As soon as the sun is up in the sky and the temperatures crack the 20-degree mark, many in bikinis or swimming trunks draw to the sea or into the city park. The frequently stated goal: to refuel sun rays and turn brown.

In order to protect yourself from sunburn and cancer risk, hopefully all will automatically resort to sunscreen. Tanning oil is also particularly popular with some - because that should reflect the sun's rays and additionally accelerate the tanning process. So far so good. But now a pretty dangerous trend is making the rounds.

Coca Cola instead of tanning oil: the new summer hype

Instead of classic sun oil, more and more people are using cold drink Cola to rub themselves in with it. Why? We asked ourselves that too.

The idea is that cola contains a caramel dye, which is said to cover the skin with a delicately tanned glow, cheating a light tan. In addition - as it says on many pages - the sugary drink would reflect the sun's rays as well as classic tanning oil. A double plus, say the "inventors" of the idea.

That's why the trend is so dangerous

We admit: The dye contained in the cola can really cause the skin to be tinted in the short term. The effect is short-lived.

The decisive disadvantage of this technique is quite another. Of course, the limo has no sun protection factor and therefore does not provide any protection against UV rays. Dermatologists and skin researchers generally strongly advise against getting into the sun without a sufficient sun protection factor. The known consequences: sunburns, accelerated skin aging, the skin becomes leathery and wrinkled and the skin cancer risk increases.

A post shared by Coca-Cola Germany (@cocacola_de) on Jun 2, 2017 at 5:46 pm

The best alternative

Natural tan without spending hours in the sun? No problem. If you like to have a slightly toned complexion in the summer without harming your skin, you can fall back on classic self-tanner. They are easy to use and also provide a radiant complexion. All self-tanners in the big editorial test can be found here:

Tried out: self-tanner in the test

We tested for weeks: eight self-tanner in the brutal check of the beauty editor. Which one works super fast and smells good and which one gave us stripes?

1 out of 1

Self-tanner in the test: "Gradual Tan One Minute" from St. Tropez

The name suggests it: This self-tanner of St. Tropez promises radiant tan in just one minute. How it works? Apply the tanning mousse liberally on the whole body (if desired also on the face). Now - depending on the desired tanning - wait between one and five minutes. Then jump under the shower and shower off the thin tanning film. Finished! The tan develops within the next few hours. What sounds super easy is it too. The tanning is rather subtle, but therefore perfect for all self-tanner beginners.

Gradual Tan One Minute Pre Shower Mousse, 120 ml, available for example via Zalando, at 21 Euro.

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