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The 19 Best Self-Tanners of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

From express tans to gradual glows, put self-tanners to the test

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

What to Keep in Mind

Your questions, answered, why shop with us.

InStyle / Hilary Braaksma

We all know it—there’s no such thing as a healthy tan if you’re getting an assist from the sun. That’s not to say you can’t have skin that  looks  sun-kissed and glowing, though. All you need is a stellar self-tanner formula packed with the right pigments to complement your skin tone. “A non-negotiable when applying, I would say, is remembering the less is more approach, especially when using a bronzerless product with a clear formula, like a mist or water,” says tanning artist  Natalie Vitello . “It’s easy to get carried away when you can’t see the actual product going on.”

One of the few downsides to self-tanner is mastering the application, so we did it for you. We  tested  42 faux glow products on our skin for two weeks with our first-hand experience applying and wearing only the best self-tanners. Each product earned the highest scores from our editorial team across a set of criteria, including how easy the application process was and how each formula felt on our skin, whether there was color transfer on clothes, sheets, or towels, and how long the tan lasted before fading.

Best Overall

St. tropez self tan classic bronzing mousse.

What We Love: The lightweight mousse applies evenly and dries quickly.

What We Don’t Love: This may not work well on all skin tones due to the green undertone of the formula.

Even for a self-tanning rookie like us, we had no issues achieving a glorious tan with this iconic product. With the help of a mitt, the whipped texture helped the formula spread easily across the body, even in the tricky-to-reach spots (like our back). It features a guide color, which made it a breeze to ensure we’d gotten even coverage and not missed any areas. Once we finished applying, the formula didn’t feel tacky at all, and dried rapidly—to the point that even when we accidentally put on (and quickly removed) a sports bra, our tan’s development was not disrupted. It didn’t stain our clothing or our sheets, and the scent was unobtrusive, so we didn’t mind sitting around for the suggested eight hours to let the tan develop.

The color began to show within four hours of application, which was a huge plus. We showered after eight hours, and loved the radiant glow left behind. The tan looked its best at the two to three day mark, but it was still noticeable after five days. The only caveat to using this product is that it works best on cooler skin tones.

Shades: 1｜ Type: Mousse｜ Development Time: 4-8 hours｜ Size: 8 oz

InStyle / Kristen Geil

Best for Beginners

Sol by jergens no wait tropical tan mousse.

What We Love: This product delivers an instant radiance while developing into a deeper glow over time.

What We Don’t Love: The formula takes a while to dry.

This was our first time using a self-tanner and this product made it easy, thanks to the lightweight foam that spread across our body as smoothly as lotion, especially with our mitt. The natural-looking tan was flattering (and unintimidating) with just one application, though it was clear that the formula could be layered for a deeper glow. It had a pleasant floral scent that seasoned self-tanner aficionados confirmed was nicer than those of other formulas they tried. Once the tan fully developed, it lasted for five days.

While we do love that this formula instantly gives us a glow, it’s worth noting that it didn’t dry very rapidly—it took up to 30 minutes to fully set. However, once it did dry, it didn’t transfer at all, so keep that in mind if you plan on applying this formula before an evening out.

Shades: 2｜ Type: Mousse｜ Development Time: 5 minutes and over time｜ Size: 5 oz

Best for Mature Skin

Coco & eve sunny honey bali bronzing foam.

What We Love: This self-tanner lasted long—we got six days of wear out of one application.

What We Don’t Love: This formula may transfer to your sheets, especially if you go to sleep right after application.

This genius formula is fantastic for bronzing skin and making it look toned, subtly tightening skin, and smoothing the look of cellulite . Even though we showered four times within the six days our tan lasted, it never faded patchily and looked quite realistic on our fair skin—like we’d spent a few days in the sun, not like a spray tan or fake tan at all. The formula went on easily and we found its scent pleasant, with light tropical fruit notes that helped mask the traditional self-tanner smell.

We will note that the bronzing foam left our skin feeling tacky on our face and chest. Also, some color transferred to our sheets and the clothing we wore post-tan, but it washed out easily and we didn’t experience any transfer or staining in the subsequent days of wear.

Shades: 3｜ Type: Mousse｜ Development Time: 2 hours｜ Size: 6.7 oz

InStyle / Ashley Schaubroeck

Best for Instant Results

Bondi sands pure self tanning drops.

What We Love: This formula develops quickly and is shockingly easy to use.

What We Don’t Love: You may have to experiment with the number of drops you use to get your desired color.

If you want to get a glow quickly without a fuss, this Bondi Sands formula is a must-try. You use it by simply mixing four to 12 drops into your favorite moisturizer and applying it as you usually would. We got great results by blending six drops into our go-to face cream and massaging it using circular motions to ensure thorough coverage. We noticed no fragrance, only the scent of our moisturizer, and it gave us a very natural glow that our tester’s husband noticed the same day. We found that the glow faded within three days if we didn’t reapply, but following the same protocol (six drops in our moisturizer) on a daily basis maintained our tan flawlessly.

Remember, a bronzing drop -type self-tanner allows you to completely customize your tan. That’s not a bad thing, but if you’re new to self-tanner or are wary of going too dark, you’ll want to test out different levels of glow and possibly even different moisturizers to get a final look you’ll love.

Shades: 1｜ Type: Drops｜ Development Time: 6+ hours｜ Size: 1.35 oz

Best Long-Lasting

Loving tan 2 hr self tanning mousse.

What We Love: This created an incredibly durable tan that faded beautifully.

What We Don’t Love: While it looks great on fair skin, it does appear very dark at first.

If you want a tan that develops quickly and lasts for a long time, look no further than this formula from Loving Tan, which lasted for a week and a half on our skin when we tested. The mousse formula went on easily and smoothly, gliding across skin without skipping or creating streaks. Though it felt somewhat sticky as it dried, it didn’t transfer unless our skin made extended contact with whatever we touched.

Because this is an express formula, we showered two hours after application to reveal our tan, which was very deep. If you have very fair skin, the color of this tan may be startling at first. However, while the color is darker, it’s never orange, but may be better suited for deeper skin tones. It looks even better after the first two days and looks natural and even as it wears off.

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist

What We Love: This left our face feeling moisturized with a subtle, pretty radiance.

What We Don’t Love: You won’t be able to tell where you spritzed on the formula—trust the process!

Face tan is a newer self-tanner format, and after trying this formula from St. Tropez, we’re hooked. We spritzed it in across our face, neck, and chest, following the brand’s instructions of using about seven pumps, then just let it sit—there’s no need to rub it in or even rinse it off. It didn’t dry fully, which we actually loved. It didn’t leave our skin feeling sticky, just gently moisturized, with a light tropical scent that didn’t linger. After four hours, we saw a beautiful, delicate glow that made our skin look healthy, though not necessarily tan, that we looked forward to achieving day after day.

Because this formula is clear and mists on instead of being rubbed in, it can be a bit nerve-racking to apply, even if you’re a self-tanner newbie. Don’t overthink it—just go for it and spray it on liberally. Though it seems like it would go on blotchy, it doesn’t, and it creates such light color that you won’t ever feel overdone.

Shades: 1｜ Type: Mist｜ Development Time: 4-8 hours｜ Size: 2.7 oz

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Firming Body Drops

What We Love: This product can be mixed into any of your favorite body lotions and doesn’t have to be rinsed off.

What We Don’t Love: We wish the formula had a color.

This serum-like formula is very straightforward and easy to use: We just mixed it into our favorite coconut-scented body butter , applied it all over our body, then washed our hands to make sure the tanner didn’t stain our palms. While we’ve experienced streakiness with other tanning drops, we found this formula went on smoothly and evenly, and didn’t transfer to our sheets at all. Usually, we sleep in loose-fitting, wild-leg sweatpants and long sleeves after self-tanning, but this formula absorbed easily with our body cream, leaving our white sheets bright and clean. We woke up to beautiful, sun-kissed skin, and our glow lasted for about four days, even though we worked out and showered daily.

Overall, we loved the formula and plan on purchasing a new bottle after we use up this one (and recommended it to our friends!), but we do wish that it wasn’t clear. If the serum had a color, we’d be able to see if we thoroughly mixed it into our body lotion to ensure accurate application.

Shades: 3｜ Type: Drops｜ Development Time: 4-6 hours｜ Size: 2.54 oz

Best Mousse

Tan luxe hydra mousse.

What We Love: This formula is lightweight, spreads evenly, and won’t transfer.

What We Don’t Love: Though it’s express, it works best when left on overnight.

As seasoned self-tanners, we assumed that stained sheets are par for the course when applying a formula before going to bed—that is, until we tried this Tan-Luxe formula, which featured a light floral scent. It applied easily with a mitt and after waiting 20 minutes for it to dry (it never felt sticky), we hopped into our bed made with white sheets, and woke up to clean sheets and a great tan that lasted for five days. Our tan faded evenly without any patchiness.

While we saw a subtle glow before falling asleep, we really loved our results when we woke up—the mousse gave us a fabulous deep glow, just how we like our tans. We’d  highly recommend waiting the entire four to six hours to let the tan develop to its full potential. Consider applying it before a night out with friends so you come home looking bronzed and fresh.

Shades: 2｜ Type: Mousse｜ Development Time: 30 minutes, with full color developing in 4-6 hours｜ Size: 6.76 oz

Best for Face

Tan-luxe the face.

What We Love: We used the maximum suggested number of drops and achieved a very deep but natural-looking glow.

What We Don’t Love: If your skin is very sensitive, you may have a reaction to the alcohol in this formula.

We self-tan every Thursday to get ready for the weekend and this formula fits seamlessly into our routine. While testing, we mixed four drops into our nighttime moisturizer to achieve a deep glow, massaging it into our skin and letting it dry for 30 minutes (normal for our night cream) before going to bed. There was no noticeable scent and the tan didn’t transfer to our sheets—and we woke up to a noticeable and effortless bronze with zero streaks.

Because of how frequently we shower and wash our face (twice daily), we expect we’ll have to use this twice a week to maintain our glow, but that’s fine by us. We loved these drops and our skin did too, but not everyone will necessarily have the same experience. Some people have reported irritation from this formula, likely due to the inclusion of alcohol, so keep this in mind if your skin is especially sensitive.

Shades: 2｜ Type: Drops｜ Development Time: 4-6 hours｜ Size: 1.01 oz

InStyle / Brian Sanford

Best Drugstore

Sol by jergens deeper by the drop serum.

What We Love: This formula gave us a subtle radiance and never broke us out or irritated our skin.

What We Don’t Love: The subtle color is best for those with fair skin or self-tanning beginners.

Though our tester had never used a self-tanning drop formula (or any facial self-tanner!) before, this one was easy to use. The instructions said to add anywhere from five to 20 drops, but because this was our first time using a self-tanner, we only added a few drops to our moisturizer so we wouldn’t create an unnatural glow. After applying our bronzing cocktail, we went to bed and woke up with a subtle and even glow. Because the formula is oil-free, our skin stayed clear throughout our testing process.

While we loved our results, we were entirely new to self-tanner when testing it. You can add many drops to your moisturizer but you still may find that it’s subtler than other formulas—plus, you’ll run out of product more quickly. We think this one is definitely best for self-tanning rookies or those with fair skin who want a light hint of color.

Shades: 1｜ Type: Drops｜ Development Time: 4-24 hours｜ Size: 1 oz

Best for Legs

Il makiage 85/66 sun foam.

What We Love: The tanner comes with a body mitt and face brush for flawless application.

What We Don’t Love: The telltale self-tanner smell lingered for the whole next day post-shower.

We were hesitant to try this product considering we didn’t know what color to expect and our previous self-tanning experiments had gone awry, but we were very satisfied with this formula, which made our legs glow with a natural hue that lasted for five days. While some self-tanners are sold solo and you’re forced to find your own application tools, this Il Makiage product came with two—a body mitt and a kabuki brush—that made it a breeze to flawlessly apply the smooth, spreadable foam and buff it into our skin for a seamless finish. We experienced zero streaking when we applied, and the tanner dried practically within one minute of putting it on, meaning we had zero issues with stickiness or transfer.

We will say that this is one of the most fragrant self-tanning formulas we’ve tried (it also has a hint of vanilla to make it more pleasant), the scent lingered for a full day after application, even after showering the formula off four hours after we put it on. That said, we’ll be using this product again—we loved its results.

Shades: 1｜ Type: Mousse｜ Development Time: 4-6 hours｜ Size: 4 oz

Best for Natural Glow

Lux unfiltered n°36 supernatural tanning mousse.

What We Love: This gives our skin a deep, natural-looking bronze that mimics the real tan we have by the end of summer.

What We Don’t Love: It took longer than anticipated to dry.

Heading into this test, our tester had never used self-tanner before, but we’re total converts after trying this formula from Lux Unfiltered—this easy-to-apply foam gave a medium complexion a deep, radiant glow that looked just like the real thing without the sun damage. We got about five days of wear out of it despite daily showers, though it was admittedly hard to tell how long the tan lasted because it faded so naturally.

The formula’s directions state to wait about 20 minutes for the tanner to dry on your skin before getting dressed, but we found that it took about twice as long for any tacky sensation to go away (though we luckily didn’t run into self-tanner stained palms in this period). Keep that in mind if you’re hoping to get dressed immediately after application. That said, we didn’t notice any transfer while waiting around in our robe to fully dry.

Shades: 1｜ Type: Mousse｜ Development Time: 2-8 hours｜ Size: 6.8 oz

Best for Sensitive Skin

Lux unfiltered n°12 bronzing face drops.

What We Love: These bronzing drops offer longer wear times than most of its competitors.

What We Don’t Love: It’s best for those with lighter skin.

We’ve used bronzing drops before, but most of them come right off, which is why we loved this durable formula from Lux Unfiltered—and because it’s fragrance-free, it was totally compatible with our sensitive skin. A few drops blended beautifully into our moisturizer, making it easy to apply, and didn’t leave our palms stained afterwards. We got two days of wear out of each application and delivered a true tan that caused us to switch to our summer shades of foundation and concealer. It also evened out our skin tone nicely, meaning we didn’t need to apply as much base (a bonus!).

While our tester had lighter skin and saw great results from this formula, deeper complexions may need to use six or more drops to get their desired level of glow. That said, we loved these drops so much that we’ve become converts and ditched our old formula.

Shades: 1｜ Type: Drops｜ Development Time: 8 hours｜ Size: 1 oz

InStyle / Sarah Felbin

Best Dermatologist-Tested

Tanologist self tan mousse.

What We Love: This formula dried fully and didn’t leave any odor at all behind.

What We Don’t Love: It didn’t last very long on our skin.

As an expert tester who grew up applying self-tanner for Irish step dancing competitions, we know our way around fake tans—and once we tried this dermatologist-tested formula, it replaced our old standbys. The featherlight foam went on easily and dried within five minutes (with no sticky sensation), after which we went to bed and woke up with bronzed skin and completely clean sheets. We loved how there was zero odor; our friends know we’re loyal to self-tanner and asked if we were wearing any because they couldn’t smell anything at all.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get a long wear time out of this formula, though we weren’t bothered by this. Our dry, pale skin tends to eat up self-tanner quickly, and we’re used to applying it on the regular. We also noticed some patchiness as the tan faded, but we chalked that up to not being consistent with our moisturizing routine. We’re still recommending Tanologist formulas to all our friends and plan on sticking with it moving forward.

Shades: 3｜ Type: Mousse｜ Development Time: 1-4 hours｜ Size: 6.76 oz

Best for Pale Skin

Tan towel body tan towelettes.

What We Love: These are perfect for tanning on the go.

What We Don’t Love: We needed two wipes to tan our whole body.

Soaked in tanning solution, these thick cottony pads glided easily over our skin. Though there’s no guide color, the damp sensation of the towelette made it simple to tell where we’d previously swiped, so we barely experienced any streaking. They’re completely mess-free—zero dripping, residue, or transfer—making them ideal for travel, and because they offer a subtle, gradual glow, they’re ideal for helping fair complexions build up their bronze.

The towelettes are generously sized, but they could be a little bigger as we needed two of them to cover our entire body. Considering we needed to use them several days in a row to get our desired glow, this could get pricey pretty quickly. That said, we’re still huge fans of the product, and if you prefer to only tan your legs or are very fair, these wipes will serve you well.

Shades: 3｜ Type: Wipe｜ Development Time: 2-4 hours｜ Size: 5 towelettes

b.Tan Glow Your Own Way Tan Gel

What We Love: It was easy to apply and not at all difficult to rinse off of our hands.

What We Don’t Love: There’s a learning curve due to the clear formula and unique texture.

This formula features a texture similar to a thick hair gel, which was more pleasant to apply than it sounds—it spread easily and never made our skin feel sticky, even as it was drying, just damp. Despite the feel of the formula, it was easy to wash off of our hands, and because it was clear, it didn’t transfer onto our sheets. After seven hours, we rinsed off, and could see a great glow. Usually, we apply self-tanner twice in two days to achieve our preferred level of bronze, but we only needed to use this once to see a satisfying glow.

While we loved the formula, we needed to adjust to its unusual texture at first—we accidentally applied too much at first and those areas took much longer to dry as a result. We got the hang of it quickly, but there’s a good chance that if we’d used a mitt, this wouldn’t be an issue at all.

Shades: 1｜ Type: Gel｜ Development Time: n/a｜ Size: 16 oz

Best Gradual Formula

Dr. dennis gross skincare alpha beta glow pad intense glow.

What We Love: The wipes are infused with potent skincare ingredients as well as self-tanner.

What We Don’t Love: Using this formula too many days in a row could create a bit of an orange glow.

A downside of self-tanner is that when using it, you usually have to skip your skincare routine the day of, and using active ingredients afterward could destroy your tan. With this formula, you’ll get a subtle glow over time while treating yourself to a blend of salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acids to slough away rough texture and reveal fresh skin. We used the nonsticky, smooth pad on clean skin before bed and woke up to a subtle glow; the tan actually develops in one hour so you can use the wipe before work in the morning or an impromptu date to naturally enhance your complexion.

The formula gradually gets deeper with regular application. We used it three days in a row to get to our desired color, then didn’t use it again for three or four days before touching up. However, if you were to keep using it on a daily basis (like you can with the brand’s regular Alpha Beta peels ), the color would build up to be a little orange, so we’d recommend going with every-other-day application if you want to get into a tanning rhythm.

Shades: 2｜ Type: Wipes｜ Development Time: 1+ hour｜ Size: 20 towelettes

Best Splurge

Dior solar the self-tanning gel.

What We Love: This elegant product made our skin feel lightly moisturized while giving a great glow.

What We Don’t Love: The packaging doesn’t give much guidance in the way of application instructions.

If you’re looking for an indulgent self-tanner that smells luxe (like fancy coconut) and feels gorgeous, Dior is worth the investment. We love how the formula felt similar to a hyaluronic acid -based gel moisturizer—we used about a nickel-sized amount, which spread easily to cover our face and neck. It absorbed in 30 seconds to leave our skin feeling soft but not greasy, and sat well under makeup with zero tacky texture. About three hours after we put it on, we noticed our complexion had deepened by a shade. If we’d wanted, we could have applied three layers to achieve a bolder glow, but as we have fair skin, we were happy with the subtler bronze.

We used this on our face, but it could also be used on our bodies if we wanted. We ended up going to Dior’s website to look for more guidance on how to use the formula, but there was no information beyond the suggestion of layering more coats for a deeper tan. This may be a bit nerve-racking if you’re new to self-tanner, but seasoned pros will have no fear diving in and experimenting with this product.

Shades: 1｜ Type: Gel｜ Development Time: n/a｜ Size: 1.7 oz

Typology Self-Tanning Serum

What We Love: A little goes a long way and feels wonderful on the skin.

What We Don’t Love: The color transferred to our towels.

This silky formula is rich in buriti oil, so it went on luxuriously, but never felt greasy at all. We used it by mixing a few drops into face moisturizers as well as applying it directly in its concentrated form to our legs. At first, we applied it twice a week, but the tanner was so effective that we backed off—we were looking too bronze. We loved the golden brown glow it gave our skin (which lasted the whole week) and plan on continuing to use this formula all year round, because we know the bottle will last a while.

While we experienced no color transfer to our hands, clothes, or sheets, we did find that it transferred to our towels, which we’ll probably have to end up bleaching to get clean. That still won’t keep us from using this product. Instead, we can switch to darker towels.

Shades: 22｜ Type: Oil drops｜ Development Time: 6+ hours｜ Size: 1 oz

Formula Type

Mousse: Far and away the most common type of self-tanner because the straightforward application is great for beginners. “They’re fast-absorbing and provide fast results,” says founder of Luna Bronze Rhiannon Hall . “Most tanning mousses also contain an instant bronzer, which allows the user to see exactly where they have applied the product.” Lotions and gels: Although slightly less popular than mousses, Vitello swears by them “because not only do they help achieve a fake tan, but they also moisturize the skin, and it can be hard to find deeply moisturizing properties in a mousse. Tanning drops and serums: Bronzing drops and tanning serums or oils are all over TikTok, but Vitello warns they’re not as effortless as a video snippet can make it seem. Serums are usually a blend of skincare and tanning ingredients, but drops are basically pure self-tanner, he says, and not for beginners. “It can be hard to understand how much product you’re actually using and you could wake up to a nightmare—orange hands and possibly an overly tan face,” he says. Tanning wipes: Although it’s the smallest category of self-tanners, it’s popularity is growing, given how easy and mess-free they are to apply. Plus, they’re portable! Stash them in a suitcase or carry on without fear of a leaky disaster. Tanning waters and mists : If you have oily skin, you’ll love a mist or water, because they’re oil-free and won’t block your pores. “Those with oilier skin will want to choose a non-comedogenic product and are often happiest with mousse and mist type applications as these dry quickly and blend into the natural oils on your skin,” says board-certified dermatologist and Inner Glow Vitamins founder Dr. Noreen Galaria .

Cool undertones : “Self-tanner with an olive undertone will compliment cool undertones beautifully,” says Vitello. “It will develop into a nice warm-toned tan and neutralize any redness.” Warm undertones : “A self-tanner with a violet undertone will color correct any yellowness in a warm complexion, while also creating a deeper faux glow that compliments a natural olive undertone,” says Vitello. Neutral undertone : The Goldilocks of skin tones naturally can go with either olive or violet-based formulas—and lucky for you, Vitello says they’re the most common.

