26 Best Self-Tanners That Experts and Glamour Editors Say Really Work
Self-tanners have come a long way from the orange, blotchy, stinky formulas of the past. The best self-tanners boost a healthy glow and are much more inclusive of all skin tones. We all deserve to look like a radiant goddesses, right? If you’re looking for some color, our editors spent months putting options to the test. We came away with a little something for everyone: foams for a natural-looking finish, creams that build gradually, and towelettes that’ll bring out a deep bronze within hours. Plus, we spoke with dermatologists for their tips on how to avoid streaks and splotches, even if you’re a beginner.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse, $48
- Best Mousse: St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse, $46
- Best Drugstore: Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Moisturizer + Bronzer, $17
- Best for Face: L’Oréal Paris Sublime Self-Tanning Water Drops, $17
- Best Mist: St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Mist, $45
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Coola Organic Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum, $48
- Best Face Mist: Isle of Paradise Night Glow Self-Tan Face Mist, $24
- Best Gradual Formula: Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Gradual Tan Lotion, $34
- Best Non-Toxic: Lux Unfiltered N°32 Gradual Hydrating Self Tanner, $36
What to look for in a self-tanner
There are tanning products in the form of mousses, lotions, serums, bronzing drops, and even wipes that can help you achieve the perfect tan—no UV rays needed. “Look for options with dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This binds to surface skin cells and causes a temporary darkening of your skin, and it’s FDA-approved,” Karan Lal, MD, a double-board-certified dermatologist in Phoenix, tells Glamour.
How to prep your skin and apply self-tanner
“Exfoliate before application, or your self-tanner won’t last,” says Dr. Lal. You’ll want to exfoliate the skin to make it as ready as possible to absorb tanning products—scrubs get rid of dead skin cells the quickest. “Also, make sure you use lotion on your eyebrows, hairline, hands, and feet.” He suggests using gloves or a tanning mitt to evenly apply the product in long, even strokes up and down; finally, work on one area at a time.
How to make your self-tan last longer
“After applying, avoid sweating and working out, and eating or drinking, to avoid touching your body” until the instructions tell you the color is set enough to do so, says Lex DiMarchi, a celebrity tanning artist and ambassador for self-tanner brand Tan-Luxe. DiMarch likes to use a setting powder like the Saie Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder to avoid creasing and help maintain the longevity of your tan.
The best self-tanners
Below are the best self-tanners that dermatologists, tanning specialists, and our staffers (plus Glamour Beauty Awards judges) tested and reviewed.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
1/26St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
With her stacked calendar of events to attend, it’s no surprise this fast-working self-tanning mousse is a go-to for Glamour editor in chief Samantha Barry. Depending on the amount of product you apply, the formula continues to darken, though you’ll see results within as little as an hour. 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 coast, wait up to three hours to really watch the bronze emerge.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Green
- Format: Mousse
- Development time: 1–3 hours
2/26St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse
St. Tropez is an OG in the tanning space and a favorite of Kim Kardashian’s. The brand specializes in formulas that won’t leave you looking orange, and the easy application is ideal for beginners. “The St. Tropez line is as foolproof as it gets, thanks to the natural color that makes me look like I’ve been frolicking on the beach,” says Glamour West Coast editor Jessica Radloff. Like many reviewers, Radloff agrees that this formula goes on evenly, dries quickly, and gives a vacation-worthy glow every time.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Green
- Format: Mousse
- Development time: 4–8 hours
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3/26Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Gradual Tan Lotion
DiMarchi is a fan of gradual self-tanning lotions, like the Tan-Luxe Gradual Lotion, because a beginner or experienced tanner could easily include the formula in their routine.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Lotion
- Development time: 2–4 hours
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4/26Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Moisturizer + Bronzer
In a hurry and need something to give you some color ASAP? Reach for this instant-tanning formula from Jergens. “I love that this formula has an instant tint—that way I can get the color right away and I can see what I’m doing without streaks,” says Glamour contributor Bella Cacciatore. “It looks great instantly and gradually deepens into the perfect ‘I just got back from Miami’ shade.”
