The skill of self-tanning can be a tricky one to navigate, so you need to be prepared with the right products and tools. Good news! We’ve done the hard work for you, finding the 25 best self tanners for face and body out there. These self-tanners are easy to use, streak-free, and will leave you with an amazing natural-looking glow.
Today’s self-tanners are easy to use, however, there’s still room for error.
One key for an even tan is prepping the skin with a mild exfoliator — especially on areas like the knees, elbows, neck, ankles, and feet.
Another important step is to remove dead skin build-up, which will cause uneven application.
When it comes to hair removal, it’s important to be strategic about your shaving schedule.
Shave armpits and legs one day before applying self-tanner.
The sunless lotion can get trapped in newly-shaved hair follicles and cause a patchy finish.
This also applies to shaving after you apply even the best sunless tanner because you might take off some of your new glow.
Since finding the perfect self-tanner can take plenty of hits and misses, we’ve helped you out here with our recent research.
So, time to look your summer best! Put on that new bikini you bought over the winter, and wow your friends and acquaintances with that glowing sunless tan!
Here are the 25 best self tanners for face and body, that faux tan that looks incredible!
- SELF TANNER BODY LOTION - Create a flawless light bronze tan with gradual, natural-looking color while nourishing and hydrating dry and extra dry skin.
- GRADUAL SUNLESS TANNING - Our Jergens Natural Glow & FIRMING moisturizer will gradually enhance and deepen your natural skin tone to provide hassle-free, streak-free color. Cruelty free
- CELLULITE REMOVER - Infused with collagen, elastin, and green tea infusions, our fast-acting, anti cellulite formula will help reduce cellulite appearance within 7 days.
- Enjoy a year-round tan with Bondi Sands innovative dual action Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk. Enriched with aloe vera & vitamin E for healthy, glowing skin it glides on effortlessly for a long lasting, golden tan every time.
- This 24-hour hydrating body moisturizer features a cocoa butter scent while providing a gradual, bronzed tan.
- Apply tanning milk evenly onto clean, dry skin in a smooth, circular motion. Wait for milk to dry before dressing.
- i’ll make you b.tan forever + ever (well up to 11 days anyways)
- scrap your weekly tanning routine and b.tanned longer than ever before
- in what feels like forever, you'll soon forget your pasty past
- SUN-KISSED SKIN, NOT ORANGE: Picking the right color fake tan will ensure no orange color on your skin. For fair or pale skin, use fair to medium. For olive skin or skin that tans easily, use medium to dark. You will be left with a natural glow.
- CLEAN INGREDIENTS, NO JUNK: Beauty by Earth has been in the Self Tanners Best Sellers category for years. It's formulated with organic aloe vera, shea butter & many botanical extracts that benefit and hydrate your skin without dyes or toxins.
- BODY LOTION, CAN BE USED ON FACE: This sunless tanning lotion was formulated for the body, however it can be used as a face tanner. If you are prone to breakouts, use the Face Self Tanner Lotion as it is specifically formulated for a glowing complexion.
