It's natural to want to add some warmth to your skin's complexion during the sunnier months — but sunbathers, beware: Excessive sun exposure can increase your risk for serious health concerns like melanoma, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. So if you're looking for a faux glow that won't cause any damage to your skin, experts suggest employing a trusty self-tanner to give your skin a natural warmth and alluring shimmer.
You might feel some type of way about self-tanners but trust us — the orange, streaky finishes of yesteryear are dead and gone. Self-tanners today have come a long way, and there are tons of formulas that'll leave you with an even, spotless, and bronzed finish.
So, how exactly do self-tanners work? The magic lies in an active ingredient called dihydroxyacetone — aka DHA — which, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, M.D., is “a result from glycerin that interacts with the amino acids in our dead skin cells which makes the bronze color appear.” DHA only impacts the top layer of your skin and, in simplest terms, reacts similarly to a cut apple browning when exposed to oxygen.
How To Shop For Self-Tanners
Jaliman says self-tanners are a much safer and time-saving alternative to sunbathing outdoors or exposing yourself to tanning beds. We asked Jaliman and Jordan Cook, the global tanning expert at St. Moriz, about what to consider when shopping for a self-tanner.
Review the ingredients: It sounds like common sense, but be sure you read the product's label to ensure you're not allergic to any of the ingredients. Once your self-tanner arrives, Jaliman recommends doing a patch test on your body to be sure you're not allergic to any ingredient in the self-tanner.
Consider your skin tone: Many brands make self-tanners for different skin tones, ranging from fair to dark. You'll want to use a self-tanner that's in your skin tone range for the most natural look, advises Cook.
Formulation: Self-tanners come in four formulations — mouse, gel, lotion, and serum — and mousse is the most beginner-friendly option for your body because it has an airy texture, according to both experts.
How We Chose
After speaking with skincare and self-tanning experts, we asked them to spill the tea on the products they recommend. We also researched self-tanners, analyzed their ingredients list, and carefully read their online reviews to ensure our selections actually live up to the hype.
Collectively, all 17 of these self-tanners earned thousands of sparkling reviews on retailers like Amazon, Ulta, Sephora, and more. Plus, for a little more added guidance, we referenced our friends over at Elle, Marie Claire,Harper's Bazaar, and Allure.
If you want to bronze without breaking the bank, this is your best bet. L’Oréal’s Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Serum serves up the appearance of sun-kissed skin with no streaking.
The no-fuss formula is safe for both body and face, quick-drying, and helps your skin glow to perfection in any season.
This brand grew a cult following (and over 6,700 positive reviews on Amazon) nearly overnight because of this holy grail of a self-tanner. This tanning foam is ultra lightweight, it won't leave a sticky feel or streaky mess, and it transforms into a bronzy, subtle glow that will have everyone thinking you just came back from the French Riviera.
Plus, it only takes 2 hours to fully develop — a time-saving winner in our book!
Jergens is a go-to for fair-skinned beauties because the brand offers several shades, not just a super-dark color. The Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer is a great formula for those looking to ease into sunless tanning without a salon appointment.
Regular use over the course of just 7 days will result in visibly firmer skin and natural-looking color that'll gradually become darker over time.
Despite having decades of beauty editor experience, our senior editor Eunice Lucero-Lee is the first to admit that self-tanner is intimidating.
She’s a big fan of this Bondi Sands self-tanner because it’s infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E. “It has a clear, gradually developing formulation that looks natural on my fairer skin tone, meaning no streaks. It’s pretty much goof-proof and, best yet, fragrance-free,” she says.
Golden Star Beauty’s most unique self-tanner is this illuminating serum designed for your face and décolletage. You can mix three to six drops of serum into skincare products like a face moisturizer or underneath your makeup.
The dermatologist-tested serum gradually warms up your face, so your golden glow looks natural rather than obvious like a Jersey Shore castmate.
We love that it's made in the USA and infused with some of our favorite hydrating and calming ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, vitamin B-5, and aloe vera. It's also non-comedogenic, meaning it's free of pore clogging ingredients that lead to acne and excessive oil on your face.
