I know the feeling of wanting that golden bronzed skin that screams, “I just got back from an amazing vacay!” But let’s face it: UV rays can be harmful, and not all of us have the luxury of jetting off to a sunny destination. That’s where self tanning comes in! With self tanning, you’re the boss of your own skin tone.
You can achieve that perfect shade of bronze without any of the risks that come with natural tanning. Plus, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home – No more tedious hours spent baking under the sun!
4 Top Self Tanners
If you’re new to the world of self tanning, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. We’ll help you choose the best self tanner, give you tips for the perfect application, and show you how to keep your bronze tan looking fresh for as long as possible.
So, get ready to embrace that irresistible sun-kissed glow without any sunburn, skin damage, or premature aging. Stay tuned, and let’s get glowing!
Types of Self-Tanners
The realm of self-tanners can be a maze for a beginner, with an array of products to choose from. But fret not; this guide will navigate you through the four main types: lotions, mousses, sprays, and wipes.
Self Tanning Lotions
The go-to for many, self tanning lotions are a popular choice due to their reliable and consistent results. They are typically easy to apply, hydrating, and often come with a guide color to help you see where you’ve already applied the product. This helps you minimize the risk of streaks or missed spots.
One of the best aspects of lotions is their ability to gradually build up the tan, allowing you to control the depth of your color. For those with dry skin, lotions can be a godsend, providing much-needed moisture along with a radiant, sun-kissed glow.
Self Tanning Mousses
Next on our list are self tanning mousses. These are lighter than lotions, and they dry faster. They’re an excellent choice if you’re looking for a quick and easy application. Mousses are typically tinted, allowing for a straightforward application, and they can provide an instant tan that develops over time.
Be aware, though, that due to their quick-drying nature, you need to blend them in quickly to avoid streaking.
Self Tanning Sprays
Self tanning sprays are perfect for those hard-to-reach areas. They provide a light mist that gives you a gradual tan and is generally easy to apply. However, remember to apply these in a well-ventilated area and protect your surroundings from potential overspray. Also, you’ll want to blend the product in after spraying to ensure an even tan.
Self Tanning Wipes
Last but not least, self tanning wipes offer a convenient and travel-friendly option. They’re pre-soaked pads that you swipe over your skin to impart a tan. Their no-mess application and compact size make them perfect for on-the-go use or quick touch-ups.
However, wipes can be trickier to get an even application, so they’re ideal for those already experienced in self tanning. Beginners might want to start with lotions or mousses before moving on to wipes.
25 Best Self Tanning Products For A Gorgeous Bronzed Look
10 Best Self Tanning Mousses
St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse
St. Tropez’s self tanning mousse is renowned for its lightweight, easy-to-apply formula. It’s enriched with nourishing ingredients, ensuring a smooth, streak-free glow that lasts. The mousse leaves your skin beautifully bronzed without the telltale self-tanner smell.
- Lightweight, quickly drying formula
- Straightforward application
- Streak-free, fool-proof formula
- Gorgeous, natural-looking tan
- None
Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse
Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse is a fake tan product that comes in a foam/mousse form. It is designed to provide a natural-looking, streak-free tan that can last for several days. The mousse is quick-drying and can be left on the skin for anywhere between 1-8 hours, depending on the desired level of darkness.
- Control over the desired level of darkness
- It’s a quick-drying and non-sticky formula
- Very easy to use and fool-proof
- None
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam
This lightweight self tanning foam from Bondi Sands is enriched with aloe vera and coconut, providing a salon-quality tan that hydrates the skin while offering a deep, long-lasting color. If you’re after the coveted Australian tan, this is your go-to product.
- Lightweight and easy to apply
- Enriched with aloe vera and coconut for skin hydration
- Offers a deep, long-lasting color for a salon-quality tan
- Might be too dark for some
Tan-Luxe Hydra Mousse Hydrating Self-Tan Mousse
The innovative Tan-Luxe The Water is a clear, water-to-foam formula that gives a natural-looking tan, making it a unique and innovative choice. It’s packed with vitamins B, C, and E, which work together to smooth, hydrate, and illuminate your skin. A win for those looking for both a tan and skin benefits!
- Easy, mess-free application
- Lightweight consistency
- No transfer
- Pleasant fresh scent
- Could be longer-lasting
Loving Tan 2 HR Express Self Tanning Mousse
Loving Tan 2 HR Express Self Tanning Mousse is a self-tanning product that provides a natural-looking tan in just two hours. It is a salon-inspired formula that provides an immediate color while developing into a deeper, darker tan that can be washed off after two hours.