- PAMPER YOUR SKIN - Tan Physics replenishes and hydrates your skin with proven natural ingredients including Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Natural Caramel & Sugars, Organic Aloe Vera, and Hydrolyzed Collagen
- L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion in Medium: Get a streak-free tan and subtle shimmer with this sunless tanning lotion; All the ease and coverage of a spray tan, but with the smooth, easy application of a lotion
- Sunless tanner: formulated with Vitamin E, this self-tanner has a quick-dry and streak-free formula that provides natural-looking sunless tan with a subtle shimmer within 2-4 hours of use
- L'Oreal Paris Self-Tanners: Our self tanners allow you to get a gorgeous, sun-kissed glow right at home; L'Oréal Paris sunless tanners are easy to apply and give your skin streak-free color, in lotions, mousses, towelettes, serums and mists
- SELF TANNER BODY LOTION - Create a flawless deep bronze tan with gradual, natural-looking color while nourishing and hydrating dry and extra dry skin
- GRADUAL SUNLESS TANNING - Our Jergens Natural Glow & FIRMING moisturizer will gradually enhance and deepen your natural skin tone to provide hassle-free, streak-free color
- FIRMING TAN LOTION - Infused with antioxidants and Coconut Water, Jergens & FIRMING Moisturizer’s hydrating blend of nutrients boosts moisturization for healthier looking skin and daily skin hydration
- FLAWLESS SELF TANNER - Create a flawless tan for gradual, natural-looking color before, or after, the beach
- SUNLESS TANNING LOTION - Our Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer will gradually enhance and deepen your natural skin tone to provide hassle-free, streak-free color
- EASY, FAST-DRYING APPLICATION - For use on wet skin, our in-shower body lotion gives you control with no "wait time" before toweling off
- Our most iconic, fool proof and natural-looking tan. This tinted tanning mousse is easy-to-apply, streak-free and adapts to your skin tone for up to 10 days wear with no self tan smell. Best for first time tanners or trusted results time and again
- Long-lasting, lightweight and 100% clean fake tan. Providing 24 hours hydration, quick drying and non-sticky
- Use our tan Applicator Mitt for trusted streak-free results and wait 60 seconds before getting dressed
- Hawaiian Tropic Signature scent
- Dries quickly with a non sticky finish that won't transfer to clothes
- No parabens or animal testing
- 6-ounce tube of sunless tinted lotion
- Oil-free and enriched with aloe vera and Vitamin E
- Streak-free; oil-free; quick-drying
- SELF TANNER BODY LOTION - Create a flawless deep bronze tan with gradual, natural-looking color while nourishing and hydrating dry and extra dry skin
- GRADUAL SUNLESS TANNING - Our Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer will gradually enhance and deepen your natural skin tone to provide hassle-free, streak-free color
- ACHIEVE HEALTHY LOOKING SKIN - Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer for Body, featuring a blend of antioxidants and Vitamin E, helps moisturize for healthy-looking skin
- SELF ADJUSTING COLOR FORMULA lets you CONTROL THE SHADE OF YOUR TAN
- OIL-FREE and contains ALOE VERA and VITAMIN E
- STREAK FREE, natural-looking tan
- FLAWLESS SELF TANNER - Create a flawless tan for gradual, natural-looking color before, or after, the beach
- GRADUAL TANNING LOTION - Our Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer will gradually enhance and deepen your natural skin tone to provide hassle-free, streak-free color
- ACHIEVE HEALTHY-LOOKING SKIN - With antioxidants and Vitamin E, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer features a blend of nutrients to boost moisturization for healthier-looking skin
- FLAWLESS SELF TANNER - Create a flawless tan for gradual, natural-looking color before, or after, the beach
- SUNLESS LOTION TANNER - Our Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer will gradually enhance and deepen your natural skin tone to provide hassle-free, streak-free color
- ACHIEVE HEALTHY-LOOKING SKIN - With antioxidants and Vitamin E, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer features a blend of nutrients to boost moisturization for tan, healthier-looking skin
- Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam is a lightweight, tanner that’s simple to apply and gives a flawless finish, every time. Simply smooth on the weightless self tanning foam for an even, streak-free, bronzed tan.
- Our unique, salon quality formula is enriched with aloe vera and coconut, for the ultimate natural, bronzed glow.
- Using a mitt, apply foam using long, sweeping motions to clean, dry skin. Skin may be washed after one hour.
- + FAKE TAN. REAL YOU. NO FILTER: Meet our best-seller, N°32 self tanning lotion, that's now available in a Santal luxury fragrance! This vegan, gradual self tanner is infused with shea butter, cocoa butter, and passion fruit oil that will leave your skin bronzed, hydrated, and glowing!
- + HOW TO USE: Easy to apply, no funky smells, no build-up, and no sticky residue. This sunless tanner, coming in the scent Santal, applies like a lotion for an easy and mess-free sunless tanning experience. No mitt necessary.
