A few years ago I was the store manager of a tanning salon. (That is a story for another day.) Originally I wanted to work there as a part time to fill in the hours that I was home alone while hubby worked (it was pre-kids and I was working a full time job). I just wanted the job to earn a little extra, keep me busy, and get free tanning. I ended up working there full time and tanning frequently…although I would not say I tanned as much as some of the customers. I just wanted a nice healthy glow. Long story short I no longer work there and have since had 23 pre-cancerous moles removed from every party of my body.
Isn’t that 2 inch long scar on my shoulder blade the sexiest thing you ever laid your eyes on?! NO! Every mole I have had removed scars. But wasn’t that 8 months of having tanned skin with it? NO! I was stupid and didn’t consider the effects or the future. Tanning, whether it is fake and bake or in the sun shine is bad bad bad for your skin. I can’t even tell you how bad it is. I have heard it all too (and been most of it). ”I just am going tanning to get a base tan.” “I am not really going to get tan. I am just going to get warm.” “I just want to get tan enough so I don’t burn outside.” No matter what dumb reason you are trying to convince your self that it is okay, it is still bad. (And frankly it is a major waste of money….another story for a different day.)
Now just because tanning is bad for your skin doesn’t mean looking tan has to be. and it isn’t! You can look tan without doing all the skin damage that sun and tanning lights does to your skin. Suntegrity Skincare was created by Tricia, the daughter of a victim of melanoma skin cancer. Suntegrity Skincare was made in memory of her mother and all of those who have lost loved ones to skin cancer. Suntegrity Skincare is a holistic, mineral sun careline. after all does it make sense to put tons of chemicals on your skin to protect you from getting cancer only to give you a different type of cancer?! NO! “Suntegrity Face and Body SPF 30 products use only the best known physical block ingredient (non-nano size zinc oxide) to provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and super anti-oxidants and amino acids to enhance that protection and help with skin repair.”
Just because it is natural though doesn’t mean it is going to go bad quickly. They use non-toxic preservatives so products “maintain their integrity without sacrificing safety or health.” Suntergrity Skincare sent me a few samples of their products. First off I received testers of Suntegrity’s 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizer Face Sunscreen. This is a tinted non-greasy moisturizer that is great for all skin types. I received a tube of each color: fair, light, medium, and deep bronze. I put each one of the back of my hand to make sure I was going to pick the best color for my skin. Just as I thought, light was the perfect match. I put it on half of my face so you could see the difference. I also liked the Golden Light on my too but think that it will be better for the spring when I have just a little color to my skin. It went on nice a smooth and blended with my skin tone nicely. This BB Cream can be worn alone as a tinted moisturizer, over a serum like a normal foundation, or under powder as a primer.
Not does this cream hydrate, prime, and cover the skin it treats and protects it. The zinc-oxide provides 30 SPF protection and can help skin conditions like rosacea, acne, and melasma. The sample tubes are .25 oz and sell for $4.95. I like that you can purchase the samples to make sure you get the right color or for when you are traveling. I just wish they didn’t have so much pressure the first time you open them. Way more than I needed dispensed the first time…I just rubbed it in to my arms, but I kind of felt wasteful. The sample jars are .1 oz. and sell for $2.75. It is pretty little but it is nice that you can try the color out first. Once you find the right color you can purchase the full size 1.7 oz for $45.
Want all the goodness of the 5 in 1 tinted face sunscreen without the tint? They have it! It is the Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer. I received two of these samples. It too has SPF 30 protection! It was a 2013 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner and was reward Top Rated Face Sunscreen by the EWG/Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database AND received a #1 Rating for “Best Moisturizer with SPF” in the EWG’s 2013 & 2014 Sunscreen Guides. This stuff is legit! This 3 in 1 product can be used as a motisurizer, sunscreen, and make up primer. A citrus scent is nice and light and won’t leave you feeling like you smell like sunscreen.
The little sample packets are nice to just toss in your purse so you aren’t caught without sunscreen. A pack of two .07 oz sample packets retail for $1.95 and the full sized 1.7 oz sells for $45. Don’t think that Suntegrity just worries about your face though….they also care about your body! I received two sample jars of Suntegrity’s SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen. Featured in the “Best Sunscreens” Category with a #1 Rating in the EWG’s 2013 & 2014 Sunscreen Guides, this product also features SPF 30 protection. Like the face sunscreen it is non-greasy and has a light citrus scent, however you can purchase it unscented! Use this product year round and protect your chest, neck, and arms.
Just because it is not 85 degrees outside doesn’t mean you don’t need protection. (When I was younger I got 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my back while everyone was wrapped up in blankets. Protect yourself, chilly or hot!) The full sized 3 oz. bottle can be purchase for $24. Lastly I received the 5 in 1 Natural Self Tanner with Vegetan. This brand new product will give you the sun-kissed glow you want without all the harmful UV rays. Now I know that people are nervous to try self tanners. The tanning salon I managed also offered spray tans so I have heard it all. “I don’t want to look orange.” “I don’t want to smell.” “I want it to look natural.” Well I am here to tell you that this self tanner is AWESOME! The Vegetan is an eco-certified source of DHA from sugar beets and will provide a nice natural golden tan. This lotion will leave your skin looking great and feeling great.
“Organic sweet almond oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and mango seed butter help moisturize, nourish and soften the skin while organic rose hip oil helps to regenerate and brighten the skin, keeping it supple and healthy.” The lotion smells like almond and coconut…that is NOT the scent of most self tanners. Most self tanners smell like, well they STINK! This smells great. I asked my hubby if I smelled like tanning lotion and Honest Abe said, “No, actually you smell really great!” Now even though I have had a lot of experience with spray tans I am always nervous to try a self tanning lotion because you don’t know how it is going to turn out until it sets for 8 hours. Well I bit the bullet and went for it. Why was I so nervous!? This stuff is great! It is such a subtle glow that if you miss a little spot you can’t tell. That isn’t to say that you can’t see it, you can, it just won’t look streaky.
I also like that this lotion is build-able…meaning put on one coat and if it isn’t enough you can put on another coat and build your tan. Have a little or a lot of glow! Rub on and wait for 8 hours before showering, getting wet, or sweating. I like to do it before bedtime. Remember though, just because you look tan doesn’t mean you don’t need sunscreen. You still do and this does not have SPF in it. The 5 oz. bottle retails for $36. Doesn’t it look nice and natural!? I love it! I also love that no one is going to look at you and think, “She uses self tanner you can tell.” It is so natural no one will have a clue. Today Suntegrity Skincare is giving one lucky reader a bottle of the 5 in 1 Natural Self Tanner!
