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When it comes to getting a tan, there are tons of different ways to achieve one. However, the safest way to get a gorgeous bronze glow is with self tanners. Self tanners come in all different formulas – liquid, mousse, creams, and more. One of the easiest, mess-free ways to get a self tan is with lotions and we rounded up all of our favorite picks.
Self tanning lotion is the easiest way to get a tan because it’s mess-free, streak-free, and moisturizing. Most lotions give you a gradual tan which may take a few days to show up, but it’s worth it in the end because you get a natural, even tan.
Below, we rounded up a variety of self tanning lotions that work on all different skin types and tones. All of our picks are safe, moisturizing, and great at delivering a stunning bronze glow!
Comparing the Finest Self Tanning Lotions of 2024
Jergens Natural Glow Sunless Tanning Lotion — Best Overall
This daily moisturizer gives you a gradual medium to tan shade that is completely streak-free. It’s formulated with antioxidants and vitamin E which work together to hydrate your skin while giving you a sunless tan. Ther tan is gradual and natural so you don’t have to worry about looking orange, plus, you just use it as if it was your daily body lotion. Even better, there’s no wait time so you can apply the lotion before getting dressed without having to worry about color transfer.
Pros
- It’s formulated with antioxidants and vitamin E
Cons
- The tan is gradual
Beauty by Earth Self Tanner with Organic & Natural Ingredients — Runner Up
This self-tanning lotion is made with natural ingredients including organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, and Japanese green tea, that work together to provide ultimate moisture to the skin. It’s perfect for sensitive skin because it doesn’t use harsh ingredients, plus, it’s streak-free. It works best on darker, bronze skin, but it can be used on all skin tones and types. The best part is, it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and never tested on animals.
Pros
- It’s vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Works best on darker skin
Tanceuticals Self Tanner – CC Self Tanning Lotion — Honorable Mention
This self tanner gives you a smooth, streak-free tan without the mess and hassle of other self tanners. It blends easily and dries quickly so you can put it on before getting dressed or if you’re in a rush, plus, it lasts 6-7 days. It has a delicious coconut scent and is made with natural ingredients including acai berry, mango butter, and vitamin E. It’s also made without parabens or mineral oil and it’s certified cruelty-free by PETA.
Pros
- It’s cruelty-free
Cons
- It has a coconut scent
Tan Physics True Color Sunless Tanner — Contender
This lotion is a tanner and an anti-aging cream in one. It doesn’t leave streaks or give you an orange color, plus, it doesn’t have a smell. It provides a rich, natural tan while also moisturizing the skin. It’s formulated with a natural sugar base, argan oil, coconut oil, and Matrixyl, it works on all skin types and tones, and it can be used on the face or body.
Pros
- Can be used on the face or body
Cons
- A little goes a long way
Buying Guide: Self Tanning Lotions
There’s nothing better than glowing tan skin when you’re chilling at the beach. Of course, you could opt to tan naturally, but not everyone’s skin reacts the same way to the sun. Instead of risking it and getting a nasty sunburn, you can use some of the amazing self tanning lotions that we’ve mentioned.
What to Look For in a Self Tanning Lotion
A good self tanning lotion will leave your skin looking bronzed and sun-kissed. No one likes a patchy tan, which is why there are some factors you should consider before buying a self tanning lotion. Here are just some of those factors.
Tan level
Make sure to read labels well when you buy a self tanning lotion. Some self-tanning lotions give you a much darker tan, leaving you looking more like a chocolate bar, which isn’t the most ideal. Other tanning lotions may leave your skin orange, which also isn’t ideal since you wouldn’t want to look like an Oompa Loompa.
The tanning lotion you get should suit your skin tone perfectly. If you have lighter skin, get a self-tanning lotion that is best for medium skin tones. However, if you have darker skin, you can get a self-tanning lotion that is meant for deeper skin tones.
Always do a patch test first before applying the lotion to your entire body. This will help you determine whether the tan color works for your skin and will also help you avoid any mishaps.
Texture
No one likes a streaky tan, especially if you’re planning on rocking a bikini. Texture plays an important role in self-tanning lotions because a liquidy lotion will most likely leave you with streaks. A good tanning lotion has a thicker consistency, allowing you to properly massage it all over your body.
If your tanning lotion is on the thinner side, you can always bulk it up by adding a few pumps of your favorite moisturizer to it. This helps a lot, especially if you’re applying the self tanning lotion to your face.
Ingredients
Of course, ingredients are important when it comes to self tanning lotions. You wouldn’t want to put anything with harmful ingredients on your skin. Always check the ingredients list on your self tanning lotion to ensure there aren’t any ingredients that your skin is allergic to.
One ingredient that a lot of tanning lotions contain is vitamin E. Not only does vitamin E help brighten the skin, but it also helps reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Coconut oil is another healthy ingredient used in many self tanning lotions. It helps keep your skin smooth and glowing.
Tanning My Own Back - What Do I Need to Know
Tanning your back, especially when you don’t have anyone else to help, can be a struggle. There are certain parts of your back that you may have difficulty reaching on your own. The last thing you want is pale spots on your back, especially when you’ve spent hours tanning your entire body.
One good way to tan your own back is by leaning forward so that you can reach all the hard-to-reach spots. But if that doesn’t work, a sponge with a long handle can go a long way. Simply apply the self-tanning lotion to the sponge and apply it across your back.
A mirror also comes in handy when tanning your own back, so that you can see any areas that you might have missed.
Tan Streaks on Clothes? How to Remove Them
The worst situation ever is when you’ve got a fresh tan, and you sit on a couch or wear your favorite white top, and bam! Tan streaks. For clothes, you can simply throw them in the washing machine, and with a simple, gentle cycle, they’ll be gone. You can also hand wash using laundry detergent for easy tan stain removal.
But if you’ve got a tan stain on furniture, the best way to remove it is to make a mix of water and dishwashing liquid. Dab this mix into the stain until it fades. Once the stain is removed, let it air dry, and you’ll be good to go!
