Winter is fast approaching, and it’s already starting to show in my skin – ah! My brief summer tan from August’s beach trip has completely faded and I’m returning back to a Casper-like complexion. Well, maybe not so fast, thanks to a new little product that just landed on my desk – the COOLA Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum*. It’s one of two products from their Sunless Tan Collection, and – spoilers – I love it so much that I’ve already added the Sunless Tan Dry Oil Body Mist to my Sephora shopping cart!
COOLA Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum
COOLA’s Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum is a unique little multi-tasker. Add it to your skincare routine, and it will gradually build a ‘streak-free and transfer-free gradual tan’ that lasts up to 3 days. On top of that, it’s an anti-aging serum, formulated with a blend of Argan Oil, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and plant stem cell culture that help smooth and hydrate the skin.
The serum is also eco-certified cosmos organic, non-GMO, vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without parabens, phthalates, perfume, retinyl palmitate, and synthetic colorants.
One thing to note is that it doesn’t contain sunscreen, nor does not protect against sunburn, so make sure to apply your SPF separately!
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Dihydroxyacetone, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Heptyl Undecylenate, Argan Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Hydrolyzed Algin, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglycerin-10 Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil*, Cetearyl Glucoside, Alcohol Denat.*, Maris Aqua, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Xanthan Gum, Fragrance, Gluconolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate. *Certified Organic
How to Use COOLA’s Sunless Tan Face Serum
To quickly build color, dispense 1-2 pumps onto your fingers and then spread evenly across a clean, dry face. For more gradual color, mix a small amount into your daily moisturizer and then apply.
Allow 2-4 hours for tan to fully develop, and reapply anytime to build more color as needed.
Like all tanners, it’s recommended that you exfoliate skin prior to using the serum in order to get the most even-looking and long-lasting results.
COOLA Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum Review
COOLA’s Sunless Tan Face Serum comes in a clear gel formula, with a consistency very similar to aloe vera gel. It has a subtle, natural ‘pina-coco’ scent, and most surprisingly, I’m unable to detect any of the usual self-tanner scent in the formula.
The gel formula allows the serum to spread very easily over the skin. You get a good 10-15 seconds to blend everything out, after which, the gel begins to rapidly absorb.
I wouldn’t describe the formula as very moisturizing, however, what I do like is that it doesn’t feel heavy, nor does it leave behind a greasy/oily layer on my skin. Instead, it smooths and mattifies my skin, leaving it primed for makeup (even my powder foundation, which is typically a no-go after applying a self-tanning lotion).
The first time I tried out the COOLA Sunless Tan Face Serum, I went a little crazy and used 3 full pumps on my face and neck (making sure to thoroughly blend it out), and boy did I notice a difference. It deepened my skin by about 2 shades within 6-7 hours, with no streaking. Here’s my before & after…
COOLA Sunless Tan Face Serum Before & After
As you can see, COOLA’s Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum works very quickly. Of course, if you’re looking to get more subtle, gradual results, apply this a bit more sparingly – I’d recommend one full pump, plus one half pump to cover the neck to start out.
The color will typically last me 3-4 days total, fading gradually and evenly each time I wash my face. To maintain the sun-kissed look, it’s as easy as adding about half a pump of serum into your day or evening moisturizer. Or, apply about a pump directly on the face/neck every day or every few days, depending on how deep you want the color.
Available at Sephora, Ulta, Amazon, Macy’s, JCPenney, Anthropologie, & Revolve
SHOP THE POST
Have you tried COOLA’s Sunless Tan products? What’s your favorite self-tanner to use when you need a boost?
*Sample generously provided for review consideration.