- Color range: Two shades
- Undertones: Green/neutral
- Format: Lotion
- Development time: 4 hours
5/26L’Oréal Paris Sublime Self-Tanning Water Drops
These tanning drops have caught the attention of TikTokers thanks to their bronzing powers. “I’ve used self-tanning products for years, but this one lets me mix the formula with my own moisturizer,” says Glamour’s Radloff. L’Oréal’s Tanning Drops recognize that the secret to a more even, natural bronze glow is to blend the tanner with a cream for a tailor-made mistake-proof glow. The dropper gives you just the right amount to mix into your moisturizer, so you don’t have to worry about any product going to waste.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Drops
- Development time: 1–4 hours
6/26St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Mist
What if a light mist after a shower is all you need? That’s exactly what you get with this clear formula. “I love that this mist is super buildable and gives you an easy way to get a healthy glow without the full commitment of a more intense self-tanner,” says celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan. “Most formulas have that weird self-tan smell, but this one has a nice light scent and is packed with vitamin C and D for extra skin benefits without any sun damage.” Another plus? You can reapply a few times a week to intensify the shade.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Mist
- Development time: 4–8 hours
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7/26Tan-Luxe The Crème Gradual Self-Tanning Face Moisturizer
“Long gone are the days of mixing Tan-Luxe’s tanning drops into my moisturizer and having my fingertips look as if they went to town on an XXL Cheeto Puffs bag,” says Glamour contributor Ana Escalante. The Australian brand’s gradual facial self-tanner is a simple way to boost pale skin without committing hours of messiness to self-tanning. “It also doesn’t skimp on the hydration,” Escalante says.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Lotion
- Development time: 1–2 hours
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8/26Coola Organic Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum
If you’re looking for a mess-free option, this Coola formula gets the job done seamlessly. “This super-sheer self-tanner is so easy to use—it never streaks or causes dark patches,” says NYC-based celeb makeup artist Gita Bass. It’s great on all skin tones for a radiant finish. “It has a gorgeous, natural finish that’s easily buildable, with a subtle shimmer that gives you a glow,” Bass says.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Brown
- Format: Serum
- Development time: 3–4 hours
9/26Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads
Our editors are fans of Dr. Dennis Gross products like the Alpha Beta peel pads for exfoliation, and the self-tanning pads are just as special. “Yes, they leave a subtle tint that makes me look more bronzed and ready for summer makeup looks, but they somehow make my skin look healthier overall too,” says Cacciatore. You still get the exfoliating benefits of the OG formula, so you’re adding a glowy complexion to boot.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Wipes
- Development time: 1 hour
10/26Tarte Brazilliance 2HR Express Deep Foaming Self-Tanner
“Of the many dark bronzers I’ve tried, this is the only nongradual version that didn’t make my pasty skin look orange,” says Glamour contributor Linsday Schallon. The formula is made with aloe vera and coconut, jojoba, and avocado oils, so it’s also extra hydrating. Schallon also loves that it doesn’t leave the skin with a tight or itchy feeling.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Brown
- Format: Mousse
- Development time: 2 hours
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11/26St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Gel
“After testing many sunless tanners, I’ve found that the lightweight waters and foams tend to be more beginner-friendly than the heavier creams,” says Schallon. Once you exfoliate to remove any dead skin cells, “the formula glides on easily to give you a subtle, natural-looking tan, and the faint tropical scent is very pleasant,” she says.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Gel
- Development time: 4–8 hours
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12/26L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse
Even fake-tan skeptics are a fan of this drugstore mousse, which is great for beginners. “I’m not a fake-tan person at all—it’s a lot of work for something I really don’t care that much about,” says Glamour deputy editor Anna Moeslin. “But this is so quick and foolproof to use that it hardly feels like an extra step.” Unlike a lot of mousses, this one pumps out clear so you don’t have to worry about staining clothes or transferring onto furniture. “The bottle says you can layer it on three times over 12 to 24 hours if you want a deep, buildable tan, but just once is enough for me,” says Moeslin.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Brown
- Format: Mousse
- Development time: 2 hours
13/26Isle of Paradise Night Glow Self-Tan Face Mist
Tanning while you sleep? Sign us up. “I’ve been blessed with naturally tan skin, but on special occasions when I need that extra-bronzy glow, I’ll pick up this magical mist from Isle of Paradise,” says Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco. Apply a few spritzes on your face before bed, and you’ll wake up with a beach-ready color. “It looks naturally sun-kissed and never artificial,” she says.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Mist
- Development time: 8 hours
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14/26James Read Tan Coconut Water Tan Mist Body
If celebs trust a brand for the red carpet, it has to be good, right? “Tons of self-tanners claim to be foolproof, but this is the real deal,” says Yaptangco. “I once sprayed this on while talking to another editor and was paying little to no attention, and three hours later I was wondering why my legs were looking great—and then I realized.” Honestly, enough said.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Mist
- Development time: 3–5 hours
15/26Tan-Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
As tanning drops continue to make waves, this Tan-Luxe product has become one of the most popular non-sticky options. “This is my favorite sunless tanner for my body. It’s completely customizable, just blend it with your own lotion,” says Glamour contributor Kristi Kellogg. Add a few drops to your daily moisturizer and apply it as usual. “The combo consistently gives me an even glow, and whenever I want to go darker, I simply add more drops,” she says.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Drops
- Development time: 6–8 hours
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16/26Bali Body Instant Tan
This self-tanner is basically an IRL Instagram filter. Not only does it give you a natural bronzy glow, but it also blurs blemishes and imperfections for a flawless airbrush effect. It includes a soft brush to help you evenly distribute the formula after spritzing it on. “You’ll definitely want to use this before an important event where you want to look your best, especially if you’re wearing something short to show off your legs,” says Kellogg.
