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Want a summery glow without the sun damage? Megan Bedford finds the best tanning products.

need a healthy glow quick smart? Our guide to tanning products is here

If you feel fabulous with golden skin tones, but don’t want to risk your health and damage your skin from too much sun, try one of these bronzing solutions.

There are lotions, mousses, gels, oils, mists and sprays, so there’s something to suit everyone, depending on the kind of application you prefer and when you need results. Hydrating lotions and creams are better for those with sensitive or dry skin, mousse gives quick coverage, while self-tans with a spray nozzle are ideal for covering those hard-to-reach places.

In one MINUTE

It’s nearly time to head out the door, but you suddenly realise your legs would look so much better with more colour! It’s not too late. Instant tanning products that wash off (body make-up, in other words) are the answer.

They are also ideal if you don’t like the time-consuming admin or smell of traditional fake tan products. Formulations and shade options have come a long way. The best ones rub in quickly and remain transfer-proof and water-resistant until you remove them with body wash in the shower.

WE LIKE: Bondi Sands GLO One Day Tan in Shimmer, Matte and Gloss, $23.

In one HOUR

Quick-developing tans are a fairly new category in tanning. They’re applied in the usual manner by either smoothing or spraying on skin, with the colour developing far more swiftly (between 30-90 minutes) than the several hours usually required. Some have a guide colour in the product so you know where you’ve applied, and some are clear, so choose carefully if you want one that shows when you’ve got complete coverage.

WE LIKE: St Tropez Express Mousse, $75.

TIP: With this type of product, the deeper the colour you want, the longer you leave it. You need to wash it off or it will continue to deepen. For a light tan, shower after one hour; for a medium tan, leave on for two hours; and for a dark tan, leave on for three hours. →

In one DAY

Most fake tans are designed to develop to a deep golden hue after several hours. It’s up to you when you apply them, but if you’re tanning before bed, wait until they’ve completely dried before dressing and wear loose-fitting clothing so straps don’t wear the product off before it develops. To speed the process, particularly if you’re using a tinted product, dusting skin with powder will remove some of the stickiness without affecting the result.

The active ingredient in fake tan, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), can be quite drying to skin, so you’ll need to protect your tan’s longevity by applying body lotion each day. A good quality tan should last four to six days without reapplication, although it may start wearing off in dry and high friction areas like knees and under arms.

WE LIKE: Natio Self Tan Mousse, $23.

TIP: To ensure colour doesn’t collect on dry patches, apply a little moisturiser to knees, ankles and (if you’re doing your face)your hairline and eyebrows, before you use a tanning product. Any hair removal should be carried out the day before you tan.

In three DAYS

Gradual tan products are like moisturiser with a hint of tan built in. Applied by smoothing over skin like a regular body lotion, the colour builds up incrementally over consecutive applications so there’s no overwhelming orange colour overnight. You just keep applying body lotion each day until you reach the shade you like. You can also keep using this type of product in your routine once or twice a week to maintain a constant touch of colour on your skin. WE LIKE: Le Tan Coconut

$15. Water Gradual Tanning Lotion,