Development Time

Dihydroxyacetone: Mercifully known as DHA, this is the active ingredient in self-tanners, typically derived from sugarcane or sugar beets. The longer DHA is left on skin, the more intense your tan will become. “DHA will continue to react and create a tanned effect over a period of time, sometimes up to 24 hours after application,” says Hall, depending on the type of self-tanner—gradual, traditional, and express—you choose. Gradual: Mild, natural-looking shades that build over time, these tanners require regular application (sometimes daily) to achieve a deeper glow. “This makes them great for first-time self-tanners, or people with very fair skin tones that want to be able to build their color on their own terms,” says Vitello. Traditional: Most self-tanners fall into this category, with a mid-level percentage of DHA and usually a cosmetic bronzer to give you both instant gratification and a sense of where you’ve applied it. These formulas are typically recommended to be rinsed off at around the six hour mark or longer, making them ideal for when you have time to spare or like to tan overnight. Express : Express tans are exactly what they sound like—fast. They have a higher concentration of DHA than any other type of tanner. “That means they can and should be showered off after only a couple of hours,” says Hall.

How should I apply self-tanner?

“Remember that depending on the body area, there are 15 or more layers of stratum corneum,” says Dr. Galaria. “If you can remove the top most layer—the one that was going to shed off the soonest—by exfoliating before you apply your product, you will have applied it to a layer of skin that is going to ‘stick around’ longer, thus prolonging the life of your fake tan.”

She recommends concentrating on drier areas of the body like elbows, knees, ankles, and feet; dry skin tends to absorb self-tanner more noticeably, which will create noticeably darker areas. Shaving 24 hours beforehand can help prevent this.

How you apply your tanner will depend on the type of product you’re using. If it’s a mousse (the most common format), make sure you have a tanning mitt. Vitello also likes disposable nitrile gloves. “Using gloves saves you tons of product because the solution can’t absorb into them like a mitt,” she shares.

Start applying your product from the bottom of your body, spreading the formula on and blending it in using firm circular motions, working your way up until you’ve covered your whole body. We know getting your back can be tricky, so consider asking your partner or a pal to help, or purchasing a self tanning applicator to reach your back.

For your face, neck, hands, and feet, consider using a dense makeup brush, like a kabuki, to buff in the formula. This will help you get into the nooks and crannies (like between your knuckles, around your ears, and into your hairline) without the product building up, which creates patchiness.

How do I remove fake tanner?

Although some worthwhile products can remove stubborn fake tans, the simplest solution is a long hot shower and plenty of exfoliation, says Vitello. As she explains, “This is helpful because you're essentially steaming in the shower while you're washing your hair, and the steam will help lift stubborn fake tan.”

As for trickier, more noticeable spots, like between your fingertip and palms, Vitello suggests you apply whitening toothpaste and baking soda over the problem areas. “Let it sit for a few minutes (the longer the better) until the baking soda creates a sandy texture. You can then scrub your hands with warm water,” she adds.

Can I use the same tanning products for both my face and body?

You can, but our experts generally recommend using separate products for each. Alicia Montgomery, founder of Coastal Beauty Bar , points out that some body products could cause pore congestion if used on the face, especially if it contains a cosmetic bronzer (like a guide color), says Vitello, who recommends using a clear formula like a serum or water instead. Additionally, the skin on your face is thinner, so it can develop twice as dark as your body if you’re not careful, warns Vitello.

How long does self-tanner usually last?

On average, you can expect a self tan to last anywhere from five to 10 days. That’ll vary, though—the durability of your tan directly correlates to how well you prepped your skin before applying your formula of choice and how you care for it after it’s developed, as well as your skin type and everyday lifestyle. Montgomery shares that the most important factor in maintaining your tan is keeping your skin hydrated.

Before using any old formula in your skincare routine, make sure it’s compatible with self-tanner. Vitello recommends immediately discontinuing body washes that contain parabens, sulfates, alcohol, and even oils, though they may be nourishing, they will break down your tan. “Choose a gel-like body wash over products that are intensely moisturizing and creamy,” she says.

To really go the extra mile, Hall advises against excessively sweating, showering using overly hot water, or spending too much time in pools or at the beach. r. And remember to maintain your regular exfoliation routine. This will help the layer of skin holding the tanner shed evenly, which will help you further avoid patchiness.

Can I use self-tanner if I’m pregnant or nursing?

For the most part, moms-to-be and new mamas can safely use self-tanner. “Since these products are not believed to soak in past the dead layers of your skin, they are considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding,” confirms Dr. Galaria. That said, you’ll want to check with your doctor to be certain. “They might recommend you wait until after your first trimester, which is what I usually recommend to my pregnant spray tan clients, or stick to a product with a lower percentage of DHA,” says Vitello. You can also use formulas that use natural or organic products to ensure you’re not putting anything potentially hazardous on your body. “If you’re breastfeeding, we recommend not applying the tanner around the nipple or areola to be extra safe,” adds Hall.

Emily Orofino is a beauty writer, editor, and consultant with more than a decade of experience in the industry. She has been called “deathly pale” and thus started experimenting with self-tanner in high school. For this piece, she interviewed board-certified dermatologist and Inner Glow Vitamins founder Dr. Noreen Galaria, tanning artist Natalie Vitello, founder of Luna Bronze Rhiannon Hall, and founder of Coastal Beauty Bar, Alicia Montgomery.

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All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

10 Best Self-Tanners That Give All Skin Types a Natural-Looking Glow

By Angela Trakoshis and Jennifer Hussein

If you want a post-vacation glow any time of the year, the best self-tanners will save you time, money, and skin damage from harmful UV rays . When you hear "self-tanner," you may think of streaky and orange accidents of years past. But as the self-tanning market has gotten more sophisticated, we've witnessed the rise of bronzing formulas that are user-friendly, mess-free, hydrating, and all but guarantee an even, all-over glow. (Some even smell fruity! Oh yes, we're in the golden age of self-tanners.)

The Best Self-Tanners At a Glance:

• Best Self-Tanner Overall: St. Tropez Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse , $48
• Best Gradual Self-Tan: Isle of Paradise Even Skin Tone Self-Tanning Body Butter , $28
• Best Express Self-Tanner: Tarte Brazilliance Plus+ Self-Tanner with Mitt , $39
• Best for a Deep Tan: Loving Tan Platinum Ultimate Self-Tanning Mousse , $40
• Best Drugstore Self-Tanner: Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer , $10
• Best Face-Tanner: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops , $28
• Best Self-Tanner for Travel: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad , $46
• Best Shimmery Finish: Coola Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum , $48

We've compiled the best self-tanners, from mousses to lotions to serums for lightweight coverage and color. Stick to these expert-approved self-tanning products (and your favorite sunscreens ) for your greatest, healthiest glow yet.

Self-Tanning 101: The Basics

What should you look for in the best self-tanners.

• How long does a self-tan last and how can you prolong it?

How to achieve a streak-free tan with self-tanners

How to get self-tanner off hands, can you put self-tanner on your face, how to remove self-tanner, how does self-tanner work, meet the experts, how we test and review products.

• Our staff and testers

Best Self-Tanner Overall: St. Tropez Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse

Marci Robin's natural arm (left) and Marci Robin's tanned arm (right).

Why It's Worth It: Whether you're a self-tanning pro or a total newbie, this bronzing mousse has a light-as-air, whipped texture. In comparison to sprays, you actually have more control with a mousse. They're also relatively easy to rub in with a mitt. This formula dries quickly and leaves skin hydrated and soft to the touch. Contributing editor Marci Robin was impressed with how good the self-tanner looked, and even though she slayed the application, she pointed to the tanner's formula for her success. "Most of the credit goes to St. Tropez for creating a formula in a tinted, easily spreadable, and blendable format that makes it easy for application-inept beauty editors like myself to actually do said good job—especially when equipped with a truly difference-making mitt," she wrote .

Pro Tip: If you're looking for a deep, just-got-back-from-vacation tan, apply one coat of the tanner to start, and a second coat 24 hours later.

Type: Mousse | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, echinacea, vitamin E | Shades: 1 | Development Time: 8 hours | Mitt Required: Yes | Fragrance: Fruity | Lasts Up To: 7 days

St. Tropez Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse

Bluemercury

More to shop from St. Tropez:

• Pleasantly-scented (and a 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner): Self Tan Berry Sorbet Bronzing Mousse , $48
• The Original, Time-Saving Bronzer: Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse , $46
• For your face: Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist , $33
• For a little bit of everything : Award Winning 3 Piece Self Tan Kit , $55

Best Gradual Self-Tanner: Isle of Paradise Even Skin Tone Self-Tanning Body Butter

Angela Trakoshis comparing her left, untanned leg and right, tanned leg after using Isle of Paradise Even Skin Tone Self-Tanning Body Butter

Why It's Worth It: Allure shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis fell in love with the Isle of Paradise Even Skin Tone Self-Tanning Body Butter back in 2021 and to this day it's still the one she reaches towards. "With this body butter, you won't see instant results as it takes the formula around eight hours to develop into that beautiful golden tone you're looking for," she says. Not to mention, it has color-correcting benefits while it develops, which is why the cream is a green hue—to balance out any redness in the skin.

Pro Tip: Trakoshis also mentions that just like any self-tanner, wash your hands thoroughly after applying because, well, no one wants orange palms.

Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Coconut, eucalyptus, chia seed, peppermint oils | Shades: 1 | Development Time: 8 hours | Mitt Required: No | Fragrance: Fragrance-free | Lasts Up To: 7 days

Isle of Paradise

Isle of Paradise Even Skin Tone Self-Tanning Body Butter

More Isle of Paradise products we love:

• For lightweight, streak-free results: Self Tanning Water , $32
• To bronze your face: Self Tanning Drops , $29

Best Express Self-Tanner: Tarte Brazilliance Plus+ Self-Tanner with Mitt

Tarte Brazilliance Plus+ Self-Tanner with Mitt

Ulta Beauty

Why It's Worth It: Tarte Brazilliance Plus+ Self-Tanner is great for when you need glow, fast. It doubles as a moisturizing body lotion and smells like coconuts. You'll appreciate the formula's conditioning ingredients like squalane , aloe, and citric acid, and the brand's proprietary PUREshield scent control technology which nips chemical, self-tanner smell in the bud. Plus, it comes with a mitt—what's better than that?

Pro Tip: Consider this more body makeup that lasts. Apply it with a mitt and allow it 30 seconds to fully dry before getting dressed for a day or night out. By the time you get home, your tan settles and deepens.

Type: Gel | Key Ingredients: Maracuja, squalane, aloe, citric acid | Shades: 1| Development Time: Instant | Mitt Required: Yes | Fragrance: Fragrance-free | Lasts Up To: 5 days

Best for a Deep Tan: Loving Tan Platinum Ultimate Self-Tanning Mousse

Loving Tan Platinum Ultimate Self Tanning Mousse

Why It's Worth It: It takes many layers for most self-tanners to achieve the same saturation you get after one application of Loving Tan Platinum Ultimate Self-Tanning Mousse. For the same reason, this 2022 Best of Beauty winner is not recommended for beginners, though it does have a built-in color guide that makes it easy to see which areas you've already covered. It's the real deal, which we're super into.

Pro Tip: This tanner is the brand's deepest color (Maximum) for an intense tan. If that's not your thing, they also offer the Deluxe Bronzing Mousse in three shades: Medium, Dark, and Ultra Dark.

Type: Mousse | Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, coffee extract, pomegranate extract | Shades: 1 | Development Time: 8 hours | Mitt Required: No | Fragrance: Fragrance-free | Lasts Up To: 10 days

Best Drugstore Self-Tanner: Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

Why it's worth it: The Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer has oodles accolades (including a 2023 Allure Readers' Choice Award ) for good reason. Though this drugstore-friendly formula has been around since the dawn of self-tanner time, it still reliably delivers one of the most natural, hydrating glows on the market. The creamy lotion simultaneously hydrates and imparts a believable bronze in a few days.

Pro Tip: Replace your everyday body moisturizer with this to reveal a subtle tan and extreme softness and hydration.

Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, glycerin | Shades: 2 | Development Time: 2 to 3 days | Mitt Required: No | Fragrance: Fragrance-free | Lasts Up To: 14 days

More to shop from Jergens:

• A lightweight option: Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse , $15
• The in-shower treatment: Natural Glow In-Shower Lotion , $12
• For extra moisturization: Natural Glow Instant Sun Self Tanner Moisturizer + Bronzer , $15

Best Face-Tanner: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops

Coco & Eve

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops

Why It's Worth It: For self-tanner beginners, the coconut-water-based Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops are about as natural and easy-going as they get. Thanks to DHA, this mango-scented, 2021 Best of Beauty-winning self-tanner gradually deposits a nourishing, non-drying wash of vacation-like glow.

Pro Tip: Give the container a hearty shake and press down on the end of the applicator to add two to three drops of the bronzing liquid to your moisturizer of choice. From there, apply evenly all over your face and neck—making sure to address your hairline so there aren't any random gaps in coverage.

Type: Liquid | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, banana, coconut water, dragon fruit, fig | Shades: 2 | Development Time: 8 hours | Mitt Required: No | Fragrance: Mango | Lasts Up To: 4 days

More to shop from Coco & Eve:

• A classic tanning mousse: Self Tanner Mousse Kit , $39
• For a quick face touch-up: Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist , $29
• The full kit: Bali Bae Self Tan Set , $69

Best Shimmery Finish: Coola Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum

Coola Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum

Why It's Worth It: It's not water, mousse, or even lotion. Coola's Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum feels less like a conventional bronzing product and more like the silkiest formula you've ever applied below the neck. You can apply it with your hands, or, pick up the Coola Organic Sunless Tan Kabuki Body Brush to round out your routine. Oh, and major points for smelling like a fresh piña colada.

Pro Tip: There's fine pearlescent mica in this formula which adds a lightly shimmery quality to the product.

Type: Lightweight serum | Key Ingredients: Mica, sugar-beet derived DHA | Shades: 1 | Development Time: 3 to 4 hours | Mitt Required: No | Fragrance: Piña colada | Lasts Up To: 3 days

Best Tanner Drops: Tan-Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum

Tan-Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum

Why It's Worth It: Good for dry skin types, Tan-Luxe's Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum is an innovative five-in-one treatment that contains hyaluronic acid , cocoa seed extract, and raspberry seed oil to nourish, soothe, and firm the skin while leaving behind an otherworldly glow. It can take up to 12 drops to arrive at peak bronziness, but with some healthy trial and error, you'll figure out your perfect dose.

Pro Tip: Apply this directly to the face or body before the rest of your routine, go to bed, and wake up glowy and tan.

Type: Lightweight serum | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, soybean fiber, beetroot extract | Shades: 1 | Development Time: 3 to 4 hours | Mitt Required: No | Fragrance: Raspberry | Lasts Up To: 7 days

More to shop from Tan-Luxe:

• The Complexion Brightener: The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops , $50
• Easy Application: The Water , $48

Best for Nighttime: Bondi Sands Pure Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion

Bondi Sands

Bondi Sands Pure Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion

Why It's Worth It : Bondi Sands's Pure Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion is chock-full of skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid , vitamin C, and vitamin E for a buildable tan that actually looks like your skin, rather than an obvious, orange-hued tan. The non-comedogenic formula is safe on sensitive skin and won't clog your pores. Just make sure your skin is clean, dry, and exfoliated before rubbing the lotion on your body in circular motions.

Pro Tip: This 2021 Best of Beauty Award winner is quick-drying and transfer-proof—so you can dive into bed or get changed into your clothes very soon after—and you start seeing results after just one to three applications.

Type: Lotion | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E | Shades: 1 | Development Time: 8 hours | Mitt Required: No | Fragrance: Fragrance-free | Lasts Up To: 5 to 7 days

More to shop from Bondi Sands:

• The Best of Beauty Winner: Gradual Tanning Milk , $21
• The Quickie: 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam , $26
• Alix Earle-Approved: Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam , $27

Most Versatile Self-Tanner Set: B.Tan + Glow Self-Tanner Bundle

B.Tan + Glow Self Tanner Bundle

Why It's Worth It: What's better than one self-tanner? Two self-tanners (and a mitt, of course.) The B.Tan + Glow Self Tanner Bundle. This set comes with a mousse tanner and face and body mist. The mist is great for hydration and a more subtle, natural tan, while the mousse is for achieving your deepest tan.

Pro Tip: Make sure you apply every bit of excess product on the mitt on your face so you don't overdo the color.

Type: Mousse and water | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, jojoba seed oil | Shades: 1| Development Time: 1 hour (mist); 8 hours (mousse) | Mitt Required: Yes | Fragrance: Fragrance-free | Lasts Up To: 7+ days

Frequently Asked Questions

King previously explained to  Allure  that the active ingredient in most self-tanners is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which interacts with the top layer of the skin to create a bronzed color. "It's a very typical chemical reaction called the Maillard reaction," she stated. During the Maillard reaction, the skin's proteins respond to the sugars in the DHA to form a darkened look—similar to the science behind caramelizing sugar in a pan.

One of the most popular ingredients featured in fake tan products is  dihydroxyacetone , a sugar-based compound most commonly known as DHA. As cosmetic chemist Ginger King explains, DHA reacts with the amino acids on the top layer of the skin to provide a gradual tan. The problem? It can be challenging to stabilize, hence the dreaded tangerine tint, cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller  previously told   Allure . Luckily, self-tanners have come a long way, and many of today's options impart natural-looking tans that are almost indistinguishable from the real deal—and a much healthier habit in the short and long term. Common ingredients found in mousse, lotions, and spray tans are erythrulose, another sugar that stabilizes DHA, moisturizing emollients for a smooth and streak-free glide, and different forms of encapsulation technology to enhance the product's finish and neutralize DHA's usually-pungent smell.

How long does self-tanner last?

Here's the thing: every self-tanner's longevity depends on its formula and pigment intensity. A subtle, faux glow can wash down the drain in a matter of days, while a dramatic bronze may last for up to two weeks. Self-tanning expert and St. Tropez brand ambassador Sophie Evans previously told Allure that faux tan products typically last between five to 10 days. "Your skin will naturally shed over five to 10 days, and no self-tan will last longer than ten days," she said.

Beauty treatments like waxing and manicures can impact your self-tan, so make sure you take care of those before your self-tan session. "All of those treatments can remove self-tanner," spray tanner Anna Stankiewicz of Louise O'Connor Salon in New York City previously told Allure . Other things to note while using a self-tanner are to wash with a gentle cleanser , make sure your skin is always moisturized, and avoid intense actives like retinol and acne treatments , which can dissolve the color on your face or body.

One of the golden rules of self-tanning starts with your skin-care routine, a.k.a. exfoliate beforehand. Stankiewicz suggests sloughing dead skin with an oil-free cleanser laced with glycolic or salicylic acid . Just be sure to remove any residue before proceeding, so you can start with a clean, dry, and product-free slate that'll maximize your self-tanning results. This is a crucial step because oils "could interfere with the binding of DHA to the stratum corneum," according to New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein , MD, and lead to uneven development. While your skin should be mostly dry, spot-moisturize as needed for areas like around nostrils, knees, elbows, and ankles to keep them from turning dark or orange, Stankiewicz previously recommended .

If you're new to applying self-tanner, experts suggest testing a lighter-toned formula first to minimize the look of potential mistakes, patches, and streaks. "Once you get used to a classic shade and wish to go darker, you will have the confidence to use the darkest formula," Evans told Allure.

Post-application, err on the safe side when it comes to drying time. "If the directions say five minutes, wait 10," Stankiewicz said. For extra protection, you can also brush a talc-free powder all over, which "stops the tanner from transferring to your clothes," she adds. Finally, avoid showering or sweating for six to eight hours.

While self-tanners for your body and self-tanners for your face have overlapping ingredients, David Kim , MD, a board-certified dermatologist at  Idriss Dermatology  in New York City, suggests separate products for separate parts of your body. "I would not use body self-tanner on the face," he previously told Allure.  "It's much more comedogenic and oily and can often break you out."

If you've made an error mid-application or are ready to remove the tanner before it fades on its own, there are a few things you can do. "After the self-tan has fully developed and your first shower has taken place, mistakes can be removed and fixed in lots of ways depending on the severity of the mistake," Evans explained. She advises using an exfoliating mitt on wet skin to lift unwanted color when dealing with patches and streaks. You can also use a baby wipe to dab away excess or misplaced product as you're self-tanning.

You can remove self-tanner from your hands the same way you would remove it from other parts of your body. Still, the best way to prevent temporary staining is to wash your hands immediately after using them to apply the self-tanning product.

• Ginger King , a cosmetic chemist
• Randy Schueller, a cosmetic chemist
• Sophie Evans , a self-tanning expert and St. Tropez brand ambassador
• Anna Stankiewicz , a spray tanner at Louise O'Connor Salon in New York City
• Shari Marchbein , a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• David Kim , a board-certified dermatologist at  Idriss Dermatology  in New York City

We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but self-tanners are another story. While some can be used across different skin tones, textures, and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing self-tanning products, we also take into account testers' experience levels. For instance, an innovative new formula may provide the perfect bronzed glow, but if there's a streaky learning curve for sel-tan beginners, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.

For our review of the best self-tanners, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and experts we've interviewed for the piece — who all have different skin tones, concerns, types, and desired outcomes (i.e., subtle versus dramatic). Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, ease of use, and value. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page .

About our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we can fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Treat your skin to more Allure -approved essentials:

• 10 Bronzing Drops That'll Make Every Hour Golden Hour
• 11 Best Self-Tanners for a UV-Free Glow All Year Round
• 15 Shea Butter-Spiked Products for Soft, Supple Skin

Now, watch pop icon Christina Aguilera break down her famous music video looks:

Don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram , Twitter , and TikTok , or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.

By Angela Trakoshis

By Jennifer Hussein

By Jesa Marie Calaor

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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The 9 Very Best Self-Tanners

Including one that rio viera-newton calls “absolutely undetectable.”.

In this article

Best self-tanner overall.