- Color range: Two shades
- Undertones: Green/neutral
- Format: Spray
- Development time: 6–8 hours
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17/26St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse
“I’m naturally tan, but I love being a little darker and this is my tried-and-true product,” says Glamour commerce writer Andrea Navarro. It’s easy to get intimidated by this brown mousse, but St. Tropez makes it easy,one shade works for everyone.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Brown
- Format: Mousse
- Development time: 4–8 hours
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18/26Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops
You’ve likely seen these drops on your TikTok FYP by now, and they’re so worth the hype. Unlike a lot of tanning drops that are clear, you can see the color as you mix it into your moisturizer. Use your fingertips or a sponge to blend for seamless application. “I prefer using this with a Beautyblender so I can really see where it’s going,” says Glamour’s Navarro.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Brown
- Format: Serum
- Development time: 1 hour
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- 19/26
Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam
This is the latest drop from Bondi Sands, but it’s the brand’s most innovative tanning product yet. There are four shades designed to match your skin’s unique undertone for a more customizable tan that sets it apart from other self-tanners. “I tried the one designed for olive undertones and it's easily the most natural-looking self-tanner I’ve used to date,” says Glamour’s Navarro.
- Color range: Four shades
- Undertones: Olive, gold, brown, blue
- Format: Drops
- Development time: 1 hour
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20/26Soleil Toujours Organic Sunless Tanning Cream
Dr. Lal is a fan of the ingredients and color results of this lotion. It’s organic, comes in one shade that works for everyone, and develops gradually over six to eight hours. Testers love that It doesn’t have a strong scent.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Lotion
- Development time: 6–8 hours
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- 21/26
Self-Tanning Mist Dolce Glow by Isabel Alysa
Experience a sun-kissed glow with the Dolce Glow Self-Tanning Mist by celeb tanning artist Isabel Alysa. This mist offers an easy, even application for a natural-looking tan without the streaks. It’s perfect for those who want a quick and hassle-free tanning experience, its lightweight formula dries quickly, and the formula leaves your skin with a beautiful, subtle glow. “I never tried a tanning mist before, but this one was such a breeze to use, and all I had to do was use a tanning mitt,” says Glamour’s Navarro.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Mist
- Development time: 4–6 hours
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- 22/26
Tan-Luxe The Express Hydrating Self-Tan Water
Tan-Luxe’s Express Hydrating Self-Tan Water is a game-changer for tanning enthusiasts with dry skin. This hydrating formula not only gives you a gorgeous tan but simultaneously nourishes your skin. “Want a tan ASAP while having your skin feel better than ever? Use this water-like tanner,” says Glamour tester Rosi Norton. “The clear formula has no color transfer, and you can expect to see results in a few hours,” she adds.
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Water
- Development time: 30 minutes
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- 23/26
Lux Unfiltered N°32 Gradual Hydrating Self Tanner
For a subtle, buildable glow, this tanning body lotion is your new solution. Lux Unfiltered’s hydrating formula is perfect for daily use, because it gradually enhances your skin’s natural color. “I’m a control freak, and I like that I’m pretty much in charge of my tan’s progression with this lotion,” says Glamour’s Navarro. “It’ll leave you streak-free, and you’ll have moisturized skin too.”
- Color range: Two shades
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Cream
- Development time: 2 hours
- 24/26
Tanologist Face + Body Self Tan Drops
Tanologist’s Self Tan Drops offer a customizable tanning experience for both face and body for those who want control over their tan intensity. Add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer for a natural, streak-free tan without the unpleasant smell. “These drops are my go-to after I get a professional spray tan on my body,” says Norton. “These are the easiest way to avoid any weird blotches.”
- Color range: Three shades
- Undertones: Colorless
- Format: Drops
- Development time: 4–6 hours
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- 25/26
Loving Tan 2 HR Express Self Tanning Mousse Dark
Need a quick deep tan? Reach for Loving Tan’s 2-HR Express Mousse. This fast-acting formula delivers a rich, dark tan in just two hours. It’s great for last-minute events, offering a professional, streak-free application that dries quickly and lasts. “I was in a wedding in the Dominican Republic, and I was looking so pale despite spending time in the sun. This was my saving grace,” says Glamour tester Mia Nuñez. “I used this earlier in the day, and it’s the only reason I didn’t look washed out in any of the photos.”
- Color range: Four shades
- Undertones: Brown
- Format: Mousse
- Development time: 2 hours
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- 26/26
Luna Bronze Solar Eclipse Clear Tanning Mousse
This luxe mousse offers a clear, no-transfer solution for a flawless tan. Because it applies transparently, it’s mess-free, easy to use, and perfect for beginners. If you’re the type to easily stain your clothes, this makes tanning a little less worrisome. “To be honest, I can’t really be trusted with light-colored clothing in general, but the damage from self-tanners sounded terrifying…until I found this guy,” says Glamour tester Ally Simmons. “The results are a beautiful, even bronze that develops over time without making a complete mess.”
- Color range: One shade
- Undertones: Yellow
- Format: Mousse
- Development time: 24 hours
