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Tanning beds, we've been told time and time again, are very very bad. But of course fake bake-devotees say they're better than nature's rays. Well, on Tuesday, international cancer experts reigned in, with an announcement published in the medical journal Lancet Oncology saying that tanning beds and the ultraviolet radiation they put out are beyond "bad" and in fact about as lethal as arsenic--yes, poison. They are on par with cigarettes in terms of cancer risk. In fact, the study showed that people who start self tanning before the age of 30 increase their chances of skin cancer by 75 percent!
Still have that need to appear to be sun-kissed? There's a natural way to do it. A way that will allow you to appear as golden as you'd like, but won't risk your life: Natural self-tanners.
What to Look for in a Self-Tanner
1. Paraben-Free Self-Tanners
Parabens are preservatives. They can disrupt the endocrine system (which controls the hormones) and possibly even mimic estrogen.
2. Stay away from Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a chemical called 1,4-dioxane, has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Still, the FDA says that the levels present in cosmetics don't pose a hazard to humans.
3. Forget about Chemical Fragrances
Chemical fragrances are not natural. They are not made from essential (natural) oils. They are in fact VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that contribute to air pollution, contaminate waterways, and cause millions of Americans skin allergies.
4. Choose Self-Tanners that Don't Use Animal Testing
Green doesn't just mean no chemicals. It also takes humane treatment into account, humane treatment of animals. Products that are certified as cruelty-free promise that no animals were harmed at all in the process of creating the products.
A Few Self-Tanning Products to Try:
- Lavera Self Tanning Lotion with organic jojoba and organic Aloe Vera that gives you a 100% natural tan while improving skin's texture and enhancing your natural glow.
- Alba Botanica Golden Tan Sunless Tanning Lotion with green tea, gingko biloba, aloe and chamomile will turn your skin golden without parabens or synthetic ingredients.
- Kiss My Face Instant Sunless Tanner with aloe, green tea, walnut shell extract, and mango-nut without animal or artificial ingredients.
- Equavie Sublimateur Bronzage Tan Enhancer with Vitamin C, E, and Zinc, plus Dried Onion Peel, Sea Buckthorn, Betacarotene, Carrot extract pumps you up with antioxidants while helping to create a naturally even and radiant tan.
So next time you are considering a guilty pleasure, opt for chocolate instead the tanning bed.
