There is only one main ingredient that does the tanning. Ya, the smell will be different in the various ones and you have to sniff around for that. For the price I have used Lancome and my skin was like silk. So there are skin softening agents involved also. But really for the look shop around....
This is a good self tan, but for the price, I have used better ones. The consistancy is a little too runny for my liking, and the tan doesn't last that long. You need to make sure you shake the bottle well before using, or you will get an oily tinted liquid first.