St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit Versus Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit versus Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter .

Published on January 21, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe tanning. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens and fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

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St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter

Tanning British Brand United Kingdom

Tanning Brand

Tanning

Products used to change the tone of one's skin.

Tanning

Products used to change the tone of one's skin.

Price

Shop

Buy Express Mini Starter Kit

Starts at $5.00

Shop

Buy Self-Tanning Body Butter

Starts at $28.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit 29 ingredients

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter 42 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit 29 ingredients

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter 42 ingredients

Benefits

Hydrating

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation

Brightening

Concerns

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation

Skin Texture (2)

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging (2)

Dark Spots (2)

Scar Healing (2)

Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)

Acne Trigger (3)

Irritating (2)

Rosacea (2)

Eczema (4)

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit 29 ingredients

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter 42 ingredients

Dihydroxyacetone • Caramel • Propylene Glycol • Ethoxydiglycol • Glycerin • Ppg-5-Ceteth-20 • Decyl Glucoside • Phenoxyethanol • Parfum • Melanin • Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Sodium Metabisulfite • Ethylhexylglycerin • Linalool • Benzyl Salicylate • CI 14700 • Hexyl Cinnamal • CI 19140 • Citronellol • CI 42090 • Limonene • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Geraniol • Coumarin • Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone • Hydroxycitronellal • Potassium Sorbate • Citric Acid

Water • Dihydroxyacetone • Dimethicone • Cyclopentasiloxane • Cetearyl Alcohol • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cyclohexasiloxane • Glyceryl Stearate • Isopropyl Myristate • Peg-100 Stearate • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate • Erythrulose • CI 77891 • Tocopheryl Acetate • Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Aloe Barbadensis Extract • Ascorbic Acid • Citrus Grandis Peel Oil • Cocos Nucifera Oil • Mica • Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil • Mentha Piperita Oil • Panthenol • Persea Gratissima Oil • Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil • Salvia Officinalis Oil • Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Propanediol • Propylene Glycol • Glycerin • Parfum • Benzophenone-4 • Ethylhexylglycerin • Lactic Acid • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Linalool • Methoxyphenyl T-Butylphenyl Propanediol • Phenoxyethanol • Triethylene Glycol • CI 16035 • CI 19140

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Dihydroxyacetone

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Tanning

Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is a simple sugar. It is frequently used in self-tanning products.

DHA binds to the amino acids in your dead skin cells to create a brown/orange color. Darkening begins to kick in a few hours after application and will continue to develop for up to 3 days. This ingredient can be drying.

Both the US and the EU have approved DHA in self-tanning products. In the EU, DHA is allowed at a maximum concentration of 10%. Most tanning products usually contain amounts between 3-5%.

If you are pregnant or have underlying medical conditions, it is best to speak with a dermatologist about using self-tanning products.

Learn more about Dihydroxyacetone

St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit contains this as ingredient number 1.

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter contains this as ingredient number 2.

Propylene Glycol

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit contains this as ingredient number 3.

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter contains this as ingredient number 30.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit contains this as ingredient number 5.

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter contains this as ingredient number 31.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit contains this as ingredient number 8.

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter contains this as ingredient number 39.

Parfum

What it does: Masking, Perfuming

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, 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.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term '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. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

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 Parfum

St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit contains this as ingredient number 9.

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter contains this as ingredient number 32.

Ethylhexylglycerin

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

St. Tropez Express Mini Starter Kit contains this as ingredient number 14.

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter contains this as ingredient number 34.

Linalool

What it does: Perfuming

Community Rating: Very Disliked