Save Your Skin

When and How to Use Au Courant

When lying in the sun, the skin's defense mechanism is what creates the tanned appearance on your skin. Unfortunately, the sun dehydrates the skin. The sun's ultraviolet rays are the guilty culprits that speed up the skin's aging process.
Au Courant's self-tanning products manifest the most natural looking tan while simultaneously rehydrataing and nourishing even the most delicate skin types. It's dermatologist tested and recommended as the smartest way to get a tan. Our unique Holistic manufacturing process raises the standard when catering to doctors and estheticians alike. The Au Courant name is your assurance that the quality, style, and performance of every product is second to none.

Exfoliation: Best Sunless Tanning results are achieved on clean taut skin.
Use Au Courant's seaweed soap bar regularly, it will keep your skin fresh and invigorated. This soap is manufactured in France and is completely natural. This triple-milled seaweed soap is composed of a 100% vegetable base, are pH mild for sensitive skin and are cruelty free. Our Seaweed Soap contains 10% seaweed from the coast of France. The soap can be used as one would use a loofa, to exfoliate the skin, as it increases the blood circulation, which imparts slimming and toning action to the skin. We only use natural ingredients, which can benefit one's daily skin, care routine. Seaweed assists in the emulsification of fat cells & tissues. Massaging the soap lather on the fatty areas of the body, promotes blood circulation and increases the body's metabolic rate. When the pores open during a warm bath or shower, the active ingredients penetrate into the dermis and helps to dilate the blood vessels. This contributes to enhance blood circulation, which promotes the breakdown of fats and lipids.
1. Exfoliation is essential for the best results with any self-tanner.
2. Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells on your body.

Method A (After Bathing):
Towel dry, moisten the self-tanning applicator sponge,and squeeze out the excess moisture. Spray the instant spray tan or Mousse directly onto the damp sponge. Apply to your entire body. Upon completion, immediately apply instant self-tanning lotion onto your applicator and apply as desired. When applying on the face use our flock facial sponge. Face gel is best applied with your fingertips.
Method B (Before Bed):
Follow the aforementioned application method. Put on some dark pajamas before going to bed (this will alleviate rub off on your sheets). In the morning take a shower and rinse off the excess residue.

Touching Up:
Au Courant will fade like a regular tan without peeling. You only need to layer the product at the beginning of your tanning cycle. So alternate between lotion and spray as needed. If you're on the go, or in a hurry, use the instant spray tan.  As time permits, or if your skin is just plain dry use the instant tanning lotion as it will enrich and moisturize your skin as it produces a beautiful healthy glow.

Au Courant is renowned on movie sets around the globe. The instant results are excellent for face or body makeup. Make-up artists love the fast drying instant glow it produces, even on a pinkish complexion. Even if the sun has overdone you, Au Courant will deepen and soothe your skin.

Save Your Skin

The sun is the source of light and heat for the planet earth. The sun produces a healthy golden complexion and a tanned appearance. However, tanning without caring for the quality of the skin can contribute to skin damage and premature aging. Over the years, Au Courant products have offered smarter ways to achieve a gorgeous tan without the harmful effects of the sun.

Au Courant offers an extended range of Tanning Treatments, with Reinforced Sun Protection, and even more specific benefits for a deeper, more rapid and longer-lasting tan.  Now, with Au Courant, every skin type, even the most fragile, is assured of a beautiful natural sun kissed glow without the negative attributes of the sun.

Regardless of your extra-curricular activities in the great outdoors, the sun always shines with the same degree of intensity. Keep this in mind to avoid the unpleasant surprise of redness and sunburn after a day outdoors.

1. Bodily areas of increased sensitivity are, the tops of your feet, behind your knees, and the ears.

2. Apply sunscreen before going outdoors. It will prevent sunburn before you arrive at your destination.

3. Do not expose your skin for more than 45 minutes per day. Once this time period has been accrued the melanocytes* are saturated and do not produce any more melanin to further a tan.

*Melanocytes are epidermal cells which produce melanin.

Eyes:
The eyes and their surrounding area are the most fragile part of the face.  Avoid direct exposure of the eyes and face and always wear tinted UV sun glasses outdoors.

