If you’re looking for a good organic and non toxic self tanner, look no further. Everyone loves a good glow to their skin. If you live in a Northern area like me where the snow takes over half of the year, you’ll appreciate having an option even more so. I always feel a bit more confident when I have a bit of a tan to an otherwise pale complexion. That being said, I don’t have access to warmth in the sun all year. I love the sun and all the health benefits it has to offer. But even in the summer months, I like to moderate my time to ensure I’m not contributing to fine lines and wrinkles. I often turn to self tanner when I am craving that bit of glow. Most self tanners on the market are quite toxic and not something I’d want to be putting all over. Eventually I stumbled upon a unicorn and I am sharing all about it.
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I have tried a number of options on the market and I have narrowed it down to my favorite. This blog wont compare all of the brands as I just don’t find that they were able to stand up. Instead, I wanted to showcase why Beauty by Earth has been my tried and true. I found it at the perfect time, right before I was a bridesmaid in two weddings back to back. After being disappointed in many natural self tanning options over the years, I was about ready to run to my local tanning salon and just deal with the one time toxic spray. I don’t believe we need to live the purest life to keep healthy. The odd thing will not hurt if we lead healthy lifestyles the majority of the time. That being said, I’m happy to stumble upon an option that works amazing and is healthy.
When I’m looking for a good natural self tanner, I have a few requirements in mind:
- Good Ingredients
- Easy Application
- No Foul Odor
- Streaking Potential
- No Orange Hue
Organic & Non-Toxic Ingredients
Beauty by Earth has an impressive ingredient deck in their products. They are completely transparent with their full ingredient lists, as they should be. They have absolutely nothing to hide. The formulas are filled with herbs, botanicals and extracts from nature. Even their Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is naturally derived. For those who don’t know, DHA is the active ingredient in self tanners. Most self tanners (including most natural options) use the synthetic form of DHA. There are certainly downsides to synthetic DHA that should be noted. While the FDA hasn’t deemed DHA unsafe for topical application, there are some issues to be noted. Not only can this ingredient irritate those with sensitive skin, there is evidence that when DHA is breathed in that the lungs are impacted. Besides general irritation of the respiratory system, synthetic DHA can increase risk of asthma and evidence has shown that it can increase the risk of developing COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Thankfully, there is an alternative to the synthetic form that won’t create these health risks or cause skin irritation. Beauty by Earth is one of the few natural self tanning products on the market that uses a naturally derived form of DHA. This form comes from Sugar Beets and actually offers a more bronzed shade rather than the orangey hue that many synthetic DHA’s give off. Many people are hesitant to switch their beauty products over to natural in fear of them not working as well but in this case, the natural alternative works BETTER!
Beauty by Earth commits to a lot of high standards when it comes to their formulas. This includes: Plant-Based Ingredients, No Harmful Toxins or Chemicals, Never Tested On Animals, Affordable Prices, Environmentally Sustainable, All Formulations Made in the USA, Plastic Neutral and Reef friendly. Always made without the most toxic ingredients: Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, Synthetic Dyes/Fragrances, Triclosan, Petroleum & Gluten. As I’ve mentioned above, the ingredient decks on their products are very impressive. I will share a few of them below as I discuss my favorite self tanning products. You’ll be able to see for yourself just how natural these products are.
Quality & Performance of Organic and Non Toxic Self Tanner
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.
Last performance measure to review is whether a self tanner gives an orange hue. I have always found that Beauty by Earth gives the most bronze glow without the oompa loompa orange we often see with other self tanners on the market. Turns out it isn’t just my opinion and there is a very good reason for this. It all boils down to the DHA that they use. The naturally derived DHA from sugar beets offers a better shade to the skin then your run of the mill conventional DHA. Instead of the chemical reaction that occurs with conventional DHA and your dead skin cells, the sugar beet derived DHA seems to offer a different type of hue. Not only is it a safer option, it looks better too!
Top Pick #1: Organic Face Tanning Drops
When I first found Beauty by Earth I was drawn in by one product in particular: the Self Tanner Drops. The face is always the first to lose the self tan glow because we all tend to wash our face twice a day. Over time, this can cause the self tanner to rub off. I don’t exactly love the process of applying self tanner, but I do love the results. I didn’t want to have to continue applying a thick cream over my face to keep up with the shade on the rest of my body. After applying traditional self tanner to the face, you generally can’t apply makeup or much over top of it. It’s a bit of an inconvenience if you need to apply it more often but have places to go. That’s why I love the Self Tanner Drops they’ve created specifically for your face.
