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(All things hormones, birth control, toxic-free living, and self advocacy)

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My Favorite Non-Toxic Self Tanner

My Favorite Non-Toxic Self Tanner

need a tan without the nasty ingredients? you've gotta try this!

Self tanner and I have NEVER had a good relationship. I started experimenting with self tanner when I was in high school. I loved how tan I was in the summer, and wanted the same color in the winter but I had heard of the dangers of using tanning beds. What better product to have than a quick and easy way to get a fake bake?? I thought it was genius!

So I got my first ever bottle of Jergens self tanner, applied some that night, and went to bed. I ended up waking up in the middle of the night clawing my legs out!! I couldn’t stop itching. I itched until I bled, I broke out in rashes and hives, and my skin was overall not happy. I thought it was just that one brand. So I tried a different brand. Same results. I even got a more expensive brand, thinking that the cheap stuff at the grocery stores was the problem. Nope. Same results and SO not worth the itching for a nice tan. I ultimately ended up giving up altogether after college graduation. I gave in to the idea that my skin was too sensitive for self tanners and resorted to being happy in my own pale winter skin.  

But then an ad popped up on my social media for a completely non-toxic self tanner, Beauty by Earth. I had never tried a non-toxic version before. I read a bunch of reviews and people who have had similar sensitive skin issues raved about it. So I ordered some when another ad was promoting a ‘buy one get one free’ deal. It came in the mail and I ended up using it that same night. I was so excited to use it, but super skeptical since no other self tanner had worked in the past.

Immediately after starting the application process, I knew this stuff was different. The texture of the body tanner was that of moisturizer, had a very light scent, and was white versus the normal tan/brown hue of other tanners. It rubbed in different too and a little went a long way. Once I let it dry, I went to bed. The next morning I woke up to a perfect golden tan!! And realized that that was the first night I successfully slept all the way through the night without waking up to scratch. The day went on and the typical self tanner smell developed, but only slightly. I wasn’t itchy, I had minimal bumps that went away quickly, and my tan stayed for about 4-5 days. I was obsessed!! I finally found a product that was safe, natural, effective and didn’t leave me itching my tan off. I can’t recommend Beauty by Earth’s body tanner and face tanner enough to those with sensitive skin. If you don’t have sensitive skin, I also encourage it for the super clean ingredients. You won’t be disappointed! :)

Just so you know, I may earn a commission off the links on my blog at no cost to you through various affiliate programs. I appreciate your support and love sharing my favorite products with you! :)
Just so you know, I may earn a commission off the links on my blog at no cost to you through various affiliate programs. I appreciate your support and love sharing my favorite products with you! :)

I Felt Out of Balance

 

It all started with small rashes under my armpits. They grew bigger. They were fiery red. They burned. I couldn’t itch them since they burned so bad. They flaked. They were embarrassing. I didn’t know what they were. Then they showed up on the crook of my elbow and on the top of my right hand. I thought it might be due to a gluten or dairy intolerance, so I changed my diet. It helped temporarily and my rashes didn’t hurt as bad and weren’t as red. But diet changes weren’t enough. I was devastated. My rashes remained for MONTHS!

Then the "fluff" showed up around my belly and hips. Maybe the start of winter contributed as well; either way I swear my pants used to fit me way better…

My hair started falling out. In chunks! I’d always had some hairs come out when I washed my hair, so I was used to it. But not to this extent. I knew something was going on.

My acne became out of control, almost to the extent when I was in high school. Red, painful, cysts that I just couldn’t resist picking. And here I had spent all these years at the dermatologist “healing” my acne for it all to come back with a vengeance.

I was in tears at least once a week. I felt hopeless. I felt so alone. No one could relate besides one girl I followed on Instagram. My boyfriend was supportive, but how could he understand though? He had no idea what I was going through.

I took a deep breath, wiped my tears and trucked on. Then the next week would start all over again with a meltdown because I was fat, my hair was falling out, my acne was returning, and my rashes burned SO. FREAKING. BAD. I was angry, frustrated, confused & hopeless. 

I had heard that stopping birth control could come with some pretty gnarly symptoms. And I thought I was ready for whatever would happen. But I didn’t realize how mentally and emotionally challenging these symptoms would be.

Like many people, I started taking birth control in high school. I took it mostly for my acne, but pregnancy prevention was nice too. My hormones were manipulated for over 7 years. The birth control was prescribed by my doctor, so why would I ever question how it was affecting my body?

Turns out, I had NO idea just how much it affected me. All of me. It wasn’t until I read this book that I understood how much my body was impacted by these synthetic hormones that I didn't even realize were synthetic at the time. How hormonal birth control can be prescribed to “treat” certain conditions, yet it’s really only a bandaid fix. I didn’t want that bandaid fix anymore and I wanted to heal myself naturally. So I took the leap and ditched my birth control.

Aside from some of the challenges of getting off birth control, I noticed a whole new world of positives that came from it. For the first time in my life, I actually had energy! I no longer needed to sleep half the day away. The mental fog was gone! My mood increased, as well as my libido, which I swear was gone for good. I finally felt like I was in control of my health for the first time. Truly healthy and truly better.

My goal is to be that shining beacon of light for you if you are struggling with the decision to finally get off hormonal birth control. You are not alone in worrying how your body will react. You are not alone in this transition and your experiences. It might be challenging. But we are strong. We are healers. We are self-advocates. And only we know what’s best for our bodies.

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