Free radicals:
Free radicals* enhance wrinkles and fine lines. They will age your skin prematurely.

*Free radicals are reactive atoms that have one or more un-paired electrons. Activation of free radicals is caused by sun exposure. Special care and protection will eliminate their actions. An intelligent diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E produce very positive results.

Hands:
The hands are often overlooked as is usually the face. They will exude the effect of exposure rapidly. Be sure to protect these often neglected features. Without adequate protection, wrinkling and moisture loss will become extremely evident. Discoloration and pigmentation can materialize. Moisturize and use adequate sun block.

Kids:
Children's skin is particularly vulnerable to the sun's rays. Due to the fact that the horny layer* of the skin is not fully developed. *The horny layer is the skin's layer which provides natural protection against the sun's rays.

Early damage to a child's skin will reflect later in life. Minimum protection for a child should be SPF15. Save your child's skin!

Lifestyle:
A healthy complexion is accomplished through an intelligent lifestyle. Smoking and alcohol can contribute to an unhealthy body as well as skin. On the other hand, a well balanced diet, adequate sleep, relaxation and drinking plenty of water will help enhance a gorgeous tan and complexion as well as prolong your life span.

Over Exposure:
Red skin is burnt skin. Seek shelter immediately! Then apply aloe vera gel (after sun). It will help compensate for the hot uncomfortable feeling caused by excessive sun exposure. Aloe vera gel soothes, calms and revitalizes the skin and promotes a more even tan.

Reflection:
Light reflection: Ultra-violet rays that reflect off of a surface onto your skin will increase the chance of sunburn ---- even under a parasol. The percentage of reflection on sand is 20and in the snow and water each 5

R/X:
Some pharmaceuticals are photosensitizing and can cause pigmentation marks, sometimes irreversible. Contact your physician and verify that your medication is compatible with sun exposure.

Shade:
Care should be taken even while in the shade. The sun's rays will find their way to your skin. They can pass through clouds, leaves, umbrella's etc...

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to exfoliate before applying a sunless tanner?
Exfoliation is the key to the best results when using a sunless tanning product. Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells. A sunless tanner will only magnify any imperfections on the skins surface.For example dry skin patches on the skin, age spots on the face, etc.  It's best to start on a clean slate. Our seaweed soap bar is gentle and can be used daily. For age spots use the Au Courant Glycolic Body Wash. Do not use scrubs which contain oil as they would create a barrier on the skins surface.  This barrier would make it impossible for the sunless tanning agent to work on the skins surface.

How do you use the sponge on a stick applicator?
Wet your sponge, squeeze out the excess moisture. Apply product (mousse-spray-lotion) directly onto the applicator. It's excellent for problem areas such as knees, elbows, feet, and hands. These parts of the body tend to be excessively dry and any product would just grab on tothese dry parts of the body.
The trick is to use a really damp sponge on your feet, knees, elbow and hands. You only want to apply a light coat of product around these dry areas. It's difficult to keep a sunless tanner on when your wearing shoes. When you walk, the skin on your feet is rubbing inside your shoe. This will remove the sunless tanner. Same goes when you shave your  your legs or face. You are literally removing your tan.

Which product is best for the face?
We have a variety of textures designed for facial applications.
The spray, mousse, or face gel are excellent for the face.
The Face gel is available in 4 variations: Clear face gel has no color guide or fragrance. It's excellent for people with enlarged facial pores. Many women enjoy mixing with a night cream etc.
Medium face gel is (Copper-Reddish color) for people who want to counteract their natural yellowish hue.
Dark face gel is for all skin types our most popular.
Sensitive face gel is specially designed for sensitive skin and has no fragrance.
Our lotion can be applied on the face also, but if you have an oily complexion, a lotion will not help matters. Also the others are very light and airy more suitable for the face. The spray is a water base, faster drying if you're on the go. The mousse is similar to the spray just a tad darker and designed in a foamy user-friendly texture.
It really is a matter of preference.

