I’m one of those people that loves a good golden glow, but after years of spending too much time in the sun, I realized, for the sake of my skin health, that I needed to change my habits. Now there are so many different ways to achieve that sun-kissed glow, a perfect faux tan, without having to sacrifice adding years to (and potentially damaging) your skin. After trying several different brands over the years, I’ve come across a couple that I’m convinced do a better job at creating a natural glow and beautiful faux tan than even mother nature! They offer the perfect way to make it look like you just came home from a tropical vacation without the damaging effects of the sun – just glistening, summer-ready skin.

To get the best results from a faux tanning product, it’s important to exfoliate your skin first. I like to use Fresh Cocoa Body Exfoliant because it’s easy to use (just massage in and then rinse), leaves my skin silky soft, and it smells heavenly.

Once my skin is smooth and dry, I apply St. Tropez Gradual Ten Everyday Tinted Body Lotion (also comes in a mousse) in an upward circular motion, making sure to cover all areas where I want an instant, natural glow. I re-apply a few days a week to maintain my new ‘tan’.

As with most faux tanning products, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly after each application and wait a few hours before going in the water. Also, remember to still apply sunscreen if spending time in the sun!