refined from a vegetable source, most likely sugar beets or sugar cane. Discovered to be a temporary skin coloring agent back in the 1920s, DHA was first sold in an over the counter sunless tanning product in 1960 as Coppertone Quick Tan, also known as QT. In the 1970s the Food and Drug Administration added DHA to their list of approved cosmetic ingredients.

Then, in the late 1980s, the cosmetic companies found a way to produce better results [browner, less orange] with DHA. The secret: an improved refining process yielded higher quality, more predictable DHA. Since then, DHA has been further improved, leading to the current explosion of products.  Awexplosion of new products is one thing; however, for something as important as your skin, you like us, are focused on identifying the best self tanner product available.

So What Makes The Best Self Tanner Better Than The Rest

Lets start with absorption, where the industry overall has made impressive progress. However, there are still many problems with even absorption, even application and most formulas are simple water and/or alcohol based mixtures. This type of delivery system can cause the amount of DHA absorbed into the skin to vary dramatically (un-even absorption). In addition, the percentage of DHA in the formulation will determine the depth of color (darkness of the tan). Most manufacturers using a high percentage of DHA in their formula advertising “Dark Results” often cause the skin to have an “orange” hue or tinge. This is due to the poor delivery system of water and/or alcohol as they “dump” the entire amount into the skin as it is applied (literally an overdose of the cells). More advanced pharmacology has been developed to aid in delivery of DHA eliminating the problems of the water and/or alcohol based delivery systems.  This has been, and will continue to be a prioirity for the technical team at Idol as they continue to strive to earn the distinction of producing the best self tanner product on the market.

ERYTHRULOSE is also used by some manufacturers as an additive to counter some of the negative side affects of water/alcohol based delivery systems. It is a natural keto-sugar which reacts with free primary or secondary amino groups (Maillard’s reaction). This reaction with free amino groups of the amino acids of keratin in the skin leads to the DHA-driven formation of brownish polymers, the so-called melanoids (a tan effect on the skin). It is an attempt to counter the negative results from water/alcohol based delivery systems. The properties of Erythrulose have been documented in complex in vivo studies. Erythrulose is a clear, yellowish, preservative-free solution of a biotechnologically produced, chiral carbohydrate. The manufacturing process of pure Erythruloseincludes the aerobic fermentation of the bacterium Gluconobacter followed by several purification steps.

The result of studies show Erythrulose takes 24-48 hours to begin its affects. By that time most sunless tanners have been washed off. It may have a positive result in reducing some of the drying affects caused by alcohol and DHA. Used in combination with a pharmaceutical delivery system Erythrulose may prove to add some value to sunless products(See “Benefits Of A Sunless Tanner“). Erythrulose is not currently approved by the FDA.

Is it Safe?

Yes! DHA has been in use in cosmetics for over 30 years! It’s derived from all natural ingredients and only affects the out layer of skin which is renewing (dead cells) itself everyday. DHA has been approved by the FDA and the Canadian Health Ministry and most of the EU member nations.  Part of being recognized as being the best self tanner is the priority of safety first.

Sunless tanning has been recommended by Skin Cancer Foundation, American Dermatology Association, Canadian Dermatology Association and American Medical Association. You can read an in depth report from the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention for more information.

The Idol Advantage  -  Its Not Easy To Be Recognized As The Best Self Tanner On The Market

Idol Tan Sunless Tanning Science was developed by a team of pharmaceutical engineers striving to develop the perfect tanning solutions. Over 8 years and millions of dollars were invested in the research and development of the Invisicare polymer delivery system, with the objective of producing the best indoor tanning lotion.

Incorporating the latest in anti-aging technologies Idol are known to reduce oxidants and free-radicals. Focus groups have proved Sunless Silk line of tanners are known to last longer and produce more even-natural looking results than any other product available today.

Produced in FDA approved facilities the quality of Idol products sets a new standard in sunless tanning. We have invented a whole new class and are Leading the Sunless Evolution with patented, pharmaceutical-grade, environmentally safe products. Recommended by dermatologists and leading skin cancer experts, sunless tanning is now the standard for tanning, and considered by most the best self tanner on the market. UV tanning is a harmful and risky alternative.

For Safe And Effective use of any self tanning lotion, see our “Tips On Using The Best Self Tanning Lotions”

 

Idol, The Best Self Tanner.