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Not all of us are open to the idea of stepping inside a spray tanning booth and having the mist applied to our body for an even tan, or being trapped inside a tanning booth for a few minutes while UV ray lamps attempt to replicate the bronzed, tanned look of beach bums.
A lot of individuals prefer the relatively easier, less intrusive, more private, at-home self-tanning products such as tanning lotions to achieve the glowing bronzed look that they dream of.
Aside from tanning lotions, there are also popular gel-based or spray tans that are available on the market, depending on your preference and the type of skin that you have. So how do you select the best self-tanning product for you to use?
Related: What is the best tanning lotion for tanning beds?
Added benefits
Look for self-tanning products that have additional benefits for your skin, such as sun protection (keep in mind that most self-tanners are not sunscreen substitutes); moisturizing effects (to prolong the youthful glow of the tan); and natural ingredients (plant-based ingredients and extracts keep your skin healthy and fresh-looking).
Consider your skin tone
A natural tan is what you want to achieve, so the self-tanners you use must also be appropriate with your skin tone. For fair-skinned or naturally pale individuals, choose products that cause a more subtle tan; build a tan base first rather than trying to immediately get darker by over-applying the tanning products. On the other hand, if you are already medium-skinned or olive-complexioned, lighter shades or bronzers would usually be enough to make the skin glow. For more information on skin types checkout this article by WebMD.
Creams, lotions, sprays, or gels?
Self-tanning creams and lotions are obviously much easier to apply and control, and they usually also provide necessary hydration for the skin. Tanning sprays and gels, meanwhile, dry faster and are not as heavy as lotions or creams, making them more appropriate for certain combination skin types or those with oily skin as they are less likely to clog the pores.
The Best Self Tanners
Below is our list of the best self tanners. Below this list is the winners for a number of categories. Each person has there own requirements for the “best” self-tanner, so we didn’t want to pick just one winner. Some people are interested in only natural ingredients, other people only care about price.
Golden Star Beauty Self Tanning Oil
If natural is at the top of your priorities list, then look no further than this self-tanning oil. It uses certified organic ingredients. It’s very pricey, but that’s what happens when you’ve got an ingredients list like this. It’s an oil so putting it on evenly shouldn’t be too big of an issue. The primary complaint is that it goes on clear, so just apply it in a well lit room where you can see the oily shine and know where it has been applied. Also, it does take some time to build tan.
Before and After Picture Review
Nivea Sun Kissed Radiance
Another stand-by in the dependability category is our friend Nivea. They’ve been taking care of skin since taking care of skin was a thing. While this isn’t personally my favorite tanner, I can’t argue with all of the other people who swear by it. I don’t know what it is, but it has this mass market grocery store feel that many other products don’t have. Its smell is awful, but you can build a decent tan with it. Just be aware that you must use it consistently as the tan doesn’t last long. This is also not the best for people with very sensitive skin. If you’re on a budget though, this is the one to get.
Thermalabs Natural Self-Tanner
There was a battle for who would make the cut but Thermalabs came through strong with their Organic ingredients while not giving up the functionality of a quality self-tanner. They’ve proven that you don’t need a boat-load of strange chemicals to achieve a sun-kissed glow. The only drawback was the cost for the quantity you got.
Before and After Picture Review
Banana Boat Summer Color
If you want to stick with brands you know, then Banana Boat is always in your corner. They have years of experience in the tanning business and this self-tanning lotion can help you get that casual “oh yes, I go outdoors often” without screaming “I use self-tanner!” Our reasons for this rating are that it is genuinely streak-free, but it isn’t as flexible as some other tanners. You need to buy the right shade to get the right color. Don’t even think about buying the light shade and just applying over-and-over to get a darker look. That will look unnatural. Oh, and the price is really reasonable.
After Picture Review
Sun Laboratories Tan Overnight
Literally, if you need a last minute tan, this is the self-tanner you need. It’s affordable, and the tan will last you roughly a week. It is streak-free and has a pretty decent looking result. For the money, you probably won’t find a better self-tanner if you need a tan in a rush.
After Picture Review
St. Moriz Self Tanning Mousse
Some people like oils, some people like mousse. If you love the luscious feel of a mousse, than this is the self tanner you should consider. Mousses tend to be a bit more streak-prone, so I would definitely suggest applying with a mitt, just to be safe. For those new to mousse, it is also known to dry quickly, so don’t play around too much. If you’re concerned with the drying factor, then I would suggest going with a tanning oil.
Before and After Picture Review
St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
This is probably the most flexible of all of the products on the list. Like the St. Moriz Mousse, this one is too a mousse, so a mitt is advised and it will dry quickly. The nice thing about this mousse is that the shade will depend on the amount of time you leave the mousse on. So, if you want to be sun-kissed during winter and slim, dark and beautiful during summer, then this product can do it for you. Enjoy a flexible, velvety mousse to help you get the skin shade you want.
After Picture Review
Fake Bake Flawless
An absolute champ in the self-tanner category. Not only is it super flexible, letting you build a great tan the shade you want, but it comes with an OK mitt to apply the tanner evenly. This is a highly recommended tanner for a decent price that doesn’t smell all that bad either. Beware, in the beginning, the tan does seem to wash off, but if you keep using it, you’ll notice the change. Lots of people just use it a time or two and throw their hands in the air because it washed off. Also, don’t go crazy with it or it might start to look a bit orange. This is definitely a gradual tanning product. Don’t buy it at the last minute.
Before and After Picture Review
St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
St. Tropez landed two spots on our list, but for good reason, this product is a fantastic everyday type of tanner. Like all tanning mousses, use a mitt for application and remember that they dry quickly. This one isn’t as flexible as their other product which lets you completely control the depth of your color, but I love its simplicity. Put it on, wait a few hours, take it off and go.
Before and After Picture Review
Beauty by Earth
Beauty by Earth has made a wonderful product that strikes a balance between natural and effective. It’s also made in the USA! In addition to it being a natural product, it is also a buildable tanner which lets you control how dark of a shade you want to achieve.
Before and After Picture Review
Winners
In a rush: Sun Laboratories Tan Overnight
Most Natural: Beauty by Earth
Most Affordable: Nivea Sun Kissed Radiance
Most Luxurious: St. Tropez Self Tanning Mousse
Most Flexible: St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
Best All-Around: Fake Bake Flawless