Using the Self Tanner Drops is simple. All you do is add a couple of drops to your own moisturizer and then apply to your skin. It isn’t as heavy as a typical self tanner so you can apply makeup over it if needed once it dries. Bonus, the drops smell like tropical fruit punch. Because I have to apply self tanner to my face more often than my body, I really appreciate how easy it incorporates into my daily beauty routine. It’s not an extra step or a messy application that requires you to wait for a weekend home day.
There are now three shades available for the tanning drops: LIGHT, MEDIUM and DARK. You can customize how deep you want your glow by opting for a different shade. At the time I purchased my first bottle of drops, there was only one shade available. I found the offered the perfect glow and never looked too much for my pale skin. I typically opt for medium shades for my face as I prefer a deeper hue without going too dark. I wouldn’t worry too much over the shade option as these drops offer a buildable process. If I find it’s getting a little too deep for my skin tone, I lay off the drops for a couple of days. You can then resume whenever you feel you need a little pick me up.
The Tanner drops are one of their best sellers and hold a 4.6 star rating on their website. Some of the top reviews report:
I have been using this for a long time and obsessed! If you have sensitive skin and don’t want to put something directly on your face but instead dilute it, I highly suggest!
These are awesome! I love that I can apply them every day with my lotion… there’s no yucky scent, and I get a beautiful glow– not orangey.
The best part about these drops are the ingredients. They are a mix of herbs, botanicals and natural extracts among the active ingredient Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is responsible for the shade deposit in all self tanning products. The difference between different products and their DHA is where it comes from. DHA from Beauty by Earth are naturally derived from radish root.
Self Tanner Drop Ingredients:
*Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Dihydroxyacetone, *Glycerin, Erythrulose, *Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Squalane, *Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, *Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, *Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower Extract, *Camellia Sinesis (Green Tea) Flower Extract, *Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, *Vanilla Tahitensis (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
*Astrix Indicates Organic Ingredients
Top Pick #2: Organic Self Tanning Body Lotion
It states that you can use the tanning drops on your entire body but I don’t personally see how this is economical or efficient. I much prefer a body lotion when it comes to self tanner. I also prefer body products that give you a nice color after one application vs. a gradual build. I welcome the gradual glow when it comes to my face but I have no time or patience for that when it comes to my entire body. When I bought the face tanning drops, I decided I would add their Self Tanner Body Lotion to my cart to try. I didn’t have the highest of expectations as I had been let down before but I knew that I needed something to compliment the glow on my face so I went for it. So glad I did! It boasts an impressive 4.4/5 stars with over 20,762 global ratings.
Like the tanner drops, the body lotion gives a beautiful bronze shade thanks to the natural Sugar beet DHA. I also prefer a lotion over a mousse. I just find that the moisturizing aspect of a lotion ensures less streaking and it applies much easier. They do have a mousse if that is your preference and they do tend to show up quicker but I will stick to my hydrating lotion. The viscosity of this lotion is nice and thick. It doesn’t sit too heavily on the skin after application but it has that rich creamy body butter consistency. This is likely due to the skin-nourishing ingredients like Shea Butter, Aloe, & Coconut Oil.
The self tanner lotion comes in two shade options: Fair to Medium and Medium to Dark. I opted for Medium to Dark despite the fact that I have a lighter complexion. I found that this shade gave me a bronzed glow quicker. I also have an olive undertone to my skin that tans easily. If you have pale skin with more cool or red undertones, perhaps consider the lighter shade option to start. Aside from choosing the right shade for your skin tone, the self tanning lotion is suitable for all skin types thanks to it’s natural ingredient deck.
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
Which Non Toxic Self Tanner is Right for Me?
Beauty by Earth has a lot of options when it comes to self tanning products and it can be overwhelming knowing which one you may want to try. I have shared my two favorites that encompass both body and face 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:
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.
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 applied beautifully.
Regardless of what you choose, you’ll be comforted knowing that you’re using a product that is safe and non toxic all over your skin. Our skin is our largest organ and our first line of defense against pathogens. It absorbs everything we put onto it over time and eventually ends up in the bloodstream. I try my best to find the most natural options when it comes to full body application for this reason.
Check out all of Beauty by Earth’s products HERE. Use discount code: THEHOLISTICVANITY at checkout to save.
Happy Glowing, I hope you’ll love Beauty by Earth just as much as I do!
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