Happy Fri-YAY! I wanted to touch on something that is super important to me. Skin Cancer Awareness. May is the official skin cancer awareness month, so I thought it would be the best topic to round off this month (especially as we come into summer). Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon. Anyone is at risk at ANY age, and more than 419,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year are linked to indoor tanning. There are BETTER and healthier ways to get a summer glow. Let’s dive into it.
7 Ways To Protect Your Skin This Summer (But Still Get That Beachy Glow)
There are SEVERAL ways to keep your skin healthy and glowing during the summer. NONE of them have to include indoor tanning beds. Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I’ve never used a tanning bed because that would literally be the biggest lie I’ve ever told. But after doing a ton of research on skin cancer (and having it touch some of my family members), I’ve put those days behind me.
Here are a few facts on skin cancer (and if they don’t scare you, I’m doing it wrong):
- More people develop skin cancer because of tanning than develop lung cancer because of smoking.
- On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns.
- An estimated 87,110 new cases of invasive melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2017.
- One person dies of melanoma every hour (every 54 minutes).
Ok. So now that you have officially sworn off tanning beds and never NOT using sunscreen again, here are ways you can keep a sun kissed glow all summer long WITHOUT increasing your risk for cancer:
WAY #1: SELF-TANNER
Self tanner gets a bad reputation because I bet more half of you reading this can attest to the fact that you had a terrible experience with Jergen’s self tanning lotion in middle school (no? just me? eek). While self tanner sometimes can get streaky around your knees, ankles and elbows, there are definitely steps to can take to prevent it and get a gorgeous sun kissed look.
Mixing it with your regular lotion will give you a slight glow that with gradually deepen over times without the streaks and patchy elbows. Leaving it on overnight before showering will also allow the color to develop and give you a longer lasting tan.
MY FAVORITE SELF TANNERS:
WAY #2: A GOOD BRONZER
Bronzer can be applied all over your body, truthfully. If you just need to look sun kissed for a night out, lightly bronzing your face, neck and shoulders can give you the appearance of having spent the day in the sun without the harsh UV rays.
Choose a bronzer that matches your skin, just a few shades darker. That will give you a natural, seamless finish and a beautiful tanned glow!
MY FAVORITE BRONZERS:
WAY #3: TANNING TOWELS
Never head of this?? I hadn’t either until recently. They are little towels with a tanning agent added to them. You simply rub them all over yourself to add a small summer glow. It is long lasting, and if you don’t shower for 24 hours after using it, it won’t fade nearly as quickly.
MY FAVORITE TANNING TOWELS:
WAY #4: CANNED TANS
If you’re scratching your head….yes this really exists. It looks like a hairspray can, but it sprays out light color. It is PERFECT for your legs when you don’t want to look stark white in a dress. Shades range from light to dark. For a natural airbrushed finish, I always go just one or two shades darker than my skin.
MY FAVORITE CANNED TANS:
WAY #5: USE SPF 15 OR ABOVE
Fun fact: you actually CAN TAN when you don’t use sunscreen. If you are responsible, if you make sure to use SPF 15 or above, spending an afternoon at the pool is not a bad way to get a slight tan. I recommend always using at least 30 to avoid a sunburn.
Each sunburn that you get increases your risk of cancer so make sure you continue to slather the sunscreen on. Use lotion instead of spray sunscreen to ensure even coverage.
MY FAVORITE SUNSCREENS:
WAY #6: WEAR NEON OR WHITE
Ok, so this one doesn’t actually make you tanner but it can make you appear tanner. It’s all about optical illusions. The brighter the clothing, the more you look like you have a summer time glow. Bright pink, orange and yellow all make you look more tan.
It is a cheap and easy way to fake it ’til you bake it. (ok that was a bad joke).
MY FAVORITE NEON DRESSES:
WAY #7: INVEST IN A PROFESSIONAL SPRAY TAN
This is a no brainer. Spray tans are fast and easy ways to make sure you look beach ready before your next vacation! They last for at least 10 days and look fabulous when done right.
My FAVORITE tanning salon is SOL Sunless Tanning. They have an amazing staff and my tan came out looking totally natural. I was TERRIFIED of turning orange, but even a week later, I still look like I have a bronze-y glow. There was no patchiness, no stripes, no streaks.
If you are in the St. Louis area, I HIGHLY recommend getting your spray tan done here. You will look amazing and have the best time while you’re here. They make you feel instantly comfortable and you’ll walk away with the perfect glow once you’re done. CLICK HERE to visit their website and book your first appointment.
PIN THIS FOR LATER:
So..in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness month, it’s time to stop using tanning beds. Keep yourself safe and protected by using one of these seven ways instead of a UV bed.
Do you have a favorite way to “fake” a good tan? Let me know in the comments below!