What's the difference between the Instant tanning Mousse and Spray?
Both products have a water base, they both are fast drying if you're on the go. They both work as primers to the skin. They both renew the skin as they tan you. Better to use a spray on your face, its light and airy. The mousse is similar to the spray just darker and designed into a foam texture for ease of application so it's a matter of preference.

What's best to use on the body?
If your skin is naturally dry or if the weather (extreme cold or heat) has an adverse effect on your skin. Use the instant tanning lotion as a moisturizing agent.
The lotion is highly acclaimed for it's long lasting gorgeous color, ease of application (non streaky) and refreshing fragrance. Additionally, select botanicals are designed to simultaneously moisturize while it's tanning your skin.
It's best to use the instant tanning lotion on your body.
Darker results are achieved by layering the instant spray or mousse first (these work as a primer to the skin), subsequently,
applying the instant tanning lotion over the spray or mousse. Your tan will last twice as long and will produce darker results.

I live in a humid climate, which products will work best?
The mousse and spray would dry the quickest and are more suitable for a humid climate. Remember the instant tanning lotion is a moisturizing agent so it would take longer to dry in a humid environment.

What should I wear after applying the products?
Wear dark colored clothing to avoid rub off. Under no circumstances should you wear light to medium-colored fabrics, which contain nylon or silk, because sunless tanners will stain them permanently. You can apply the products before you go to bed, Just put on some dark pajamas to alleviate rub off on your sheets and take a shower In the morning to remove the excess residue.

Can I go swimming after an application?
Water and chlorine are a sunless tanners worst enemy. New users should follow the application method for three days consecutively before swimming. Re-apply your sunless tanner after swimming. Use the eclipse product as a sealant over your sunless tan. It's waterproof and contains a SPF-20 and is perfect for avid swimmers.

How long does it take for the sunless products to dry?
The mousse spray and gel all dry immediately. It should only take 5 minutes max for the lotion to dry. If it's taking longer. You're over applying the product. Keep in mind you do not want to sweat after your initial application. So a hot steamy bathroom is not the ideal place to apply a sunless tanner. Obviously applying a self-tanner in the morning before going to workout is not a good idea.
Applying the products before you go to bed is a favorable method of application. Just put on some dark pajamas to alleviate rub off on your sheets and take a shower in the morning to remove the excess residue.

Does this product wash off and is only a temporary color stain?
The sunless products are a combination bronzer and sunless tanner all in one. The active ingredient reaches its peak in 6 hours. During your next shower an excess residue will wash off- this is normal. But your tan should last a few days and fade gradually.

How is using a sunless tanner different from a tanning bed?
In the last 15 to 20 years tanning parlors have sprung up everywhere. The tanning beds in these salons contain light bulbs that emit high intensity UVA. UVA exposure is not safe. It is dangerous. Small amounts of UVA light can induce significant sun damage. At the beach, this takes a few hours, but in a tanning bed it takes only a few minutes. Large amounts of UVA produce skin cancer. UVA radiation augments acute UVB sunburn. There is no truth to the statement that a UVA base tan protects against UVB damage. UVA augments the carcinogenic effect of UVB. It is an additional risk factor to develop melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer.
Tanning beds also offer other dangers such as:
Their UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis and can produce a deeper, more severe burn than superficial UVB sunburn.
Because of this deep dermal penetration they affect and weaken the connective tissue in the skin leading to disfiguring photo aging and wrinkling of the skin.
They contribute to the formation of all types of UV induced skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and the deadly melanoma
Too much unprotected eye exposure to UVA leads to burning of the cornea, cataracts of the lens and retinal damage.
UV light, especially UVA, in combination with birth control pills or certain medications, cosmetics, perfumes, soaps may produce an increased sun sensitivity with rash or severe, exaggerated sunburn.
UV light may precipitate "fever blisters" or exacerbate connective tissue diseases, such as lupus erythematosus

What is DHA?
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) It's derived from the sugar cane and is the activeingredient in all-sunless tanners. Reacts with amino acids found in the top layers of skin to create a shade of brown that takes place within two to six hours and builds color depth with every reapplication. DHA as been FDA approved for over 30 years.