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![A woman smiling outside on a sunny day A woman smiling outside on a sunny day](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2021/summer-glow/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_image/articlecontentfragment/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2021/07/1140-woman-smiling-outdoors.jpg)
No one over 50 wants a real tan anymore. We know it's the fast track to wrinkles, skin cancer and melanoma. But a fake tan? Sure! Sunless lotions and glow-making potions are our summer superpower! They enable us to turn dry, ashy, gray and tired skin glowy and to blur away cellulite, stretch marks, veins and discolorations. But a beach-bronzed look isn't the only way to score some extra radiance. Here are 11 ways to go sunny side up now.
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![L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Water Mousse in medium; Bondi Sands Pure Self-Tanning Foam Water in dark; Tanologist Express Tan Self-Tan Mousse in dark; Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Mitt L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Water Mousse in medium; Bondi Sands Pure Self-Tanning Foam Water in dark; Tanologist Express Tan Self-Tan Mousse in dark; Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Mitt](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2021/summer-glow/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par1/articlecontentfragmeImage1/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2021/07/1140-fake-a-summer-at-the-beach-tan.jpg)
1. Fake a summer-at-the-beach tan
The choices can be overwhelming, but mousse formulas like L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Water Mousse in medium ($15, target.com) or Bondi Sands Pure Self-Tanning Foam Water in light/medium or dark ($27, cvs.com) are hydrating, work well on dry, uneven or sun damaged mature skin, and last about a week. Use a tanning mitt like the Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Mitt ($6, target.com) to apply body tanner. For the best results, always apply full-strength self-tanner to skin that's clean, exfoliated and free of any moisturizer. “Tan” your face first by using fingers or a makeup sponge, and include your ears, neck and nape. Then do your body working from legs upward. In a hurry? Super-fast formulas like Tanologist Express Tan Self-Tan Mousse in light, medium or dark ($17, target.com) produce a light tan in one to two hours. Shower and stop the process, or wait to shower in the a.m. for a richer glow.
![St. Moriz Tan Boosting Facial Serum Tanning Drops; Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer in fair/medium SPF 20; Tanologist Drops Sunless Tanning Treatment St. Moriz Tan Boosting Facial Serum Tanning Drops; Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer in fair/medium SPF 20; Tanologist Drops Sunless Tanning Treatment](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2021/summer-glow/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par3/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2021/07/1140-tan-lite-daily-formula.jpg)
2. Tan ‘lite’ with a daily formula
A hint of sunlit color is all you need to counteract fatigue or puffiness and to perk up skin that's sallow or blotchy. Choose a daily self-tanner like Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer in fair/medium SPF 20 ($10, target.com), or mix tanning drops like St. Moriz Tan Boosting Facial Serum Tanning Drops ($19, target.com) or Tanologist Drops Sunless Tanning Treatment ($20, target.com) with any daily moisturizer, night cream or body lotion. Blend in the palm of your hand before applying — the more drops you use, the deeper the glow will be. Start with the lowest dose because you can always do more the next day or night. FYI: Any “tanner” designed for the face can also be used on the body.
![A woman getting a professional spray tan A woman getting a professional spray tan](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2021/summer-glow/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par5/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2021/07/1140-spray-tan.jpg)
3. Try a salon spray tan
If you want your faux tan to look perfect for a special event like a summer wedding or a beach vacation, get a spray tan at a specialty salon for around $35. Having someone else do the work and pay attention to every possible nook and cranny is worth the splurge. Be sure to explain the degree of tan you want. You don't have to wear your birthday suit either. (Underwear is fine. Just know there will be a panty line.) Exfoliate and do any hair washing or blow-drying necessary the day before. Wear long, loose-fitting black clothes after your tan (especially if you sweat a lot) and wait six to eight hours before you shower. Moisturize well; it keeps the tan vibrant and your skin radiant.
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