I’m all about the fake tan haha! Skin cancer runs in my family so I don’t take any chances!
Yes — mine, too! I never want to have that fear!
I’ve used L’Oreal’s tanning towlettes before and I’ve had good luck with them. If I’m not careful when applying, I do get a little streaky, but for being relatively inexpensive, I think they’re great!
Yes! I think its a great way to look tan on the fly!
YES! I love this! I love sitting in the sun on a warm summer day, but with all of the fake tan options it just doesn’t make sense to not wear sunscreen!! Love your picks! Neon really does work wonders, I wear neons a LOT! 😉 Haha!
Thanks girlfriend!!!! NEON IS A LIFESAVER. SERIOUSLY!
Great tips! I’m not a big tanner. I mean, I love to be out in the pool during the summer and I tend to get tan doing that, but I don’t really set out for it!
Not when there are so many ways to fake it!
I very pale and obsessive about wearing sunscreen so I rely on a good bronzer in the summertime!
It’s the best way to go. What is your favorite bronzer?
Loved reading your post. I am also a big tanning fan, but I will never go out in the sun without sunscreen, it is so important! My favorite is the Sublime Serum Tanning Oil by L’Oreal 🙂
Thanks Tessa!!! I need to try that oil — thanks for the recommendation!
Yassss! Totally on board with this, because my dad just went through a really rough time with skin cancer. I’m a huge fan of Sun Bum and Sugar’s SPF balm! I use those all the time and can’t get enough. Such great tips, that people don’t REALLY think about. Plus, thanks for the Tanning Towel introduction! This is the first I’ve heard of them, so you totally win the prize! haha. Gotta try them out, asap!
xoxo Bryanna | Coming in Clutch
Thanks Bryanna!! I’m new to them as well – but they work GREAT!!!
Since I’m naturally tan I don’t really sit out in the sun when I go to the beach or the pool but it never hurts to protect your skin. I’m constantly looking for the perfect sunscreen. I’m allergic to it and trying to find organic ones is very. Will be looking into your round up and hopefully I can find the perfect 🙂
Thank you!
Xx
Iliana | http://www.sophisticatedfashionista.com
You lucky girl! I am SO pale that during the winter people ask me if I look SICK! So I need to make sure I have a slight glow all year round.
*hard
I am not good at protecting my skin however I did stop tanning in college. I will keep these in mind for new products to try to be safer with Italian skin.
Yes please do!
I am not good at protecting my skin however I did stop tanning in college. I will keep these in mind for new products to try to be safer with my Italian skin.
After the burn I got on vacation using SPF 15 I am upping my game. That was PAINFUL and not at all fun.
My husband gets the WORST sunburns. I can totally understand.
I love you good SPF! You really can’t go wrong. :]
I love these products. It is so important to protect yourself.
I definitely agree with staying away from sunbathing or tanning beds! Our skin is too sensitive to risk it for a tan. These are great tips for creating a tan xx
https://www.bunnybernice.com/single-post/2017/05/20/Honest-Review-of-Romwe-Everything-Wrong-1
Great tips! I always use Rimmel fake tan when I’m going out.
My fave self- tanner is Loving Tan! I’ve also really wanted to try out the tanning towels! Great post with some great products!
Jessy | http://www.currentbliss.com
In my younger days I was an avid user of tanning beds, something I regret nowadays, but not having been to one forever has made miracles for my skin and just the fact that I won’t get skin cancer (at least from those) makes me feel a lot better. I always have an SPF on me and use both self tanning products as well as bronzers nowadays. And oh, hun, I really, really hope it’s not the last Friday of May quite yet, haha!
xoxo
Thomas
http://thomasfalkenstedt.com
Love all of these healthy glow tips! I just ordered LovingTan self-tanner and have been using sunscreen so much more than I used to. Healthy skin is soooo important!
xx
Courtney
http://www.thedaringdarling.com
I am loving the new jergens wet skin tanner! It’s so cool!
I want to be tan but hate getting burnt! Spray tans and self tanner are the way to go! I also need to wear more white — great tip!
These are all great suggestions! My mom had to deal with some nasty skin cancer on her forehead from all the days in tanning beds or under tanning lamps when she was a kid. I’m thankful in a weird way that I have never been into sports or outdoor activities because I rarely get any direct sunlight. I’m going to be sticking to self tanner and spray tans to keep my glow on!
Stephanie // SheSawStyle.com
Thanks so much for sharing this! I’m always after ways to achieve the sun-kissed glow without jeopardizing my skin.
I’m looking forward to trying some of your sunless tan options! Those tanning towelettes look like a super easy way to get a summer glow 🙂
I am so pale and just got into self tanner and am never turning back!! No need to risk your health and long term skin beauty when you can buy it in bottle!
RIGHT??? My thoughts exactly!
I need lots of sun and D vitamin