• June 17, 2008

Sunless tanning products, the favorite product of dermatologists and cubicle rats alike, are on the decline.

Mintel, the market research firm, says sales of the product have slipped to $181 million this year--a 5% decline from 2006, when a stream of new products sent shoppers rushing for the drug store. The main reason? The products are hard to apply, according to 42% of consumers, and the results look too fake (33%.)

For those who do use the products, the biggest advantage continues to be time, with 61% saying the products work quickly and reliably. About 39% say they use sunless tanners to protect their skin from sun damage, and 16% say they use them in place of regular moisturizers.

--Sarah Mahoney