- Smells really pleasantly
- Blendable consistency
- Long-lasting color that fades evenly
- Can transfer while still drying
Isle Of Paradise Ultra-Dark Self Tanning Mousse
Isle of Paradise Ultra-Dark Self Tanning Mousse is a self-tanning product that provides a deep, long-lasting tan. It is a fast-drying mousse that is formulated with color-correcting actives and a violet base to give a dark glow. The product is packed with natural grapefruit, chia seed, and avocado oils, as well as ultra-hydrating agave extract to provide a bronze that is fast-drying and longer-lasting.
- It gives a fast, deep, and long-lasting glow
- Fast-drying and long-lasting tan
- Lightweight consistency
- The mousse is very thin and watery
Tanologist Sunless Self Tanning Mousse
Tanologist Sunless Self Tanning Mousse is a self-tanning product that provides a long-lasting, glowing tan without clogging pores, drying the skin, or transferring it onto clothing. It is a transparent water-to-foam formula that is easy to apply and provides an all-over, flawless bronze.
- It’s formulated with sensitive skin types in mind
- It comes in four different shades
- It features hydrating skincare ingredients
- It doesn’t fade as evenly as other tanners
- It doesn’t tan you really fast
COOLA Sunless Tan Express Sculpting Mousse
COOLA Sunless Tan Express Sculpting Mousse is a self-tanning product that provides a natural-looking tan without exposure to the sun. It is a fast-acting sunless tan that can give a gorgeous glow in just a few hours. The mousse is formulated with Eco-Cert-approved ingredients derived from Sugar Beet that help build a natural-looking tan.
- Moisturizing texture that glides on easily
- Contains 70%+ certified organic ingredients
- It is non-sticky and dries fast without drying the skin
- The product may transfer onto clothing
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is a self-tanning mousse that provides an instant bronze glow and develops into a long-lasting tan in just 2 hours. It was created by Coco & Eve to be an anti-cellulite, anti-aging self-tan with zero nasties. It is available in different shades, including medium and dark.
- Very lightweight formula
- It is fast-drying
- Infused with raw virgin coconuts
- Can be a little too fast-drying (making blending harder)
Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Mousse
Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Mousse is a self-tanning foam that provides a natural-looking tan without the need for exposure to the sun. The mousse is available in light bronze and deep bronze shades, and it works with your skin tone to mimic the results you would get from the natural sun.
- Works in 60 seconds, absorbs quite quickly
- It provides a dark, natural-looking tan
- Has a nice fragrance
- Tropical scent may be strong for some
- Tacky, sticky feeling that lingers
5 Best Self Tanning Sprays
Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self Tan Dry Oil
Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self Tan Dry Oil is a self-tanning dry oil that gives a golden tan and a radiant finish to the skin that lasts up to one week. It is enriched with oils of coconut and apricot kernels, which provide deep nourishing and intensive soothing to the skin.
- Sprays on evenly and smells nice
- Good coverage and a nice tan once developed
- Uses a plant-based tanning ingredient
- Gives a natural brown tone that lasts up to a week
- Oily consistency
- Need to wash hands with soapy water afterward
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Mist
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Mist is a clear self-tanner that sprays onto the skin for a sun-kissed glow. It is a lightweight and easy-to-use mist that is infused with skincare ingredients, such as hydrating hyaluronic acid, to mimic the effects of the sun.
- Consistency is foolproof, and the mist is ultra-lightweight
- Infused with 95% natural ingredients
- It contains ingredients that provide skincare benefits
- It may be more expensive than other products
- It has quite a strong scent
L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Mist Medium
L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Mist Medium is a self-tanner that gives a natural-looking medium shade tan without exposure to the sun. The super-fine 360° continuous mist coats skin evenly with the wide-angled jet applicator and dries instantly, allowing for ultra-even application and natural-looking, streak-free results.
- It provides an instant bronze glow
- Leaves skin feeling smooth and soft
- Easy to apply with the airbrush self-tanning mist
- It can be messy
- The tan may not last very long
Bioderma Photoderm Self-Tanner Mist
Bioderma Photoderm Self-Tanner Mist is a moisturizing self-tanning mist that offers perfectly and evenly tanned skin with a pleasant scent. It takes advantage of a new technology combining the self-tanning agent DHA with a unique diffusion system, which allows more DHA to come into contact with the epidermis and thus improves color quality.
