Ever since I started paying very close attention to the products I put on my face, and recognizing which products irritate my skin, I noticed that the SUN Labs Spray I was using, breaks me out. I've been using SUN Labs for the past 5 years with no problems, but when I used it recently and woke up to a few blemishes, I went on the search for a tanning product that won't irritate my face. I'm not sure if the current bottle I have of SUN Labs is a different formulation (or if it's old), because my bottle is paraben free, and when I search for SUN Labs, I'm finding bottles that contain parabens. There are also formulations that don't contain fragrance, and mine does. I'm going to have to look further into it. In the mean time, I came across Clarins self tanning products, which have very positive reviews.
I took a look at the ingredient list, and it's quite short in comparison to other brands of tanning products. A shorter list, is always a good thing (less chance of irritations).
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Dihydroxyacetone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Erythrulose, Fragrance, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 15985/Yellow 6, CI 19140/Yellow 5, CI 17200/Red 33, CI 42090/Blue 1.
Active Ingredients:
-Improved duo of DHA (now at 8%) and Erythrulose: Promotes a rich, tropical color.
-Vitamin E: Protects against harmful free radicals.
-Aloe Vera: Keeps skin soft and hydrated.
-Cocoa: Maintains radiance.
There are some ingredients that may be problematic to some, If you are sensitive to Fragrance in products on your face, this can possibly cause irritations, as Fragrance is listed pretty early on in the list. Castor Oil may bother some & it also contains Alcohol early on as well, some of you with dry skin may find it drying. So, moisturizing is key.
I was really excited to try this stuff out, and I tried it the same night I purchased it. The directions are to apply with a cotton pad over your regular moisturizer, avoiding your hair line. So, I went on with my regular skincare routine (cleanse, bha, moisturizer) and I put a little bit into my palm and smoothed it over my face. Then of course, washed my hands very well. The self tanner itself, is a golden brown liquid. It absorbs quickly with a light golden color guide. Nothing greasy, nothing frightening, so you can most likely get away with it during the day with a light coat. I love that this doesn't have the typical self tanner smell. It doesn't have a chemical scent, nor does it have the "cherry almond" scent of other popular self tanners. It's a very fresh scent, kind of hard to describe. I would describe it as the way my hair would smell after I left a salon that deep conditioned my hair. haha, that "salon product" scent.
The following morning after I've applied this, my face is tinted a light golden brown, with no irritations. In fact, I've been using it all week and haven't had one pimple. I've only used it over moisturizer, so I can't say how it works when it is absorbed into dry skin. I'm sure the tan would be deeper on dry skin, but you can also build the color within a few days. Color generally doesn't last long on my face. I would say this has average lasting power.. around 2-3 days. I do though, wash my face 2-3 times a day, which makes it fade faster.
I usually apply it, like mentioned, with my hands after I apply a moisturizer. I have also applied it with a clean, synthetic blush brush (natural bristles will stain) & a self tanning mitt. They all work fine. I haven't used a cotton pad, because I don't own them, but I prefer other methods, as cotton tends to soak up product and get on your fingers anyway - so why not just use your fingers to save product.
What I really love other than what I've mentioned is that you only need a very small amount of product. I literally put 3-4 drops in my palm and it gives me good color. For a deeper tan, I could of course use more, but I've been going a little but lighter lately (as some of you have noticed) with my self tan.
The price is $33 for 4.2oz, which some of you may find very expensive. Yes, it is expensive, but it is comparable to other higher end self tanners. For example, St Tropez Mousse is $30 for 4 oz. SUN Labs differs because you can find it all over the net for cheaper, but at ULTA an 8 oz bottle is around $37. So, SUN may be half the price.. but I think Clarins is a good investment (for me at least) and I believe it will last me a while. It's meant for your face and decollete (neckline), so it may not be something you'll use every day, and when you do use it, you'll be using small amounts.
Overall, very happy with this, and I'm very pleased to have found a product that will keep me golden, without the breakouts.
Have you tried this or other Clarins self tanning products? The only other Clarins self tanning product I've tried in the past was the Auto-Bronzant Special Visage Tinted Self Tanning Face Cream spf 15, which I didn't care for at all.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Clarins. I purchased this product myself at Sephora.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Clarins. I purchased this product myself at Sephora.
