Style Flavors' Skin Care Guide: Targeted Treatments Part 2 (Self-Tanners & Sensitive Skin)

I always say 'Fake it till you make it', and that is certainly true when it comes to a tan. Gone are the days where you need good weather in order to attain a glow. Now you can have it all in a bottle, all year round, anytime of the day.

Sensitive skin requires extra care to bring back skin to its prime condition; that means using correct products and avoiding harsh ones. Redness, irritation and inflammation are all symptoms of sensitive skin but they can be kept in check.


Self-Tanners:

The safest tan is a fake one. Prolonged, unprotected sun exposure wrecks havoc on your skin by rapidly increasing melanin production causing age and sun spots, dehydrating your skin causing fine lines and wrinkles and the loss of firmness and elasticity because of collagen depletion.

I love the sun and the fun thing about time spent under the sun is attaining a post-vacation glow. Note the word 'glow' not 'bake'. You want to look as if you were kissed by the sun, not raped. The most convenient way to do that is through a bottle. Gone are the days of orange and streaky tanners. The new generation of self-tanners give you a healthy dose of color without all the mess and the hassle.

Before applying self-tanning products, it always pays to exfoliate first. Exfoliating helps sweep away skin cells and even out skin tone, leading to a more even and complete result. And it also pays to wait a couple of minutes for the lotion to dry on your body before piling on clothes.

I like L'Oreal Sublime Bronze, Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion (6.7oz/200ml) (US$9.99). This affordable tanner gives you a color that you can improve with every application. This doesn't smell neither does it give you a telling orange look. The even and natural color is something I appreciate along with its price tag.

I like Prescriptives Sunsheen All Over Self Tanner (4.2oz/125ml) (US$14.50). This quickly absorbed self tanner gives you a natural boost of color in 3 hours. I use this all over my body and face and I like how natural the color is and how it doesn't streak or smudge. The smell is light and the color stays for days.

I like Clinique Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion (1.7oz/50ml) (US$18.50). This oil free, non-pore clogging tinted lotion gives you color in hours. I like how easy it absorbs into the skin and how natural it all looks. The color lasts for days, after which you simply reapply to attain the fading glow.

I also like Rodial Skincare Brazilian Tan, Dark (5.1oz/150ml) (US$49). This intensive self-tanner has a dual action - one to give you a deep color and the other to replenish and boost skin with its Pomegranate Ellagic Tannin ingredient. I how this smells like the beach and rich color it develops and how my skin feels softer and looks radiant after an application.

Sensitive Skin:

I never thought that I would be one with sensitive skin because I previously had the impression that a person with sensitive skin had to have extremely dry skin. I don't know why or where I got that impression from but it was only after my skin began to start reacting to certain products that I was sure I had very oily, sensitive skin.

I began searching for the best remedies and solutions to soothe my confused, combination skin. I found Avene and from the first time I started using their products, I was a convert. Chock full of Avene's Thermal Water, all Avene products are suitable for all skin type, especially sensitive ones.

I like Avene Clean-Ac (1.35oz/40ml) (US$15). This is a must-have for me and anyone who suffers from breakouts and the subsequent dryness resulting from acne treatments. I love how this soothes my dehydrated, flaky skin by enveloping it with essential moisture. This helps repair the skin's moisture barrier without causing more breakouts.

I like Avene Skin Recovery Cream (39g) (US$31.69). This multi-purpose cream calms and soothes skin damaged and irritated by weather, heat and dermalogical procedures. I take this every with me and use it after every session at the dermatologist. Not only does it help repair the skin's natural barrier, it also replenishes lost moisture. I like how it comforts my skin after every laser treatment at the dermatologist. Great all-year round cream.

I also like Avene Thermal Spring Water (1.58oz/300g) (US$16). I have a bottle of this mist everywhere in the house. In the bedroom, in the bathroom and in every one of my bags. This handy mist really works to reduce irritation and redness from heat, allergies and external aggressions. I remember being in the Chanel store in Paris and my sister was rashing up for some strange reason and a spritz of this reduced the redness and calmed her skin. Just like that.

This is also wonderful for airplane rides to replenish lost moisture from the dehydrating air cabin. I also use this as a toner and a booster before I use a tissue mask. This helps your skin to better absorbs your products and masks.


Keep checking back for the next installment of Style Flavors' Skin Care Guide where I will be focusing on shaving and facial masks.