Hadrian Miguel, Skincare & Lifestyle Director

Although Fall is officially here and with global warming creating hotter weather at times least expected, now is a brilliant time to tell you that there are some great tan maximizers and enhancers on the market today to keep you looking bronzed longer.

These after-sun enhancers go by numerous names like tan extenders, maximizers, intensifiers, prolongers, or bronzers, but they all have one goal in common…to help intensify and enhance the color of your tan.

I’ve tried and tested the following products all Summer long, and while the price ranges from very affordable to luxury, there is something for everyone at every price point. I have chosen my Top 7 products that will boost your color and will leave you looking Tan-tastic well into the Autumn and any other time you can catch some sun, or not.

Cupuaçu After-Sun Balm Lotion by L’Occitane (5.1 fl. oz. / $24)

My absolute favorite sun care product, L’Occitane’s After-Sun Balm Lotion is made with organic Cupuaçu (pronounced koo-poo-ah-SUE), an exotic superfruit from the cocoa family native to the Brazilian Amazon rain forest. Inside the pulp, the seeds contain a vegetable butter of premium quality that contains antioxidants, protein, and calcium.

Cupuaçu has excellent hydrating power, capable of absorbing more than 4 times its volume of water.

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Cupuaçu Seed Butter, Butcher’s Broom extract, Coconut Oil, Calendula, Rosemary extract, and Vitamin E and A.

It instantly soothes sunburn with Calendula, Butcher’s Broom, and Gotu Kola extract, helps to prolong your tan through its excellent moisturizing and antioxidant properties from Cupuaçu and Shea, renews and protects your skin with Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Rosemary, and restores your skin’s natural moisture and elasticity with Honey, and Coconut Oil.

I love it because my skin is super smooth and intensely hydrated, which extends the color by helping to prevent peeling. An added plus is that it smells great without an overpowering, artificial-smelling fragrance.

Warmth All Over Face Powder by Bare Escentuals (.1 oz. / $20)

To those that know me, this is my secret weapon…A perennial favorite of mine for many years, I use this powder year-round and there is not one day that goes by that I do not use it, either on myself or on others!

Warmth is part of the BareMinerals line by BareEscentuals and made with 100% pure, micronized minerals. It creates a healthy, sunlit look without actually having to lay out in the sun, and it is a complexion-booster that automatically gives you a healthy, natural, radiant glow. AND, if I do happen to get a little sun, it enhances my color with luminosity.

Key Ingredients: Mica, Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxide

Simply brush on Warmth where the sun would naturally fall on your cheeks, forehead, chin and nose. It’s very lightweight, non-pore clogging, and so versatile that it can be used for an all over glow, as a highlighter, blush, cheek contour, eyeshadow or even lip color. A universal product, it works with every skin skin color and skin type. A must-have, go out and get yours TODAY!

Tan Maximizer Soothing Moisturizer Cream by Lancaster (4.2 oz. / $25)

I was first introduced to this product while working in the U.K. this past Winter.

The company claims that it boosts your tan by up to 80%. It contains the patent-pending “Tan Activator Complex” in a formula that re-moisturizes dehydrated skin while reducing the risk of peeling, for a more intense and longer-lasting tan.

Key Ingredients: Arginine, Vitamin C, Green Tea, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Coffea Arabica, Tocopherol, and Tyrosine.

It is an antioxidant-rich and soothing formula with Vitamin C, Green Tea, Bisabolol, Coffee Berry and Vitamin E, which all helps to protect skin with its restorative properties and fight free radicals. Amino acids like Arginine and Glycine with Glycerin enhances moisture-retention and absorption. Tyrosine is an amino acid that initiates the production of melanin.

In this lightweight, fast-absorbing cream,  I did  notice that it gave me a deeper tan, and helped to boost the melanin production in the skin and enhance my color. It’s soothing and hydrating formula is great after sunbathing.

Lancaster products are available in select stores across the United States like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, HSN (Home Shopping Network), and Lord & Taylor. Product availability varies by location.

After Sun Moisturizer Self-Tanning by Clarins (5 oz. / $30)

Clarins has always been apart of my sun care regimen for years, and this is my go-to default multi-tasking self-tanner/tan maintainer/ moisturizer all-in-one.

According to Clarins, their product helps intensify, accent and extend a tan while promoting a deeper golden tone. Well, that is true and more.  It’s a great product to use too if you just don’t have the time to lay out in the sun and if you do get some sun, it’s essential to keep your skin quenched, replenished, and relieved. The self-tanning properties (including DHA) builds on the color you’ve already gotten to give you a longer-lasting, deeper tan.

