The finest fake tans

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The thought that summer is nearly here is enough to send many of us into a panic, just thinking about revealing our winter whiteness.

The experts say a good tan can make you look a few kilos lighter, so it's no wonder supermarket and pharmacy shelves are stocked full of tanning lotions and potions - even tanning pills.

The latest trend is gradual moisturising tanners, which promise a healthy glow combined with a moisturiser that can be used every day. The sheer number of fake tans on the market shows just how much we love to be tanned.

With so many to choose from, consumer group Choice has done the hard work, testing 17 of the top gradual tanners on the market.

Topping the list was the Biotherm Gradual Tanner. At $50 it is one of the most expensive on the list, but for our tester, it was a case of getting what you pay for.

On the cheaper side, well known brand Nivea came in at number 3, also impressing our judge. At more than $60 a bottle, the Lancome product is the most expensive gradual tan on the list, but it failed to impress as much.

We asked 10 of our own volunteers to test out the tanners to see which ones they thought were the best. Beauty writer Natasha Hughes helped to sort through the list.

"The first gradual self tanners came out two years ago, about the same time as there were some very high profile melanoma cases. Since then, of course, the market's gone crazy - every cosmetic company has got their own version ranging from $5 to $80 and people like them, people are using them, women love them," Natasha said.

We asked our testers to take into consideration colour, smell and moisturising levels, putting the tan on one arm only for three days.

Our judge's choice was the L'Oreal product, the only product where smell wasn't an issue.

"Smell is important, also streaking that still occurs especially around the ankles and knees, ease of use, there's different formulations, there's creams and gels and there are tinted formulations so you can see what you're doing. It's all down to personal preference," Natasha said.

And for those who are after a deeper, faster tan, Today Tonight recently looked at the top fake tans, with Shiseido coming out on top.

If you think it all looks too hard, by 2010 there could be a pill on the market which has the ability to tan your skin from the inside. The tiny implant is now in the final stages of clinical testing and its makers, Biotech, say by increasing the skin's melanin, it will also provide more protection from the sun - and cancer.

"Any type of fake tanning requires a certain level of upkeep and commitment. You've got to exfoliate before and you've got to wear those funny little disposable gloves to apply it - it's better than getting it on your palms believe me - to keep it looking fresh," Natasha said.

Further information

CHOICE Combined performance results:
72 Biotherm Summer Source (medium)
71 Olay Complete Touch of Sunlight, Sun-kissed Glow
68 Nivea Body Sunkissed Skin (fair to medium)
67 L'Oreal Paris Body-Espertise Nutrisummer (fair)
66 Natio Aromatherapy Sun-kissed Glow
65 Estee Lauder Body Performance Golden Naturally Radiant.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze
64 David Jones Gradual Tal Lotion
63 Dove Summer Glow (fair to normal)
Face of Australia Sun Kissed SPF15
Garnier Skin Naturals Bodysummer
Lancome Paris Sensuelle Summer
62 LeTan Daily Glow SPF15 (fair to normal)
60 Health Basics Summer Radiance
58 Johnson's Holiday Skin (normal to fair)
57 Guardian Gradual Tanning Moisturiser
53 Ella Bache Great Sunkiss.

Choice website: www.choice.com.au