Self-tanning lotions are a popular alternative to tanning outside. Though they are an easy option, one might worry about turning into an Oompa-Loompa if applied incorrectly. Not to worry though, as to skip the orange skin tone, finding the right self-tanner for your skin is now super easy with our list of the best self-tanners that are every bit skin and environmentally-friendly. 

When it comes to tanning, one size does not fit all as there is much more to it than light, medium, and dark tones. The depth of color, color match, and application method matter the most in self-tanners as the user gets to achieve the possible results that tanning beds provide, based on them. Plus, be it customizable or not, the handpicked self-tanners in our exquisite list are here to save pale skin days and bring you a sun-kissed bronze glow that is sure to make Bella Hadid jealous!

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• 1
  Best Overall

  b.tan tanned AF Self-tanner

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B.tan’s self-tanner is the perfect pick for those in search of the darkest possible tan in the books. Crafted without the nasties and free of palm oil, this product provides an even tan when applied for 3-4 hours. The tanning mousse is also very easy to use as it comes with hand mitts to apply the product evenly on hydrated and exfoliated skin areas. Last, but not least, it is enriched with clean ingredients sourced sustainably that are both skin and environmentally friendly. 

 

2

Best Lotion Formula

St.Tropez Classic Gradual Tan Firming Lotion

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We cannot stop obsessing over the number of skincare benefits this tanning lotion by St. Tropez offers the skin! To begin with, the formula features rich humectants such as hyaluronic acid and marine algae that act as a hydration bomb for your skin, effectively tackling problems such as dryness and tightness, making your skin feel rejuvenated. Speaking of its tanning benefits, the lotion helps you achieve a beautiful sun-kissed look gradually, over 72 hours, so your tan looks natural and less odd.

3

Easiest to Apply

Tan Towel Self Tan Towelette

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Forget about stepping out in the sun — with these tanning towelettes, you don’t even have to experience any application nuisance as they make getting a tan so easy! These towelettes are infused with a self-tanning formula blended with some skin-loving ingredients that replenish your skin while sprucing its appearance. The formula consists of rich amino acids and skin-identical proteins that help smoothen your skin’s surface for a healthier, more youthful appearance. Besides, it is brimming with antioxidants from vitamins C and E, which keeps free radical damage at bay. 

4

ST. TROPEZ SELF TAN CLASSIC

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Those with sensitive skin should invest in this self-tanning product by St. Tropez. Designed to provide a natural-looking tan, the self-tanner mousse adapts to your skin tone perfectly. Adding to that, the lightweight, non-sticky foam product is mixed with moisturizing jojoba and other skin care actives to extend your tan for up to 10 days with even fading. Lastly, to be noted, the pack includes a premium tan mitt to perfectly integrate the product into your skin to achieve desirable results. 

5

JERGENS NATURAL GLOW WET SKIN MOISTURIZER

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Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin moisturizer is not like other underachievers that take years to show results, but built over time with natural gradience. The white, velvety product spreads and absorbs swiftly into the epidermis, exactly like a typical lotion. Plus, with no guiding color and a delicate floral aroma, it's one of the few self-tanning products that you can apply and leave on your skin without fretting about over-tanning. To be noted, when used consistently for a few days, it promises to give you significant color like the ever-glowing sun.

 

6

Best for Pale Skin

COCO&EVE SUNNY HONEY BALI BRONZING FOAM

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Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali bronzing foam is a lightweight 100% natural DHA self-tan mousse that delivers an instant bronze glow. It is loaded with raw virgin coconuts, botanicals, and amino acids to moisturize and blur discoloration and stretch marks for flawless skin. Our findings uncovered that it also provides benefits such as getting rid of signs of aging with CelluShape tech. Moreover, its unique color guide technology enriched with powerful natural antioxidants like fig, banana, papaya, and cocoa help to nourish the skin intensely, making it one of the best self-tanners for pale skin!

 

7

Best Gradual Self-tanner

TAN-LUXE THE FACE - Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

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This product by TAN-LUXE turns your chosen moisturizer, serum, or oil into a personalized self-tanner. Made for the pros in self-tanning, the customizable face drops work like semi-permanent cosmetics, minimizing blemishes, canceling redness, and balancing the skin tone. It also boasts skin-elevating properties of raspberry seed oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera that keep your young skin feeling hydrated and nourished all day. Lastly, the easy to use feature makes this product the best self-tanners for the face!

 

8

Best for Dry Skin

TANOLOGIST EXPRESS TAN Mousse

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Tanologist’s self-tan mousse is the pick for impatient individuals seeking foam-based products with fast action abilities. With a transparent water-to-foam formula, the lightweight composition doesn't block the pores. It's also a multi-tasking, express formula that can be spread like butter onto the skin for an all-over glow. To note, the tan settles onto the skin and develops within 4-6 hours, making it the perfect choice for night tanners. The best part? It lasts for up to one week and fades evenly as your sun tan would.

