OK, don't get me wrong - self-tanner is still absolutely the best way to bronze, and a far safer option than excessive sun exposure or (gasp!) a session in a tanning bed. But use caution: A recent study conducted in Germany found that skin treated with DHA, the active ingredient in sunless tanners, produced 180 percent more free radicals when it was exposed to UV light than untreated skin did!

So, what are free radicals and why should you care about them? One of the first and most common results of UV exposure, free radicals are, in a nutshell, oxygen molecules that are missing an electron. As they attempt to scavenge for an extra electron, they cause damage to vital skin components like collagen and elastin - and the result is skin-aging inflammation.

Of course, the first lesson to be learned here is to avoid sun exposure after you apply self-tanner! But whenever you hear "free radicals," you also want to get in the habit of thinking "antioxidants" - ingredients that are proven to neutralize free radicals and boost skin's natural defenses. Powerful antioxidants like vitamins C and E, lycopene, green tea, and coenzyme Q₁₀ have been touted in facial products for years, but now more and more body lotions also include those wonder-ingredients! Consider some of my favorites:

• Nivea Body Skin-Firming Lotion includes coenzyme Q₁₀, one of the most powerful antioxidants around - better yet, you can pick this one up at your local drugstore.
• Topix Citrix Body Lotion packs quite the antioxidant punch - it's loaded with vitamins A, C, and E, green tea extract, and coenzyme Q₁₀.
• For those of you who prefer to buy all-natural products, the REN skin care line from England makes a wonderful Grapeseed, Jojoba and Shea Butter Body Cream. (You've heard about the health benefits of red wine? Grapeseed extract, an excellent antioxidant, can also work wonders for your skin!)
• Consider tackling several skin concerns at once and use a self-tanner that includes antioxidants, like Bliss's A Tan For All Seasons. Need even more incentive? Antioxidant-rich self-tanners tend to produce a more natural-looking color.
• And remember, even when you remove DHA from the equation, UV exposure still generates free radicals - double-protect yourself by looking for sunscreens with antioxidants like DDF Moisturizing Photo-Age Sunscreen SPF 30.

Wishing you great skin!

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Dr. Baumann is author of the best-selling book," The Skin Type Solution." To learn more about her revolutionary skin typing system, visit her Web site, SkinTypeSolutions.com. 

All of Dr. Baumann's recommended skin care products are available online, and a portion of proceeds goes to The Dermatology Foundation.

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