• Best less-expensive
• Best mousse
• Best no-transfer
• Best quick developing
• Best for sensitive skin
• Best for face

Self-tanning is a weekly ritual for me. I’m fair skinned and want to avoid UV damage, so is my passport to subtly sun-kissed skin that makes me look like I’m fresh back from a vacation (even in the dead of winter). And since I’ve been fake tanning since I was a teen , I’ve experienced firsthand the changes in self-tanner formulations — from smelly, orange foam to weightless, non-offensive formulas — and let me tell you, they’ve come a long way.

Here, I’ve gathered the best of the best self-tanning products. Many are my absolute favorites, which I’ve tested over years of bronzing (including one that doesn’t have that dreaded biscuit-y smell some have). Others are recommended by self-tanning and skin-care specialists who helped me find the best products for every skin type and skin tone — and who also weighed in on how to avoid any disasters with your application.

Just note: No matter which product you use, start slow and steady. The trick to a natural-looking self-tan is choosing a formula that’s not just in the right shade but has undertones that complement your skin color. Whether it’s a mousse, a foam, or a water, the formula shouldn’t feel so sticky that you squirm during application. Instead, it should feel nice and hydrating on your skin, meaning it glides on and can easily be exfoliated off. (And if you’re looking for more of the best skin-care products and tips, read my guides to pimple patches and the best products for redness .)

What we’re looking for

Color range.

To avoid a fake tan that looks, well, fake, you need to pick the shade of self-tanner that’s right for your skin tone. How dark a self-tan will get depends on the product’s dihydroxyacetone ( DHA , the only FDA-approved ingredient for self-tanning) concentration. The more DHA, the darker the formula. That said, a darker product shade doesn’t necessarily mean it will produce deeper results on all skin types; most of your tan’s color is dependent upon your natural skin tone and the way it interacts with DHA. For those with fairer complexions, “Your skin will only be able to absorb a certain percentage of DHA — which is the darkness of tan,” says Holly Furlong , a tan specialist from Liverpool. “Pale people may think they need an extra-dark tan, but as the DHA percentage is too high, your skin won’t absorb it.” Instead, if you’re of a lighter skin tone, you’re better off building up your tan with layers of lighter-toned products. As someone with lighter skin, I avoid extra-dark formulas for this reason. If you have darker skin, you’ll want to choose a deeper tan shade, as self-tanner taxonomy is based on pale skin tones. Sabrina Johnson , a spray-tan stylist based in Los Angeles, recommends that darker-skinned clients leave the tan on for longer or apply the product twice. (The depth of the color will also depend on how long you leave it on — but more on that below.)

Self tanners also have base shades, which affect the way it shows up on the skin. According to Johnson, this color only lasts for about two days before fading, but if you’re planning to self-tan before an event or photoshoot, it’s definitely something to keep in mind. There are four bases: red, brown, violet, and green. According to Harrington, those with warmer skin tones should stick to violet-based tanners, while those with a cool-toned or olive complexion should opt for a green-based tan. Red, she says, is great for deeper complexions, while brown is pretty universal and should work for just about anyone. If you’re worried about which one will work best for your skin tone, all of our experts recommend doing a patch test to make sure the color will look good all over. Different brands tend to formulate with different undertones, so we’ve noted when that information is available.

Spray tans come in mousses, liquids, waters, and lotions — it ultimately comes down to preference. Lotions tend to be reserved for more gradual tanners, while mousses and liquid formulations are what come to mind when one thinks about self-tanner.

Development time

Some tans take a while to develop (four hours or longer), while other formulas — typically referred to as “express” tans — develop in less than two hours before needing to be rinsed off. The longer you leave the formula on, the darker you get.

Color range: Three shades | Undertones: Green/neutral | Format: Foam | Development time: 1-6 hours

I started using Bondi Sands tan about five years ago — and I’ve never considered switching since. As a brand, Bondi Sands is widely available, fairly affordable, and has a wide range of shades. But its self-tanning foam in particular ticks every box I look for in a self-tanner. It dries quickly, so you can pop your pajamas back on and get into bed within five minutes of applying a layer. It has a subtle coconut smell (I know a lot of people dislike the fake-tan smell, but it’s pretty much unavoidable, and as far as scents go, this has been one of my favorites). And, importantly, Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam is a non-drying formula, which I recommend for two reasons: (1) It’s kind to your skin and any dry areas you may have; (2) it doesn’t fade off in unsightly patches but rather more neatly and uniformly.  

As I mentioned earlier, Bondi Sands offers an impressive range of shades, so it can work well with many skin tones — another reason why I’m crowning this one our best self-tanner overall. “Its products tend to be really dark, so they work for dark skin,” says Johnson , who notes that the brand’s self-tanner colors skew green or neutral, which helps with looking natural on many shades of skin. Spray-tan stylist Cait Cassagne of Studio C8 is also a fan. “The color has beautiful undertones,” she says. I started using it in a medium shade, eventually progressing to dark — and over that time can say my tan has always looked natural, and that I’ve even had people ask where I’ve been on vacation for such a glow.

Best less-expensive self-tanner

Color range: One shade | Format: Mousse | Development time: 4–8 hours

For slightly less, you can buy this self-tanning mousse from L’Oreal. We’ve previously recommended it for camouflaging cellulite . It’s a lighter product, so any missed patches won’t look too disastrous. It only comes in one shade — medium — but those with darker skin tones can apply a few layers to build up a more bronzed look, and this allows you to customize precisely how dark you want your tan to go. As it develops in as little as four hours, you can apply those layers quickly over the space of a day — meaning if you forgot to apply your tan before bed, you’ll still be bronzed and ready to go before evening. I would highlight that this tan is not the best for beginners, though: it doesn’t leave a guide color when you apply it, so there’s no way of telling where you’ve set it until the tan develops. However, no guide color means the tan is far less likely to leave smudges or streaks on your sheets as it develops — this isn’t ever a guarantee, though, as you still have to shower to wash the tan off.

Best self-tanning mousse

Color range: One shade | Undertones: Green | Format: Cream mousse | Development time: 8 hours

If your skin is on the drier side , you’ll probably want to choose a mousse formula, which is generally more hydrating than a foam. I was particularly impressed by this mousse, which includes a bevy of skin-care ingredients particularly suited to dry skin, including niacinamide, vitamin E, echinacea, and hyaluronic acid. And while it’s only available in one shade, it’s rich and deep, so it works on a range of skin tones.

Writer Meredith Lynch, who is also a committed self-tanner user, says that nothing compares to the St. Tropez whipped mousse. “It dries fairly quickly and the scent isn’t overpowering. I’ve accepted that most self-tanners don’t smell like Le Labo, but this one is better than most.” Lynch also likes that it has a color guide, which she says is helpful for keeping track of where you’ve already applied tanner.

Best no-transfer self-tanner

Color range: One shade | Undertones: Green | Format: Foam | Development time: 4-8 hours

One of the most common complaints I hear about self-tanners is that they stain bedsheets and clothes (some people even told me it puts them off tanning). So about a year ago, I asked on my Instagram Stories for suggestions of tans that avoided this problem. The feedback was overwhelmingly in favor of Bondi Sands Liquid Gold. While it has no guide color, unlike the L’Oreal Mousse , this tan doesn’t need to be washed off after the development time. The lack of guide color also means that the tan doesn’t transfer to clothing or bedding. As for the tan itself, it has the same longevity and shade that I love from the original Bondi line (it comes in only one shade, though, but from my scouring of the reviews, it seems that it develops just as golden on a variety of skin tones.) My only complaint about this tan is that the brand calls it fast drying: It’s anything but. I often have to stay undressed for ten to 15 minutes after applying for the tan to absorb and stop feeling sticky. For clean bedsheets and the ability to wear white maxi dresses in summer , though, I’m calling it a fair tradeoff.

Best quick-developing self-tanner

Color range: One shade | Undertones: Green | Format: Foam | Development time: 1-4 hours

I’m going to be completely honest and say that I discovered this self-tanner through Kim Kardashian’s now-defunct KKW beauty blog , where she shared that it’s the product she uses between spray-tan sessions. It’s an express tan, which means that instead of developing in the usual six-to-eight hours, it starts developing in as little as one hour, and continues for a maximum of four.

When I’ve used this one and just wanted a subtle glow, I’ve left it on for just an hour, and when I’ve wanted a richer, fresh-from-vacation tan, I’ve left it on for four hours and been pleased with the results. Those with darker skin tones won’t notice much after an hour or two, but at the end of the four hours, a nice, rich, warm tone develops. It’s also a no-transfer formula: Not only does this mean it won’t stain your clothes, but it also means it won’t feel sticky when it’s applied. Just note: St. Tropez claims there’s no fake-tan smell, but I’ve smelled this stuff myself, and there is definitely a scent (it’s not too pungent , though).

Best less-expensive quick-developing self-tanner

Color range: Five shades | Undertones: Green/neutral | Format: Mousse | Development time: 1–4 hours

This express tan from B.tan is a solid drugstore option . Like the St. Tropez above, this one develops in as little as one hour, and since B.tan offers it in a wide range of shades, it’s especially good for those with fairer or darker skin tones who want a deeper tan fast. Johnson tells me she likes this formula because it doesn’t make her skin feel dry and it offers a super-dark tan — and similar to Bondi tanners, this one has green-neutral undertones, which means it especially complements those with cool-toned or olive complexions.

Best self-tanner for sensitive skin

Color range: Three shades | Undertones: Colorless | Format: Foaming water | Development time: 6 hours

You may think having sensitive skin precludes you from fake tanning — but the good news is, it doesn’t. Bondi Sands actually has a whole line dedicated to sensitive skin formulas called Pure, which combines their tanning formula with hydrating ingredients like vitamin C , vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid. It’s also fragrance free (which you probably already look for in most products if your skin is easily irritated.)

Bondi’s foaming water — which is part of the Pure range — comes in three shades, and only takes six hours to develop. Johnson, who has sensitive skin, told me that her skin has felt irritable after using other fake tans but that with this formula she “didn’t feel itchy at all.” The only potential downsides to this one are that there’s no guide-color to keep track of where you’ve applied, and the water-consistency means the tan is on the runnier side of the tans on this list. Beginners may have to do a few trial and error layers before mastering how to apply this tan correctly.

Best self-tanner lotion for face

Color range: One shade | Undertones: Colorless | Format: Lotion

Any of the self-tanners on this list can be used on your face (just be sure to do a patch test first, and take extra care to blend to avoid unsightly streaks). But if you’re prone to breakouts, or just have extra sensitive skin on your face, I’d recommend something specific, like this gradual formula.

Tan-Luxe’s The Gradual tans skin over time, so the results aren’t instant or dramatic. This can be a good thing if you’re just starting out or looking for a subtler glow. It’s also “basically skin care with tanner in it,” according to Johnson, who cites the lotion’s moisturizing ingredients including raspberry-seed oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera. It also has an oil-cream consistency, so it’s deeply moisturizing and hydrating and won’t feel dry on the skin. Our resident beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton is a fan, too. “Whether you’re new to self-tanning or are just looking for the most natural-looking tan possible, this is perfect,” she says. In one to two hours, you’ll start to see tanner, glowy-er skin that’ll last for around two days. Personally, I’ve found the results a little too subtle for my fair skin (and my tan preferences). But it feels good on the skin, and I’ve heard plenty of endorsements from others, like Rio, who buy it on repeat.

Best self-tanner drops for face

For my face, I prefer self-tanner drops over a lotion because I’m acne-prone — so adding new products into my routine is risky — and drops work alongside your already-existing skin-care routine. All you need to do is add them to your usual moisturizer , mix well, and then apply the mixture carefully to your face and neck for a gradual glow.

I’ve been using these St. Moriz drops for over four years now and love them. They only come in one shade, but the depth of the color they give is entirely customizable: the more drops, the darker the tan. I’ll apply four of these drops to my face twice per week, and it takes me at least three months to get through the little bottle — they’re potent, and they work quickly. It does take time to perfect application, though. As I mentioned, you have to rub them in slowly and thoroughly, and the drops are clear, so there’s no way of keeping track of where you’ve applied them. But patience with these pays off: The tan they leave is simply unbeatable, and I go makeup-free on most days thanks to my sun-kissed glow.

Some more self-tanners we’ve written about

Our Experts

•  Cait Cassagne , spray-tan stylist • Holly Furlong , spray-tan specialist •  Mally Harrington , spray-tan stylist •  Sabrina Johnson , spray-tan stylist •  Meredith Lynch , writer •  Rio Viera-Newton , aesthetician and Strategist beauty columnist

Update on June 18, 2024:  Updated prices, checked stock for all products, and added a new no-transfer self-tanner.

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18 Best Self-Tanners That Experts and Glamour Editors Say Really Work

By Andrea Navarro and Danielle Sinay

Self-tanners have come a long way from the orange, blotchy, stinky formulas of the past. The best self-tanners boost a healthy glow and are much more inclusive of all skin tones. We all deserve to look like a radiant goddesses, right? If you’re looking for some color, Glamour editors spent months putting options to the test. We came away with a little something for everyone: foams for a natural-looking finish that even beginners can use, creams that build gradually, and self-tanners for the face that’ll bring out a deep bronze within hours. Plus, we spoke with dermatologists for their tips on how to avoid streaks and splotches, and how to avoid messy stains. Below are the best self-tanners that dermatologists, tanning specialists, and our staffers (plus Glamour Beauty Awards judges) tested and reviewed.

The best self-tanners, at a glance

• Best Overall : St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse , $46
• Best for Beginners : TAN-LUX The Future Airbrush 360 Self-Tan Mist and Luxe Mitt , $49
• Best Self Tanning Mist : Self-Tanning Mist Dolce Glow by Isabel Alysa , $53
• Best Express Self Tanner: Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam , $27
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Hi Beautiful You Inc. Be You Body Body Perfecting Bronzer , $58
• Best for Face : L’Oréal Paris Sublime Self-Tanning Water Drops , $17
• Most Popular : St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse , $34

Your self-tanner questions, answered

What to look for in a self-tanner, how to prep your skin and apply self-tanner, what are the best tanning accessories, when to apply self tanner, how to make your self-tan last longer, is self tanner safer than other kinds of tanning.

• Is self tanner safe for pregnant people?

How to get self tanner stains out of clothing and sheets

How to remove self tanner.

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Self-Tanner Overall : Mousse St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse

St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse

Photos courtesy of Glamour 's Chantal Waldholz

With her stacked calendar of events to attend, it’s no surprise this fast-working self-tanning mousse is a go-to for Glamour editor in chief Samantha Barry . Depending on the amount of product you apply, the formula continues to darken, though you’ll see results within as little as an hour. A gentle application will give you a golden-hour glow, but if you want to look as if you’ve spent the last few weeks on the Côte d’Azur coast, wait up to three hours to really watch the bronze emerge.

Glamour senior global director of audience development Chantal Waldholz, who has fair skin, is a fan, too. “I was nervous before using my first self tanner, but I'm happy to report that this exceeded my expectations,” she says. “The application process was super easy: I used a mitt to spread the mousse by section and it took me only five minutes to apply all over. Plus, there was no odor. St. Tropez recommends showering one to three hours after application depending on your preference (one being a light tan, two being medium, and three being dark). I opted for a little over two hours and was so impressed by the result. There was no awkward tan lines; it appears totally natural. My skin looks and feels much better!"

• Color range: One shade
• Undertones: Green
• Format: Mousse
• Development time: 1–3 hours

Best Self-Tanner for Beginners : Tan-Lux The Future Airbrush 360 Self-Tan Mist and Luxe Mitt

Tan-Luze The Future Kit Limited Edition Paris Hilton Self Tan Collaboration

Photo courtesy of Glamour 's Emily Tannenbaum

Contributing Glamour editor Emily Tannenbaum , who identifies as a “very pale individual” who “rarely takes part in DIYs,” finally found one she actually likes: The Future Airbrush 360 Self-Tan Mist and Luxe Mitt.

“I’ve never trusted myself with self-tanner, but it was the queen of spray tans that convinced me to give it a go—and guys, this Paris Hilton x Tan-Luxe collab is truly idiot proof," she says. Not only was the water-like formula easy to spread over my entire body using the (adorably pink) tanning mitt, but you only have to let it sit for one hour to achieve a sun-kissed glow. For someone terrified of streaks, that’s not too long to stand naked and avoid touching anything (I recommend just listening to one half of The Tortured Poets Department). After a bit of meditation and a rinse, I traded in my ghost legs for a subtle summer starter tan."

• Undertones: Colorless
• Format: Mist
• Development time: 4–6 hours

Save when you shop for the best self-tanners with these Ulta promo codes .

Best Self-Tanning Mist : Self-Tanning Mist Dolce Glow by Isabel Alysa

Self-Tanning Mist Dolce Glow by Isabel Alysa

Photo courtesy of Glamour's Andrea Navarro

Experience a sun-kissed glow with the Dolce Glow Self-Tanning Mist by celeb tanning artist Isabel Alysa . This mist offers an easy, even application for a natural-looking tan without the streaks. It’s perfect for those who want a quick and hassle-free tanning experience, its lightweight formula dries quickly, and the formula leaves your skin with a beautiful, subtle glow.

Glamour commerce editor Andrea Navarro feels the same way. “As a total beginner, this was the first tanning mist I tried, and it was such a breeze to use with a tanning mitt,” she says.

• Development time: 4 hours

Save when you shop for the best self-tanners with these Nordstrom promo codes .

Most Popular Mousse : St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse

Photo courtesy of Matt Woodcox

After interviewing beauty lovers form all walks of life, it seems St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse is still the most popular self-tanner. “I’m naturally tan, but I love being a little darker and this is my tried-and-true product,” says Glamour commerce editor Andrea Navarro ,

Even a self-proclaimed "former pageant girl” who knows her way around fake tan swears by the cult-favorite. "The classic St Tropez always slaps. It’s literally good for literally for everyone and every skin tone,” says Allyn Rose, a model, preventative healthcare advocate, and former Miss America and Miss USA, and Matt Woodcox , a.ka. @dirtyboysgetclean, a beauty influencer and skin care expert wholeheartedly agrees. “This is still the best self tanner ever for the most natural looking tan,” he says. “It has that gorgeous olive toned guide so it’s foolproof."

And for what it's worth, even dermatologists love it. "Formulated with moisturizing jojoba and anti-oxidant vitamin E, this lightweight, easy-to-apply mousse offers a tan that lasts up to ten days and fades evenly," says Dr. Camp.

• Undertones: Brown
• Development time: 4–8 hours

Save when you shop for the best self-tanners with these Sephora promo codes .

Best Self-Tanner for Sensitive Skin : Hi Beautiful You Inc. Be You Body Body Perfecting Bronzer

Hi Beautiful You Inc. Be You Body Body Perfecting Bronzer

Photo courtesy of Glamour 's Channing Smith

If you have sensitive skin, Hi Beautiful You Inc.'s Be You Body Body Perfecting Bronzer is likely the self-tanner for you. Formulated with hyaluronic microspheres, citrus orange peel extract, aloe, ceramides, and shea butter, this hydrating, firming, and soothing smell-, chemical-, and steak-free body bronzer deepens skin pigment using iron oxides, which are natural mineral colorants that tan. And it really works, an doesn't have a funky odor, according to Glamour designer and writer Channing Smith (and hundreds of enthusiastic five star reviews).

“If you’re like me, and you have pale, sensitive skin and you’re new to self-tanner, this is the perfect product for beginners,” Smith says. "The one shade is surprisingly versatile, blending into my palest of pale skin without an orange hue. As with many self-tanners, there is some residue, but I found the rubbing off to be minimal. Just don’t apply and then directly put on your favorite white dress." Also of note? According to Smith, it starts working “immediately.”

• Format: Lotion
• Development time: 1 hour

Best Express Self-Tanner : Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam

Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam

Photo courtesy of Glamour 's Danielle Sinay

This is the latest drop from Bondi Sands, but it’s the brand’s most innovative tanning product yet. There are four shades designed to match your skin’s unique undertone for a more customizable tan that sets it apart from other self-tanners. “I tried the one designed for olive undertones and it's easily the most natural-looking self-tanner I’ve used to date,” says Glamour ’s Navarro.

The product's reviews sing its praises, too. “I love the undertone of the magenta tanner! The application is easy with the color guard,” one shopper wrote in their review. “The color is SO GOOD and it lasts me about a week before fading!”

“This sapphire foam is a game changer,” wrote another. “I was so surprised how beautifully natural my tan was! Its subtle and I can absolutely build the color with additional applications but I'm so pleased with the results. There was no streaking, splotchy spots or brown knees. So glad I found this and I'm going to stock up because there is no way im going back to ghostly white ever again.”

• Color range: Four shades
• Undertones: Olive, gold, brown, blue
• Format: Foam

Best Self-Tanner Lotion : St. Tropez Gradual Tan Firming Lotion

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Firming Lotion

Photo courtesy of Glamour 's Jessica Radloff

Glamour senior West Coast editor Jessica Radloff cites St. Tropez's Gradual Tan Firming Lotion as her “favorite self-tanner," and it's not hard to see why. Formulated with blueberry and raspberry seed oils, red bell pepper, and dual molecular weight hyaluronic acid, this antioxidant-spiked and multitasking self-tanner hydrates, plumps, and firms skin while protecting it from blue light, environmental damage, and visible signs of aging.

Sephora shoppers say the same. “Love this self tanner. The color is nice and golden. The fade is very natural and not streaky,” one said in their review. “[It's] to apply, just wash your hands after. The scent is amazing, like coconuts. Makes your skin super soft.”

And much like Radloff, shoppers prefer putting it on before bed and waking up with a fresh glow. “I love this product. I put it on before bed and wake up looking sun kissed,” another reviewer wrote.

• Development time: 6–8 hours

Best for Deep Tanning : St. Tropez Self Tan Suprême Violet Mousse

Best Self Tanner for a Very Dark Tan: St. Tropez Self Tan Dark Bronzing Mousse

If you want to go really dark with your fake tan, Rose recommends St. Tropez dark bronzing mousse. However, she has one caveat: “It has a bit of a green base that can be yellow on some people.” If such is the case for you, you're in luck: According to Rose, they now make a purple (technically, magenta) version that she says is "awesome!”