9

Best Organic Tanner

BEAUTY BY EARTH Face Self-tanner

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One of the best organic self-tanners, one will love this lotion for their face and body. The formula contains witch hazel, and pomegranate extracts that leave your skin feeling light and refreshed. Cranberry fruit extracts, aloe vera, and shea butter are the other potent components in it that help maintain moisture levels to avoid drying the skin during the tanning process. Additionally, the lotion encapsulates the goodness of Japanese green tea extracts that reduce redness, irritation, and premature aging of sensitive skin. 

 

10

Cult Favorite

MineTan 1 HOUR EXPRESS Self-Tan Foam

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Here's something for the gym goers seeking a sun-kissed tan without having to skip even a single day of workout – MineTan’s self-tan foam. Its striking composition allows sweat to flow through the tan rather than remove it. It is one of the best long-lasting self-tanners, as it not only provides a dark brown tan on pale skin but also gradually fades off over two weeks. Furthermore, made with caffeine, guarana, and grape seed oil, the product helps fight against radicals and premature aging for an even toned skin.  

 

11

Best for Streak-free Tan

bondi sands Self Tanning Foam

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This self-tanner’s after-effects resemble an Instagram filter in real life. Ideal for all skin types, one can achieve an instant bronze skin tone without experiencing itchiness or breakouts with this fragrance-free formula. The prompt formula starts depositing tan within 30 minutes of application and provides the darkest hue if kept for over 4 hours. To exfoliate deeper, the product also comes with a hand mitt, making this pick ideal for first-timers in the tanning game!

 

12

Best Splurge

N°12 Bronzing Face Drops + Lux Unfiltered

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Luxurious and velvety, this translucent and clean self-tanner is perfect for those who don't mind breaking their banks for a flawless light to dark tan. Infused with hyaluronic acid, pomegranate extracts, coconut water, passion fruit oil, and vitamin E, the tan drops provide a healthy glow with a gradual tan-up. It is also compatible with all skin types, and loaded with antioxidants, making it one of the top self-tanners for faces on our curated list!

13

GLOSSIVA Face & Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

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Those who prefer light to medium tan will appreciate this self-tanner by Glossiva. It comprises glycerin, water, castor oil, saccharide isomerate (moisturizing humectants), and mandarin orange to nourish and hydrate your skin to maximum. More than darkening specific areas, the formula concentrates on color-correcting uneven spots on the arms, legs, and overall body. This makes it one of the best self-tan drops for people with all skin types. To note, you can also add a few drops of this product to your lotion or moisturizer for consistent application and give yourself a customized self-tanner at home!

 

14

Isle of Paradise Self-tanning Butter

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Easy to spread over the skin, this gradual self-tanning butter is just the pick for budget savers. Fortified with avocado, coconut, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, and grapefruit extracts, one receives the better end of the stick in skincare and self-tanning with this product in their stash. Also, unlike many body butters, this one pumps out white, so there's no need to worry about it staining your clothes or spreading all over your sofa. A plus point? It leaves a golden glow without drying out the skin!

Now that you have seen our product recommendations for the best self-tanners, glance through our buying guide to make an informed purchasing decision. 

 

Here are a few aspects to consider when buying a self-tanner - 

• Shade: When trying self tanning for the first time, try to opt for a tanning solution that is two times darker than your own skin tone to get a slight tint. Sometimes, the brand will provide a guide on how to proportionately apply the tanning product to the skin. Here, a small piece of advice would be to be patient and let the first wash reveal the exact pigment and then try building to avoid hyperpigmentation.
• Formula: Self-tanners are found in many forms for our convenience. While most of the items in this roundup are lotions or mousses, there are also tanning drops with each having their own advantages and disadvantages. Mousses usually have a visible color as they are used directly from the container, so you can see how much quantity you need to apply. They are generally lighter and dry faster making them perfect for oily skin types. While lotions may clog the pores and tend to dry slower, but are more moisturizing than mousses, they are ideal for dry skin types.
• DHA Content: Self-tanners typically contain DHA, which is a type of sugar that binds with proteins in the skin to generate brown pigments known as melanoidins. This is how skin darkens after using a self-tanning product(1). Though it doesn't necessarily harm the skin, the input of antioxidants in the self-tanning products helps balance the DHA content. So, be sure to check the amount of DHA in your self-tanner for optimal results.

Conclusion

The last thing you want when attempting to achieve a bronzed glow on your own is to end up looking like a cheesy cheeto. To avoid this little predicament, try to test out a self-tanner on a patch on the wrist and hope for the best. The best self-tanners on our list will also ensure that your skin doesn’t turn orange and the product nestles well without streaks or creases. Moreover, selected with a trial-and-error approach, while using them, try to opt for a neutral shade if you are a beginner and get a sunkissed glow like no other!