If you’re on the hunt for the best organic and non toxic self tanner, look no further. I have written about my favorite self tanner before and I’m digging into it again before summer hits. We are all probably craving a bit of color these days after a long winter. I always get into my self tanner groove when Spring begins to show itself. I also know that conventional self tanners are filled with toxic ingredients that are not necessary to achieve that perfect sun kissed glow. Prior to finding my favorite non toxic self tanner, I didn’t think they would work as well as the ones on store shelves. To my surprise and delight, I found one that actually works better. I’ll delve into why this is below. But if you’re worried that opting for a non toxic self tanner is going to compromise on results, it wont! Without further adieu, here is my full Beauty by Earth self tanner review. Scroll to the bottom for a nice little discount code at the end for all THV readers to save on their sun kissed glow.
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I have tested MANY natural and non-toxic self tanners. Many do not stand up to the task. Self tanners can add beauty and glow to your look. They also have the potential to look horrendous if the formula isn’t good. We all had our own self tanner nightmare to share. I am so happy to share with you that there is an incredible natural and non toxic self tanner. It has actually has worked BETTER than conventional self tanners I have used in the past. I get the most beautiful warm sun kissed glow with no orange hue whatsoever. Beauty by Earth works so well that it has taken the self tanner world by storm. I am so happy to share my favorite self tanner options in this beauty by earth self tanner review.
Even those who don’t bother worrying over non toxic ingredients have switched over to BBE because it works so darn well. But since were on the topic of non toxic ingredients, I wanted to share some of the worst culprits in conventional self tanners.
8 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Self Tanner
There are a handful of common toxic ingredients found in conventional self tanner. These ingredients are easily avoidable when using a formula like Beauty By Earth. That being said, I wanted to share a quick list of some ingredients you could be on the lookout for when vetting a self tanner.
- Parabens: Parabens are found in many beauty products as they are commonly used as preservatives. They are well known to disrupt hormones. They often will mimic estrogen and bind to the receptors of cells to influence hormonal activity. It is best to avoid parabens when possible.
- Drying Alcohol (Ethanol): Ethanol is a great solvent for dyes and that is why it is used in many self tanners. Unfortunately, it can cause cell damage and skin irritation. Not all alcohols are bad, however, ethanol is one to steer clear from if possible. When it comes to self tanner, ethanol is a poor choice due to it’s ability to dry and crack the skin. This can cause self tanner solutions to look cakey, cracked, or lessen their wear time.
- Mineral Oil: Mineral oil is often used to moisturize the skin so self tanner can apply easily. It is super important to have hydrated skin prior to applying self tanner. That being said, mineral oil is made from petroleum and can cause a list of unwanted side effects. It can clog the pores causing irritation or break outs and irritate the skin and eyes.
- Fragrance: Fragrance is often added to beauty products but it is well known to disrupt hormonal health. Most fragrance is synthetic and can be used as an umbrella term on an ingredient list and encompass over 1000 different chemicals at once. It isn’t a necessary component to a self tanner, so it is ideal to omit this if possible.
- Synthetic Dyes + Pigment: Dyes are often added to self tanners to help boost the color quicker. They pair these synthetic dyes with DHA to create the illusion of an instant tan while the DHA is developing. This is not a necessary ingredient as the DHA will bronze the skin over just a few hours. Dyes and pigments are known to cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, rashes and more.
- Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause a laundry list of side effects. It may be surprising to most that it is used in self tanners but this is actually quite common. Formaldehyde has an oxidizing effect that can help the tan develop more quickly. DHA only takes a few hours to begin working with the amino acids in your skin to create the bronze. While formaldehyde may take that time down slightly and allow a product to be dubbed “instant tan”, it is not necessary and quite dangerous.
- Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is a skin lightening agent and is added to self tanners to help avoid the orange hue. Hydroquinone is toxic and can cause liver damage amongst other side effects like irritation, redness and allergic reaction. Thankfully you can avoid having to use this ingredient by opting for a sunless tanner that uses sugar beet DHA for a natural bronze.
