The best self-tanners have come a long way from the orange, blotchy, stinky formulas of the past (believe me, I still have PTSD from spray tans during the 2010’s). My favorite part about them, though, is that they’re a safe alternative to sun tanning, which without sunscreen is a big no-no. To help you find the best ones, Glamour editors spent a month testing various types and 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 pick was the Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Refillable Water because it’s quick, mess-free, and backed by experts, but we also found budget-friendly picks under $20 and easy-to-apply lotions for low-maintenance girlies.
The best self-tanners, at a glance
How we picked the best self-tanners
We tested the best self tanners over the duration of a month and looked at formula, application style, and longevity. The ones that rose to the top came in lightweight liquid or mousse form, and were easy to apply mixed into lotion or with an application mitt. We also looked at how effective they were at adding golden bronzy tones to our skin, if they lasted a few days to a week and how they held up against routine showers and activities. The best self tanners were lightweight on the skin but potent when dried down, and didn’t give us a streaky or orange finish, we can promise you that.
- Karan Lal, MD, double board-certified dermatologist
- Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in NYC
- Sophie Evans, St. Tropez tanning expert
- Brendan Camp, MD, double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC and surrounding areas
- Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology in NYC
- Colt Paulsen, chief tanning officer at Bondi Sands
Best Overall: Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Refillable Water
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
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Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
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. Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary goes through a bottle of this at least twice a year. “I’ve been a huge fan of this tanning water since I first tried it some years ago. I personally love to mix it into my moisturizer for a streak-free finish, and I love that it’s not stinky, oily, or sticky. This one dries in a snap as well, and I like that the finish isn’t too yellow or orange—it’s a nice subtle bronze.
Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
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Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Even fake-tan skeptics are fans 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 it 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.
Glamour’s Kilkeary also relies on this water mousse if she’s in a pinch, as it’s quick to apply and never leaves streaks behind. “I really love the dry-down transparent formula. Although it may seem scary (as you can’t really see where the product is during application), I’ve never had one issue with splotching or streaking for this one. Instead, it dries down quickly, and feels extremely lightweight on the skin, plus, there’s no sticky residue after the fact, or having to wait to put your clothes on.”
Most Popular Mousse: St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse
Original video by Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs
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. And 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, double-board-certified dermatologist at NYC’s MDCS Dermatology.
“I’ve never used a self-tanner before—my nightmare scenario is using a product that’s so dark that I look like I sat in an oven, and that it streaks and stains my towels and clothes. I’m also not someone who’s especially concerned about looking pale in winter. That said, I was curious to try St. Tropez’s mousse because I’ve heard many good things about it over the years,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “I followed the directions: exfoliated in the shower, buttered myself up with lotion, and then slid the product’s included mitt over my hand. To apply, I squirted the mousse onto the mitt and then swiped it onto my arms and legs in small, circular motions. The consistency is like a foam hand soap—very airy. It has a gray-green-brown color that I was skeptical would look good, but somehow, when rubbed into the skin, it leaves a very faint beige behind. It seems to blend with my actual skin tone. I was truly surprised! None of my fears were confirmed. My arms and legs were very faintly tanned—not really noticeably so, but in a way that I think I could build on the tan over time. My face wasn’t left looking super white by comparison. There’s no cloying perfume-y smell, and it dried almost instantly so I could put on my clothes. I look like I spent a day in the sun with SPF on, which is a nice effect to have in the dead of winter (although no one will see my arms and legs save me).”
Best for Sensitive Skin: Tan-Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
Original video by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
As bronzing drops continue to make waves, this Tan-Luxe product has become one of the most popular nonsticky 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.“I deal with cracked eczema, especially in the winter months, so I’m always mindful of using a self-tanner that’s appropriate for sensitive skin and that won’t dry out my skin, which is why I’ve recently turned to this luminous tanner. It’s super lightweight and nonsticky, and it blends seamlessly into moisturizer. I haven’t had patchiness once while using this, and I’m guessing that has to do with the moisturizing raspberry seed oil and aloe vera. My skin is always very soft and smooth after using this one in tandem with a moisturizer and I’ll be reaching for it well into the rest of winter.”
Best Streak-Free: St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing St. 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.