I’ve long been a user of Eco Tan’s Invisible Tan lotion and happily rant and rave about it to anyone who asks for my opinion on home self-tanning. It’s one of the few products that leaves my skin with a healthy summer glow (rather than an oompa loompa orange one!).
Vegan, toxic free, certified organic, synthetic free and cruelty free, Eco Tan is a brand with a conscience so when I was offered a bottle of Eco Tan Face Tan Water to try out, I jumped at the chance. Read on for my thoughts on this product.
Why use fake tanning products?
In New Zealand most of us are well-versed in making sure we cover up and liberally apply sunscreen when the sun’s out to reduce our risk of sun burn and skin cancer.
Using fake tanning products is better for our skin’s health than baking under the sun or on a tanning bed, however, many of the self-tanners on the market are full of chemical nasties that may affect our health in other ways.
Product claim
Eco Tan’s story began when founder Sonya Driver’s 30-year-old sister was diagnosed with melanoma. Still wanting a tan, Sonya was uncomfortable with her options; sun tanning was clearly too high a risk, and spray tanning was laden with nasty chemicals that easily absorb into the bloodstream. And so she developed a safe, natural alternative.
Suitable for oily and acne prone skin, Face Tan Water is a gradual tanning toner that uses natural ingredients to brighten and even complexion, and promote youthful looking skin. The anti-acne and anti-aging formulation delivers a gorgeous natural looking glow, while locking in moisture without clogging your pores.
As it contains no synthetic colouring, Face Tan Water creates a natural looking glow with natural cacao (chocolate), herbs, flower extract, fruit extract and chamomile.
Road test
My skin has been all over the place since I got pregnant again. Hormones have it dry and uneven one day, then oily and pimply another, so it’s difficult to figure out where it’s at sometimes! This product actually seemed to help regulate it, plus it’s also one of the few self-tanners on the market that is reportedly considered safe for use during pregnancy due to the natural ingredients.
I’ve only ever used tanning body mousses or lotions (nothing on my face) so found this quite interesting; I certainly didn’t look like I had a healthy summer glow when I started, having been on modified bed rest – mostly indoors – for 14 weeks. I didn’t know what to expect with it being called a ‘water’ but it’s just that – a similar consistency to water. The first few times I used it I sloshed a little too much into my hand for application. It’s best to bend forward and use a little at a time until you’ve applied it to all your face, neck and decolletage to avoid it running down your arms when you lift your hands.
I used the Face Tan Water in the morning after washing my face and could already see a difference on Day 2; I didn’t feel the need to apply my usual day cream as my face felt adequately moisturised. After several days of continued use the colour had built to a nice level without looking too dark (plus the bottle looked barely touched as you don’t need to use much!). Towards the end of the second week I reduced application to every second day to avoid getting darker while maintaining the colour.
TIP: If you’re not using any other tanning products, this Face Tan Water is super effective. With that in mind, make sure to rub some sparingly around the tops of the ears/earlobes, into your hairline a little and around the back of your neck as well as your face, front of your neck and decolletage. As a blogger I’m semi-permanently taking selfies and photos from all angles (which I dread) and editing my own images highlighted the need to be even with application all the way around! You can see this around my hairline from the Day 5 image below…
The results
I’m not a beauty blogger and as I mentioned before my skin is all crazy from pregnancy, so I apologise for these pics but they do show how well it works! Here’s some foundation/powder-free test images to show you the difference over time during the road test.
Where to get it
Eco Tan Face Tan Water (100ml) is available nationwide for RRP $39.95 from Unichem and Life Pharmacies, Health 2000, Commonsense Organics, leading health and organic retailers, or right here online at the NZ Real Health blog shop, and at www.naturalthings.co.nz.
Other products in the self-tanning range include Invisible Tan – an express self-tanning creme, Winter Skin – a gradual tanning moisturier, and Cacao Firming Mousse – a lightweight mousse that also helps reduce the appearance of cellulite and promotes smooth skin.
I’d love to hear what you think of the Face Tan Water, if you give it a go, let me know in the comments below!
Product provided for review by Eco Tan
I loved this product so much that I’m now stocking it in my blog shop! If you would like to purchase it yourself, go check it out here.
Image / NZ Real Health