- Lead Acetate: Lead acetate used to be commonly used in self tanners to deepen the color of a tan. This was before we realized lead is incredibly toxic to humans. It can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys, cognitive impairment and infertility. Most self tanners will not use this anymore but it is important to keep an eye out in conventional self tanner ingredient lists.
How does a Non-Toxic Self Tanner work?
How does self tanner create a tanned hue on your skin? It’s a simple natural reaction between your skin and an ingredient called DHA (Dihydroxyacetone). DHA reacts with amino acids in the outer layer of your skin to create that brown tan hue. The process mimics the appearance of a natural tan without the need for UV exposure.
Most self tanners (including most natural brands) use the synthetic form of DHA. There are downsides to synthetic DHA that should be noted. The FDA hasn’t deemed DHA unsafe for topical application, however, there are downsides to it’s use. DHA has been found to irritate those with sensitive skin. There is also evidence that when DHA is breathed in that the lungs are impacted. Synthetic DHA can increase risk of asthma and evidence has shown that it can increase the risk of developing COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). So, what is the alternative?
There is a different form of DHA that is derived from sugar beets that is used in place of synthetic DHA. Most companies, including natural brands, use synthetic DHA options thinking this is superior. On the contrary, the form of DHA that is derived from sugar beets actually offers a more bronzed shade. The bronze pales in comparison to that infamous orange hue that synthetic DHA is responsible for. The natural sugar beet DHA found in Beauty by Earth’s self tanners offers the same depth of color and lasts just as long. This is the key behind BBE’s natural self tanner works better than conventional self tanners I have used in the past. When you switch over to Beauty by Earth’s self tannin formulas you can say “so long” to cheap orange self tanning results.
Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Review
Here is my full personal testament and experience in this beauty by earth self tanner review. I have used many that failed on a few or all of these requirements. Beauty by Earth is one of the few self tanners I have used in my lifetime to check off all the boxes. It works so well and it creates the most gorgeous natural bronze to your skin. When I’m looking for a good natural self tanner, I have a few requirements in mind. Here are the standards that I look for when vetting a self tanner:
- Good Ingredients
- Easy Application
- No Foul Odor
- Streaking Potential
- No Orange Hue
Good Ingredients: Beauty by Earth Self Tanner is Non toxic
Beauty by Earth uses non toxic and organic ingredients. Their ingredient deck is by far one of the cleanest options on the market. It contains sugar beet derived DHA rather than synthetic and a whole list of skin nourishing ingredients to help your tan look flawless. Here is a full ingredient list of the BBE self tanner body lotion.
Self Tanner Body Lotion Ingredients: Aqua, *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Dihydroxyacetone (Sugar Beet Derived), Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Glycerin (Vegetable), *Camellia Oleifera (Japanese Green Tea) Leaf Extract, *Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, *Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, *Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Pulp Extract, Vanilla Tahitensis (Vanilla) Fruit Extract
*Certified Organic Ingredients
Beauty by Earth has Easy Application, No Foul Odor, Low Streaking Potential
The quality and performance is next in line for importance. Self tanners are infamous for their potential of being orange and streaky. That is why I am always hesitant to try a new one because the effects last a few days at the very least. No one wants to walk around looking like a pumpkin waiting for a bad product to wear off. Unlike makeup and other beauty products, self tanner isn’t one you can just simply wash off if you don’t like it. The stakes are high and so are my expectations.
When it comes to performance, I look at three factors: Application, Smell, Streaking, and the resulting hue of the tanner. I’ll get into the application of my favorite products below as I review each one but overall this process is pretty good. The self tanner drops I use on my face are applied by mixing with your own moisturizer (easy peasy) and the self tanning body lotion is nice and thick so you can feel where it sits. It is a white lotion compared to some that come out dark from the bottle but I find the texture and viscosity of the lotions itself offers a really smooth and easy application. I highly recommend grabbing the application mitt as it keeps the product off of your hands (we’ve all been there). The mitt also creates a smoother application to the skin.
