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Spray tans go on evenly, last for a week and aren't that expensive, but a new tan every week adds up. If you want full coverage without the side dose of UV rays and can't afford the rising cost of spray tans, you've got other options. Tanning makes you look healthy and active, but too much sun time without protection can cause unsightly skin damage. Try tanning spray alternatives, then choose the one that fits best with your lifestyle for all-over, safe summer color!
1.
Try a sunless tanning lotion instead of a spray. Prep your body with an exfoliating scrub to remove bits of dead skin, then lather an even layer of sunless tanning lotion on your body after the shower. To maintain the tan-in-a-bottle, wait at least 1/2 an hour before getting dressed. Otherwise, you'll have telltale streaks on your clothes or patches on your tan for a fashion faux pas.
Sunless tanners also come in mousses, gels and creams. Just cause the spray doesn't work for you, doesn't mean sunless tanners don't give safe sun color, so test them out!
2.
Keep UV rays away and sport a chic tan with a self-tanning sunblock. These products give you standard UV-ray protection and a spot of color for a subtle imitation tan. Look for products marked "color boosting sunblock" to get this sun-kissed look, then coat yourself just like you would with any other sunblock.
3.
Get tanned the old-fashioned way: in the sun. To tan responsibly, you must wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and re-apply every few hours. While you won't get fast color this way, you will ward off skin cancer and get a healthy glow and light tan that's 100 percent natural. Plus, soaking up the sun's rays -- and its vitamin D -- makes you feel good. Don't skimp on sunscreen, though; you need only a few minutes to two hours in the sun to get the vitamin, depending on your skin tone, notes Deborah Kotz in a "U.S. News and World Report" article.