- + SKINCARE HERO: N°32 hydrating self tanning cream will leave you with bronze, summer skin all year round. Are you ready for the best self tan of your life?
- STREAK-FREE, STICKY-FREE, DRAMA-FREE - This bronzing tanning lotion gives you a natural-looking tan without the stress and mess.
- FLAWLESS SELF TANNER - Create a flawless tan for gradual, natural-looking color before, or after, the beach.
- ENHANCE YOUR SKIN TONE - Formulated with a blend of coconut oil, vitamin E and tinted bronzers, our bronzing tanning lotion moisturizes the skin and helps provides streak-free color.
- L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze tinted self-tanning lotion in deep provides an instant, natural-looking tan without exposure to the sun
- For best results cleanse and exfoliate skin; apply oil-free moisturizer to dry areas; apply evenly all over, use sparingly around ankles, knees and elbows, wash hands after use- let skin dry completely before applying makeup
- Use this sunless tanning lotion daily until you have achieved your desired level of tan, then use 1-2 times per week to maintain your tan
- 6.7-fluid ounce of Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning Body Lotion for a buildable tan you can control
- Create a deep tan or a healthy-looking glow with this fast-drying gradual self-tanning body lotion that is clinically proven to provide natural-looking color you can control
- Sheer sunless tanning lotion allows you to control your tan for a shade that's uniquely your own by applying more often for a deeper tan or less often for just a hint of color
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What is the best self tanner?
Self-tanner is one of those beauty categories that may either make or break your life.
Traditionally, the technique is time-consuming (waiting hours for a shower), needs dedication (monthly upkeep), patience (splotches, foul scents, and a general mess are all too common), and risks coloring you orange.
The greatest body tanners, on the other hand, promise to develop quickly, smell better and keep your towels, linens, and bathroom clean – all while providing a realistic fake tan.
Unlike facial tanners, which frequently include expensive anti-aging chemicals, bronzing the body is all about covering surface area. You should use separate moisturizers for your face and body, just as you would for your skin.
Again, the best product for someone else may not be one that works best for you, your body, or skin sensitivities.
In case you’re curious, Kim Kardashian uses St Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse .
Is self tanning worth it?
According to the Mayo Clinic, when you apply self-tanner to your body, DHA works by reacting with dead skin cells on the surface of your body.
Essentially, your dead skin cells are darkened briefly to imitate a sun-kissed hue. Keep in mind, this momentary darkening of the skin is just that, momentary. (source – Mayo Clinic)
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What tanning lotion gets you dark fast?
One of top recommended tanning lotions that produces a deep, dark tan quickly is [amazong link=”B00BOXSEBE” title=”Loving Tan 2 Hr Express Mousse – Dark”]
Face bronzer
The goal of bronzer is to bring warmth and color to the face. If done correctly, you’ll appear to have spent exactly the perfect amount of time in the sun (wearing SPF 30 or more of course). Contouring is the process of adding dimension to the face by shaping the features and increasing the form of your face.
See also…Modest swimsuits for moms
Are fake tan lotions safe?
If you want to obtain a summer glow, consider sunless tanning lotions and creams that include FDA-approved chemicals (FDA). These alternatives are risk-free.
See also…Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer
Bali Body self tanner
As one of the premium brands in self-tanning, with their tinted fake tan mousse, you may get a beautiful, natural-looking tan. Color guide technology is used to create the ideal tan for your skin tone. Contains nourishing oils and 100% natural DHA for smooth, moisturized, and gorgeously bronzed skin.
Learn more… b.tan Darker Self Tanner | Love At First Tan - 100% Natural
What is tanning water?
Tanning fluids are transparent sprays (or, in our case, foams) that moisturize the skin while producing a tan. They have a lighter consistency than lotions and mousses and are frequently more hydrating.
