We tested the best self-tanners for a nonstreaky glow that’s not orange. The best overall is Bondi Sands because it's beginner-friendly and lasts up to a week.
Body lotions, face serums, and sprays that won't turn you orange. The best self-tanners have come a long way from the orange, blotchy formulas of the past . And ask any dermatologist: self tanners are actually the safest alternative to sun tanning, which without sunscreen is a big no-no.
To help you transform dull, winter skin into a just-got-back-from-vacay look, Glamour editors spent months testing various lotions, sprays, and oils. We came away with a little something for everyone: foams for a natural-looking finish that even beginners can use, creams that build up gradually, and face drops for a radiant golden glow. We vetted them with self-tanning experts and dermatologists, and got tips on how to apply them to avoid streaks and splotches. Our best overall pick was the Bondi Sands Express Self Tanning Foam because it’s quick, mess-free, and backed by testers, but we also found budget-friendly picks under $20 and easy-to-apply lotions for low-maintenance girlies. **Jump to ** Others we tested How we tested FAQs Best Overall: Bondi Sands Express Self Tanning Foam Pros: Strong formula that dries down to a golden hue Cons: Smell isn’t the best This glowy self-tanner gives you a natural-looking and streak-free tan in just one hour. It’s also completely fragrance-free and lasts up to seven days. Simply leave it on for one hour if you want a bronze tan, or three-plus hours for a deep shade. Once applied, it looks even-toned and natural. Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse Pros: Clear formula ensures that it doesn’t stain clothes or fabric Cons: A bit sticky and takes a minute to dry down Even fake tan skeptics are fans of this drugstore mousse, which is great for beginners. It’s a lightweight, clear mousse that’s packed with nourishing skincare ingredients including vitamin E and coconut water to deeply hydrate the skin, all while giving it a sunkissed glow. It has more of a gradual effect, too, so you won’t see any streaks post-application and you surely won’t become orange. Pros: Lightweight, blends easily into moisturizer Cons: Might need 2-3 applications to see a noticeable glow You may have seen this TikTok viral self-tanning water on your FYP, but it’s essentially a self-tanning spray that can be used alone or blended into lotion for an even, golden glow. It’s quite hydrating with avocado oil, chia seeds, and grapefruit oil, and it also contains color-correcting actives to brighten the skin. Pros: Gives you a streak-free finish; develops quickly; lasts long Cons: Smell is a little plastic-y After interviewing beauty lovers from all walks of life, it seems St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse is still the most popular self-tanning mousse. For what it’s worth, even dermatologists love it. “Formulated with moisturizing jojoba and antioxidant vitamin E, this lightweight, easy-to-apply mousse offers a tan that lasts up to 10 days and fades evenly,” says Brendan Camp, MD, a double-board-certified dermatologist at NYC’s MDCS Dermatology. Pros: Lightweight; non-comedogenic; easy to mix into moisturizer Cons: May pill if you use too much If you’re looking to get your face tan on, we love these lightweight drops that can be mixed into your moisturizer in your skin care routine. They’re also fragrance-free and contain niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to plump and even out skin tone. Pros: Leaves behind a pigmented bronze with just one application Cons: A little goes a long way; if you use too much it may end up looking splotchy A favorite of Glamour global editorial director and Glamour US Editor-in-Chief, Samantha Barry, you’ll see results with this tanner within as little as an hour, though depending on the amount of product you apply, the formula continues to darken. 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, wait up to three hours to really watch the bronze emerge. Pros: Safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin Cons: Pricey As bronzing drops continue to make waves, this Tan-Luxe product has become one of the most popular non-sticky options. It has a lightweight texture that blends seamlessly into your daily moisturizer to give you a natural-looking glow without streaks or patches. Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Saltyface Tanning Water Pros: Water-like consistency; easy to spray on the face Cons: Can turn out a little splotchy if you don’t blend it down into the neck If you’re looking for a tanner that won’t add a whole additional step to your beauty routine, we’d recommend this self-tanning water that comes in spray format, which you can mix into your daily moisturizer or apply directly to the face. It’s lightweight and non-comedogenic, which makes it great for acne-prone skin in particular. Best for Fair Skin: Dolce Glow Lusso Self-Tanning Mousse Pros: Very pigmented; tan lasts long Cons: Quite messy; spills out of the nozzle easily This medium-to-dark tanning mousse will give you a pigmented, golden tan that’s great for special occasions. It’s streak-free, and contains squalane, jojoba oil, and vitamin E to keep the skin looking smooth and hydrated. It’s very pigmented, so fair warning that a little goes a long way. Best for Travel: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Body Pros: Compact; easy to store; leaves a long-lasting glow Cons: Takes a learning curve to get the hang of the wipe style application So you want to reap the benefits of self-tanner without spending time buffing the product in? Try these self-tanning towelettes, which are completely mess-free and quick to use. They also contain skin exfoliating AHAs to smooth out the skin, plus encapsulated DHA to leave behind a radiant tan. Just keep in mind that although these will give you a nice glow, if you want something with more shade, you might need to add a mousse-based product. Pros: Tans skin quickly; very moisturizing Cons: Consistency is very liquidy and runny A body lotion is a great way to get started if you’re a self-tanning beginner, simply because you apply them the same way you would any other lotion, and they typically don’t leave any streaks behind. This formula will do just the trick, is easy to apply right out of the shower, and incredibly buildable—one to two swipes give you a more natural glow while you can pack on a couple more for a deeper bronze. Pros: Gradually builds making it a good option for a self-tanning rookie; hydrating on skin Cons: Provides a subtle glow and takes multiple applications to get a golden finish For a subtle, buildable glow, this tanning body lotion is your new solution, and it’s gentle enough for mature skin types with ingredients like cocoa butter and passion fruit oil. Lux Unfiltered’s hydrating formula is perfect for daily use because it gradually enhances your skin’s natural color.
Self Tanner Tanning Bronzer Sunless Tanner Spray Tan Self Tanner Tips
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