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), Erythrulose, Aloe, Chamomile, Melon, Vitamin E, Cardamom, Sunflower, Mimosa Teniflora.

DHA, Erythrulose, and Cardamom extract work synergistically together to provide a more natural-looking, even, long-lasting appearance. Soothing agents like aloe, chamomile, and melon calms and restores skin. Shea, Sunflower, Mimosa Tenuiflora, and Vitamin E work  as hydrators,  and skin-smoothers to protect and promote a more radiant, natural-looking tan.

Note: DHA is a chemical that reacts with the skin’s amino acids to turn the skin brown. The active ingredients in sunscreens that provide UVA protection tend to block DHA’s absorption, so sunscreen needs to be applied afterward if you are venturing back out into sunlight.

Kona Coffee After-Sun Lotion by Alba Botanica (8.5 fl. oz / $11.95)

This lightweight and fragrant lotion glides on to keep your skin smooth, moisturized and smelling like you stepped off a tropical island.

Key Ingredients: Aloe Vera, Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, Kukui Oil, Macadamia Oil, Awapuhi, Shea Butter, Coffea Arabica.

Soothing Aloe helps to calm from over-exposure to sun, rich skin conditioners like Vitamin E, Kukui, and Macadamia helps to nourish, protect and hydrate your skin, and natural fragrances of Coffee Berry, Papaya, Pineapple, and Awapuhi…an exotic blend of ingredients to extend the tan and prevent peeling.

After-Sun Care Tan Extender by Sisley (5 oz. / $158)

The most expensive of the bunch, this luxurious and light textured-cream is specifically designed to help repair and cool skin exposed to the sun. It moisturizes with a tan-extender formula that leaves skin golden and tan.

According to Sisley, a careful combination of self-tanning active ingredients (DHA <1% and Erythrulose) enhance the skin’s color in a very natural way. While this was true, for the price I would use it sparingly and alternate with the Clarins’ After Sun Moisturizing Self Tanning. I did like this product because it did penetrate and absorb quickly into my skin and my face felt silky-smooth.

Key Ingredients: Alkekengi Calyx, Shea Butter, Andiroba, Bisabolol, Sunflower, Vitamin E, Glycerin, Rapeseed, Stevia.

What is appealing to me in this Sisley product is that it contains the Winter Cherry also known as Alkekengi Calyx,  a potent antioxidant. They say it protects the cells’ DNA against highly destructive UV rays by preserving DNA molecular integrity and stimulating collagen synthesis.

It is also rich in soothing active ingredients Andiroba oil, and Bisabolol, it helps calm and cool the skin.
This also contains the moisturizing, protective, and restorative properties of Stevia leaf extract, Glycerin, Shea Butter, Sunflower, and Vitamin E.

Available at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue and other fine retailers.

After Sun Lotion (5 oz. / $15) and Self-Tanning Lotion (2.1 oz. / $24.99) by Lavera

Tied at #7 on my list are two exceptional products made by Lavera.

Lavera is a leading manufacturer of organic, all natural skin care & make up, cruelty-free & paraben-free, made in Germany. Their products are beginning to make a splash into the USA via Target, Whole Foods, and CVS. Made with pure, organic plant oils, herb and flower extracts Lavera products are going to give the major brands a run for their money.

Lavera says After Sun Lotion gives your skin optimum after sun care with this cooling, refreshing lotion. Organic Jojoba and Vitamin E moisturize and nourish, helping to prevent fine lines and re-strengthen skin after a day in the sun.

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Soy, Squalane, Sunflower, Almond, Jojoba, Aloe Vera, Lavender, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.

A great soothing formula with Aloe, Lavender, and Rosewater along with ultra-rich hydrators Shea and Squalane, as wll as oil from Sunflower, Sweet Almond, and Jojoba. Top it off with antioxidants from Green Tea, Vitamin C and E and its packing a lot of bang for its buck!

The Self-Tanning Lotion has Soy extract combined with DHA and Erythrulose to deliver a smooth, foolproof application and a natural, even color. Jojoba, Lavender, Aloe Vera, and Rosewater offer moisturizing benefits and leaving skin feeling refreshed, and restored.

Key Ingredients: DHA, Aloe,  Rose Flower Water, Green Tea, and Erythrulose.

This product gives a nice, subtle color and a good glow. The smell is okay and subsides after a few minutes.

But, it is for its quality ingredients, paraben-free and organic formula that Lavera made this list with two products.