- Provides a natural-looking tan
- It has added moisture benefits
- Dries quickly once on the skin
- To avoid streaky results; spray the product at least 20cm away from the skin
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Oil Mist
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Oil Mist is a bi-phase self-tanning body oil that is designed to provide a natural-looking tan without the harmful effects of the sun. It is formulated with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, and sea kelp to nourish and moisturize the skin.
- It gives a really natural-looking tan
- The spray goes on evenly and dries super fast
- Doesn’t leave an oily residue
- It may take a while to develop
10 Top Self Tanning Lotions
Bondi Sands Pure Gradual Tanning Lotion
Bondi Sands Pure Gradual Tanning Lotion is a skincare product that gradually tans the skin while providing hydration. It is a colorless and fragrance-free formula that is gentle enough for all skin types. The lotion contains skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid for hydration, vitamin C for radiance, and vitamin E for repair and rejuvenation.
- Contains skin-loving ingredients
- The formula is colorless and fragrance-free
- Buildable and easy to apply
- The results are even and natural-looking
- It may not be as dark as some people prefer
Bali Body Gradual Tan
Bali Body Gradual Tan is a moisturizer that helps achieve a subtle bronzed glow with every application. It is a gradual tanning moisturizer that subtly tans the skin with each application, allowing the user to build their perfect tan.
- It gives a soft, natural tan
- Easy to apply and very hydrating
- Dark after first use
- The smell may not be nice for everyone
- Can be streaky
Isle Of Paradise Happy Tan Everyday Gradual Glow
Isle Of Paradise Happy Tan Everyday Gradual Glow is a self-tanning lotion that gradually builds a natural-looking tan while hydrating the skin. It is formulated with color-correcting actives and light-reflecting particles that provide a sun-kissed glow.
- It gives a lit-from-within glow
- It builds into a subtle tan with no streaks
- Super nourishing and leaves the skin soft and smooth
- It has quite a thick consistency
Kora Organics Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion
Kora Organics Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion is a certified organic body moisturizer that builds a natural, sun-kissed glow with daily use without sun exposure. It is infused with Noni Extract, Rosehip, and Sea Buckthorn Oils to nourish and hydrate the skin, while naturally derived DHA delivers a natural tanning effect.
- It provides a good tan color that is not orange
- It does not have a nasty smell
- Does not stain clothes or sheets
- Hydrating and nourishing for the skin
- None
Sisley Self Tanning Hydrating Body Skin Care
Sisley Self Tanning Hydrating Body Skin Care is a product that offers a natural and uniform tan while moisturizing the skin. The formula contains a quenching complex of key ingredients that leave the skin intensely moisturized, allowing it to retain water continuously.
- It provides a natural-looking and uniform tan
- Hydrates the skin
- It comes with a reusable velvet applicator mitt
- It can be used on both the face and body
- Some users may not like the scent
- It may require multiple applications to achieve the desired results
St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Tinted Body Lotion
St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Tinted Body Lotion is a skincare product that provides a daily dose of glow while hydrating, protecting, smoothing, soothing, and firming the skin. It is a multitasking lotion that combines five super skincare benefits with a gradual tanning effect.
- It provides a medium to dark, gradual golden glow
- Easy to apply, night or day
- Combines 5 super skincare benefits
- It has a really nice, subtle, fresh scent
- It can be splotchy in some areas
Loving Tan Deluxe Gradual Tan Nourishing Tinted Body Lotion
Loving Tan Deluxe Gradual Tan Nourishing Tinted Body Lotion is a lightweight lotion that can be used to enhance or extend a mousse tan for up to two weeks or to build a natural-looking tan on its own. It comes in two shades, medium and dark, and contains antioxidants like Acai Berry and Coffee extract to nourish the skin while tanning.
- Lightweight and easy to apply
- The product is formulated with naturally-derived DHA and is cruelty-free
- It is nourishing, keeps the skin soft and silky
- It may have a strong scent
Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self Tan Lotion
Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self Tan Lotion is a self-tanning lotion that provides an even, natural-looking tan while also hydrating the skin. It is enriched with vitamin E and nourishing apricot oil and is available in a milk texture or a color-intensive lotion.
