Scrubbed + Sunkissed: Rodan + Fields Micro-Dermabrasion Paste and Foaming Sunless Tan

We all know how I feel about self tanner.

Seriously though, without this magical liquid I would be pale as a ghost all 365 days of the year.  Typically when it comes to self tanners I have the tendency to hoard them and overall I’m not really picky on formula or brand.  I do prefer a darker one that will give me a golden bronze in one shot, but since I go through them so fast, I’ll typically take anything I can get my hands on. As long as it looks like I got some sun, I’m happy with it.

Rodan + Fields sent over a couple of their products last month for Canada Day to give me a start of summer glow.  I didn’t actually open the box until I got back from NYC but when I saw the words “sunless tan” I pretty much ripped it open and put it to the test.

Rodan + Fields Micro-Dermabrasion Paste and Foaming Sunless Tan

The Essentials Foaming Sunless Tan (C$32) is a quick-drying foaming self tanner that is designed to give you a gradual natural-looking tan.  It comes in a pump container to dispense a white foam that dries down clear and pretty much scentless (a major plus). Best of all, it doesn’t feel sticky on the skin and is very lightweight. Just give it about five minutes to fully absorb and then you’re good to go.

I actually didn’t even know that R+F had a self tanner, so when I got this product I was very excited to use it.  I did apply it with a glove but the brand mentions just using your hands.  The formula also contains some awesome ingredients in it, such as Vitamin C and E to help defend against free radicals and it has the RF-Dcell technology with Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract that helps the tan last longer on the skin.

To prep my skin for the tanner, they also sent along their Micro-Dermabrasion Paste (C$96), which is a face and body scrub.  It’s always recommended to use a scrub on your body before apply self tanner to prep your skin and remove any dead skin cells. I’ll be honest, I don’t do this most times, but when I do, I really do notice a difference in terms of how even and natural my tan looks.

Rodan + Fields Micro-Dermabrasion Paste and Foaming Sunless Tan

The Micro-Dermabrasion Paste improves the appearance of uneven skin tone thanks to its oil-free exfoliating formula. It’s made up of sugar and salt that exfoliates your body.  It also contains Vitamin C to brighten skin and Vitamin E to soothe skin.  The texture is like a balm, so you really have to dig your hands in there, but once it’s out it just melts onto the skin and really does a great job of leaving you nice and smooth.

Rodan and Fields recommends actually applying this dry, rubbing in for 30 to 60 seconds and then rinsing off. I used this in the shower and did find it melted quickly, but it was still pretty efficient. I think that if I had rough patches that I really wanted to exfoliate I would use it dry, but using it in the shower damp did the trick as well.

Overall, I was left with a nice healthy-looking glow the next day after using these products. This is definitely more of a gradual tanner, so I did have to apply it a few days in a row to really see a noticeable colour.  The tanner goes on clear, so it makes it a little tough to notice where you are applying it, but since it’s lighter in colour, there were no noticeable streaks on the skin. I also want to mention that it doesn’t smell at all, which is awesome. I didn’t even shower the next day after applying it, which is rare since usually I need a shower to wash away that awful self tanning smell.  Just wake up with this stuff on and you’ll be good to go.

Although I definitely prefer a more deeper tan on the first go-round, I actually didn’t mind this one. I like the formula and thought it did a great job of giving me a hint of colour. I’ll for sure be rotating this one into my routine more often (and maybe even cocktail it with a few other self tanners I have to maintain those glows).

Have you tried Rodan + Field’s self tanning product?

Please note, products sent by PR. All opinions are my own.

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