Self tanners have come such a long way from when they first hit the scene (no more of that “fake tan” smell, orange hue, streaks, or spots!). There are so many great products on the market now, whether self tanners, gradual tanners, or bronzers.

A self tanner will give you that sunkissed color without being exposed to the sun. Its main ingredient is DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which reacts to your amino acids, giving you a golden glow in 3-4 hours that will last about 5-7 days. Just don’t shower or sweat for about four hours to give the self tanner time to develop.

Gradual tanners give you a golden glow after a few days of use – you’ll be your darkest after about four days, and you’ll maintain the color as long as you continue using them daily.

Bronzers are mainly makeup lotions or powders – they provide immediate color and wash off in the shower. Just be careful if you’re wearing tight or light clothing – the bronzer might rub off and stain.

I prefer using self tanners over spray tanning for a few reasons. One, because I like to be golden all the time and I can maintain my tan more easily at home day after day. It’s also much more cost effective to do it on your own – it’s about $25+ for one spray tan that will last 5-7 days, or you can purchase one of the products I mentioned for $30-35 and you will get about 5-8 applications out of them. If you’re tanning for a special occasion and not comfortable or patient doing it yourself, then the spray tan might be for you.

My top 3 products:
St. Tropez Self Tanner (lotion)
Dior Self Tanner (gel)
Tan Towel

St. Tropez has a light floral smell – not that “fake tan” smell. Just put it on (with gloves), let it develop for four hours (or overnight – what I do) and shower in the morning for a gorgeous glow. Things to note: When you put the lotion on, wear gloves. You will look streaky when you’re finished, but the excess product will wash off when you shower – it will also rub off on your clothes, so don’t wear white. This product takes more work than the others, but it does give the most color.

Dior is much easier – it’s better if you need color quick and you’re on the go. All you need is 20 minutes to let it dry before you put clothes on.

The tan towel is super easy to apply as well. You might smell a slight “tanning smell” when you first apply it.

Make sure you exfoliate and shave before your first application for an even tan – especially with self tanners. And wash your hands when you’re done applying – tan palms are not a good look for anyone. And don’t forget to accessorize and bring out your tan even more with pastel and neon nail polishes and coral and hot pink lipsticks (totally in for summer).

[Swimsuit shown in image from Badgley Mischka. Boutique opens Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 11AM.]

When Dr. Copeland takes a break from her busy practice in Manhattan to spend long summer weekends in the Hamptons (so jealous!) where she gardens, bikes, and enjoy the outdoors - she makes sure sunblock comes first. We grabbed a few minutes with the sun care goddess to talk about a responsible skincare regimen for the summer months.

Rue La La: We’re losing our minds with label reading. Can you break it down?
Dr. Copeland: Find a sunblock that protects against UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays break down collagen and elastin fibers supporting skin. If you don’t want wrinkles, you need to guard against UVA light.

Rue La La: What’s the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?
Dr. Copeland: Sunblocks are physical barriers - they sit on top of skin and reflect the rays off of it. Sunscreens are chemical UVA shields. They sink into tissue and when light hits them, they create a reaction that neutralizes the radiation.

Rue La La: We confess: We know SPF is critical, but we’re not sure what it is.
Dr. Copeland: SPF measures a product’s ability to block UVB (burning) rays and how long a person can stay in the sun without burning. An SPF of 30 means thirty times longer than if you went out with nothing on. Say you have very pale skin. You may last only a minute or two before turning pink, so an SPF 30 would give you 30 minutes before you need to reapply.

Rue La La: What about women of color - less to worry about?
Dr. Copeland: No! Even highly pigmented skin can be damaged by UV light. A woman with a deeper complexion can end up with pigment variation, usually mottled, from sun exposure. It doesn’t matter what your skin tone is, if you don’t want the effects of aging, you need to guard yourself from UVA light. And, skin cancer should be the concern of every man, woman, and child on the planet.

Rue La La: Is it true you can skip moisturizer in the summer?
Dr. Copeland: During the summer, the glands produce more oil, so you may want to switch to a product that is not as moisturizing for your face. Your hands and legs, however, don’t contain oil-producing glands, so be sure to moisturize those areas, which can become dry and flaky regardless of the season.

Rue La La: Confession Number Two: We like a little color. Is spray tanning really a safe option?
Dr. Copeland: While I understand the desire for color, misting a large quantity of dye can’t be good. We don’t know the long-term effects of inhaling those tiny particles, which were not formulated to be taken internally. I advise my patients that the only safe way to “tan” is to use a bronzer. To get the best results, exfoliate your skin well prior to applying.

Rue La La: Give us your top five summer essentials.
Dr. Copeland: Cool drinks (hydration is essential for skin). A wide-brimmed hat. Sunblock (I prefer blocks to screen versions because their zinc and titanium mineral base induces less chafing than chemical formulas). Sunglasses. Sunless bronzer - if you must have that summer glow.

Smooth, soft skin is healthy skin. And it’s very achievable.

Cover your head. Avoid excessive UV exposure – use Daily Moisturizer with SPF 20 for protection and Sunless Tanning Bronzer for a healthy glow.

Clean your face at least once a day. But bars of soap are too harsh no matter what the moisturizing claims. Surfactants, ingredients that produce foam in liquid products like shampoo and soap, are extremely drying. Choose non-foaming cleansers that don’t strip the top layer of oil from the skin.

Exfoliate religiously. Loofahs, sponges, and washcloths are magnets for bacteria and are abrasive. Try AHA Face Cream and Microdermabrasion Formula.

Lotion up. Make anti-aging creams and serums your new best friends and apply them at least once a day. Rewind Advanced Day Serum and Rewind Reparative Night Serum are a dynamic duo for 24-hour coverage. And use pigment-reducing cream daily to bring results in a few weeks.

Slather on such antioxidants as vitamins E and C, and resveratrol (found in red wine or green tea) every day (try Revitalizing Formula with C&E and Rewind Age-Defying Cream).

Eat well. No fried food, rich, fatty food, or soda (diet and regular) – and drink a lot of water. Don’t smoke.

Do a body good. Treat your body’s skin as well as you do your face.

Toe the line. Avoid extremes, whether excessive UV exposure, binge drinking and eating, or wildly fluctuating water temperatures.

Our Dr. Michelle Copeland Skin Care Boutique opens on Wednesday, February 17 at 11AM.