Does a Natural Self Tanner Work?

I don’t think there’s an ideal season to be pregnant, but my past 2 times were during the summer and while it’s great for postponing the maternity wear with flowy skirts and maxi dresses, my challenge is all about not looking so pasty white since so many self tanners are filled with parabens, BHT, fragrance, and other toxins that I’m extra careful about not using when I’m pregnant especially something that will go all over my body and isn’t limited to my face or a smaller area.

Before getting the larger size, I ordered 3 $2 samples of self tanner from Suntegrity, a company with consistent non-toxic scores from CosmeticsDatabase.com and my Think Dirty app. (Side note- with Think Dirty, they’re scaling it without factoring in DHA the main ingredient that develops the actual tan. It would be higher otherwise.) Eco Tan was another contender and also worth checking out. So anyway, the samples came and were enough to use on my arms 3 times so a little goes a long way because the formula is so thick. It isn’t very moisturizing though which can make it hard to rub in and ensure you’ve gotten it everywhere it needs to go. This means you should apply it to small sections at a time and act fast. The scent isn’t like a typical tanner, it’s like sweet oatmeal which I like and it does fade out fast so when it dries you don’t smell it at all.

How well does it work?

And finally for the important part which is what really matters, right? I was so happy to see that using it just once or twice a week will maintain good color. It isn’t a gradual formula, it does the job right away. You don’t know how pasty white my arm normally is, but hopefully you can see that it’s actually tan(ish) which I’m happy about. The down side is that this isn’t a formula you can slap on and let it figure itself out because it needs a lot of bleding, the right amount of product in each area, and knowing that no matter how good of a job you do, there will probably be a few streaks. It collected around my knees and a few drier patches as well as the inside of my arms the first time when I wasn’t as careful. It’s not perfect, but it’s a safe tan which is my ultimate goal for the summer.

Nature’s Gate Glow Lotion is still my all time favorite (safe) self tanner that you can pick up at most Whole Foods (or similar) stores at around $13 for 16oz whereas Suntegrity is $36 for 5oz.

Bottom line: Don’t be fooled by a higher price thinking it’s a better formula, there are a few great self tanners out there with clean formulas for a lot less $$$.