Sophie Evans , a St. Tropez skin finishing expert, also cites the innovative new product as one of her must-haves. “If you are after the deepest tan of your life that will look 100% natural with zero orange hues, you will LOVE my NEW favorite tan St Tropez’s Supreme Violet Mousse,” she says. “It contains serious tan technology that will ensure you have the most deepest olive richest tan of your life that will also last for ten days or more.”

What's more, Evans says, is that it works on every skin tone and color. “Even if you are as fair as a ghost you can use the deepest formula, your deepest tan tone will be lighter than an individual with a naturally dark skin tone,” she clarifies. “One color suits all, just ask yourself what color do you wish to be and choose your formula based on the look you desire.”

• Undertones: Purple
• Development time: 3–6 hours

Best Drugstore Self-Tanner for Face : L’Oréal Paris Sublime Self-Tanning Water Drops

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Self-Tanning Water Drops

Photo courtesy of Glamour's Danielle Sinay

These tanning drops have caught the attention of TikTokers thanks to their bronzing powers. “I’ve used self-tanning products for years, but this one lets me mix the formula with my own moisturizer,” says Glamour ’s Radloff. L’Oréal’s Tanning Drops recognize that the secret to a more even, natural bronze glow is to blend the tanner with a cream for a tailor-made mistake-proof glow. The dropper gives you just the right amount to mix into your moisturizer, so you don’t have to worry about any product going to waste.

Target shoppers can't stop raving about it, either. “This was the perfect face tanner. I always worry about it being too orange but this was pure bronze, I almost like it better than my [skin care brand] drops because it lasts a few days,” one said in their review. “Such a user friendly product that makes tanning the face super easy,” said another. “This product is perfect. You can apply it daily to reach your desired glow and color. It’s not streaky, blotchy, and does not cause issues when sweating at the gym. Love it! 100/10 recommend!”

• Format: Drops
• Development time: 1–4 hours

Best Drugstore Lotion : Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner Lotion

Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner Lotion

In a hurry and need something to give you some color ASAP? Reach for this formula from Jergens. “I love that this formula has an instant tint—that way I can get the color right away and I can see what I’m doing without streaks,” says Glamour contributor Bella Cacciatore . “It looks great instantly and gradually deepens into the perfect ‘I just got back from Miami’ shade.”

Target shoppers are equally devoted. I" love this product!! I’m so pale I’m practically see-through. This gives me a nice subtle glow that builds the more I use it. It’s not sticky or too thick and it's moisturizing," wrote one reviewer.

“I have been using this product for years! It has a rich consistency (not watery feeling) and does not leave your skin feeling dry like some mousse products I have tried,” said another. “You do have to use it daily to see noticeable color but this has been my consistent go-to above all others.”

• Color range: Two shades
• Undertones: Green/neutral

Best Self-Tanning Pads : Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads

Photo courtesy of Jessica Siskin

Our editors are fans of Dr. Dennis Gross products like the Alpha Beta peel pads for exfoliation , and the self-tanning pads are just as special. “Yes, they leave a subtle tint that makes me look more bronzed and ready for summer makeup looks, but they somehow make my skin look healthier overall too,” says Cacciatore. You still get the exfoliating benefits of the OG formula, so you’re adding a glowy complexion to boot.

They're pale skin and freckle-friendly, too. “I was searching for a self tanner that would not make the freckles and she spots on my face get darker with the tan and these little pads did the trick,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “I could not live without these glow pads. They are a must-have staple in my weekly skincare routine,” wrote another. “I use them about two times per week after my toner. They give the skin such a pretty radiant glow for a beautiful, tanned look. They even out my skin tone and make my pores appear less visible.”

• Format: Wipes

Best Clear Self-Tanner Mist : St. Tropez Self-Tan Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Mist

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Mist

Photo courtesy of Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco

What if a light mist after a shower is all you need? That’s exactly what you get with this clear formula. “I love that this mist is super buildable and gives you an easy way to get a healthy glow without the full commitment of a more intense self-tanner,” says celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan . “Most formulas have that weird self-tan smell, but this one has a nice light scent and is packed with vitamin C and D for extra skin benefits without any sun damage.” Another plus? You can reapply a few times a week to intensify the shade.

This is also a great choice for anyone worried about stains, says Evans. "This applies completely clear and as it has no guide color there is nothing that would transfer onto clothing or furniture"," she says. “Your tan will develop after about 4-8 hours. No gym or swimming is allowed during this development time, but there is also no need to shower as there is no guide color to remove.”

Best Spray Self-Tanner : Coola Organic Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum

Coola Organic Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum

If you’re looking for a mess-free option, this Coola formula gets the job done seamlessly. “This super-sheer self-tanner is so easy to use—it never streaks or causes dark patches,” says NYC-based celeb makeup artist Gita Bass . “It has a gorgeous, natural finish that’s easily buildable, with a subtle shimmer that gives you a glow,” Bass says.

Coola's serum has unsurprisingly racked up its fair share of five star reviews as well. “This is my favorite sunless tan face serum! It makes my face look tan and sun kissed without having to sit in the sun! I’ve gotten so many compliments when I use this product; they think it’s a real tan and don’t believe me when I tell them it’s just from a really cool little bottle,” one Sephora shopper wrote in their review. “I just purchased my third bottle and I’ll keep using it as long as Coola keeps making it!”

• Format: Serum
• Development time: 3–4 hours

Best Drugstore Mousse : L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse

Even fake-tan skeptics are fans of this drugstore mousse, which is great for beginners. “I’m not a fake-tan person at all—it’s a lot of work for something I really don’t care that much about,” says Glamour deputy editor Anna Moeslin . “But this is so quick and foolproof to use that it hardly feels like an extra step.” Unlike a lot of mousses, this one pumps out clear so you don’t have to worry about staining clothes or transferring onto furniture. “The bottle says you can layer it on three times over 12 to 24 hours if you want a deep, buildable tan, but just once is enough for me,” says Moeslin.

Another bonus It's sensitive skin and beginner-friendly, according to target reviews. “[It's] beginner friendly! I love the glow it gives without shimmer very natural and not orange,” one wrote in their review. “I’m fair skinned and it’s perfect without it being too dark or orange. I also have sensitive skin. Just use a mitt, put lotion on crevices and bony parts, and wash your hands after and it will look perfect!”

• Development time: 2 hours

Best Luxury Self-Tanner for Face : Isle of Paradise Night Glow Self-Tan Face Mist

Isle of Paradise Night Glow Self-Tan Face Mist

Tanning while you sleep? Sign us up. “I’ve been blessed with naturally tan skin, but on special occasions when I need that extra-bronzy glow, I’ll pick up this magical mist from Isle of Paradise,” says Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco . Apply a few spritzes on your face before bed, and you’ll wake up with a beach-ready color. “It looks naturally sun-kissed and never artificial,” she says.

Several Sephora reviews say the same. “[This is] the best self-tanner I have ever used. It isn’t a mist as much as a spray dye to the oils in it. I wake up every morning I use it looking naturally tan,” a former Sephora cast member wrote in their review.

“[This is the] perfect product if you are looking for a natural tan glow,” wrote another. “This is one of the first tanning products I have found that tans more brown than orange. As a person with acne prone skin, this did not break me out. [It's] super easy to use, and not too uncomfortable on the skin.” Sounds like a winner!

• Development time: 8 hours

Best Tanning Drops : Tan-Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

Tan-Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

Original photo by Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley

As bronzing drops continue to make waves, this Tan-Luxe product has become one of the most popular non-sticky options. “This is my favorite sunless tanner for my body. It’s completely customizable, just blend it with your own lotion,” says Glamour contributor Kristi Kellogg . Add a few drops to your daily moisturizer and apply it as usual. “The combo consistently gives me an even glow, and whenever I want to go darker, I simply add more drops,” she says.

It's no surprise Tan-Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops have racked up thousands of five star reviews online too. “I am a very pale girlie and have tried so many tanner’s that claim to ‘not be orange or leave streaks.’ This one actually holds up on that promise,” one Sephora shopper wrote in their review. “Buildable color and you can mix it in to your favorite lotions so you smell how you want and not like fake tan! Will be repurchasing!”

Best Hydrating Self-Tanner : Lux Unfiltered N°32 Gradual Hydrating Self Tanner

Lux Unfiltered N°32 Gradual Hydrating Self Tanner

For a subtle, buildable glow, this tanning body lotion is your new solution. Lux Unfiltered’s hydrating formula is perfect for daily use, because it gradually enhances your skin’s natural color. “I’m a control freak, and I like that I’m pretty much in charge of my tan’s progression with this lotion,” says Glamour ’s Navarro. “It’ll leave you streak-free, and you’ll have moisturized skin too.”

Amazon reviews assert that it's “definitely worht the hype,” too. “This is seriously the best self tanning lotion out there,” one user wrote. “Most tanning lotions have a really funky smell once they start to develop on your skin, but this one has a really light scent and I don’t hate the smell like I do most self tanner lotions. It smells amazing! The best part is to give you a really natural looking tan and it’s not orange at all. I’ve gotten compliments on my tan the last few weeks and it’s all because of this product."

• Format: Cream

Best Mess-Free Self-Tanner : Luna Bronze Solar Eclipse Clear Tanning Mousse

Luna Bronze Solar Eclipse Clear Tanning Mousse

Saks Fifth Avenue

This luxe mousse offers a clear, no-transfer solution for a flawless tan. Because it applies transparently, it’s mess-free, easy to use, and perfect for beginners. If you’re the type to easily stain your clothes, this makes tanning a little less worrisome. “To be honest, I can’t really be trusted with light-colored clothing in general, but the damage from self-tanners sounded terrifying…until I found this guy,” says Glamour tester Ally Simmons. “The results are a beautiful, even bronze that develops over time without making a complete mess.”

Shoppers and reviewers feel the same way. “I have to admit I was skeptical about this as I have never used a clear tanning mousse but I was pleasantly surprised,” one wrote. “This is easily the most beautiful color tan I have ever come across and I have used many of them over the years.”

Another praised its easy application and the fact that it doesn't make a mess. “It’s the best self tanner I’ve used,” they wrote/ “I love that it has no smell, I can apply morning or night and it doesn’t stain clothing or sheets.”

• Undertones: Yellow
• Development time: 24 hours

There are tanning products in the form of mousses, lotions, serums, bronzing drops , and even wipes that can help you achieve the perfect tan—no UV rays needed. “Look for options with dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This binds to surface skin cells and causes a temporary darkening of your skin, and it’s FDA-approved,” Karan Lal, MD , a double-board-certified dermatologist in Phoenix, tells Glamour .

“Exfoliate before application, or your self-tanner won’t last,” says Dr. Lal. You’ll want to exfoliate the skin to make it as ready as possible to absorb tanning products—scrubs get rid of dead skin cells the quickest. “Also, make sure you use lotion on your eyebrows, hairline, hands, and feet.” He suggests using gloves or a tanning mitt to evenly apply the product in long, even strokes up and down; finally, work on one area at a time.

Before you apply your self tan, make sure you you have all the correct products and accessories ready for application, says St. Tropez skin finishing expert Sophie Evans .

"You will need a tan applicator mitt , to protect your palms from staining and make application a breeze, self-tan for your body and a separate self-tan for the face , non-oil-based moisturizer, and a pack of cleansing wipes for correcting,” she tells Glamour.

Wondering when to apply self-tanner? That depends on your plans, but most experts suggest letting it develop overnight. “The best time to apply self-tanner is before bedtime, which allows the tan to develop without any interferences, plus your body temperature heats up during sleep allowing the product to absorb fully into the skin and develop to its ultimate best,” says Evans. “You can then shower in the morning and carry on with a busy lifestyle.”

Translation? If you have an event, apply your self-tanner the night—or about 24 hours—before. However if you hate sleeping with self-tan on, Evans suggests opting for an express development self-tanner like St Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse . “This allows you to tan, shower and go in one hour for a light tan and up to three hours for your darkest tan,” she says, though she warns that if you get hot and sweaty and/or wear tight clothing during development time, you may experience some transfer.

“During the development time exercise, swimming or getting sweaty should be avoided for a good eight hours,” she says. “Once your tan has fully developed and you have taken your first shower which will remove any built-in bronzer (guide color) you can do whatever you like without any fear of the tan transferring onto clothes or white fabric.”

“After applying, avoid sweating and working out, and eating or drinking, to avoid touching your body” until the instructions tell you the color is set enough to do so, says Lex DiMarchi , a celebrity tanning artist and ambassador for self-tanner brand Tan-Luxe . DiMarch likes to use a setting powder like the Saie Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder to avoid creasing and help maintain the longevity of your tan.

Opting for self tanner is simply the safest—and possibly easiest—way to get a boost of color on your skin without exposing yourself to potential UV and/or sun damage.

“Self-tanning products do not employ the use of UV radiation,” says Brendan Camp, MD , double-board-certified dermatologist at NYC’s MDCS Dermatology. "UV rays are responsible for stimulating melanin production as a way to protect skin from their harmful effects, and also contribute to accelerated aging by damaging collagen and elastin proteins in the dermis and the formation of skin cancers."

Using self-tanner is also safer than using a tanning bed: “Using tanning beds is the absolute worst thing you can do to your skin," says Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD , a board-certified dermatologist and founder of New York City’s Mudgil Dermatology.

“Tanning beds increase your risk for skin cancer tremendously and age your skin beyond repair,” Dr. Mudgil says. Such is sadly still the case for tanning in the sun, though sun-bathing is surprisingly safer than tanning beds. “Sunlight, albeit safer than tanning beds, still carry these same risks, namely, skin cancer, and premature aging,” Dr. Mudgil clarifies. “However sunless tanners don't carry any of the risks of actual UV exposure” Better safe than sorry, right?

Is self-tanner safe for pregnant people?

Contrary to popular belief, self-tans do not enter your blood stream. “They only penetrate the very top layers of your epidermis which naturally shed over seven to 10 days,” says Evans. “However, when you are in your first three months of pregnancy we recommend consulting with your doctor.”

According to Evans, “most doctors say its fine if you regularly use a self-tanner,” though if you're new to it, it's best to avoid. “Patch testing self-tanners is also important whist pregnant, even if you have used a product tons of times your skin can change, and we want to avoid any allergic reaction."

Dr. Camp says the same. "While dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the chemical in self-tanners that interacts with skin proteins to bronze the skin, may have limited systemic absorption when applied topically, there remains concern about its use in spray or aerosolized products because of the risk of inhalation," he explains. “Always check with your OB/GYN prior to the use of skin care products with ingredients of concern, or skip it altogether to be safe.”

One of the downsides do DIY tanning is the possibility of stains. Fortunately, it's fairly easy to get rid of them. Dr. Camp's advice? “Pre-treat the stain by allowing it to soak in warm water, then apply a detergent and allowing it to soak for 20 minutes prior to cleaning in the washing machine,” he recommends. “This will increase the chance of the stain coming out.”

In other good news, Evans says that most mainstream self tanners wash out like any other stain. St. Tropez washes out with soap and water; the guide color is only a vegetable die so washes out very easily,” she says. However, to make sure stains comes out as efficiently as possible, Evans notes that “cleaning the self-tan immediately is key.”

If you're still concerned about stains, Dr. Camp suggests using a clear or colorless self-tanning product. “This reduce the risk of product transfer to clothing and bedding,” he recommends.

While there are plenty of DIY remedies for removing self tanner, Dr. Mudgil recommends the simplest solution: Using tan removal product like St Tropez’s Tan Remover Prep and Maintain Mousse .

“One can actually purchase a commercially available self-tan remover,” says Dr. Mudgil. “These products generally contain baking soda, a mild exfoliant. You'll see other DIY methods out there like using baby oil, but I think a product specifically designed for this purpose is your best bet.”

Evans echoes this. "Not only will St Tropez’s Tan Remover remove all old self-tan it will ensure your skin is at its best Ph level ready for self-tan development, but most tan removers on the market you cannot apply self-tan for about 12 hours,” she says.

By Sarah Y. Wu

By Deanna Pai

By Brigitt Earley

After the best instant tan for a quick glow? Here are 9 formulas our editors adore

Our answer to a quick, natural-looking tan

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The wonderful thing about fake tan is that it holds this incredible transformative power. Once applied, it can boost your confidence levels and make you feel incredible. The trouble is, that some formulas take a bit of time to develop. For those moments when you need an immediate mood-lifting hit, the best instant tan is the perfect go-to.

Within seconds you can envelope your body in bronze goodness. It's the ideal accompaniment for nights out when only certain parts of your body are on show (such as all those upcoming spring weddings and summer parties).

How to use instant tan

The key thing to remember about an instant tan is that it's a little bit like Cinderella's ballgown. It looks good, but for a limited time. (If you're after a long-lasting tan, you want to opt for something like the best gradual tan. )

So, we spoke to Claire Lambert, expert tanner for Skinny Tan, about how to get the best results. Lambert says that instant tans are great for beginners, as you can really practise your application techniques. She recommends applying the product with a body brush, such as the Skinny Tan Miracle Brush , for a perfect finish.You can also use a tanning mitt or your hands, just remember to wash your hands straight after using.

Remember, always exfoliate ahead of tanning, like you would with normal tan, and simply wash it off at the end of the day in the shower.

The best instant tan is a little bottle of confidence and we wouldn't be seen without ours.

The best instant tan to buy now:

Here at Marie Claire UK , we've tested our fair share of fake tan formulas, and these instant tans always come out on top. For more information about how we test the products that make it into edits, give our guide a read. Now, keep on scrolling for the best instant tans to buy now...

1. Vita Liberata Body Blur

Vita Liberata Body Blur

This is like an Instagram filter in a bottle. Skin looks bronzed, smooth and more even. It's tempting to use a lot of it, but a little goes a long way. We recommend using a mitt for application for a streak-free look. There are five shades to choose from and we promise you won't be disappointed.

2. Rimmel Sunshimmer Water Resistant Wash Off Instant Tan

Rimmel Sunshimmer Water Resistant Wash Off Instant Tan

Rimmel's iconic instant tan comes in two finishes - shimmer and matte - and three shades - light, medium and dark. So no matter your preference, you'll find your match.

3. Tanologist Instant Tan Lotion

Tanologist Instant Tan Lotion

This creamy formula goes on like your everyday body cream, it's fast-absorbing, meaning it's transfer-proof. It's also sweat and water-resistant, making it ideal for a night of dancing til dawn.

4. Isle of Paradise Disco Tan

Isle of Paradise Disco Tan

Isle of Paradise is a consistently good tan brand. We cannot get enough of its  tanning drops  and we love its instant tanner too for giving a healthy natural-looking glow. You can easily wash it off, but it can also be built up over the days for a deeper colour.

5. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Lotion

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Lotion

Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs spray was huge in the 00s. Every university dorm room had one. But the spray was a little tricky to use. The lotion on the other hand makes for easier application and steak-freak results.

6. This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle

This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle

This body serum is aimed at the legs but works beautifully on the whole body. It has a light caramel colour to it, making it perfect for those with fair complexions. Great for everyday hydration too.

7. St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer

St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer

When it comes to fake tan, you can't beat a bit of St. Tropez. The Instant Glow Body Bronzer is a cream-to-powder formula that blends seamlessly into the skin and gives a transfer and water-resistant finish. What more could you want?

8. Skinny Tan 1 Day Instant Tanner

Skinny Tan 1 Day Instant Tanner

This instant tan has the most delicious, holiday-like scent that lasts all day. Not only that, but it's super easy to apply and leaves you with a gorgeous glow. With a quick-drying, splash-resistant formula, it's definitely a winner.

9. Balibody Instant Tan

Balibody Instant Tan

"This instant tan has changed the tanning game for me. It has a fast drying, aerosol formula that instantly delivers a light to medium shade that is easy to apply and blend. I was pleasantly surprised with the drying time as it gave me enough time to thoroughly blend, but also enough time for it to not stain my clothes. It doesn't have a traditional fake tan scent so it's a great solution for a quick tan top up if you're going out and want to avoid the traditional smell.

This product does wash off after a thorough scrub in the shower so it's important to note it doesn't last as long as traditional fake tans do. Regardless, I did find it to be sweat and splash resistant without any noticeable streaks." - Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer

As you can see, there are lots of choices when it comes to the best instant tan. Give one of the above options a go and see what all the fuss is about. Remember, follow our top application tips for the best results!

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Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over 10 years of experience on women's luxury lifestyle titles, she covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She started her career on fashion desks across the industry - from The Telegraph to Brides - but found her calling in the Tatler beauty department. From there she moved to Instyle, before joining the Marie Claire digital team in 2018. She’s made it her own personal mission to find the best concealer in the world to cover her tenacious dark circles. She’s obsessed with skincare that makes her skin bouncy and glowy, low-maintenance hair that doesn’t require brushing and a cracking good manicure. Oh and she wears more jewellery than the Queen.

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15 of the Best Self-Tanning Products to Keep You Looking Sun-Kissed All Winter

Didn't take a sun-soaked vacation this year? That doesn't mean you can't look like you did. Here's how to achieve a golden glow with no trace of Cheeto.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Isle of Paradise Glow Clear, Color Correcting Self-Tanning Mousse

This innovative formula, with hydrating coconut, chia seed, and avocado oils, comes in three color-correcting tones: peach, which adds glow to fair skin sans orange-ness; green, which reduces redness in medium skin tones while bestowing a touch of bronze; and violet, which deepens luster in darker complexions while also preventing ashiness.

Sephora Collection Tinted Self-Tanning Body Mist

This user-friendly mist makes it easy to cover hard-to-reach spots such as your back, and the fast-absorbing, no-rub formula means that you don't have to worry about Cheeto-colored palms. 

RéVive Bronzé Supérieur Self-Tan Booster

Add just a few drops of this luxe tanning elixir to your face or body moisturizer for a totally natural sun-kissed effect that you can customize over time. 

Sisley Paris Self Tanning Hydrating Body Skin Care

A faux glow looks best on hydrated, velvety skin. This quenching tanner keeps your canvas moisturized to that color glides on more smoothly and lasts longer.  

L'Oreal Paris Self Tanner, L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion Deep Natural Tan 5 fl. oz.

This glowy self-tanner with a subtle shimmer finish will give luster to the deepest of skin tones. 

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

This tanning gel absorbs so rapidly that you can get dressed immediately after application without worrying about tell-tale orange streaks on your clothes or your body. Even better? Results show up in about two hours. 

