We’re all aware that there is no such thing as a good tan if you rely on the sun. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t have sun-kissed, radiant skin. All you need is an excellent self-tanner recipe with pigments that match your skin tone. “Self-tanner allows you to achieve a sun-kissed glow without the harmful UV rays, making it a safer alternative to sunbathing,” explains Laila Fernando, a lead medical aesthetician in New York. “Its primary benefit is providing a natural-looking tan while protecting your skin from sun damage.” When applying fake n’ bake, tanning artist Natalie Vitello recommends a less is more strategy to produce a decent result. “This is especially true when using a bronzer-less product with a clear formula, like a mist or water,” according to Vitello. “It’s easy to get carried away when you can’t see the actual product going on.”
To help you attain healthy, glowing skin, we evaluated 42 sunless tanning products on our bodies and faces for two weeks. Rather than reading over self-tanner reviews, check out our list to the top self-tanners that can boost your glow.
Why We Love It: This lightweight mousse applies evenly and dries quickly, which is a win-win in our eyes. The frothy texture spreads quickly around the body, even in hard-to-reach areas (such as the back). It has a reference colour, which makes it easy to ensure our tester receives even coverage. When our tester completed applying, the product didn’t feel tacky and dried quickly, so even when she accidently put on (and promptly removed) a sports bra, her at-home tan’s development was unaffected. It did not stain her hands, clothing, or linens, and the aroma was inconspicuous, so our tester was willing to wait the recommended eight hours for the tan to emerge.
Who It’s For: The colour in this solution appears within four hours after application, making it an excellent sunless tan for those short on time.
It’s worth noting that this product works best with cooler skin tones.
Kristen, tester: “This felt weightless against my skin. It rubbed in flawlessly—almost like a glide over my skin—and I felt very confident getting dressed shortly after finishing my application.”
Why We Love It: While many progressive self-tanning lotions require four or five applications before you see a bronzed beauty in the mirror, James Read’s option leaves skin considerably darker with only one usage. It’s one of the few choices we’ve tried that has almost no odour and leaves skin softer, not stickier. If you’re short on time, use it in the morning and see a slight glow by mid-afternoon, but we recommend keeping it on overnight for the greatest benefits.
Who It’s For: Even the most lazy self-tanners will enjoy this lotion. It applies smoothly with no streaks and appears completely natural, even if you make a few mistakes around the wrists and ankles. It also fades evenly, so no need to worry about missing a touch-up.
Worth noting: While this product produces a deeper tan than other gradual lotions we’ve tested, it still takes multiple applications to achieve a very dark tan.
Why we love it: As an experienced self-tanner, our tester felt that soiled sheets were normal when applying a formula before going to bed—until he tried this Tan-Luxe formula, which has a subtle flowery aroma. It was easy to apply with a glove, and after waiting 20 minutes for it to dry (it never felt sticky), he climbed into a bed composed of white linens and woke up with clean bedding and a five-day tan. Our tester’s tan faded evenly, with no patchiness. While he noticed a modest glow before falling asleep, he was most pleased with his results when he awoke—the mousse provided a great deep glow, much as he enjoys his tans.
Who It’s For: This formula is lightweight, spreads smoothly, and does not transfer, making it ideal for wearing light colours immediately after application.
It’s worth noting that if you want full colour right now, the production period will be longer.
Brian, the tester, commented: “I love the smell of the product, how it applies, and the fact that it was not streaky or sticky on my skin.”
