By Emma Grady
New York, NY, USA | Tue Feb 24 15:00:00 GMT 2009
When gray days have turned your sun-kissed skin to a pasty pale and the best you can boast is that goggle-tan from last month's green ski trip, don't despair. We've found five sunless tanning lotions that can impart a natural glow in winter, without the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun or a tanning bed. Each of the year-around bronzers listed below boast green features—ranging from organic ingredients to corporate practices—ensuring streak-free color that is gentle on the earth and your skin.
Why We Like It: Per-fékt Beauty's Body Perfection Gel conveniently dries in a flash, and is enriched with shea butter, which leaves skin feeling extra silky and smooth. We also love that this tanning lotion masks imperfections such as redness and bruising, potentially eliminating the need for a concealer or foundation altogether.
Eco Factor: It's packed full of packed full of antioxidants. Parabens (a suspected carcinogen) and fragrance (often full of harmful chemicals) are not on the ingredient list.
Streak Test: Rub this one in with peace of mind—we emerged completely streak-free with little effort.
Where: Per-fékt Beauty
How Much: $48 for 3 fluid ounces
Image courtesy of Richard Radstone/Perfekt Beauty
Why We Like It: The Sunburst Moisturizer Body Beaded Bronzing Lotion from Tarte moisturizes skin with vitamins A and E, a blend of glycerin, and plant-derived emollients for instant glow.
Eco factor: It's 100 percent free of mineral oil (produced as a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil), synthetic fragrance, sulfate, and phthalates (gender-bending chemical compounds); and 83 percent paraben-free. Tarte is also a member of the Organic Trade Association and the Fair Trade Federation.
Streak Test: Take a few extra strokes to blend this one in really well—the beads burst and pour out more color than you would expect.
Where: Tarte Cosmetics
How Much: Body lotion, $39 for 5 fluid ounces; face lotion also available, $28 for 1.5 fluid ounces.
Image courtesy of Tarte Cosmetics
Why We Like It: Dr. Hauschka's Translucent Bronze Concentrate is a great addition to your morning ritual: Put it on before applying foundation for added color or after for a subtle dewy glow. Bonus: Organically bound copper aids cell regeneration and helps prevent scarring.
Eco Factor: It's 100 percent natural, contains no chemical additives, and is made from organically grown and harvested ingredients. Plus, the company uses recycled-cardboard packaging and does not perform animal testing.
Streak Test: Blends with your moisturizer, which removes the streak risk. Take care around your jaw line, to avoid the white turtleneck look.
Where: Dr. Hauschka
How Much: $40 for 1 fluid ounce
Image courtesy of Dr. Hauschka Skin Care
Why We Like It: Shimmer Sun Gel from The Body Shop provides instant color without the price tag, and moisturizes with aloe vera gel and glycerin.
Eco Factor: Your skin soaks up all-natural ingredients, and the company is committed to fair-trade and no animal testing.
Streak Test: This one is tricky; blend really well or mix with body lotion to ensure an even tan.
Where: The Body Shop
How Much: $14.50 for 0.85 fluid ounces
Image courtesy of The Body Shop International
Why We Like It: Self-Tanning Lotion from Fake Bake has a "built-in" tanning guide with a dark temporary color to which shows those potentially embarrassing missed pale patches.
Eco Factor: It's dye and—as of January 2009—Paraben-free.
Steak Test: Make sure to wear the gloves and shower the morning after application or your brand new white tee will be tan too.
Where: Fake Bake
How Much: $24 for 6 fluid ounces
Image courtesy of Entertainment Fusion Group
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