Supergoop! Healthy Glow Sunless Tan Broad Spectrum Suncreen SPF 40

Behold, the best of both worlds: A streak-free, buildable self-tanner that also provides broad-spectrum SPF 40. So you can "tan" while you bask in the sun, without the bad side effects. 

St. Tropez 'Self Tan' Classic Bronzing Mousse

One of the best ways to avoid the streaky affects of a bad self-tan is to use a mousse. Its lightweight texture makes it easy to evenly smooth onto the skin—even the typically harder to reach places like elbows and knees. 

More:   Everything You Need to Know Before Getting a Spray Tan

Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body Slimmer Shimmer

If there's anyone who knows model tricks and tips to a "natural" tan it's celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury. A combination of the lotion's skin de-puffing agents and instant tan that washes off when you want it to, rest assured that if you need a golden glow for one night only, this is the pick for you.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad Intense Glow

Glow pads are a quick and easy way to apply a tanner, and especially to the face. The Alpha Beta pads from Dr. Dennis Gross contain hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate your skin, ensuring that your tan is even. 

St. Tropez Bronzing Mist and Pro Light Spray Tan Machine

The phrase "go big or go home" comes to mind with St. Tropez's  bronzing mist and at-home spray tan machine. But the easy-to-use fan-generated device that ensures the professional-quality application of natural bronze will have you thinking, "why not?"

James Read Sleep Mask Tan

Don't let the "sleep" in James Read's Sleep Mask Tan fool you, James Read's face tan lotion can also be used in the morning for a light tan that deepens as the day goes on. 

Vita Liberata Foaming Tan Water

No one–even the most experienced self-tanner–enjoys an orange stained sweater from their tanning solution. Vita Liberata's Invisi formula is the perfect no-muss, no-fuss self-tanner—it's non-transferable so there's no worry involved after you've applied. Even better: your tan will last for about a week.

The Organic Pharmacy Self Tan (100 ml.)

Organic Pharmacy's self tanner takes its DHA from the sugar beet, so you can get a terrific tan completely naturally.

Sol Solution Sunless Tanning Mousse

A fast-drying sunless tan that develops according to how long you leave it on for. The results: you can customize your bronze based on your personal needs each session. Even better: Kristyn Pradas is known for tanning some of the biggest celebrities—rest assured that her formulations are good enough from the red carpet. 

As the deputy digital lifestyle director at Town & Country, Roxanne Adamiyatt covers fashion, beauty, wellness, design and travel. 

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Made with premium, organic and naturally-derived ingredients, Loving Tan allows you to easily achieve a natural looking tan anywhere, anytime.

“For true tannoisseurs, this paraben free self tan is supercharged with salon strength erythrulose for a deep olive tone that lasts as long as a spray.”

“Most tanners are unfortunately created with fair-skinned people in mind, but brands like Loving Tan are making the market more inclusive.”

“This mousse is so good, it completely fooled 6 other beauty editors.”

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No longer a beauty industry secret, Loving Tan is a cult favourite amongst beauty influencers and A-list stars providing professional strength formulas for a deep, natural looking tan.

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The Best Self-Tanners That Won't Make You Look Like a Cheeto

These bronzing essentials make it easier than ever to boost your glow

A great tan might be the best souvenir from a beach vacation or weekend outside—but spending too much time in the sun can cause a litany of skin problems from photoaging to skin cancer. The right SPF will protect your skin from the sun's harsh UVA and UVB rays, but if you're still eager to score a gorgeous glow, add a sunless tanner to your shopping list.

Shop the Best Self-Tanners

BEST OVERALL

St. tropez self tan express bronzing mousse.

BEST MOUSSE

Jergens sol by jergens medium water mousse , water-based self tanner with coconut water , tanning dye-free sunless foam , 5 ounce , active derived from natural sugars (packaging may vary).

BEST HYDRATING

L'oréal paris self-tanning water mousse.

As most sun-free seekers know, self-tanning requires patience, a steady hand, and a few helpful tools; however, it all starts with the right formula. But, with so many face mists , lotions, and viral self-tanning drops to choose from, where to begin? For Kerry Spindler —esthetician and founder of her eponymous spa in Winthrop, Massachusetts—you'll want to prioritize a self-tanner that resembles a second skin. "Look for one that matches your skin tone and provides a natural-looking color," she says. "Opt for products that are formulated with hydrating ingredients to keep the skin moisturized and smooth."

Meanwhile, Michela Wariebi says blendability is a big factor. "You want to look for a self-tanner that isn’t going to leave streaks or patching," the New York City-based makeup artist tells Bazaar . " I suggest applying with a glove to get the smoothest application. Using just your hands usually makes the coverage inconsistent." To get you from a goose egg to golden in just a few swipes or spritz, we tracked down the most popular sunless tanners that will help you snag the ultimate year-round glow-up. With experts from skincare pros and shoppers alike, these picks provide streak-free, glowy finishes that leave your skin looking and feeling extra supple—never awkwardly and unnaturally orange.

If you have tested more than your fair share of self-tanners in the past to no avail, give this one a chance. This mousse develops the most natural-looking color without streaks when applied with care (along with a handy tanning mitt ). "Mousses are lightweight and quick-drying, making them a popular choice for achieving an even, streak-free tan," Spindler says. Close to 12,000 Amazon reviewers agree, noting that it's the "best tanner ever," especially for those with fair skin. Leave this formula on for one hour for a light glow, two hours for a medium shade, and three hours for a deeper bronze.

Customer Review:

"Love this product!!!. Dries fast, no streaks, last almost a week and does not leave a strong scent. Be sure to exfoliate and shave prior to use." —JenniferMurray

Just because you're ditching a sun-soaked tan doesn't mean you have to leave those vacation vibes behind. Enter SOL by Jergens Water Mousse. Powered by Jergens, a brand we've been relying on for tanners and moisturizers for years, this silicone-free formula offers a natural-looking glow. The tanning active used here is made from a mix of naturally derived sugars, so this pick is both cruelty- and dye-free. (Not to mention it's infused with coconut water to offer a light, tropical aroma.)

SOL by Jergens Water Mousse comes in both medium and deep shades to bring a streak-free glow to all skin tones. Just make sure to use a mitt for even application.

"I have tried just about every kind of self tanner out there and this one is by far my favorite at home self tanner. The coverage is so even and the color looks so natural. I will continue to reorder." — Elizabeth H.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but dry, dehydrated skin can make your faux tan go from beautiful to a bummer. Fortunately, L'Oréal's Sublime Bronze mousse checks all the boxes of a great self-tanner: L ong lasting, streak-free, and lightweight. Meanwhile, a does of Vitamin E and coconut water makes this option super-hydrating—all while leaving your skin feeling soft and plump. L'Oréal's sunless tanner takes four to eight hours to work its magic, but if you want a long-lasting bronze, apply three times over the course of 12 to 24 hours.

"A great self-tanner that doesn't break the bank! It goes on clear, I found it spread better and didn't leave a residue if you use a tanning mitt, love the coconut scent!" —Cc_collections

Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Mousse

Thanks to Jergens' Natural Glow Instant Sun Mousse, you don't have to drop top dollar on a fancy vacation to romp in a sun tanning bed. Cruelty-free and dermatologist-tested, this tinted formula is an easy, affordable way to fake a gorgeous tan. Apply this foamy mousse in circular motions for a unique shade that adapts perfectly to your individual skin tone. And as a bonus, its natural-looking formula dries down in 60 seconds flat .

"After years of baking in the sun, I had completely given up on having any color during the summer. Enter this Instant Bronzer. It went on way easier and much more even than the lotion. The color is fantastic. I can’t even tell it’s not a real tan. No streaks, no blotchy hands or knees. Just a perfect fake tan. I finally have a way to have some summer color without killing my skin." —LLC

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Bundle

Looking to cover all of your tanning bases in one fell swoop? Here's a three-piece set from the pros at Coco & Eve that includes a mango and guava-scented tanning foam for body, along with a mitt and kabuki brush for expert blending . And since the tanner has a green-grey base that applies to dry skin, you won't have to worry about looking orange-y once you're done applying.

Though you'll buy Coco & Eve's sunless tanner for the bronzed benefits, you'll love it for its skin-fortifying formula. Raw virgin coconut will hydrate and firm the skin, while a mix of mango, fig, and cocoa will reduce the signs of aging. For glowing skin beyond the bronze, Coco & Eve's lotus extract-powered Cellushape claims to smooth skin and manage cellulite.

"Great bundle package. Amazing coverage and color. No streaks. The brush is fantastic for the hands and face. The quality is amazing and doesn’t smell like awful fake tan normally does. Would recommend 10/10." —Olivia F.

TAN-LUXE Express Water

When you're in a pinch, try Tan-Luxe's Express Water. Here, a blend of glycerin, naturally-derived DHA, and eyruthrelose work together to create a bronzed glow in 30 minutes. Meanwhile, ingredients like beta glucan, allantoin, and a double dose of hyaluronic moisturize the skin. Even better: It applies just like your favorite face mist , and won't rub onto your clothes.

"This is one of my top favorite self-tanners. It is not patchy. It looks natural. It even looks good on my hands and feet and those can be hard to look natural. It lasts longer than some of my other self-tanners. I was skeptical, but I love it. "— Steph

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Oil Mist

This mist is part body oil, part mist, and leaves the most subtle glow behind on your arms, legs, and more. Since it f eatures plumping and hydrating actives like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin , along with a moisturizing oil base, you can seamlessly massage it into your skin without the threat of streaking. (Plus, a mix of argan, grape seed, and avocado promises to keep your skin moisturized for up to 24 hours.) However, experts recommend exfoliating and moisturizing dry areas first.

"My favorite tanner ever!! Makes me SO dark within hours (a natural, dark tan) and lasts for days. I am obsessed and will never switch to a different one!" —Vanxox

Coola Organic Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum

For anyone with sensitive skin, it's easy to assume that a sunless tanner might result in even more breakouts and irritation. Fortunately, Coola's Organic Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum is here to help. This lightweight formula features a sugar-beet-derived DHA to offer a gentle glow to sensitive skin types. Ecocert Cosmos Organic Certified, this formula also uses 99 percent natural ingredients, so you won't have to worry about harsh chemicals, either. Oh, and did we mention this option is streak-free, transfer-resistant, and has a tropical piña colada scent?

"I was so impressed by this product, it gave me that perfect tan and glow without any streaks."— Fashionably C

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

This buildable, quick-drying gel is formulated with a mix of naturally-derived DHA and Erythrulose to give your skin a bronzed boost for a natural-looking glow for both face and body. (A trial found that 94 percent of participants noticed an instant tan.) Meanwhile, a hint of glycerin is used to leave skin feeling baby smooth, not auspiciously oily. It's also a non-staining formula, which means you can nicely use the palm of your hand to apply it and won't need to bother with a glove. Try using this one three to four times a week for a long-lasting glow.

"I absolutely love this product! It’s the best self-tan I’ve ever used. It leaves my skin feeling soft without being oily or sticky. It gives my skin a soft, natural glow. It’s not orange or overbearing at all." —Gliz20

Bondi Sands Pure Self Tan Foaming Water

Just because you want to fake a fresh, sun-kissed complexion doesn't mean you're yearning to smell like a resort's swim-up bar. Free of fragrances and dyes, and safe for sensitive skin , this tanning foam from Bondi Sands comes in two shade options for ultimate shade customization. Plus, it features ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E to boost radiance and hydration as you wear it.

"Easy to apply and gives a good color, not orange and no streaks. It's easy to build if you want it to be darker. Dries fast and doesn't transfer on clothes, and doesn't really have any type of smell. Just remember to exfoliate so you get the best results." —Haley

Vita Liberata Fabulous Gradual Tanning Lotion

If you want to ease into a tan complexion, Spindler recommends Vita Liberata's Fabulous Gradual Tanning Lotion. "[It] provides a subtle, buildable tan over time, making them a great option for those who prefer a more gradual change in skin tone," she says.

Simply apply it like a body moisturizer, and you'll notice a gradual, gorgeous glow over the course of eight hours. (You can also reapply a few times each week if you want to bolster your bronze.) Suitable for a wide range of skin types, this formula is packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and aloe vera to keep your skin nourished.

"I have been using this product for years and so far I haven’t found anything better. It does take time to develop. I put it on after showering and about 8 hours later, it is good. I also love that it moisturizes my skin." — Lisa R.

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist

A tanning mist you only have to spray once might seem too good to be true. But we're here to tell you this unicorn product does exist—and St. Tropez makes it. While it may look like your ordinary face mist, this version is infused with natural tanning agents, like mandarin orange extract , to give you the golden glow of your dreams. All you need to do is spritz on a layer—over or under makeup—and you'll snag a great glow in four to eight hours. (Yes, it's that simple.)

"I get so many compliments about my glowing tan skin. And it's all from this product! I use about two times a week for a sun-kissed glow!" —Angel

Beauty by Earth Self Tanner

Over 20,000 glowing reviews (get it?) on Amazon can't be wrong: Beauty by Earth is one of our top organic and natural self-tanner picks. Available in two shade options—"Fair to Medium" and "Medium to Dark"—this illuminating lotion is powered by sugar beet-derived DHA. It also uses aloe vera and Argan oil to leave skin glowing , healthy, and hydrated. (All without the use of additives, dyes, or parabens.) Pro-tip: Add half a teaspoon of the lotion to your go-to mitt for a gradual tan.

"This tanner is amazing! I have gone through a number of self-tanning products, and this one, by far, is the most moisturizing. It still has a self-tanner smell, but it’s not too bad. I am very pale most of the year and this gave a very natural-looking tan." —Olivia

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Intense Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face (Pack of 20)

One of our editors' exfoliating and blackhead-removing face pads also provides one of the best faux tans. They use a combination of micro-encapsulated DHA, soy proteins, plus Active Vitamin D to deliver a streak-free, natural-looking finish. (Using alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids offers a light exfoliation to buff away dry skin.) And to expertly customize shade, increase your number of repetitions for a deeper tan. The brand recommends you press the pad against your face, neck, and décolleté and move it around in gentle, circular motions. It'll take three to four hours to see your "intense glow," but it'll be worth it.

"Touch of color mixed with an exfoliator. Great product, easy to use." —Smallchest

Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

If you're looking for a more bespoke experience, this part face oil, part tan booster will probably be your jam. Eco-Cert Organic DHA Tanning Active delivers a vacation-friendly finish, while hydrating ingredients like Plus couldn't be simpler to use: add the drops to your normal moisturizer, serum, or face oil for a more radiant, natural-looking tone.

"This is my holy-grail product. It doesn’t transfer and you can choose how dark you want to go. The smell is not bad and it leaves me perfectly glowed. It will only stain your hands if you don’t wash them afterward. I mix the drops with a regular moisturizer, not directly on my skin. I love this product so much!" —Applecorps

What should I look for in the best self-tanners?

In addition to skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, many of the best self-tanning products are available in various color options that make it easy to achieve a subtle, natural glow or a deeper bronze skin tint. The right formula might vary to your skin's specific needs.

"It's important to consider your individual skin type and desired outcome when choosing a sunless tanner, as different products may work better for different people," Spindler says. "Always conduct a patch test and carefully follow the application instructions for the best results."

How should I apply self-tanner?

Applying your self-tanner will ultimately depend on the exact formula you use—so you should follow your specific option's directions—but your pre-tan prep will remain the same. "Always exfoliate and moisturize the skin before applying self-tanner to ensure an even and long-lasting glow," Spindler says. Also, remember that the longer a tanner is left on, the darker your skin will become. After you tan, keep your skin hydrated for best results.

Can I use the same tanning products for both my face and body?

Unless a product clearly states that its formula is ideal for the face and body, we advise following its specific directions to avoid skin irritation, discoloration, or an unnatural look.

Meet the Experts

• Michela Wariebi is a professional makeup artist based in New York City.
• Kerry Spindler is an esthetician and founder of Kerry Spindler and her eponymous spa in Winthrop, Massachusetts.

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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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The 10 Best Self-Tanners

We like the St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse for its lightweight, moisturizing, and long-lasting formula.

Nina Bahadur is a writer and editor based in NYC who specializes in beauty, kitchen, and organizing content. Highlights: * Writing has appeared in SELF, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, The New York Times, Health, SHAPE, Food52, and more * Former Deputy Editor for HuffPost Women * Former Deputy Culture Editor for SELF.com

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Final Verdict

• How to Shop

Take Our Word for It

RS / Amazon

Self-tanner is the best way to get that post-vacation glow without risking sun damage. But knowing what products to pick and how to apply them can be daunting. 

We researched the best self-tanners, looking at products with different formulations, shades, and development times. We also spoke to Natalia Radosz, a spray tan technician and founder of Glow 2 Go NYC, for insight on what ingredients to look for in a self-tanner, what shade to pick, and how to avoid common self-tanning mistakes . 

Radosz says it’s important to look for a product with moisturizing ingredients: “Self-tanners can dry out your skin, so making sure there is something to put moisture back in your skin is important.”

Best Overall Self-Tanner

St. tropez self tan classic bronzing mousse.

Who it’s for: People who want a natural looking and long-lasting sunless tan. 

Who it’s not for: People who want an instant self-tanner. 

This lightweight tanning mousse contains jojoba oil and other skin-friendly ingredients like tocopherol (vitamin E) and glycerin, which can help moisturize the skin. It also contains fragrance, so you won’t encounter any “fake tan smell” from the active chemical (dihydroxyacetone, also known as DHA). The St. Tropez brand uses a 100 percent vegan version of DHA, derived from plant sources like wheat and rapeseed. 

For sunless tanning success, the brand recommends exfoliating before application and waiting four to eight hours before rinsing off. Once you’ve finished applying the tanner, you can enjoy the results for up to 10 days. In addition to the classic shade, St. Tropez’s bronzing mousse is also available in dark and extra-dark versions. 

Type: Mousse | Shades: Classic, dark, and extra-dark | Development Time: 6-8 hours | Size: 8 ounces

Best Drugstore Self-Tanner

L'oréal paris self-tanning lotion.

Who it’s for: People who want an affordable self-tanning lotion that gives a subtle glow. 

Who it’s not for: People who don’t want any shimmer in their self-tanner. 

If you want a self-tanner you can pick up at the drugstore, this one from L’Oreal is worth a try. The lightweight lotion is available in medium and deep tones, and gives your skin an immediate shimmery glow that develops further over a few hours. The product comes in a squeeze tube, and the lightweight lotion is easy to apply. 

The sulfate-free formula also contains an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derivative, which can brighten your complexion and improve skin texture by helping remove dead skin cells. 

Type: Lotion | Shades: Medium and deep | Development Time: 2-4 hours | Size: 5 ounces

Best Instant Self-Tanner

B.tan ultra dark self-tanner.

Who it’s for: People who want an instant self-tanning mousse that comes in a wide variety of shades. 

Who it’s not for: People who want their tan to develop gradually. 

When you don’t want to wait several hours for a sunless tan to develop, instant self-tanners are the way to go. This product comes in five different shades with fun names, ranging from “fake it til you make it” (the lightest offering) to “I want the darkest tan possible” (self-explanatory). The 100 percent vegan formula, which contains DHA derived from sugar cane, is cruelty-free and palm oil-free. 

This self-tanner also contains argan oil, macadamia seed oil, coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, and other botanical oils and extracts. Vitamin C and tocopheryl (vitamin E) add to the list of skin-friendly ingredients to help brighten and moisturize. 

Type: Mousse | Shades (From Lightest to Darkest): fake it til you make it, too tan to give a damn, love at first tan, tanned AF, i want the darkest tan possible | Development Time: 1 hour; leave on for 4+ hours for darker results | Size: 6.7 ounces

Best Gradual Self-Tanner

Isle of paradise self tanning glow drops.

Who it’s for: People who want self-tanning drops they can add to another product for a gradual glow. 

Who it’s not for: People who want a standalone self-tanner that works right away. 

These self-tanning drops are designed to be mixed in with a moisturizer, facial serum , lotion, or foundation. The color develops after four to six hours, and you can customize your glow by adjusting the number of drops you use for a super gradual tan. 

Ingredients include glycerin, avocado oil, coconut oil, aloe vera extract, and chia seeds to hydrate and condition your skin. You’d typically use between one and 12 drops per application, so one ounce of the product can last a long time. 

Type: Drops | Shades: Light, Medium, Dark | Development Time: 4-6 hours | Size: 1 ounce

Best Self-Tanner for Face

Bondi sands self tanning mist.

Who it’s for: People who want a gentle self-tanner for the face. 

Who it’s not for: People who want a self-tanning lotion for full-body use. 

When you’re applying self-tanner to your face, you probably want a gentle product that goes on easily. This self-tanner comes in a spray bottle—to use, simply mist four to six pumps of the product all over your face before blending it in with a mitt. The color develops over six to eight hours, and you don’t need to rinse it off. 

This fragrance-, dye-, and sulfate-free formula contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E to help hydrate and brighten your skin. The products in the Bondi Sands Pure line have been dermatologist-tested and are safe for sensitive skin. 

Type: Mist | Shades: One shade for all skin tones | Development Time: 6+ hours | Size: 2.4 ounces

Best Self-Tanner for Legs

Coola sunless tan firming lotion.

Who it’s for: People who want a rich lotion to use on their legs and body. 

Who it’s not for: People who prefer a lightweight formula. 

This self-tanner is a rich lotion, making it ideal to use on skin that needs extra hydration. Safflower seed oil, shea butter, and jojoba seed oil help moisturize your skin, while caffeine tightens skin and makes it appear brighter. 

The color in this single-shade product is designed to develop over several days, but the brand recommends mixing this lotion with another moisturizer before applying if you want a more subtle glow. 

Type: Lotion | Shades: One shade for all skin tones | Development Time: 2-4 hours | Size: 6 ounces

Best Self-Tanner for Beginners

Jergens firming moisturizer.

Who it’s for: People who are new to self-tanning or people with fair skin.

Who it’s not for: People who want a more concentrated self-tanner for quick results.

Don’t know where to start in the world of self-tanner? This product is a daily body moisturizer and gradual self-tanner all in one, which can help give you some gentle color over time. It takes days for the color to develop, so you won’t run the risk of accidentally overdoing it. Plus, you can always apply a user-friendly buildable powder bronzer on your face, such as this one from Jones Road , to give your complexion a sun-kissed glow.

