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We all know how risky it is to expose our skin to the sun and the damage it can cause to your complexion. If fact it is the number one cause to premature aging. So what’s a girl to do to get a beautiful golden glow without exposing it to the sun? Well, a sunless tanner sounds like a great option doesn’t it? Wrong!
The primary ingredient in most sunless tanners that creates that beautiful golden effect is called dihydroxyacetone (DHA.) Did you catch the tail end of that word; acetone? Yes you read that correctly, acetone (a toxic nail polish remover) and get this; dihydroxyacetone is actually a cousin to this toxic ingredient. Scary isn’t it?!
When you use a sunless tanner that contains DHA (it’s hard to find one that doesn’t) it oxidizes and injects the top layer of your skin with a golden brown color that sheds off in 5-6 days. Sounds pretty harmless doesn’t it?
Well, here’s the unfortunate catch. DHA actually generates free radicals when exposed to the sun. Free radicals are unstable molecules that steal from healthy ones in hopes of becoming stable but in the process create a damaging chain reaction that accelerates the aging process. One study revealed that skin treated with DHA for forty minutes had 180% additional free radicals; YIKES!
I have to say that I was more than disappointed to discover this news. I have been an avid fan and user of sunless tanning products, but knowing that DHA actually produces free radicals and accelerates aging I have decided to forego this ingredient. The thing is though; I am not willing to forego the golden glow.
After some serious research I stumbled upon a completely natural, safe, and unique way to make your own sunless tanner. It’s so easy you won’t believe it!
DIY Sunless Tanner
Ingredients:
- Unsweetened baking cocoa
- Your favorite lotion, cream, or botanical oil
Put a small amount of your lotion, cream, or oil in a small bowl and add a little bit of cocoa. Mix it well until it’s completely free from any lumps or bumps. You will need to experiment with the amount of cocoa until you find a shade that is just right for you.
It will look much darker in the bowl so don’t let it frighten you from trying it on your skin. Once you apply it to your skin and blend it in the color greatly softens.
I have taken my favorite oils, argan oil and rosehip seed oil, and mixed them with a small amount of cocoa in the palm of my hand and then applied the mixture to my face giving it a beautiful soft brown/golden glow. Give yourself plenty of time for it to absorb and dry completely before applying makeup.
Not only is it a beautifully natural, safe, and effective way to give yourself a tan, but cocoa is actually loaded with antioxidants that fight free radicals and you will smell like a delicious brownie.
Give it a try and let me know how it goes 
I’ve read few reviews about sunless tanning products like those that are injectables. Some said it’s worth a try and some agrees it could bring up certain side effects. But like you, I do prefer natural ways to get that tan I desired. It’s interesting to try that cocoa DIY, hopefully soon. I’ve tried treatments that used coffee and it was great.
I would be so scared to have sunless tanning products injected into my body, yikes! I haven’t tried using coffee, I’ll have to check into it. Thanks Kathryn 🙂
Thanks for sharing this article Victoria. I’m sure a lot of women are not aware of the harmful effects of sunless tanners so this is very enlightening; and the DIY recipe is a bonus!
Thanks for the comment Emilia 🙂 I’m glad the article was helpful!
I think sunless tanners are products made to torture skin. As if salon tanning beds are not enough to give you that toasted glow that you want. The sun itself is harmful if you don’t know how to take control of your tanning preferences. And sunless spray tans are made of chemicals, I’ll bet my shirt that they have carcinogenic ingredients too.
Pretty scary, isn’t it Sandra?
Aside from the fact that the DIY tanner looks easy to make, I have a feeling that it will also have a great scent to it. Cocoa has a distinct smell to it, so I think it would be better to mix it with a lotion that has no smell. Thanks for opening our eyes to the dangers of commercial tanners.
It does have a wonderful scent Calra. In fact the first time I used it and went to help my 4 year old daughter with something, she said..”oh, Mom did you make brownies?” 🙂
I was never a fan of tanning since I’m not that pale. I think people are better off with natural skin color whether you’re white, tan or black. However, people cannot be pleased.
The grass is always green on the other side of the fence isn’t it Kristine? 🙂
It’s a good thing that my skin is naturally tan. But the DIY tanner looks fairly enjoyable to make. I’ll suggest it to some of my friends.
I am not a big fan of sunless tanners because I have light brown skin, but if I’m to enhance my color, I’d spend three mornings soaked in the sun than spray on those artificial tanners . Ladies, we’re working so hard to at least slow down the process of aging. And using these sunless tanning alternatives is simply a big no-no. The number one cause of aging is not smoking or stress, it’s free radicals. And these products are practically bursting at the seams with them. I hope women who love self-tanning would read this article. Very helpful.
Love your comment Joy!
I have never considered artificial sunless tanning products to be beneficial to my skin ever since. I think no cosmetic product can imitate the tanning benefits of the sun. And think about all those free radicals. By the time you turn forty, you’ll look like a burnt banana cake with all those harmful chemicals.
OOOh, a “burnt banana cake!” That is definitely not a good look, is it Veronica? 🙂 Love the description!
Anything that encourages the spawn of free radicals is scary. I mean if you’re taking care of yourself and you always want to look good, you take in a lot of antioxidants that combat free radicals. But these sunless tanning alternatives do more damage! Thank you very much for sharing what you know. Ladies who love tanning, you must read this.
Free radicals are very scary Stacey and they don’t just harm your skin but can do damage within your body as well.
Wow! I simply loved your post. It is amazingly useful. I never knew there were DIY and never knew sunblocks could also be harmful.
The approaching summers made me realize how terribly I was affected with the Sun last summers. The post actually shocked me. The ingredients as well as the manner of creating a sunless tanner is just so great as well as lucid. Thanks for sharing the post.
Hi
Scary stuff indeed just the word free radical counters up all sorts of nasties. I have never been a fan of sun beds. I understand people wanting the look of a golden tan I don’t know anyone who doesn’t look better that way and the fake tan industry is booming and good luck with the one you have found here hopefully it will help stop people using sun beds .
Thanks lee