Product Review :: Neutrogena Micro Mist Sunless Tanning Spray

I was diagnosed with skin cancer (basal cell) this past winter and early Spring I underwent the MOHS Surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital. I've certainly spent my time in the sun, and while I'd never really call myself a sun worshiper, there were probably too many times I came home with sunburns on my shoulders, chest and face. I tan well but do tend to burn first when I don't take proper precaution. A couple of years ago I started to pay attention to the amount of time I spent in the sun. I worried more about wrinkles than I did the skin cancer. I played around with numerous self-tanners and found that I had my definite favorites. I'll never spend $20 or more on a bottle of self-tanner - and try to keep it to $10 and under. Ease of use, color and smell are the most important criteria. I don't want to look like a Dorito and I don't want to smell that chemical odor that accompanies so many of these self tanners.

Purists may argue that self-tanners are bad for me. And maybe they are. But skin cancer is worse. And in the summer I prefer not to be my pasty white self. Call it vanity... call it what you will. I'll pick the lesser of the two evils, and this has got to be better than skin cancer.

I should also state that I still do enjoy the sun - I was told that I don't have to stay completely out of it, but I do need to be mindful of my time in it and use an SPF of 30 and reapply regularly. And that is what I do. I've brought a book to the beach, sat under my wide-brimmed straw hat and covered myself well with sunscreen. I read for a bit over an hour. One blissful hour. Under my sunscreen was my self tanner.  And I think it looks pretty natural...

What do you think?

I prefer spray tanners over the foam or the lotions which, in my opinion, have a much greater tendency to streak. I find the spray gets that hard to reach over the shoulders and back area too. I then rub everything in really well and let it get absorbed by my skin for at least an hour and a half before I take a shower. I wear loose fitting clothing and place a sheet over my white couch if that's where I'll be spending some time. Of the many I have used over the years I think the Neutrogena Micro Mist Sunless Airbrush is the best. It is priced very nicely, and the color is very realistic. If I spray it on at nighttime before bed, I don't find the smell to be offensive at all - in fact, it's quite pleasing with only the slightest amount of self tanning odor. 

In the shower very little washes off and your skin still glows. (Some have the tendency to wash off very quickly.)

I would suggest starting off with a 2 Medium shade instead of 3 and see how you fare color-wise. I would also suggest to use a loofah before and after application to guarantee a smooth and streak-free appearance. The second shower and loofah will help to smooth out any irregularities, if there are any. 

The Neutrogena Micro Mist Self Tanner is my top choice for affordable (between $10-$12) realistic looking self tanners.

Has anyone tried the Bain de Soleil Gelee SPF 4 Self tanner?  I might just have to try this!