Ingredients include collagen and elastin to support skin elasticity, as well as glycerin and coconut water to moisturize. The product is dermatologist-tested, paraben-free, and cruelty-free. Per Jergens, you can apply once daily in place of your usual body lotion. 

Type: Lotion | Shades: Fair to medium, medium to deep | Development Time: Several days | Size: 7.5 ounces

Best Natural Self-Tanner

Bondi sands tanning lotion.

Who it’s for: People who want a gradual self-tanner with natural ingredients. 

Who it’s not for: People who want an instant self-tan. 

This fragrance-free, vegan self-tanner is free from dyes, synthetic fragrances, and sulfates. It’s dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic. Plus, all the plastic used in the packaging is 100 percent recyclable. 

Ingredients include hyaluronic acid and aloe vera extract for hydration, vitamin C to help brighten your skin, and vitamin E for skin barrier support. 

Type: Lotion | Shades: One shade for all skin tones | Development Time: Natural glow will develop in 1-3 applications | Size: 6.8 ounces

Best Self-Tanner for Sensitive Skin

Beauty by earth self tanning lotion.

Who it’s for: People who want a self-tanner that’s formulated with plant-based ingredients and safe for sensitive skin. 

Who it’s not for: People who would rather use a mousse or spray formula. 

If you have sensitive skin , you want skincare products that won’t cause further irritation or redness. This self-tanner contains aloe vera, shea butter, and coconut oil for hydration, as well as witch hazel to help address skin irritation. 

Per the brand, the ingredients are safe for sensitive skin—but you should always do a patch test first to ensure you don’t react poorly to a new product. 

Type: Lotion | Shades: Fair to medium, medium to dark | Development Time: 6-8 hours | Size: 7.5 ounces

Best Gel Self-Tanner

Clarins tanning gel.

Who it’s for: People who want a quick-drying self-tanner that can be applied immediately before an event. 

Who it’s not for: People who want to build a subtle tan over time. 

This gel formula is free from silicones, sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. It’s lightweight and absorbs quickly, so you can get dressed right after applying it. Plus, it can be used on your body or your face. 

It also contains Clarins signature Self Tan Complex, which “combines DHA + Erythrulose, two 100-percent naturally sourced plant sugars, to produce a natural-looking tanned appearance on the skin's surface.” Per the brand, DHA works quickly for an instant glow, while erythrulose contributes a more gradual color development over time. 

Type: Gel | Shades: One shade for all skin tones | Development Time: Instant | Size: 4.4 ounces

Our top pick is the St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse . The lightweight mousse formula contains moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil and glycerin, along with vitamin E to support your skin’s barrier. The color develops in just four to eight hours, and the results last up to 10 days. 

How to Shop for Self-Tanner Like a Pro

Overwhelmed by all the different types of self-tanner available? Every product is different, but here are some general things to know:

• Mousse products typically dry very quickly, and can provide more instant results. 
• Self-tanning lotions and gels will probably contain moisturizing ingredients to help nourish your skin, and can take a bit longer to dry. Lotions may also give you a more gradual self tan. 
• Self-tanning drops are great for a small surface area like your face, but can lead to uneven results on your body. They are often more concentrated, meaning a bottle lasts a long time, and you can mix them with other products like lotions, serums, or even foundation. 
• Mists and sprays can deliver a quick and concentrated tan to a small area (such as the face), but it can be difficult to achieve an even tan when using them for your full body. 

Ingredients 

The ingredient in self-tanners that actually makes you tan is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). It does so by reacting with amino acids in your skin, temporarily creating more pigment. The reaction can cause an unpleasant “fake tan smell,” especially if you’re applying a darker shade with a higher level of DHA. You can look for self-tanners that contain fragrance or botanical extracts to combat any unwanted aromas. Plus, people with sensitive skin might want to start out by trying lighter self-tanning shades that contain lower levels of DHA, just to see if the products cause any irritation. 

Another thing to consider: moisturizing ingredients. Products that contain aloe vera, oils, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid can help keep your skin supple and prevent it from drying out. 

Knowing what shade to use can be a matter of trial and error. “I personally like using a lighter color and adding more if needed,” says Radosz. “Self-tanners can be tricky to apply if you aren't an experienced self-tanner. Start with a lighter shade which will look good on everyone.” 

Development Time

Self-tanners usually fall into one of three development time categories: Instant, a few hours, or a few days. The right option for you depends on your personal preferences. If you need to look tan in a hurry, something with an instant development time would be ideal. If you’re looking for a next-day glow, a four-to-eight-hour development time will work. And if you’re just looking for a general bronzing, a gradual self-tanning lotion that you can keep reapplying every few days will be a good pick. 

Questions You Might Ask

How often should you apply self-tanner.

As often as you want or need to! Provided the product you’re using doesn’t irritate your skin, it’s fine to reapply whenever you want more color. 

Can you use a self-tanner on your face?

Yes! Radosz recommends looking for a non-comedogenic formula (meaning it won’t clog your pores ), or a product specifically designed for your face. Don’t forget to keep wearing face sunscreen , too. 

How long does self-tanner last?

This depends on a number of factors, from the product’s ingredients to how often you moisturize and exfoliate. Generally speaking, Radosz says, a sunless tan can last anywhere from five days to as long as two weeks. To make your sunless tan last longer, make sure to exfoliate before application , moisturize regularly, and use a waterproof SPF if you’re doing a lot of swimming or sweating. 

This article was written by Nina Bahadur , a writer with over 10 years of experience covering health, beauty, lifestyle, and home topics. She spent hours researching dozens of different self-tanner options, and received expert insight from Natalia Radosz , a spray tan technician and the founder of Glow 2 Go NYC, a fully mobile spray tan business. 

Related Articles

12 Best Self-Tanners for Face and Body

These are the absolute best formulas, according to our testing.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our top picks:

Best Overall

Coco & eve sunny honey bali bronzing self tanner mousse.

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion Medium

Most Long-Lasting Self-Tanner

Coola organic sunless tan firming lotion.

To find the best self-tanners, scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab test a variety of the latest face and body self-tanner formulas from drugstore to luxury brands on dozens of consumer testers. They then share their in-depth feedback on each product's attributes, application and results. In total, Lab experts evaluated over 2,332 data points to identify the top-rated self-tanners on the market.

Ahead, read all about the GH Beauty Lab's number one self-tanners for beginners, a range of skin tones from pale to dark, sensitive skin and more. Plus, peek behind the scenes of GH Beauty Lab testing and learn how to get a "tan" that looks anything but fake.

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self Tanner Mousse

Nail the perfect faux sun-kissed glow fast by gliding on Coco & Eve's lush self-tanner mousse, which won the GH Beauty Lab's self-tanner test. It ranked top almost across the board and was the overall tester favorite: An impressive 100% of users agreed the color looked natural, it gave the right amount of control over tan depth, they liked the way their skin looked after use and would recommend the product to others.

The formula also scored high for delivering instant effects, achieving the desired depth of color in one application, having an appealing "rich foam" texture and absorbing quickly. "I was able to have a tan in minutes!" a tester marveled. Two others commented: "I am an avid tanner and this is one of the best products I have tried," and the color "lasted over a week." They also praised its lack of "chemical smell."

Expert tip: Some users found the color wasn't even, which could be due to the quick-drying formula. Work quickly or apply the product to skin in sections to prevent streaks. The instructions also indicate it should be applied with an applicator mitt , which is sold separately.

Bronze beautifully without breaking the bank using the bargain-priced L’Oréal Paris, a top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing. It excelled at leaving skin soft after use and producing an even color result (100% of testers agreed on both fronts). The tinted lotion, which has a shimmer, also rated highly for having a pleasant "light, not greasy" texture. Two caveats: It may take multiple applications to achieve the desired depth of tan and could stain skin or nails.

"The feel of the product and lack of smell was really top notch and it was a beautiful bronzy color," a tester reported. Another noted: "It was easy to see where I applied it because of the instant bronze and it wasn't 'orange' at all."

Unlike many self-tanner formulas, Coola's lotion is made with plant-derived certified organic ingredients yet still delivered stellar, lasting bronzing results in GH Beauty Lab testing. A full 100% of testers agreed the application process wasn't messy and the color faded evenly. It also scored high for spreading effortlessly on skin and soaking in fast, as well as achieving long-lasting color .

(The untinted formula can be more difficult to see where it's applied and may take multiple applications to reach the desired shade, however.) "The product went on smooth, with no streaking," a tester remarked. Several praised that it was simple to use, "as easy as applying regular lotion."

Ulta Express Tan Tinted Mousse

Even those with fair skin tones can turn to this tinted Ulta Beauty foam formula, which scored top in GH Beauty Lab testing at achieving a “tan” that looked uniform and faded evenly. It rated above the rest on many fronts: 100% of testers liked the “airy” mousse and mitt application, 85% said the color wasn’t streaky or blotchy, 95% found that it faded evenly and 90% would continue to use it. (Note that the applicator mitt is sold separately.)

“The result was a gorgeous, golden natural tan that looked like my actual suntanned skin,” one marveled. A second said: "I loved that it was a light texture, went on smooth, left no streaks, had no strong smell and didn't look orange." Though the ligher color produced may work for those with paler skin tones, some users said it didn't give the "ultra dark" result they desired even after multiple applications.

Clarins Self Tanning Milky Lotion

A GH Beauty Lab test winner, this Clarins lightweight lotion with softening glycerin is almost foolproof, even for beginners: It can be used on both face and body to give skin a flattering, believable warmth that testers loved. Evaluations found that the lotion glided on effortlessly with no mess or drying time.

Every single tester agreed it was easy to use, not messy, absorbed fast and they liked the way their skin looked after application. Several reported that the color wasn’t "orangey," but a few thought it was streaky.

"This is a winner — I’ll never go back to the self-tanners I’ve used in the past," one said. Another raved that "the tan looked real." Note: The buildable formula doesn't need to be rinsed off and can be reapplied as desired to get a darker shade (a tester said two applications resulted in a "deep tan").

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

You can build up coverage with this Jergens gradual self-tanner in a gentle, skin-softening cream formula. The Beauty Lab test winner earned top scores for moisturization; testers were pleased with how easy this lotion was to apply , noted the lack of self-tanner odor and felt the product absorbed quickly into their skin.

"I particularly liked how natural the color was," a tester shared. "It looked like I had a nice tan glow. There was no streaking at all and my skin looked healthy." However, some felt they did not get a deep enough tan with this product.

Soleil Toujours Daily Sunless Tanning Serum

With a formulation like a skincare serum , Soleil Toujours was created specifically to self-tan the face. In GH Beauty Lab testing, it scored well for achieving the desired depth of tan color . The tanner can also be mixed into any leave-on skincare product to achieve a subtler effect and reduce an "orange" look some testers said they noticed on skin.

"My skin seemed to have a glow and brightness to it," a tester reported. Others commented that the color "lasted a few days" and "faded evenly."

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Water Mousse

In an almost unheard of feat for a self-tanner, this watery L’Oréal Paris mousse i nfused with coconut juice and castor oil earned perfect points for its “pleasant” tropical scent. Plus, the drugtore bargain came out on top for being simple to use and tied for cleanest application, being easiest to spread and absorbing fastest.

It left skin "buttery soft" after application, one tester enthused. Another revealed: "I am very fair and this color looked natural on me." A few users commented that it was hard to see where you were applying, as this product is clear.

Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tan Lotion

GH Beauty Lab testers loved the Tan-Luxe gradual self-tanner lotion's scent during application and development, and that their tan looked natural and not blotchy .

"I liked the even tone of the color and the way my skin felt," one said. "I noticed no blotchiness." Others reported there was "no orange tint" and "it gave pale, ivory skin a nice glow." For best results, apply it with a tanning mitt since some people said its thin consistency made application more difficult.

Coola Sunless Tan Express Sculpting Mousse

Tailor your level of color with Coola's self-tanning mousse plus applicator mitt (sold separately). In GH Beauty Lab testing, 89% of users agreed they were able to achieve their desired depth of tan . It also scored well for being easy to apply and spread and delivering an even result that wasn't streaky or blotchy.

"I was able to get a deep, dark tan," a tester remarked. Another raved: "What an amazing product — the most natural-looking and easiest to apply and dry of any of the other tanning products that I have tried." The foam has a "natural piña colada" scent, but some testers didn't love it.

St. Tropez Self-Tan Express Bronzing Mist

Grab St. Tropez's self-tanning mist for a natural-looking tan that develops fast. The spray applicator and blending mitt ensures even coverage , and GH Beauty Lab testers loved that they achieved their perfect level of color in a single application.

"I got a beautiful golden tan with just one use," a fan said. "I've kept the tan for four days and it's still going." Another raved: "I love that it was a spray and not messy — amazing product." Note that since it's an aerosol mist, apply in a well-ventilated area that you don't mind getting messy.

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Daily Firming Body Lotion

GH Beauty Lab testers thought this St. Tropez tinted gradual-tanning body lotion worked quickly to deliver their perfect color, ideal for when you're hitting the beach and need a faux tan fast . Plus, it's formulated with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid .

"The slight tint immediately gave a healthy look to my legs and aided in the application to ensure even coverage," one user reported. "My skin is quite light and it was extremely realistic, just like a sun-developed tan." To avoid staining your clothes, make sure skin is completely dry before getting dressed — some users said the rich texture took longer to absorb.

How we test the best self-tanners

The GH Beauty Lab constantly scans the market for the best self-tanners, spanning from affordable drugstore picks to high-end formulations. In the Beauty Lab's most recent self-tanner test, scientists first surveyed 701 members of our panel of consumer testers and evaluated 115 self-tanner products .

They then distributed the top formulas to 120 testers of various skin tones, who applied the self-tanner as many times as needed until they reached their desired color and then reported how it wore on skin and faded over three days. Testers rated the products on a wide range of factors, including:

• Ease of application
• Formula texture and scent
• Messiness and staining of fabrics and skin
• The look, evenness and depth of color achieved
• Number of applications needed to reach the desired shade
• Feel of skin after application
• How evenly the tan faded and how long it lasted

A Lab chemist also patch-tested each formula on her skin over the course five days to gauge depth of color and longevity after a single application ( above ). In total, GH Beauty Lab experts tallied 2,332 data points to find the best self-tanners you can buy.

What to look for when shopping for the best self-tanner

Start by considering your desired results and level of expertise, GH Beauty Lab experts recommend. Here are the key details to take into account:

✔️ Instant vs. gradual: Traditional self-tanners are fast-acting, developing over a few hours (some are also tinted for instant effect) and often offer a deeper color. Gradual self-tanners develop subtler color slowly over a few days and can be reapplied for a darker look.

✔️ Face vs. body (or both): Body self-tanners are created to be used on larger areas of skin and therefore usually come in bigger bottles. Self-tanners labeled for the face are often packaged in smaller bottles and formulated without ingredients that can irritate or cause breakouts on facial skin. Some self-tanner formulas can be used on both face and body (look for labeling as such on the packaging).

✔️ Type of formula: Lotion, cream and oil self-tanners apply like moisturizers, making them simple to use, but they can be more difficult to rub in and take time to absorb. "If you are new to the self-tanner game, we recommend experimenting with a lotion self-tanner first as they usually require consecutive applications, which allows for more control over the depth of color," said GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek . Foams and mousses generally spread and soak in quickly. Spray and mist self-tanners make it easier to reach all areas of the body, but they can be messy. Wipes are great for travel and are mess-free, though are single-use. Note that some self-tanner formulas like mousses are best applied with an applicator mitt, which can be sold together or separately.

✔️ Clear vs. tinted: Some self-tanners go onto skin clear, which means less mess, but it can be more difficult to know where you've applied the product. Others are tinted so you can more easily see the areas you've covered, but can be messier or transfer to fabrics.

How exactly do self-tanners work?

"The active ingredient in most self-tanners is dihydroxyacetone or DHA, which has been allowed by the FDA for external use," said GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann . DHA works by temporarily tinting skin to darken it , with results that either appear instantly or develop within a few hours or days and color lasting about a week.

Remember that s elf-tanners will not protect against sunburn or sun damage because they don't contain sunscreen ingredients (unless indicated on product packaging), so dermatologists still recommend applying a top-rated sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to protect skin. If you apply self-tanner correctly , the color should last up to a week (and a self tan-removing product can help if you need to return to your natural skin color before that).

What's the best way to apply self-tanner?

The self-tanner application technique is just as important as the product itself. Here are some pointers from GH Beauty Lab and faux-tanning experts:

• Always self-tan in a well-ventilated room, and protect your nose and mouth when you're using a spray.
• Exfoliate your skin first with a face scrub or body scrub . "This will help produce a nice, even tan and prevent areas of dry skin from becoming too dark," Wnek advises.
• Avoid applying moisturizers before tanning, as they could form a barrier on skin that prevents the color from developing evenly.
• Lightly apply the tanner over drier areas of the skin like knees and elbows, which will absorb the product faster and produce a darker color in those spots. Rub it in circular motions to minimize streaks, Wnek suggests. You can also try "using a blending brush to blend out the hands and feet," adds Natalia Radosz, owner of Glow2Go NYC , a spray tanning business.
• Steer clear of certain areas when applying self-tanner, specifically those covered by mucous membranes including the lips, nose and areas in and around the eyes, Wnek said.
• Wash hands immediately after application to avoid staining and wait until the product is fully dry before you get dressed to prevent streaks and staining clothes.
• Protect clothes. "If you're using a rinse-off product, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty as you are waiting for it to develop, as these may stain clothes," Wnek recommends.
• Be patient. "Do not be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results," Wnek said. "DHA, the active ingredient in self-tanners, begins to develop within hours of application and can take to 24 hours to take full effect."
• To achieve a darker color, apply another layer of the self-tanner. Multiple applications may be needed to get a deeper result, Wnek said.
• Read the packaging on your tanning solution to determine how long you should wait before showering.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

GH Beauty Director April Franzino researched and wrote this story. She has over 15 years of experience reporting, writing and editing skincare-related content, including on self-tanners. GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn previously updated this article. They worked with the following GH Beauty Lab scientists to report on their self-tanner testing results and insights:

• GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek conducted the Beauty Lab's past three self-tanner tests and provided expert commentary for this piece.
• GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann oversaw self-tanner testing and contributed insights to the story.

April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day , where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.

Catharine (she/her) is the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping , Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing. 

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What Is the Best Self Tanner? 12 Glowing Reader Reviews

Skincare , Toiletries , TOILETRIES , Travel Beauty Tips

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Self tanners have come a long way—gone are the days of streaks, patches, and tacky orange hues. So, what is the best self tanner? Get vacation-ready with a little help from TFG readers who share their favorites!

The Best Self Tanning Products

Written by: Michelle Nati

Table Of Contents

While self tanners have been on the market for several years, it’s only recently that they have come into their own, as beauty brands have perfected their formulas to make product application easy.  From instant to gradual self-tanning products, TFG readers share their picks for the best self-tanning products!

Best Self Tanner Reviews From Readers

The best self tanner for face coverage.

Shop: Amazon | Walmart

L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes

These L’Oreal easy-to-use wipes have a mild scent which dissipates quickly after application. One wipe will cover your entire body, and you’ll begin to see a natural looking glow within 2-4 hours. Repeat applications will increase your color.

Formulated with Vitamin E and AHA, these will leave your skin as smooth as it is tanned! Readers say this is the best face self tanner , as it gets the job done while on the go!

You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly !

Shop: Amazon | Walmart |  Target

Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sunless Tanning

Jergens has been an iconic name in beauty for decades, and the company continues its success streak with its tropical and fruit-scented self-tanning mousse, which is a favorite among TFG readers. Just one application produces instant results!

One reader says she’s tried everything, from spray tans to expensive creams but Jergens won her over. “ A friend told me to try it after a shower on damp skin. I bought the lightest shade and it’s the best thing I have found.” 

Another, who prefers the brand’s medium to dark shades, agrees: “It’s the most natural looking and I love the scent! I use it all over and look like I have a nice glow.” Readers have spoken, this is one of the best self tanner lotion choices!

Fake Bake Self-Tanning Liquid

Readers rave about Fake Bake ! This tropical-scented tanning liquid is non-sticky, dries quickly, and starts to appear on your skin in about 4-6 hours. The product even comes with a built-in color guide so that you can see where you’ve already applied it and an applicator mitt to make the process even more foolproof!

It works well on the fairest skin tones, according to one red-headed reader who says, “ It will only get as dark as your normal pigment will allow! It looks very natural!”

Find out what made our list for the best face sunscreens !

Shop: Amazon  |  Walmart

Tan Towel Self Tan Towelettes

Whether you’re attending a destination wedding in Majorca or hanging out on the beach in Tulum, Tan Towel gives your skin a bronze “glow on the go” with their self tanner which dries in seconds. Non-streaking and easy to apply, the pulp from the towelettes exfoliates as it tans your skin. 

TFG readers tout the convenience and results self tan towels give with one saying, “I love that you can throw one of these in your bag and tan while on vacation. It dries fast, isn’t super dark and doesn’t smell.”

The Best Self Tanner for Legs

Banana Boat Sunless Lotion  

A reef-safe sunscreen that leaves an irresistible glow? Sign us up! Oil-free and enriched with aloe and vitamin E, you can use Banana Boat daily for a deeper tan or maintain a healthy glow by spacing applications out. Summer beauty is in your control!

This product wins raves from TFG readers who have sensitive skin and are prone to break-outs and you can use it all over your body, too! One says, “I have tried many brands and this is the only one that does not break out my legs with little bumps.”

Side tip: also works as the best face self tanner for acne prone skin too!

Shop: Amazon  |  Walmart | Target

L’Oreal Paris Sublime Self-Tanning Water Mousse

Easy to apply, streak-free, and hydrating, L’Oreal Sublime gets major props from readers, who love its supple feel and quick color. Wearers also rave about its natural coconut scent and say it’s the best at home self tanner they’ve tried.

One TFG reader recently purchased the milk and said she was shocked at how quickly it took. “It only takes two to three applications and you are nicely tanned; it does not stain your clothes. Smells yummy and works fast—I Iove it!”

Check out the  best moisturizer with SPF  for travel!