This self-tanner product is packed with quality vegan skincare ingredients like squalane, aloe, and vitamin E to nourish your skin as it bronzes. It's also infused with maracuja oil, Tarte's signature ingredient, that promises to help firm and brighten your complexion.
Bonus: It includes a tanning mitt to keep your hands from turning too tan in the process.
This classic sunless tanning mousse by St. Tropez is a best seller for good reason. It's a super lightweight, easy-to-apply, tinted mousse that dries in 60 seconds and delivers a rich, bronze glow.
Better yet, it does it all while swapping that typical self-tanner smell for a mood-boosting fragrance.
This innovative tanning concentrate turns any serum, moisturizer, or lotion into a tanning product. Just add a few drops of this magic to an existing favorite, and it's suddenly a self-tanner. You can customize the depth of your tan depending on the number of drops that you use.
Don't want to commit to a long-term bronze? Try a disco tan! This innovative product from Isle of Paradise allows you to wash away your tan after you wear it.
It's loaded with nourishing avocado and coconut oils to keep your skin looking and feeling silky and tan.
If a mist is your tanning application method of choice, Coola's sunless spray is the self-tanner for you. This easy-to-use dry oil mist delivers a natural-looking, buildable radiance that lasts up to three days.
Its nourishing formula features an antioxidant-rich golden blend of clean ingredients like argan oil, vitamin C, hibiscus, and chamomile extract. It also has a sweet-smelling pina-coco scent, which is a nice change from the typical self-tan fragrance.
Melanin-rich complexions can sport self-tanner, and this option from Bondi Sands is your new saving grace. It's a darker formula than other brands, so it leaves behind a more significant tan once it's done developing.
This salon-quality formula also contains skincare heroes like coconut oil and aloe vera to soothe and soften skin without any irritation, making it a great pick for sensitive skin types as well.
If you're short on time, then this fast-acting gel will give you a quick tan in no time. It's oil-free and creates an even, streak-free finish, and it dries in literal minutes.
No need to wash it off — just apply and wait a few minutes (about 15-20) before you get dressed, and you're all set to head out for the day.
These best-selling tanning towelettes are great for getting your glow on while exfoliating any unwanted dead skin cells. These tiny-but-mighty towelettes give your body a bronzy, flake-free glow, while skin-nourishing ingredients like vitamin D and caffeine give your skin a head-to-toe TLC boost.
Plus, they claim to help minimize shaving, and who wouldn't like to put the razor down for a few days longer?
For a lighter take on your self-tanning formulas, try this oil-based tanner. It's lightweight, dries fast, and contains softening skincare ingredients like argan oil, a staple in Josie Maran's luxury products.
Plus, this formula uses a naturally derived DHA, making it a great choice for sensitive skin types.
FAQ
Q: How long does self-tanner last on skin?
The experts we consulted say self-tanner will last anywhere from three to 10 days, depending on the product you use and how frequently you shower or soak in a bubble bath.
How often you shed dead skin cells also determines how long your self-tanner lasts. “Self-tanner only penetrates the surface layer of the skin, which is the epidermis layer. This means that when your natural skin cells are shedding throughout the day, so is your tan,” explains Cook.
Q: What happens if you don't exfoliate before self-tanner?
We love all things body scrubs, so when the pros encouraged us to exfoliate before using a self-tanner, we were excited, although curious why it's essential.
"If you exfoliate well, it [self-tanner] should last about six or seven days. If you don't exfoliate and have a lot of dead skin, your self-tan will last much less," says Jaliman, an assistant clinical dermatologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.
Q: Does self-tanner work on dark skin?
Yes, darker skin tones can use self-tanner, but your results will vary depending on the product and how many layers you use.
"The amount of noticeable difference may be less obvious on an individual with darker skin, but it will deepen the skin cells as it would if the person spent time in the sun, without the damage," says Melanie Richard, founder of goGLOW tanning studios.
Cook recommends opting for a self-tanner that's similar to your natural skin tone and notes that you might need to use extra layers to achieve your desired shade.
Jennifer HusseinBeauty EditorJennifer is the Beauty Editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse.
Nicole SaundersBeauty EditorNicole Saunders is the Beauty Editor at BestProducts.com, where she oversees coverage on all things beauty.
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