The safest tan is a fake tan, but out of a bottle, not a sun bed. Sun beds are one of the skin’s greatest enemies. According to statistics, using a sun bed for the first time before the age of 35 increases your risk of developing skin cancer by a shocking 75%. Some sun beds give out greater doses of UV than the midday Mediterranean sun and prolonged use increases your risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Damage can also take up to twenty years to appear so it is literally a time bomb waiting to happen.
But if we’re wearing SPF30 outdoors and not using sun beds, are we not depriving ourselves of vitamin D? The general consensus has been that we get what we need from our daily exposure to sunlight during the summer months – even here in the UK – and the amount needed is less than what is required to tan or burn the skin.
However, a new study presented at the American Academy of Dermatology, has discovered something quite different. ‘Even if you weren’t wearing sun screen you would be vitamin D deficient, even in northern Europe’ explains Dr Lowe. ‘We just don’t get enough from our diet or sunlight and we need it to protect ourselves against various cancers, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis and even heart disease. We are very out-of-date with this information in the UK and we need to be taking 1000IU of vitamin D3 everyday’. Solgar Vitamin D3 Softgels 1000IU, £6.90 for 100 (http://www.solgar.co.uk/) can be taken once a day.
FAKING IT
Even when it comes to faking it, a deep dark tan no longer holds the same cachet as it once did. And an orange tan could not be more ageing, with Victoria Beckham and Katie Price being testament to that. Paler is definitely better, still glowing, but more of a weekend in Portofino than two weeks in Barbados.
According to Dr Comins, prolonged use of self tan is harmless, so you really can look golden safe in the knowledge that you’re not damaging your skin. However, it is no substitute for SPF sun cream and offers no protection, only colour. ‘Although fake tans have come on in leaps and bounds, they offer no protection so your skin is still vulnerable from UV damage. It is essential to apply your sun cream over the top’, he explains.
Choose a colour no more than two or three shades darker than your natural skin tone for a sun kissed radiant look rather than an obvious ‘tan’. ‘Skin wardrobing’ is one of the latest buzz words from the beauty industry – mixing different shades to get the perfect match for your skin type. It sounds more complicated than it is and doesn’t require buying numerous bottles of self tan to mix with, so don’t worry. Building your colour up gradually is a fool-proof way of not going over-board, and it’s always easier to go darker than lighter. The latest self tans contain less DHA (tanning ingredient), enabling you to slowly build up your golden glow. Most formulations are suitable for both the face and body, although those specifically for the face may contain added moisturisers and other skincare ingredients.
. Piz Buin Self Tanning Lotion + Colour Dial, £17.99, has a revolutionary colour dial system allowing you to lighten or deepen your colour until you’ve reached the desired shade.
. Xen-Tan Face Tanner Luxe, £18.95, contains anti-oxidants as well as a delicious vanilla scent, unlike most self tans.
. Malibu Tropical Skin Gradual Tanning Lotion For Face, £2.99, moisturises as well as allowing you to control your colour
. L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Express-Pro Face, £9.99, gives a beautifully subtle colour and is mess-free and easy to use.
(For more of the best fake tans, see our anti-ageing reviews).
Next week: Get Your 'Glow' Back
