12 Best Self-Tanners 2025, Tested for a Natural Glowy Finish
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 2010âs). My favorite part about them, though, is that theyâre 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 glanceBest Overall: Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Refillable Water, $32Best for Beginners: Tanologist Brightening Gradual Tan Lotion, $13Best Quick Self Tanner: Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam, $27Best for Sensitive Skin: Tan Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops, $60Best for Face: Kopari Gradual Self-Tanning Face Serum, $32Best for Mature Skin: Lux Unfiltered No32 Gradual Hydrating Self Tanner, $38Best for Pale Skin: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self Tanner Mousse, $38How we picked the best self-tannersWe 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 didnât give us a streaky or orange finish, we can promise you that.
Karan Lal, MD, double board-certified dermatologistDendy Engelman, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in NYCSophie Evans, St. Tropez tanning expertBrendan Camp, MD, double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC and surrounding areasAdarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology in NYCColt Paulsen, chief tanning officer at Bondi SandsBest Overall: Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Refillable Water
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Refillable Water
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
You may have seen this TikTok viral self-tanning water on your FYP, but itâs essentially a self-tanning spray that can be used alone or blended into lotion for an even golden glow. Itâs 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. âIâve 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 itâs not stinky, oily, or sticky. This one dries in a snap as well, and I like that the finish isnât too yellow or orangeâitâs a nice subtle bronze.
Best Drugstore: LâOrĂ©al Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water MousseLâOrĂ©al 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
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Even fake-tan skeptics are fans of this drugstore mousse, which is great for beginners. âIâm not a fake-tan person at allâitâs a lot of work for something I really donât care that much about,â says Glamour deputy editor Anna Moeslin. âBut this is so quick and foolproof to use that it hardly feels like an extra step.â Unlike a lot of mousses, this one pumps out clear so you donât have to worry about it staining clothes or transferring onto furniture. âThe 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,â says Moeslin.
Glamourâs Kilkeary also relies on this water mousse if sheâs in a pinch, as itâs quick to apply and never leaves streaks behind. âI really love the dry-down transparent formula. Although it may seem scary (as you canât really see where the product is during application), Iâve never had one issue with splotching or streaking for this one. Instead, it dries down quickly, and feels extremely lightweight on the skin, plus, thereâs no sticky residue after the fact, or having to wait to put your clothes on.â
Most Popular Mousse: St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing 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 itâs worth, even dermatologists love it. âFormulated 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,â says Brendan Camp, MD, double-board-certified dermatologist at NYCâs MDCS Dermatology.
âIâve never used a self-tanner beforeâmy nightmare scenario is using a product thatâs so dark that I look like I sat in an oven, and that it streaks and stains my towels and clothes. Iâm also not someone whoâs especially concerned about looking pale in winter. That said, I was curious to try St. Tropezâs mousse because Iâve heard many good things about it over the years,â says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. âI followed the directions: exfoliated in the shower, buttered myself up with lotion, and then slid the productâs 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 soapâvery 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 tannedânot really noticeably so, but in a way that I think I could build on the tan over time. My face wasnât left looking super white by comparison. Thereâs 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).â
Best for Sensitive Skin: Tan-Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
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. âThis is my favorite sunless tanner for my body. Itâs completely customizable, just blend it with your own lotion,â says Glamour contributor Kristi Kellogg. Add a few drops to your daily moisturizer and apply it as usual. âThe combo consistently gives me an even glow, and whenever I want to go darker, I simply add more drops,â she says.âI deal with cracked eczema, especially in the winter months, so Iâm always mindful of using a self-tanner thatâs appropriate for sensitive skin and that wonât dry out my skin, which is why Iâve recently turned to this luminous tanner. Itâs super lightweight and nonsticky, and it blends seamlessly into moisturizer. I havenât had patchiness once while using this, and Iâm 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 Iâll be reaching for it well into the rest of winter.â
Best Streak-Free: St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
St. Tropez Self Tan Express 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, itâs 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 youâll 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 youâve spent the last few weeks on the CĂŽte dâAzur coast, wait up to three hours to really watch the bronze emerge.