See more…St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist, Lightweight Face Tanner with Hyaluronic Acid
At Home spray tan
One of the most obvious advantages of an at-home spray tan is that it restores your natural, sun-kissed color without harming your health.
When you limit your exposure to UV light for lengthy periods of time, you reduce your chance of acquiring skin malignancies such as melanoma. It has the potential to be a true lifesaver.
How long do you have to wait to before working out or to take a shower after getting a spray tan?
It is not recommended to sweat after using the tanner, but you may put on your usual clothing immediately after.
However, avoid sweating. and wait at least 5 hours before showering or working exercise. If you self-tan in the morning and shower before bed, and the color does not transfer!
Learn more…Naked Sun Black Fascination FX Spray Tanning Machine System
How do tanning creams work?
Sunless tanning creates a fake tan by covering your skin with the chemical dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA interacts with dead surface cells in the epidermis to deepen skin tone and imitate a tan, and the effect generally lasts several days.
Are self-tanning creams harmful?
Self-tanners — the lotions, sprays, and gels used to get a sunless tan – are not harmful. They include dihydroxyacetone, a colorless sugar that reacts with amino acids in dead skin cells on the skin’s surface to produce a temporary tan.
See also…L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self Tan Drops for Face
Natural tan
Want that sun-kissed glow but don’t want to bake in the sun for hours? The solution you’re looking for is a natural self-tanner!
You’ll achieve the tan you desire without exposing your skin to harsh UV rays or potentially harmful chemicals found in traditional self-tanners.
Beauty by Earth’s Self Tanner is a terrific alternative to frying in the sun, tanning salons, or spray tanning.
There’s no need to worry about premature aging, sun spots, wrinkles, or breathing a mouthful of chemicals at your neighborhood tanning parlor.
Organic shea butter, organic green tea extract, and organic coconut oil moisturize your skin while promoting a streak-free sunless tan. Color may be added one application at a time to create a radiance that will have everyone wondering when you had time to go on a tropical vacation.
Learn more…Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Tanning Cream
Leg tanners
To create a flawless-looking tan on your legs, you must first prepare them for application.
Legs that have been improperly treated, or not prepared at all, can get a streaky and blotchy tan. Here are some tips for preparing your legs for self-tanning:
Wax or shave legs
You must shave or wax your legs at least 24 hours before application. Any hairs left on the skin will prevent the self-tanning product from being applied uniformly to the legs, resulting in streaky regions and darker spots.
The reason you must wait at least 24 hours is to allow your skin to fully recover and mend. If you have tiny cuts, the tan may not set properly.
It’s also critical not to shave or wax shortly after applying self-tanner. This might cause you to lose the outer layer of your skin, as well as some of your tan!
Exfoliate
It is critical to exfoliate adequately before using a self-tanning lotion. Dryer regions, such as the knees and heels, have more dead skin, and exfoliating will remove this dead skin, allowing for a more equal and flawless tan.
Keep in mind that DHA only reacts with the surface layer of your skin to produce a tan. Excess dead skin cells might cause your tan to seem uneven and unnatural.
Moisturize
Moisturized skin retains a self-tan for considerably longer than dry skin. A moisturizer will balance out the dry regions of the leg, making it easier to apply self-tanner evenly.
Keeping your legs moisturized is also important for ensuring that your tan lasts and fades evenly.
Does tanning your legs make them look slimmer?
Not only can a fake tan make you seem suddenly smaller all over, but it can also readily improve certain body regions and provide the illusion of a superior figure.
Apply a dab of bronzer down the sides of your legs and some shimmer lotion down your shins to give the illusion of smaller legs.
See also…The Sicilian 200X Dark Black Bronzer Tanning Lotion – BEST Tanning Lotion For Glowing Skin
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Claudia Faucher is a full-time fitness and lifestyle blogger. She is also been a certified Les Mills BodyPump instructor for the past 5 years and a fitness instructor for over 20 years. She likes to use her skills and experiences to help others on their fitness journeys.
Last update on 2022-06-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API