Orange alert! Orange alert!

I feel really bad because I featured the Neutrogena Sunless Tanner a few weeks ago as The DailyBuss. Why do I feel bad? Well I’ve always used the Neutrogena brand and been very, very happy with the results — a natural glow, easy application and it’s so affordable. But the last two times I’ve used the “foam” variety, I’ve had very, very bad results.
The first time, I applied at about 11am on a Saturday. To make application easier (and I’ve read this in several different places and did not just make it up) I put lotion on first. It makes for smoother and easier application. Anyway, the color developed and everything, and four hours later I went swimming in my parents’ pool. Now the Neutrogena bottle says that it dries in 5 minutes, but not to shower for an hour or two. I waited 4 hours people. And what happened? The minute I came into contact with the water, the stuff dripped right off of me. Brown liquid dripping from my body — not sexy! Plus I had wasted a good hour thoroughly applying the tanner. Grrrr.
So I theorized several culprits. One: It could’ve been the chlorine. But this should not be the case as it would have to say so on the bottle, right? Two: You really shouldn’t mix with the lotion. Or if you do, you should wait a good day before showering or swimming again. Um, not very practical. Three: I made up that whole ‘several culprits’ thing, because I apparently only had two.
But I digress. So about a week later, I decide to try again. I’m thinking that was a fluke or something. This time I applied at about 11am again and did not shower til midnight. And I only used very little lotion on my knees and elbows, as recommended, since those are drier patches of skin. Well, I’ll be damned if it didn’t happen again. It all washed right off in the shower.
I’m not sure what to make of this. I’ve yet to call the toll-free number on the back of the bottle. I’m not sure if this was a bad batch (I don’t think it could be since I’d used the same bottle three times before with fine results), or if it went bad (perhaps it got too hot somewhere, though it’s only been under the sink).
The takeaway from this: In the past, I’d used the “spray-on” variety and have never had a problem with that. I recommended the “foam” this time because it’s tinted so you can already see where you’re applying it, making it easy to blend streaks and such. But I cannot in good conscience recommend the foam because of the above saga. Tan at your own risk until I find out what’s going on.