Loving Tan 2 HR Express Deluxe Bronzing Mousse Versus Isle of Paradise Glow Clear Self-Tanning Mousse Medium
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningErythrulose
TanningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningJuglans Nigra Shell Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDimethicone PEG-8 Phosphate
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
AbsorbentBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Propylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Panthenol, Erythrulose, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Juglans Nigra Shell Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Metabisulfite, Dimethicone PEG-8 Phosphate, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Maltodextrin, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, CI 16035, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 42090
Cocos Nucifera Water
MaskingDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycereth-26
HumectantErythrulose
TanningAgastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMethoxyphenyl T-Butylphenyl Propanediol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethylene Glycol
MaskingCocos Nucifera Water, Dihydroxyacetone, Propylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Glycereth-26, Erythrulose, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Methoxyphenyl T-Butylphenyl Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Decyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideDihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneWe don't have a description for Erythrulose yet.
Ethoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.
Learn more about EthoxydiglycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.