- It is absorbed quickly into the skin
- It provides an even, streak-free tan
- It has a fresh scent
- It does not look too natural
- Can leave streaks or marks
St. Moriz Professional Instant Dark Self Tanning Lotion
St. Moriz Professional Instant Dark Self Tanning Lotion is a self-tanning product that provides an instant bronzing effect. It is a blend of active tanning agents that work to give a subtle bronzed look.
- It provides an instant bronzing effect
- It produces a really dark tan
- it dries quickly and is streak-free (make sure to blend well)
- It can stain clothing or bed sheets
- The scent may be strong
Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream
This self tanning cream not only gives you a natural-looking tan but also cares for your skin. Enriched with aloe vera, the Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream hydrates your skin while leaving a sun-kissed glow. It’s an excellent choice if you prefer a lotion application over a mousse or spray.
- Provides a natural-looking tan
- Enriched with aloe vera for skin hydration
- Suitable for those who prefer lotion application
- None
5 Best Self Tanning Wipes
TanTowel Self-Tanning Towelettes
TanTowel Self-Tanning Towelettes are a sunless tanning product that provides a safe and healthy-looking tan. The towelettes are infused with a clear self-tanning formula that works with the proteins and amino acids in the skin to produce a natural-looking tan. TanTowel offers self-tan towelettes for both the body and face.
- Very fast-drying
- Natural-looking, subtle tan
- Mess-free and foolproof application
- Precise application is a little harder
Jergens Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Towelettes
Jergens Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Towelettes are a self-tanning product that provides a sun-kissed tan within hours. They are single-use wipes that work with your unique skin tone to create a natural-looking color.
- Quick results, with a sun-kissed tan within hours
- Customizable color to match your unique skin tone
- Convenient, travel-friendly, single-use wipes
- May require multiple wipes for desired results
Dr Dennis Gross Tanning Wipes: Alpha Beta Glow Pad For Body
The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad for Body is a self-tanner that exfoliates and self-tans in one step for a natural-looking color. The Alpha Beta acids in the formula remove surface dead skin cells, smooth skin, and deliver a streak-free, natural-looking tan that starts to develop within one hour of application.
- Formulated with AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate the skin
- They feature active vitamin D for a sun-kissed glow
- It takes only one minute for the formula to dry on the skin
- They’re convenient to carry and pack on trips
- It might irritate sensitive skin types
- They’re expensive
Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self Tanning Wipes
Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self Tanning Wipes are disposable cloths soaked in self-tanning lotion that provide a natural-looking tan to the face, cleavage, and body. They are enriched with botanical-origin tanning active and nourishing oils to help protect and moisturize the skin.
- Enriched with botanical-origin tanning actives and nourishing oils
- Help protect and moisturize the skin
- Very quickly and easy to use
- Limited coverage for larger areas
L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes
For those who demand convenience and speed, these self-tanning towelettes by L’Oréal are a game-changer. They provide an even, streak-free tan and are perfect for on-the-go application or quick touch-ups. Not to mention, they’re ideal for first-time self-tanners who might be wary of lotions or sprays.
- It gives an even, streak-free tan
- Beginner-friendly
- Very quickly and easy to use
- Limited coverage for larger areas
Why Use A Self-Tanner
While the allure of a bronzed and glowing complexion is definitely enticing, it’s essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with traditional methods of tanning.
Sun tanning, for instance, involves exposing your skin to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Over time, this can lead to premature skin aging, skin damage, and, in worst-case scenarios, skin cancers such as melanoma.
Tanning booths, often touted as a safer alternative, also rely on UV radiation to stimulate a tan. However, the World Health Organization has classified tanning beds as a ‘Group 1’ carcinogen, the same classification as tobacco and asbestos.
Therefore, to maintain your health and well-being, it’s prudent to avoid these risky tanning methods.
If you need help with your self-tanner application, check out this thorough guide on how to self tan.
Conclusion: Try The Best Self Tanner For A Perfect Tan
With the vast array of self tanning products on offer, a healthy, sun-kissed glow is no longer an elusive luxury. From lotions and mousses to sprays and wipes, your golden hue awaits you, just a few applications away.
Remember, the key to an even, natural-looking tan lies in the application. Taking the time to prepare your skin, applying with care, and practicing diligent aftercare can enhance your tan’s longevity and appearance. If you’re unsure of how to achieve this, our self tanning tips are an excellent guide.
Isn’t it time you gave your skin the golden hue it deserves? With the best self-tanner at your disposal, you’re just a few steps away from a radiant, enviable complexion.
Frequently Asked Questions
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