Shop: Amazon  |  Ulta  |  Target

Bondi Sands Liquid Gold  

Australia knows tanning and Bondi Sands oil adds to the county’s “glowing” reputation! Infused with coconut and Argan oil, you’ll smell as tropical as you look. Bondi Sands’ fact-acting, quick-drying formula will produce a tan in about 2-3 hours. Reapply every half an hour to deepen your skin tone.  

One reader, who has tried all types of tanners, including sprays from high-end salons, says: “Bondi Sands gives a nice, warm brown color. Not orange at all.”

Shop: Amazon

Tan Physics Formula 12

Tan Physics will not only give you the cooper tan you’ve always desired, but it’s anti-aging moisturizer will leave your skin fresh, supple, and soft. Kiss your old self tanner and moisturizer goodbye. This puppy does it all

One reader is a new convert, saying, “I swear by Tan Physics. It’s very subtle and lasts quite a few days.”

We’ve got the best beach towels for travel and they’ll hardly take up any space. Take a look!

Vita Liberata Body Blur

We’ve all tried body tanners in which the product ends up anywhere but on our body and our sheets and clothes end up paying the price. Not so with Vita Liberata . According to readers, it doesn’t go anywhere but on your skin—you can even wear white with it! 

One of the best organic self tanners on the market, it adheres easily to the skin and gives the wearer instant color and a smooth finish. If you plan to use it on your face too, you can apply it as a primer or mix it with your foundation for an instantly bronze face.

The Best Gradual Self Tanner

Shop: Amazon | Walmart  

Jergens Natural Glow

If you’re looking to ease into your tan, look no further than Jergens . It creates flawless color while moisturizing your skin with its blend of antioxidants and vitamin E. Light and freshly scented, simply use it as a daily body lotion to keep your gorgeous glow maintained. 

Long time fans have nothing but praise for this product. One reader, however, says it should be applied regularly to maintain a supple glow, as the color lasts about a week.

Sun Bum Browning Lotion Moisturizer  

Sun Bum gets readers’ vote for best vegan and reef-friendly self tanner. Its Browning Lotion offers subtle color, but when it does build up it looks natural and smells great. Due to its moisturizing properties courtesy of argan oil, aloe vera, coconut oil, and avocado oil, you can wear it everyday and leave your skin looking gently sun-kissed. 

Sensitive skin types can use this moisturizer, as there’s no irritation after application. For fairer skin types, its gradual, natural look can’t be beaten!

These are the best tinted sunscreens to keep your skin looking smooth and flawless!

Shop: Amazon |  Sephora

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops

If you long for a copper tone that comes on gradually, Isle of Paradise offers big results in small packages and is one of the best natural self tanners on the market. Their drops offer sunkissed skin without streaks and a special hydrating formula with avocado, chia seed, and coconut oil. 

According to one happy reader, you mix the drops with the lotion of your choice to achieve a natural, gradual look. “You control how much color you’re getting.” 

Product Comparison Chart

[wpsm_comparison_table id=”183″ class=”center-table-align”]

How Does Self Tanner Work?

Most sunless tanning products include dihydroxyacetone (DHA). When you apply DHA to your skin, it reacts with dead cells on the skin’s topmost layer to darken it. As you slough off the skin cells, the tan will wear off.

How Long Does Self Tanner Last?

It lasts from about three to 10 days, depending on its quality. To achieve a deeper color, you’ll need to routinely reapply the product.

How to Remove Self Tanner Streaks?  

If you’ve ever wondered how to remove self tanner, you’re not alone! If you’re not happy with your color, take a warm bath with three capfuls of baby oil, then exfoliate using a loofah or mitt. You can also rub lemon juice on streaks or spots for two 2-3 minutes to lighten them. 

Readers caution to remove streaks before reapplying more self tanner or you’ll come out with an uneven looking tan!

How to Apply Self Tanner to Back Area by Yourself

Applying self tanner in hard to reach places is not easy, but it can be done with the help of a mirror and a tanning mitt at the end of a wooden spoon. To get rid of any lines that the mitt left behind, use a spray to even it out. 

Preparing Toiletries for Travel

You’ve packed your carry-on and everything fits perfectly. That is until you need to fit in your toiletry bag! 

While It certainly can be daunting to plan ahead which toiletries you will need and which to leave behind, there are methods for making sure you have the essentials and also follow TSA guidelines while saving space. Start with the video below on how to resize toiletries to pack them more efficiently.

Watch this video to learn how to downsize your toiletries for travel!

For more help, you can also download our Ultimate Packing Guide for Toiletries. It’s FREE! You can click here or click the image below to open the editable file.

The list features unique categories to help you pack for your trip efficiently. It includes all the items listed in various categories and has spaces where you can fill in your own information.

With this guide, you can:

• Write in an item’s weight (lighter items means less overall baggage weight).
• Note if you need to purchase something or if you already own it.
• Organize where you’ll pack each item including suggested packing organizers like these .

Now that you have the best rated self tanner products to choose from ( by readers, of course) to get that vacation glow, use tips on how to downsize your toiletries, and remember not to skip the sunscreen when you hit vacation with that self-made tan!

What do you think are the best self tanner picks? Share and comment below!

For more travel beauty tips, please read:

• Best Reef Safe Sunscreen
• The Best Insect Repellent
• Best Anti-Chafing Products
• The Best Travel Containers

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The Best Self-Tanners of 2024

Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

Why trust Reviewed?

Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse

Easy to apply

Beautiful tan color

Long-lasting

Fades evenly

None that we could find

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse

Subtle tan color

Blotchy around ankles and feet

Limited shade range

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam

Very strong scent

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse

Natural-looking tan color

Even coating around tough-to-reach areas

Pleasant scent

Updated June 13, 2024

The Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse won our Best Overall spot for its smooth application, natural-looking tan, and non-blotchy fading.

Applying the Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse is easy; the self-tanner has a "color guard" that lightly tints the skin so you can see what areas you’ve covered. I was able to coat my whole body in the mousse quickly enough that I didn’t need a protective mitt to keep my hands from getting stained and helps provide an even application.

The pleasant, clean scent is light enough to not bother you once the formula dries, though, like all the rest of the self-tanners on this list, is not unnoticeable. The self-tanner comes in two shades, dark and ultra dark, and I chose the lighter of the offerings.

The instructions for the self-tanner recommend leaving the solution on for one hour for a light tan, up to four hours for a medium to dark tan, and eight hours for the deepest tan possible. I applied one thin coat at the beginning of my workday and showered it off after seven hours. The result on my pale skin was a noticeable but not overdone tan that wasn’t orange or too golden. I was happy with the color, as anything too dark would appear unnatural on me, but I’d suggest applying a thicker layer or a second coat for the full eight hours if you want an even deeper effect.

The self-tanner faded evenly over the course of a week, making it great for either one-time use or a multi-day vacation or event where you don’t want to keep reapplying. And once on my skin, the product left behind no noticeable residue or staining on my clothes or bedding.

The L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Mousse is our Best Value pick because it offers a smooth application and natural-looking color at a fraction of the price of the Best Overall.

While all of this makes an even application more challenging, the tan you end up with is subtle and forgiving. The tan I achieved was a good surprise, as the product is only available in one "medium" shade. This tanner has a coconut scent that, while pleasant, is strong. If you don’t enjoy a fragrance other than your perfume lingering, you may find this bothersome. Luckily, it fades away after washing, like others on this list.

The instructions recommend letting the tan develop for anywhere from four to eight hours before showering. As the tan was developing, it looked patchy at first, but I washed my skin within the recommended window of time, and the next day, the color appeared much more natural-looking and not blotchy. The only problem area was around my ankles and feet where the contours are harder to cover evenly, which was true of many of the other self-tanners on this list.

After I applied the self-tanner, my sun-kissed tan lasted a few days, fading evenly throughout each day. While I would have liked a more noticeable tan from one application, the instructions recommend applying the solution three times over the course of 12 to 24 hours if you want a deeper tan and longer-lasting color. If you’ve been hesitant about trying self-tanner, this is an affordable option that’ll give you a taste of what the application process and wear experience is like.

The Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel earned a Best for Beginner spot because of its easy-to-apply gel formula and subtle color.

While the L’Oréal self-tanner is a great entryway into the self-tanning world because of its affordable price and natural-looking hue, the Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel is the easiest to use of all of the products I tried and the most subtle, making it one of the best self-tanners for beginners.

The gel texture of this product, which mimics the texture of a body lotion that you’d likely already be familiar with, makes up for its lack of a color guard to guide you. The lightweight consistency glides with ease over the whole body without the need for an application mitt or any real skill, adding to the reasons why it is a top-notch choice for nervous beginner self-tanners.

The gel has a clean, floral scent that makes it stand out from all of the other sweeter self-tanner fragrances. The tanner also doesn’t require you to leave it on for any specified amount of time or wash it off, like many others. The instructions only suggest waiting until the product dries before getting dressed—in my experience, it remained tacky even after 30 minutes, so you may want to build in time to sit around in your skivvies for a while after application.

Once fully dry and developed, the tanner left my skin with an even, light tan that could fool anyone into thinking I’d just spent a couple of days in the sun. I was impressed that I could still see a slight hint of it a week after application, as it evenly faded away. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this self-tanner for beginners as well as for people with very light skin who want a guaranteed subtle glow and easy-to-achieve tan.

The Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self Tanner Mousse earned our Best Shade Range spot for its decent shade range.

If you love a tanning mousse formula, the Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is the best self-tanner I’d recommend after the Bali Body one because it has a good shade range, a long-lasting formula, and gives a beautiful glow to the skin. That said, prepare to work quickly when you apply this self-tanner. The mousse formula seemed to froth up rather than blend into the skin at first and I had to spread it fast in order to avoid a patchy finish, but the color guard helped.

The instructions recommend waiting at least two hours—or overnight for a deeper tan—before showering. I used the shade "Medium" (it also comes in "Dark" and "Ultra Dark") and received a noticeable but not-too-dark tone that looked akin to what I’d get from several days in the sun. This self-tanner wore away evenly over about a week, and I enjoyed the tan while I had it.

The smell of this mousse has a strong and very sweet scent. I blindly described it as caramel-esque, but Coco and Eve says that the sweetness I’m smelling is actually tropical Balinese mango and guava. Almost all of the self-tanners had a strong scent that lingered until the formula was washed off and sometimes even for a few hours after a shower and this was no different.

The St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse earned our Best Scent spot for its pleasant, floral fragrance.

If you’re not a fan of the typical self-tanner fragrance (which multiple brands refer to as a "biscuity" scent), you might enjoy the St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse. The brand refers to this product’s smell as its "mood-boosting signature fragrance" with notes of bergamot and green apple.

This is another great option for a self-tanning mousse, and I think most people would be happy with the results. This self-tanner has a dark color guard that makes it easy to apply in an even layer. I showered this self-tanner off after four hours—the instructions recommend waiting four to eight hours and I wasn’t sure what to expect color-wise, as this only comes in one shade called "Classic." Post-washing, I was impressed to see zero blotches around my knees, ankles, or feet—quite the feat for me. I’m not sure if I should toot my own horn or the self tanner’s, but I know I was pleased with the results.

However, I ended up noticing that my upper thighs appeared tanner than my calves. This could be user error or because below my knees never gets as tan as the rest of my legs (I blame 10 years of wearing shin pads while playing soccer) and my base color in those two specific areas may have differed.

How We Tested Self-Tanners

The author's arm with swatches of the Clarins (left), L'Oréal (center), and Bali Body (right) self-tanners.

Hi, I’m Jessica, the former beauty editor at Reviewed. I’ve tested all things skin-, makeup-, and hair-related for the beauty section. But perhaps most pertinent for this article—I’m pale. I have a very light-colored complexion that can achieve a very subtle natural tan if I sit in the sun—something I don’t do often and never without sunscreen. I’ve received a professional spray tan once in my life and have occasionally used self-tanners for a once-a-summer experiment, but I never keep up with regular applications. But knowing that plenty of people prefer tan skin for vacations in warmer climates or special events, I embarked on this self-tanner odyssey. (You’re welcome!)

There are plenty of self-tanner products to choose from that claim to give you "instant" results (as opposed to gradual), developing within a few hours of application. I sifted through bestseller lists and retailer reviews to narrow my testing list down to 12 options from top brands in this category. Because of my paleness, I typically opted for the medium shade available in any product that offered a light-medium-dark range, and the lightest option in any that only offered deeper hues.

At the beginning of my tests, I tested two self-tanners at a time by applying one to each leg. Because these products are designed to last several days, this method would give me accurate results wear-wise while also speeding up the testing process.

Then, I individually tested the four self-tanners that aced my first round of tests with an all-over application. I recorded my results on a scientifically calibrated rubric created by Reviewed’s team of scientists, rating the self-tanners on the following attributes:

Shade range: Does the self-tanner offer a very limited, decent, or plentiful amount of shades?

Application: How easy is it to dispense the self-tanner from the container? Do you need a lot of the self-tanner to cover the legs/body?

Wear: After following application instructions, how tan does your skin look? How does the self-tanner feel on your skin? Does the color fade evenly?

Longevity: How quickly does the self-tanner fade away?

Scent: Does the self-tanner have a smell? Is it pleasant or unpleasant? How powerful is the fragrance?

Staining: Does the self-tanner leave any residue/staining on clothes or bedding?

How Do Self-Tanners Work?

In order to understand how self-tanners work, it’s important to know that the two most common types of self-tanners are instant (which we tested) and gradual. Instant self-tanners begin taking effect immediately and fully develop over the course of a few hours. This kind of self-tanner requires you shower it off after a few hours, or overnight for a deeper tan.

Instant Self-Tanners

Gradual self-tanners.

According to our tester, its $34 price tag is worth it, given that she achieved a subtle tan a few hours post-application and it didn’t leave her skin feeling sticky or tacky. "Because it's a multi-purpose product that hydrates and tans, for me, it's money well spent," she writes.

How Do You Apply Self-Tanner?

The best self-tanners should provide a glowing, lasting tan. To ensure that you reap all the benefits of your self-tanner, we recommend the following steps when applying self-tanner.

Our tester found that using a self-tanning mitt helped make a much more seamless experience than without it. Otherwise, the tanner will create dark stain marks all over your skin.

Step 3: Finally, depending on what self-tanner you choose, you will have to let it sit on your skin for four to eight hours before taking a shower. And, of course, make sure your skin is completely dry before getting dressed.

How Long Do Self-Tanners Last?

Through our testing, we found that tans from instant self-tanners tend to last one week—or seven days—and faded away evenly without any awkward marks or streaks left as the self-tanners disappeared. However, the self-tanners’ claims don’t explicitly say that the tan should last a week.

How Do You Remove Self-Tanner?

What’s the difference between self-tanner for your body and face.

Despite their shared purpose, self-tanners for the body and face are not the same. While both types of self-tanner use DHA tanning active as the hero ingredient, the rest of the formulas are dramatically different from each other. Self-tanners for the body tend to have a thick texture and powerful scent. In turn, body self-tanners would likely be too heavy on the more delicate skin on your face.

Other Self-Tanners We Tested

The Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops are unlike any of the others on this list. They are liquid drops that you add into any moisturizer of your choice to apply on the face or body. I chose the medium shade, but they also offer light and dark shades.

The tan I got with this was fine . It wasn’t as tan as I would have preferred and, while I could use even more drops next time, I think I’d go through the tiny 1.01-ounce bottle quickly that way—a worry I didn’t have with any of the other tanners on this list. The experience of using the drops was pleasant despite the confusion at the beginning. I liked the clean, subtly sweet scent and how moisturized my legs felt due to the mix-in mechanism. I’d be more likely to recommend this as a face tanner than a body one.

Not tan enough

My experience with the Loving Tan 2 HR Express Self Tanning Mousse in the medium shade was a perplexing one. It started off great—I appreciated the noticeable color guard and easy-to-blend mousse formula. It felt comfortable to wear on my skin while it dried and didn’t stain the robe I was sitting on while waiting. The bottle came with an application mitt, which is a nice bonus. I even noted that I thought this could soar above the pack. But when I showered after the recommended two hours, I was surprised to see… pale.

Yes, there was a slight tan and it was even looking, but it was not nearly as noticeable as others on this list. I felt like it never fully developed on my skin and considered even redoing it. I opted not to re-test it because I followed the instructions correctly and couldn't think of how this would be a user error—except maybe that I should have gone with the dark solution or the "deluxe bronzing mousse" line instead of the two-hour express one. I’ve heard nothing but excellent things about this brand, and my experience with using this tanner was a positive one aside from the color that developed. For that reason I wouldn’t discount Loving Tan, but I wouldn’t recommend picking up this particular one in the medium shade.

Decent shade range

Includes tanning mitt

The Beauty By Earth Self-Tanner is a thick, white lotion that I found difficult to blend into the skin. My whole leg was covered in an opaque white tint at one point while I was spreading it, which led me to think that I applied too much. Still, it took less than five minutes to do my whole leg and the result was a smooth feel. After a few hours, it developed into a nice, natural-looking tan everywhere except my feet, which looked patchy. I was quick to chalk this up to user error, but then remembered that the thick formula didn’t do me any favors. The instructions recommend letting the tanner dry for 15 minutes before putting on clothing and there is no wash-off necessary.

A week after application, the tan was still present, but there were large patches on my leg where the tanner had faded more quickly. This could have been from me sitting down or crossing my legs within hours of applying the product, but even if that’s the case, I’d prefer a less finicky product.

Moisturizing

Natural-looking color

Difficult to apply

The Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse is as easy to apply as all of the other mousses on this list. The light bronze shade is spreadable and it has a color guard that helps with even coverage. I tried this product toward the beginning of my testing and I wanted to know if letting the self-tanner develop overnight would be a way of testing I’d like because many instructions allow for it.

I applied this on clean skin to one leg and waited until I thought it was dry. It felt tacky, but not any more than a moisturizer does for sometimes hours after application. The result was some patchiness around my ankles and feet, but an otherwise nice color. I showered and saw a big improvement—my skin looked much more even and the color was even more natural without the residue from the color guard. The result lasted a few days before fading gradually.

This reminds me a lot of the L’Oréal Paris tanner and it’s another decent drugstore option. I’d prefer a formula that dries faster and doesn’t feel tacky for hours post-application, but it works in a pinch.

Blotchy in tough-to-reach areas

Stays tacky for hours

The Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam fell flat for me. It has a color guard, but I still had a hard time applying this evenly—it wasn't streak-free. Almost all of the self-tanners left at least a little residue on my robe, but this one transferred a lot, causing me to worry that there wouldn’t be any formula there to actually tan my leg.

The instructions say that you can shower this off after one hour but wait for up to six if you want a deeper tan. After a few hours, I showered it off and barely saw a tan. At the time, I was just relieved to see that my leg wasn’t a patchy mess after the streaky application and transfer onto my robe. While I’m sure this could be built up for a deeper color, there are too many good options on this list for me to recommend this over any of the ones above.

Not streaky despite difficult application

Transfers onto clothing

To apply the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Makeup, you shake the can, spray it into your hands, and rub it onto the skin. This is considered makeup, so it won’t create a lasting tan, but we opted to include it on this list because it’s a popular product that gives an instant result.

I found it awkward to rub into the skin because the can produces a frothy liquid, sort of like spray paint. Of course, the color showed up right away, but it looked too orange on my skin tone. An upside was that it made my leg look overall smoother in appearance and even added a sheen to my skin with tiny flecks of glitter. I wouldn’t choose this for a special occasion because of the color on me, but I can see the appeal of a product like this.

Smooths skin's appearance

Not long-lasting

The instructions for the Neutrogena Micromist Airbrush Sunless Tanning Spray recommend applying it in a well-ventilated area. I wanted to avoid putting on a show by standing outside my apartment building to apply it, so I stood in my shower instead. This way, I could walk away from the spray once I was done and hose down the shower in case of staining.

The formula is clear, making it hard to tell where you’ve applied it except for a slight sheen it leaves behind. It also felt way less precise to use a spray than to use my hands to apply a mousse, gel, or lotion. I applied it in vertical motions up my leg and hoped for the best. After a few hours, the tan started to develop and it looked somewhat natural but streaky in some areas. There was even a big white spot in the middle of my shin, which could have been from me crossing my legs under my desk, but it’s hard to say. In the end, there are too many great self-tanner options on this list to settle for this so-so one.

Messy application

More on beauty

Related content.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Meet the tester

Jessica Kasparian

Beauty Editor

Jessica writes and edits beauty content as a member of Reviewed's commerce team and manages a beauty TikTok called Beautorial. She's spent four years testing makeup, skincare, hair care, and body care products, and she acts as Reviewed's beauty expert.

Jessica represented Reviewed's beauty section at CES in-person and virtually for four years, and she was nominated for and graduated from the Gannett Emerging Leaders 2021-2022 program.

Jessica holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism from Emerson College, and she's written for Scary Mommy, 7News, Boston.com, Citizine, and Boston Common Magazine.

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• Beauty & Personal Care
• Sunscreens & Tanning Products
• Self-Tanners
• Body Self-Tanners

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Instant Self Tanner Mousse, Sunless Tanning Light Bronze Tan, for a Natural-looking Tan, 6 Oz, Pack of 2

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• FLAWLESS SELF TANNER - This self tanner creates a flawless, quick tan with gradual, natural-looking color for gorgeous skin and blended color.
• DEEP SUNLESS TANNING - Lightweight, airy tanning mousse enhances your natural skin tone to mimic results from the sun.
• NATURAL BODY BRONZER - Develop your tone instantly, and watch it deepen within hours of application for steak-free results. Use the next day for deeper color.
• TROPICAL, FRUITY SCENT - Jergens Natural Glow Mousse gives you an island escape with its tropical, fruity fragrance.
• EASY, FAST-DRYING APPLICATION - Applied by hand or sunless tanning mitt, our self tanning mousse is tinted for precise application, and it dries in just 60 seconds.

