
Winter Glow: Self-Tanner, Bronzer, and More to Warm Your Skin Right Up
The look of having just blown in from the tropics—your skin sun-warmed, rejuvenated, and flush with energy—is especially appealing when it’s grey or cold, when you’re in the middle of a detox, or after a draining day in front of the wan blue light of a laptop. Start with a rousing exfoliation; follow with enlivening oils and elixirs. And if you really want to kick it up a notch, send in the bronzer and self-tanner.
Skip all the potentially harmful ingredients (self-tanner, for example, is conventionally made with parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, but try the foaming tanning water below and you’ll agree that it needs none of those things to be the best self-tanner on earth) and know that the glow you’re getting is a pure, healthy one.
The Glow Basics
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TWO MINUTES TO RADIANT
GOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator is inspired by the transformative brightening, smoothing effects of popular in-office microdermabrasion treatments. It’s a dual-action microdermabrasion exfoliator that delivers the benefits of both physical and chemical exfoliation, instantly polishing away roughness, smoothing uneven texture, and revealing a healthy-looking, glowing complexion. The air-whipped, almost marshmallow-like formula is densely packed with a blend of four powerful glow-inducing microexfoliating minerals (quartz, garnet, alumina, and silica) plus glycolic acid to help sweep away dry, dead skin cells and refine the appearance of pores for skin that is visibly softer, smoother, and more radiant.
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FANTASTIC SELF-TANNER
This clear tanning water is an absolute dream to apply. It foams into a thick, hydrating mousse that sinks right into skin when applied with the Vita Liberata tanning mitt—and the clear solution means there’s absolutely no residue or transfer to clothing or sheets. The quick-dry formula is infused with organic botanicals and aloe leaf juice to moisturize skin while it works. And at least as magical are the brand’s supremely travel-friendly tanning towelettes: You get the same easy-blending, quick-drying, scentless, beautifully natural color, in individual packets that sail past the TSA straight to wherever you might be planning to lounge on a beach.
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GODDESS GLOW OIL
For a soft, flattering all-over gleam, this gorgeously scented, luxurious oil leaves your skin with a bronzy sun-kissed glow. Coconut and avocado oils deeply moisturize, while raspberry oil soothes and energizes. Watermelon, coffee, and cacao oils play up any skin tone for a subtle, natural-looking bit of tan and gleam (no need to spend a second in the sun). Shake well and smooth over legs, shoulders—anywhere you want a little luminosity and tint.
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MOISTURIZE LIKE CRAZY
Hydrated, supple skin that’s plump with moisture has a glow all its own. These three all-stars from GOOPGENES deliver long-term results as well as immediate ones, so your skin just keeps looking and feeling better.
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THE DRINK FOR RADIANT SKIN
Drink your way to glowing skin with a megadose of skin-supporting ingredients: grape-seed proanthocyanidins, vitamins C and E, and CoQ10, along with the critical carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. A power shot of antioxidants designed to reduce the free radical effects of the sun, pollution, stress, and more, it helps face down oxidative photodamage, which can lead to signs of premature aging like dullness, uneven tone, fine lines, and loss of firmness.* Drink as part of your healthy morning ritual: It tastes of oranges and lemon verbena, and looks a little like a sunrise as you mix it with water. The single-dose packets fit easily in a gym bag and travel effortlessly, so you can get the goop glow just about anywhere.
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GORGEOUSLY NATURAL-LOOKING BRONZER
Made with buriti oil, a source of vitamin A and beta-carotene that’s pressed from the nuts of Brazil’s moriche palm tree, this creamy, gleamy bronzer leaves a beautiful sun-kissed glow.
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ALPINE-GLOW ELIXIR
Moisturize, exfoliate, and brighten skin with this all-in-one serum/primer that leaves skin instantly radiant. Five lightweight hydrators—hyaluronic acid, olive-fruit oil, linoleic acid, coconut, and squalane—combine with vitamin C, bearberry leaf, and licorice root extract. At the same time, gentle azelaic, glycolic, and lactic acids work together to delicately exfoliate skin. The super nourishing ingredients give you a natural glow that’s amazing on its own, though it’s also brilliant under makeup.
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DEWY-SKIN SERUM
This revitalizing and soothing serum from skin whisperer Dr. Barbara Sturm leaves skin infused with moisture and an amazing, dewy glow. Hyaluronic acid, purslane, wild rose extract, and polygonum bistorta root combine to leave skin nourished, while mineral pigments subtly reflect light for a luminous finish. We love smoothing a few drops over our skin throughout the day to maintain our dewy glow.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.