Beauty by Earth breaks down the application process perfectly in the graphic below. One key step that many people miss if the exfoliation process. It’s so important to be applying these products on exfoliated skin vs. rough dead skin cells. This will ensure a smoother application and a longer lasting tan. I really love their Vanilla & Coconut Body Scrub for prepping the skin. Following these steps below will also help reduce chance of streaking. The fact is that ANY self tanner can cause streaking if not applied properly. However, some brands have been found to apply less than ideal resulting in a higher chance of streaking. I usually apply a thin layer of moisturizer over my knees, hands, elbows, and ankles which helps reduce any streaking or funny absorption to these nook and cranny areas. I have found Beauty by Earth self tanners to be one of the easiest to apply with the least chance of streaking.
Beauty by Earth delivers a Bronze shade with NO Orange Hue
This is a HUGE factor and one of the most important when I am choosing a self tanner. We’ve all tried a self tanner that left us looking like Willy Wonka’s Oompa Loompa’s. Orange is not the goal and I love that many companies are working toward improving their formulas to offer a beautiful bronze glow. You should not be settling for orange streaky self tanner these days.
As I’ve mentioned above, Beauty by Earth opts for a DHA that is derived from beets rather than a synthetic option. The naturally derived DHA creates the most beautiful shade.
How to Choose the Best Beauty by Earth Self Tanner for you
There are a handful of different Beauty by Earth Self Tanner options which can feel overwhelming if you aren’t sure which to choose. I wanted to run through the options so you can feel confident in the option you choose to use for yourself.
My two personal favorites: The self tanner body lotion and the face tanning drops. But, there are other options if this isn’t your jam. All self tanning products in their line use the same naturally derived DHA and have clean ingredient decks. The rest is up to preference but Beauty by Earth has shared some insights into their differences so you can weigh which products may be right for you:
Beauty by Earth Self Tanner options for Face
As the graphic shows, The Self Tanner Face Serum and the Self Tanner Drops are both forgiving. They will build over time and create a healthy glow. There is less chance of streaking as they don’t apply on their own but within your moisturizer or within their serum. Moisture can help a self tan apply smoothly so using these products on your face can be a great option. I prefer to use my own moisturizer so opt to add the tanning drops to that rather than using their self tanner face serum.
The Face Self Tanner is a great option if you wish to have a tan develop quicker over the face and you don’t mind a thicker product. This may be a good option for an event coming up if you need a tan quickly.
- Self Tanner Drops – Added to your choice of moisturizer, develops over a few days, forgiving and less streaking potential.
- Self Tanner Face Serum – Comes in the form of a serum, develops over a few days, forgiving and less streaking potential.
- Face Self Tanner – Thicker product, tan develops quicker like a typical self tanning product, great for event or when you need a quick self tan.
Beauty by Earth Self Tanner options for Body
When it comes to self tanners for your body, the Self Tanner Body Lotion is most hydrating and I personally think it gives a great glow with only one application. That being said, the Self Tanner Mists and Self Tanner Mousses will dry and develop a little bit quicker. I personally opt for the body lotion because it’s potential for streaking is lower thanks to it’s lotion base. It doesn’t give off a bad smell and it applies beautifully.
- Self Tanner Body Lotion – Most hydrating, develops with one application in a few hours, takes a few minutes to dry on skin after applying.
- Self Tanner Mousse – Develops with one application in a few hours, dries much quicker after application, must ensure your skin is moisturized prior to applying.
- Self Tanner Mist – Develops with one application, dries much quicker after application, thinner consistency than the mousse, must ensure your skin is moisturized prior to applying.
How to Apply Beauty by Earth Self Tanner
Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Discount Code
Beauty by Earth was kind enough to offer a discount code for all THV readers of thisbeauty by earth self tanner review . Use discount code: HOLISTICVANITY at checkout to save.
Shop Beauty by Earth Self Tanner
Self Tanner Body Lotion
Self Tanner Body Mousse
Self Tanner Body Spray
Face Self Tanner Drops
Face Self Tanner Serum
Face Self Tanner Mist
If you want to read a bit more on top of this beauty by earth self tanner review, you can head over to my article on the Best Organic and Natural Self Tanner options.
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