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From the manufacturer

Forget waiting around for a sunless tan — Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse is an easy-to-apply tanning foam that absorbs in just 60 seconds. Smooth on this airy body tanning lotion for a flawless self tanner that delivers sun-kissed, natural-looking color — no patience required. Jergens Instant Sun Light Bronze and Deep Bronze sunless tanners work with your skin tone to create personalized, flawless color that dries quickly and lasts for days.— Streak free, hassle free instant self tanner — Cruelty free bronze tanning lotion — Fast-drying, dermatologist-tested fake tanner

Product Description

Get a beautiful, sun-drenched tan in just 60 seconds by smoothing on Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse for Body. This lightweight, airy mousse works with your skin tone to mimic results you’d get from the natural sun, and without the unpleasant sunless tanner odor. The tinted formula lets you see where you’ve applied it, so the result is a precise, even glow that dries in 60 seconds. The color develops instantly, and will continue to develop for several hours after application to a natural-looking shade. If you’d like deeper color, the formula is buildable, and can be applied again the next day. It’s safe, hassle-free color even when the beach is miles (or months) away. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Limitations may apply.

Product details

• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.58 x 4.33 x 1.93 inches; 6 ounces
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ 27805
• UPC ‏ : ‎ 019100278059
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Kao USA Inc.
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B094YMJF4P
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
• #519 in Body Self-Tanners

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Important information

Safety information.

For external use only.

Ingredients

See packaging for ingredient details

Pump tanning mousse into your hand and smooth evenly over clean, primed body skin. Use sparingly around elbows, knees and ankles. Wash hands immediately after application. Allow skin to dry prior to dressing. Color will develop instantly and deepen over the next several hours. Use once for natural-looking color and repeat the next day if deeper color is desired.

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The Best Instant Wash-Off Tans For Party Season

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

The Natural Finish

GLO Matte One Day Tan, £5.49 (was £10.99) | Bondi Sands

For a 24-hour quick fix, this silky, lightweight product creates an instant, flawless finish. For high and even coverage, apply it like a moisturiser and blend it out using a mitt or brush to buff everything out. Using a skin-perfecting formula, it casts a seamless glow, which is both transfer and waterproof. At the end of the day, simply wash it off with soap and warm water.

Available at Boots.com

The Illuminator

Instant Hero Illuminating Wash Off Tanning Gel, £18 (was £24) | Tan- Luxe

This silky tan is one of the most radiant, with a natural-looking colour and gel texture that quickly melts into skin for a streak-free glow. Like all Tan-Luxe products, it’s brimming with skin-loving goodness, including aloe vera and vitamins C and E to top up hydration – especially useful in these drier months.

Available at SpaceNK.com

The Customisable Glow

Instant Glow Body Bronzer Medium, £13 (was £15) | St Tropez

With a cream-to-powder formulation, a quick-drying finish and smudge-proof coverage, this offers fast, reliable results. We’re big fans of the non-sticky, easy-to-apply texture – not to mention the signature St Tropez scent. Make this your go-to for a bronzed glow that lasts all day – and night – until you are ready to rinse it off.

Available at  Boots.com

The Blurring Hero

Body Base Instant Tan, £16 | Sculpted By Aimee A tan and make-up hybrid, this product works like a foundation for the body – blurring, smoothing and perfecting to achieve a more flawless finish. While adding a radiant coverage, it’s also seriously nourishing thanks to added shea butter. It also contains SPF – bonus.

Available at SculptedByAimee.co.uk

The Skincare Hybrid

Perfectly Bronzed Self Tan Quick Dry, £8.97 (was £14.95) | No7 

This serum-like product blends all the elements of self-tan with No.7’s skincare expertise, resulting in a product that bronzes and blurs while also improving the look and feel of your skin. Quick drying and easy with a lightweight texture, the colour develops within an hour and is enriched with babassu oil and passionflower seed oil to soothe and moisturise.

The Multipurpose One

Awesome Bronze Flawless Self-Tanning Mist for Face & Body, £60 | Beauty Pie

For a flawless, even and customisable finish, try this easy-to-apply party hero. Formulated as a spray and with an ultra hydrating formula – containing multiple ceramides and niacinamide – it does it all. There are two shades to choose from, but you can intensify the finish by applying a little extra to deepen the shade. 

Available at BeautyPie.com

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Self-Tanners That Work in 1 Hour or Less

Lindsey Metrus is the associate general manager at Byrdie and has been with the brand since 2015. Her work also appears in BuzzFeed, StyleCaster, and Yahoo.

We're in the age of instant gratification, and sometimes that notion applies to certain beauty products. We're not talking clear skin in two days or fast-acting hair tools that promise a supermodel blow dry in five minutes. Think more along the lines of a quick tanner. If getting a faux tan in the timeline of "three to five days" from typical self-tanning solutions is too long a wait, fear not. There are several instant products on the market that can boost your bronze just before you're ready to leave the house, no spray tan appointment needed.

The prepping process is key for the perfect glow. First and foremost, always remember to exfoliate as rough, dry skin may absorb the tanning lotion in patches, making for a less-than-desirable look. it's also a good idea to apply regular moisturizer on rough areas of skin, like knees, elbows, heels, etc., to provide a thin film so the self-tanner won’t absorb unevenly. Lastly, don't forget to shave your legs before you apply sunless tanner as having stubble can make for a tricky application.

Keep scrolling for the best instant tanners that work in under an hour.

Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Mousse

It’s a cult classic for a reason. This mousse absorbs super fast, meaning quicker drying time and less color transfer onto clothing (the worst!). Even better, you don't have to worry about that self-tanner scent—this one is odor-free.

Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel

Maintaining a sun-kissed glow year round is a bit easier with this lightweight, hydrating gel. If the “gel” aspect of this sunless tanner is giving you pause, rest assured that it’s oil free and fast drying with gorgeous back-from-the-beach results.

Tarte Brazilliance PLUS+ Self-Tanner + Mitt

The mitt isn’t even the most brilliant part of this product. It’s enriched with maracuja and vitamin C meant for firm, bright, and smooth skin, so not only are you getting an instant tan , but you’re getting essential skin benefits, too!

La Beach Tanning Water Mist Bronze

Maybe you're new to self-tanner and afraid of the harsh chemicals the big brands make their products out of, so you're looking for something with as many natural and organic ingredients as possible. Maybe you just want a cruelty free and vegan option. Maybe these things don't matter to you but you like to support small brands with great packaging. If any of these things sound like they apply to you, la beach's Tanning Water Mist might be the way to go.

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam

Reviewers love this 100 percent natural, good-smelling (really) formula from Coco & Eve, which takes at maximum two hours to develop. It truly delivers on the depth of tan it promises—medium, dark, or ultra dark—and you can get it on its own or in a cute bundle .

St. Tropez Self-Tan Express Bronzing Gel

St. Tropez, possibly one of the most famous self-tan brands around, recently came out with this nifty gel, which develops based on the length of time you leave it on. For a slight tan, leave it on for an hour. For a very deep tan, leave it on for three. The formula includes a lot of hyaluronic acid , too, so it promises to hydrate your skin while getting you tan.

Bali Body Self-Tanning Mousse

Antioxidants and nourishing oils make this mousse the perfect self-tanner for anyone who wants a luxe experience (and to be as tan as possible.) Like the St. Tropez gel, it's time-dependent, so if you want an incredibly dark tan you can leave it on for up to 8 hours. However, if you just want a nice and healthy streak-free glow, go with one hour.

Sol by Jergens

Talk about instant gratification, Sol by Jergens works within minutes for a glowy, flattering, one-time application. Achieve noticeable results with ease, especially if you're pressed for time. The product does leave behind a slightly sticky residue upon application, so take note of this as you layer the perfect color (it's extremely buildable, which is why we love it). Users say color lasts on your skin for up to several days.

IL Makiage 85/66 Magic Moisturizing Sun Foam

Another quick-developing pick, IL 85/66 Magic Moisturizing Sun Foam is formulated with erythrulose, a natural tanning agent that can reduce the appearance of scars and discoloration. It dries immediately and lasts up to a week, so it's perfect for those who don't have the time to reapply sunless tanner every few days. If you're sensitive to scents, this one is strong, so you may want to opt for a different option.

Isle of Paradise Express Self-Tanning Mousse

"Sunkissed in 30 minutes" is what Isle of Paradise promises, and yes, it delivers. With a glowing tan lasting up to one week, this express mousse gives you a streak-free, instant glow that continues to deepen over the course of three hours. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin C, and a slew of oils like avocado and coconut hydrate and lock in skin's moisture, so you'll illuminate from the inside out. For more from the brand, read our review of Isle of Paradise's Hyglo Self-Tan Body Serum .

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By Terry Tea To Tan Face & Body Travel Size 30ML

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Description

Infuse some tea into your tan with By Terry Tea to Tan Face and Body, a self-tanning serum with antioxidant tea extracts to care for the complexion.

Designed for both the face and body, Tea to Tan from beauty pioneers By Terry provides sun-kissed skin all year round. This easy-to-use liquid bronzer gives an instant golden glow due to its long-lasting formula, which contains 100% natural active cherry and revitalising tea tree extracts.

Apply just once under makeup for an immediate subtle glow or layer for a deep and durable tan that brightens the complexion with skin friendly antioxidant properties. Black and red tea extracts teamed with cold-pressed fruit active essence moisturise the skin, leaving it soft to the touch and streak free. Easy to apply, this product comes in an elegant bottle and is quick to dry.

Key Benefits

• Streak free formula
• Infused with antioxidant tea extracts
• Long-lasting wear
• Easy to wash off
• Natural all-over tan
• Quick drying

SKU# UK200026885

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160 Reviews

Summary of Customer Ratings & Reviews

Location: London

Reviews: 21

Skin Type:: Normal / Balanced

Great product, but poor packaging

I had read the reviews before buying, so I decided to try the travel size first. No issues with the pump as there is none, but the dispenser is a bit finicky. It is a bottle with a tiny hole at the top, and you need to shake the product out. If you are not careful, it splashes everywhere. I stained a shirt that way. But the product is very lovely! I don't wear much foundation, and I am more on the Fair side, so I mix 3-4 drops with 2 drops of the By Terry hyaluronic foundation, giving me the perfect glow and light coverage. Wash your hands if, like me, you use them, as it stains. I have not used it on my body, so I can't comment. Just a shame the delivery mechanism is not optimal, hence taking out 2 stars.

annagolubov

Reviews: 39

Recommends this product: Yes

awesome tanning oil!

i love love love this product! i always use it after shaking - as i want to have some sparkles on skin. It doesnt stain clothes! super easy to apply, smells nice (not like typical tanning stuff), creates a wonderful shade of sun-kissed skin and i love it that i can just wash it off in the shower. all over perfect product which i highly recommend!

Do you have sensitive skin?: Yes

Skin Type:: Combination

Great liquid bronzer

I bought this product because I was looking for something to give me a slightly tanned look for start of summer. And I am very happy! It is a biphasic product: it has a liquid tanning agent that you shake into a nice mix with a golden sheer substance that normally collects at the bottom. You can just give yourself a touch of bronze or build up the effect if you wish. And the result is a more glowing you! I love it!!

Location: SPAIN

Skin Tone:: Medium

AFTER ONE USE THE SPRAY BUTTON STOPED WORKING SO DISAPOINTED

Originally posted on: byterry.com

Location: Bristol

Do you have sensitive skin?: No

Natural looking colour

This is easy to apply (once you know how!) and gives a lovely natural colour with a hint of sparkle. Just be careful not to go overboard and watch out when you are spraying. Suggest you spray directly onto a large kabuki brush. Love it for a little spring in your step!

My review of Tea To Tan Face & Body Travel Size

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This Genius Gadget Is the Travel Accessory Everyone's Wearing to Stay Cool in the Heat — and It's 20% Off

More than 30,000 of them were sold last month alone.

Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland

A career as a food and travel writer may sometimes appear rather glamorous, but the reality can be quite different. It often involves long and exhausting days researching and exploring in all kinds of weather conditions. For all the beautiful days we may enjoy experiencing a picturesque olive harvest, we have those stretches of walking through farms or vineyards when it’s sweltering out, and those humid jaunts can get progressively sweaty and uncomfortable if you're not sporting the proper attire and gear .

While sometimes our work will go indoors, where we can try the wines or freshly harvested fruits and vegetables in the comfort of air conditioning, that’s not always the case. And as the world has been experiencing record-high temperatures in recent years, it’s become a job necessity to find ways to stay cool and comfortable while outdoors by whatever means I can, whether it’s staying hydrated and wearing a sun hat , embracing cooling clothing options , or – of late – taking along the PenKou Portable Neck Fan .

PenKou Portable Neck Fan

Currently 20 percent off, the portable neck fan offers instant, 360-degree, gentle cooling via 72 thin ventilation slots (or wind outlets, as the brand calls them) and a lightweight and adjustable wrap-around design that honestly, at an initial glance, looks a lot like headphones resting on your neck. The PenKou Portable Neck Fan has a sort of geeky gadget aesthetic that would appeal to the tech nerds among us for sure, but what I was most concerned with was not how it looked — vain as I can be at times (and this trip had big picture moments) — but if wearing it would cool down my head and neck enough that I could do my job and be reasonably comfortable even in a rather unbearably hot setting.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t originally buy this portable neck fan for travel purposes. I currently live in an apartment without air conditioning, and it can get particularly toasty on sweltering summer days. I have a few well-placed fans around my apartment, but when I discovered that portable neck fans were kind of a big deal on TikTok (and that there was a wearable option that could keep me cool as I worked during those oppressive days), I had to give it a try.

I remember the first time I told my mom I was going about my workday (and travels!) with a fan around my neck, and she had several stereotypically motherly concerns. She was imagining fan blades circulating around my neck, poised to injure or maim. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth. What it does do is create a refreshing cooling breeze, even if you're in a stuffy room or environment on one of those windless humid and hot days. 

Much like wireless headphones do with volume control, the PenKou Portable Neck Fan has a button at the side that allows you to cycle through during fan speeds, and it’s also built to last all day thanks to a rechargeable battery that will last between three to 24 hours depending on the speed used. This serves well when working or exploring outdoors, or just trying to sit at a cafe and get some work done on a steamy afternoon.

Between its recent TikTok fame and its 4,600-plus five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers, the game-changing PenKou Portable Neck Fan is definitely not a secret anymore. In fact, more than 30,000 of them were sold in the last month alone, according to Amazon. In their review, a Disney World parkgoer called the neck fan a "must-have" if you "are traveling somewhere hot, or just live in high-temperature places" because the battery "lasts a long time and [the fan] truly cools you off." 

Chiming in, another shopper raved that it came in handy for a jungle vacation: "I didn’t have to recharge it my entire trip for five days. It was even cooling on the medium setting." And, if you're a hot sleeper, one reviewer confirmed that it's comfortable to wear to bed. "I take this everywhere: traveling, hiking, sporting events, running, biking and I’ve even slept with it on." 

What started out as a gadget I was using to survive in my apartment in the summer is now something I use to cool down between appointments, when I'm traveling, or working outdoors on those steamy days. The PenKou Portable Neck Fan is so portable and versatile that I cannot imagine living without it — even if one day, I do become a person who lives in an apartment with central air conditioning and avoids traveling during triple-digit temperatures. As if any of that would ever happen! 

Grab the PenKou Portable Neck Fan before your next adventure, and keep scrolling to explore the other cooling gadgets that Amazon has to offer. 

More Cooling Travel Accessories at Amazon:

Ergodyne cooling headband, o2cool deluxe necklace fan, slenpet portable waist clip fan, rogg toggs chilly pad instant cooling towel, jisulife handheld mini fan.

At the time of publishing, the price started at $32. 

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Related Articles

7 Free Travel Planning AI and ChatGPT Apps to Get an Instant Itinerary

Quick links.

• PLAN by ixigo
• Trip Planner AI
• Vacay Chatbot
• Layla, Wonderplan, and PLAN by ixigo are AI travel planning apps with customizable itineraries.
• iplan.ai offers detailed itineraries for popular tourist cities based on interests and budget.
• Curiosio plans road trips on all continents, while Trip Planner AI helps with activity selection and cost estimation.

You can tell a travel agent your preferred dates, the place you want to visit, and your budget, and expect a full itinerary of what to do there based on your preferences. But can AI do the same job?

These free travel planning apps use AI and machine-learning tools like ChatGPT to prepare an itinerary for you in a few seconds, and we took them for a spin.

Layla describes itself as an AI trip planner, meaning you can use it to decide your vacation destination, create itineraries, and find suitable hotels and flights.

If you are uncertain about your destination or would like suggestions, you can ask Layla for advice regarding your trip. Otherwise, enter your destination and ask Layla to create your itinerary. Within a few seconds, you'll get a detailed plan for your trip.

As Layla is a chatbot, you can enter a prompt to ask it to change your itinerary. For instance, ask it to focus more on outdoor activities or include local restaurants. If you're unsatisfied with the activities planned on any particular day, you can give instructions and ask Layla to regenerate that part only.

Once you've perfected your itinerary, you can share it with your friends via a URL or add it to your bucket list.

2. Wonderplan

Wonderplan is a wonderful AI tool for planning your trip. To create your itinerary, Wonderplan first asks you to enter your destination country and city, your budget, the number of days you'll be staying, and your interests.

It then creates a travel plan within a few minutes, displaying various places to visit, their descriptions, and the time usually spent at each location. Although Wonderplan doesn't show the trip map, it does provide a link to Google Maps for each place.

It also displays different types of accommodation available (like Airbnb, hotel, or hostel) and their respective costs. Similarly, there are details about transportation, food, and activities. This way, you can estimate the potential cost of your trip.

In addition to your itinerary, Wonderplan also shows essential information about the country you're visiting. These include the currency conversion rate, electricity plug type, languages spoken, weather, and popular conveyances.

3. PLAN by ixigo

PLAN by ixigo starts by asking you about your dream destination. Then, it provides an option to describe the type of experience you want to have. This is just like a ChatGPT prompt, so you can enter anything you wish.

For example, you can specify the duration of your stay, your interests, the kinds of activities you're looking for, whether you have a family with you, and so on.

But if you can't think of any prompts, PLAN by ixigo provides a few trip ideas, so you can always select those. PLAN by ixigo then shows a day-wise plan, showing what you can do in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

However, if the suggested itinerary doesn't sound appealing, you can again enter a prompt to edit it.

4. iplan.ai

While iplan.ai doesn't mention which AI or machine-learning algorithm it uses, the results are fantastic enough to gloss over that. The app works beautifully on phones to give you a full itinerary for any one city at a time, depending on how many days you have there.

The app first asks you to name the destination city. As far as we checked, iplan.ai works best for popular tourist cities, not offbeat or obscure travel. Next, note how many days you will be there, and then choose your free time each day—a cool step to ensure a better itinerary if you already have some plans, but not a whole days worth.

Tell iplan.ai if you're traveling solo, as a couple, with family, or with friends, and then choose your interest among topics like history, art and culture, nature, entertainment, shopping, food, sports, relaxing, etc. Finally, choose between an economy, normal, or luxury budget.

After a few minutes, iplan.ai gives you a day-wise itinerary for your trip. It's plotted on a map so you can see all the locations, and each point of interest has a brief description along with estimated travel time.

The app has both free and paid plans. With a paid account, you can share the trip plan with your friends and access it offline. Another limitation of iplan.ai is that you can't get an itinerary for a multi-city trip. For now, you'll need to make a plan for each city you're visiting, one at a time.

Download: iplan.ai for Android | iOS (Free, Paid)

5. Curiosio

The easiest last-minute travel plan is to get into a car and drive. Curiosio specializes in helping you plan an itinerary for a road trip to several major countries on all continents. It doesn't cover every single place, but the existing collection is impressive enough.

Curiosio uses its own AI engine, Ingeenee, which is trained on several crowdsourced travel-based resources, such as Wikivoyage, Wikipedia, Wikidata, Freebase, DBpedia, GeoNames, OSMNames, and OpenStreetMap. Through this dataset, it can chart an itinerary that meets your requirements across various parameters.

You can set options for a round trip or a one-way trip with starting and finishing points. If there are any places you want to visit on the way, add them in. Then set the number of travelers, dates of the journey, what vehicle you're using, total budget, and whether you want to visit places that spark curiosity or are obscure. The AI will usually give you multiple plans and routes for these options.

The itinerary includes a map of your route and a day-wise breakdown of where you'll be going and what you'll be seeing. Each point of interest is clickable to find more information about it. There are easy ways to share your itinerary with co-travelers, print it out, or even export it to Google Maps. Curiosio is one of the best road trip planners for your next adventure .

6. Trip Planner AI

Trip Planner AI plans a perfect trip to your dream destination. Begin creating your itinerary by entering the city you wish to visit and traveling dates. You can add multiple destinations here.

Then, select the kinds of activities you prefer, the number of people, and whether you're traveling with friends or family. Trip Planner AI asks you about your dietary preferences and budget.

As an optional step, you can specify the place where you'll be staying so that it creates an itinerary accordingly. If you haven't decided on your lodging yet, you can explore hotels suggested by Trip Planner AI.

Finally, Trip Planner AI generates a detailed itinerary, a map, and basic information about the city you're visiting. For each destination, it provides the details of the place, expected traveling time, and cost. Though it provides a complete plan for your trip, you can manually add or remove activities from your itinerary. You can also invite your friends to edit the itinerary and download it as a PDF.

7. Vacay Chatbot

Vacay Chatbot is not a dedicated itinerary maker but an AI chatbot that acts like your travel advisor. So, you can ask it to give travel recommendations, compare different destinations, and, of course, create an itinerary. If you've previously used AI chatbots like ChatGPT, you'll find this trip planner easy to use.

Just enter a prompt specifying your destination and trip details and ask Vacay Chatbot to create an itinerary. You can include details like your trip duration, budget, preferences, number of travelers, etc. The more details you provide, the better your itinerary will be.

One of the downsides of using Vacay Chatbot is that it doesn't provide a map for your trip. However, you can use these apps to plot your itinerary on a map .

All these travel planning AI apps urge you not to use the itinerary as-is and only treat it as a template or guide to begin planning your trip. This is because they currently have several limitations, like databases that aren't recently updated or require specific prompts from the user.

A real human travel agent will still give you a more customized itinerary, but it will cost you a few bucks. If you want a free base guide, more basic travel planning apps are a good starting point.

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

• Cities near Elektrostal

• Places of interest
• Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
• Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
• Peter the Great Military Academy
• Bykovo Manor
• Balashikha Arena
• Ramenskii History and Art Museum
• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
• Pekhorka Park
• Saturn Stadium
• Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center