13 Best Self Tanners of 2025 for the Ultimate Sunless, Streak-Free Tan

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As the weather warms up, everyone wants to get a glow. With the best self tanner, you can get a radiant, well-rested bronze that seems to be the byproduct of a sun-drenched getaway—it’s up to you whether or not to disclose that it came from a bottle. For those new to self-tanning, the process can seem like uncharted territory, and the fear of appearing orange is all to real. Fortunately, Vogue editors and celebrity tanning experts don’t gatekeep their intel on the best self tanners that give a natural glow for every skin tone.

Vogue’s Favorite Self TannersBest Express Tan: Loving Tan 2 HR Express Mousse, $44Best Drugstore: Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner Lotion, $12Best for Face: Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops, $50Best for Body: St. Tropez Self-Tan Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse, $48In This StoryWhat is a self tanner?What to Look for in a Self TannerHow to Choose the Self Tanner for YouHow Often to Use Self TannerHow to Maximize Your Self-TanBest Practices for Self-Tanner ApplicationHow to Resolve Application MishapsMeet the Experts“Self-tan has always been a cloak of confidence for myself, and for my celebrity clients, but for some reason, it was only communicated to consumers as a one-body-shape, one-skin-tone type of beauty product, which has never been the case for me!” explains celebrity tanning expert and founder of Isle of Paradise, Jules Von Hep. He believes we should rely on self tan to help boost confidence by awakening a lit-from-within glow that naturally peps us up. “Our skin looks more even and our glow more prominent–and that, in turn, affects our day-to-day mood,” he says. Want to experience the glow-boost yourself? Just ahead of summer, here are the best self tanners, according to Vogue editors and bronzing buffs.

Best for Face: Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan DropsTan-Luxe

The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

Why We Love It: Tan-Luxe’s drops turn your moisturizer, hydrating serum, or face oil into a customizable self-tanner—simply mix a few in with your favorite skin-care product to apply where you want to create a natural glow. The buildable formula features hydrating ingredients like glycerin, vitamin E, and aloe for a nourishing radiance. For the best results, the brand recommends picking your shade based on your natural skin tone, not your desired tanning shade—and remember, more drops equate to a deeper self-tan.Key Ingredients: Glycerin, raspberry seed oil, aloe very leaf juice, hydrolysed silk protiein, caramel, vitamin EFormat: Liquid dropsShades: 4How to Use: According to Tan-Luxe, mix your desired amount of drops (we suggest three as the sweet spot) with your favorite moisturizer, serum, or oil, in the palm of your hand. Apply evenly to your face and neck. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after application.Best for Sensitive Skin: SaltyFace Tanning WaterWhy We Love It: Saltyface’s tanning water is cruelty- and sulfate-free, vegan, and safe for sensitive skin, thanks to its non-pore-clogging formula. The clean, translucent liquid utilizes plant-derived ingredients for a gradual tan that develops seamlessly—consider it a great intro formula for hesitant beginners. Sugar beet reacts with the amino acids in the top layer of the skin to create a natural glow. Meanwhile, cucumber, marshmallow root, and calendula flower work together to create soothing hydration, thanks to their anti-inflammatory ingredients.Key Ingredients: Organic sugar beet, cucumber, marshmallow root, calendula flowerFormat: Water-based liquidShades: 2How to Use: Saltyface offers two application options: Using a mist topper and the brand’s application brush, spritz twice on the brush’s bristles and buff evenly across your face, blending into your neck and chest. To apply with your hands, dispense two dropper fulls, rub the palms of your hands together, and then evenly rub into your face and neck—just don’t forget to wash your hands when you’re done.Best for a Short-Term Glow: Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing DropsWestman Atelier

Sun Tone Bronzing Drops

Why We Love It: A bronzing serum is the answer for an effortless glow on its own or under makeup. Thanks to a blend of carrot sativa seed oil and prebiotic-powered moisturizing ingredients, the formula hydrates your complexion, while adding a temporary layer of sun-kissed glow—perfect for a day poolside or a latte makeup look.Key Ingredients: Glycerin, mica, corn starch, carrot sativa seed oil, sunflower seed oil, vitamin EFormat: Bronzing serumShades: 4How to Use: Shake well before using, and apply as you would a skin tint or liquid foundation. Wear all over your face, on bare skin or with other color cosmetics.Best for Boosting Radiance: Coola Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face SerumCoola

Organic Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum

Why We Love It: This summer, we’re relying on face serums for lightweight hydrating, firming, and brightening benefits, but how about one with glow-boosting abilities? Enter Coola’s option that utilizes 99% natural ingredients, including sugar beet-derived DHA, for a shimmery radiance in a few hours.Key Ingredients: DHA, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, baoab, centella asiatic cell culturesFormat: SerumShades: OneHow to Use: According to Coola, apply two to three drops onto skin on its own or mixed into your chosen moisturizer.Best Skin-Smoothing; Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for BodyDr. Dennis Gross

Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Body

Why We Love It: Celebrity dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross’s skin-care lineup delivers a self-tanning solution through its Alpha Beta Glow Pad. Featuring a blend of AHAs, BHAs, and vitamin D, this offers a streak- and mess-free tan with ease. Better yet: there are pads formulated for the face too.Key Ingredients: Encapsulated DHA, AHAs, and BHAsFormat: Single-use towelShades: OneHow to Use: According to Dr. Dennis Gross, swipe the towel across the body in circular motions until dry. Color should develop in one hour.Best for Body: St. Tropez Self-Tan Luxe Whipped Crème MousseSt. Tropez

Self-Tan Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse

Why We Love It: St. Tropez’s Self Tan Bronzing Mousse is a great option regardless of your comfort level. The niacinamide-infused formula offers skin benefits like evening tone and alleviating redness. Even more: it’s a long-wear option that may last throughout days of travel.Key Ingredients: DHA, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, echinacea, and Vitamin EFormat: Lightweight mousseShades: OneHow to Use: According to St. Tropez, apply a few pumps onto a mitt, then massage onto the body. Just be sure to wait eight hours for your tan to develop before showering.Best Drugstore: Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner LotionJergens

Natural Glow Self Tanner Lotion

Why We Love It: Dare we say Jergens Natural Glow is the ultimate drugstore self tanner? The gradual tanning lotion is easy to apply, and is full of antioxidants and conditioning ingredients to help keep skin healthy from within.Key Ingredients: Glycerin, avocado fruit extract, jojoba seed extract, and olive fruit oilFormat: LotionShades: TwoHow to Use: According to Jergens, apply this as your daily body lotion—allowing a few minutes to dry to avoid transfer on clothes or fabric.Best Express Tan: Loving Tan 2 HR Express MousseLoving Tan

2 HR Express Mousse

Why We Love It: Need a tan ASAP? Get your hands on this Loving Tan formula. Designed to deliver a natural-looking bronze in just two hours, the mousse is a TikTok favorite for great coverage that dries easily.Key Ingredients: Naturally-derived DHA, aloe veraFormat: MousseShades: ThreeHow to Use: According to Loving Tan, moisturize dry areas first. Then, work the mousse in circular motions with a mitt for even coverage. Wait one minute before touching clothing or fabric.Best Mix-In for Moisturizer: Clarins Self Tanning Body Booster DropsClarins

Self Tanning Body Booster Drops

Why We Love It: Those looking to customize their glow year-round should consider adding this recipe by Clarins to cart. Inside its sleek tube is a concentrated blend of 99% ingredients of natural origin—including DHA, plant sugars, and aloe vera to illuminate and bronze the skin with each dropKey Ingredients: DHA, plant sugars (erythrulose), aloe vera, and glycerinFormat: Liquid dropsShades: OneHow to Use: According to Clarins, mix four to six drops with your body moisturizer, then apply to the body.Best for Pale Skin: Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning FoamBondi Sands

Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam

Why We Love It: While Bondi Sands is a classic self-tanning option, its Technocolor tanning foam aims to provide tailored results for every skin tone, with four tan undertones to choose from. The goal? To ensure you never look orange. For fairer skin, Sapphire produces a cool-toned tan. For medium skin tones, Emerald gives a natural olive-toned glow. For those with medium to deep skin tones, Magenta replicates a tan of someone with naturally higher melanin levels. For deep skin tones, Caramel offers a gentle glow to enhance darker complexions. What’s more, this mousse is an express tan—so you’ll have bronzed results within an hour.Key Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe vera extract, coconut water, panthenolFormat: MousseShades: 4How to Use: 1 Hour Express Foam format and can be washed off after one hour of wear for enhanced, natural skin results.Best Long Lasting: Bali Body Self Tanning MousseBali Body

Self Tanning Mousse

Why We Love It: Glow from head-to-toe with this tinted, lightweight tanning mousse—a perfect blend of natural oils and antioxidants that not only deliver a deep, natural-looking tan but also nourish your skin. Enriched with 100% natural DHA and natural ingredients like chamomile and pomegranate, it works to repair and hydrate, leaving your skin soft and radiant for long-lasting results.Key Ingredients: DHA, chamomile extract, pomegranate extractFormat: MousseShades: 2How to Use: According to the brand, pump the mousse into a tanning glove before applying evenly across your body. For a light tan, wash off one hour after application. For a medium to dark tan, leave on for up to four hours. For the deep tan, wait eight hours before showering.Best for a Sun-Kissed Glow:
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self Tanner MousseCoco & Eve

Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self Tanner Mousse

Why We Love It: Achieve a post-vacation glow is easy with Coco & Eve’s tanning mousse—no trip necessary. Enriched with 100% natural DHA, raw virgin coconut, and antioxidant-rich ingredients like mango and fig, this lightweight, fast-drying mousse develops into a golden glow that nourishes skin and blurs hyperpigmentation. Best of all, the formula is silicone-free and has no dreaded self-tanner smell—instead, the mousse features a tropical mango and guava scent.Key Ingredients: DHA, lotus extract, raw virgin coconut, mango extract, cocoa extract, fig extractFormat: MousseShades: 3How to Use: According to the brand, start by removing unwanted hair and exfoliating your skin thoroughly, a minimum of six hours before tan application. Next, apply the product to dry skin with a mitt. (Pro tip: you can use a brush to carefully apply the tan to areas like the feet, hands, face, and ears.) Allow the product to develop for at least two hours. Leave it on for six hours or longer for a deeper tan.Best Gradual Tan: Lux Unfiltered N°32 Gradual Self TannerLux Unfiltered

N°32 Gradual Self Tanner

Why We Love It: This gradual self-tanning cream that delivers a natural-looking tan without streaks or orange tones—plus, it’s infused with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, squalane, avocado oil, and passion fruit oil to keep skin feeling dewy and hydrated as your tan develops. The beginner-friendly formula doesn’t transfer or leave behind a sticky residue, but does impart a lovely rosewood and sandalwood scent in addition to an even tan.Key Ingredients: Shea butter, cocoa Butter, passion fruit oilFormat: CreamShades: 2How to Use: According to the brand, exfoliate prior to application. Next, using your hands (no mitt needed!), apply an even layer of the product all over your body, rubbing in circular motions only. Be sure to use less product on your hands, feet, knees, and elbows. Wait about 10 minutes for the tan to set before dressing or getting into bed, and avoid contact with water for at least 8 hours. Exfoliate 1-2 times weekly to help remove the tan and keep your skin fresh. Lastly, wash your hands with soap and water immediately after application to prevent staining.Everything You Need To KnowIf you’re new to the world of self tanner or simply are curious how products create that bronzed effect, Hep breaks it down: “The self-tan ingredient [found in many products], DHA (dihydroxyacetone), reacts with our skin giving the illusion that we’ve been away.” From gradual tanning lotions to self-tanning drops, there are plenty of easy-to-apply options offering a subtle face and body glow infused with skin-nourishing ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid. “The best way to think of self-tan is that it mimics vacation skin without having to go on vacation–essentially, it’s a vacation in a bottle!” says Hep.

What to Look for in a Self Tanner

“I would opt for a self tanner that has a bronzer, which is also known as the color guide,” says Dolce Glow founder Isabel Alysa, a celebrity spray tan artist whose clients include Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian. This helps guarantee a more even application so you don’t miss any spots. “[If you’re more fair-toned], I would also choose a self tanner that is a light or medium shade, versus going with a dark option. The DHA with a dark self tanner might be too high and can actually cause orange hues if not used on the correct skin tone.” Another pro tip (especially if you’re in rush) Alysa shares? Opting for an easy-to-apply spray or mist to ensure “a good, even tan.”

How to Choose the Self Tanner for You

When it comes to choosing the best self tanner for you, “the rule I always use is light for light skin tones, medium shades for medium skin tones—think someone who naturally tans in the sun, with an olive skin tone—and dark shades for deeper skin tones,” Alysa says. “Following those guidelines will ensure a brown, natural-looking self tan, and reduce the chance of orange hues.”

According to Bethany Menzel, co-founder and creative director of Saltyface, “Why you want to self tan can also help determine which tanner is best for you.” If you want to have an everyday glow that’s easy to maintain, she recommends a product that goes on transparent and develops gradually. “This will make your tan routine feel maintainable and avoid tan transfer on your clothing and sheets.” On the other hand, she says: “If you just plan on tanning for a single event you might be willing to put up with the transfer of a quick-developing product with guide color.”

Those particularly cautious of their faux tan appearing too fake should opt for a green-hued formula as it cancels out unwanted orange hues. Bondi Sands executive and brand ambassador Colt Paulsen explains further: “Don’t panic if your foam is green—it’s not Shrek’s special edition self-tan! An emerald tint is actually a game-changer because it cancels out any orange hues, giving you a naturally bronzed glow instead of looking like you lost a fight with a bag of Cheetos,” says Paulsen.

How Often to Use Self Tanner

Alysa recommends using self tanner on the body once a week, though the face could benefit from some extra bronze. “Self tanner on the face fades the most quickly because we tend to wash the face the most, and the skin there is very thin,” she says. “Having self-tanning drops or a touch-up spray for the face is amazing.”

How to Maximize Your Self-Tan

None of us want to go through the effort of self tanning to reveal streaky, patchy bouts of color. The key to a great tan is all in the preparation, says Marc Elrick, founder and CEO of Tan-Luxe, who recommends prepping skin 24 hours before application. “Any shaving, exfoliating, and moisturizing should be done the day before to ensure you have the perfect base,” says Elrick. Then when you’re ready to apply your tanner of choice, moisturize dry patches to avoid product buildup and prevent sparse color.

To avoid staining or rubbing off on fabrics, Elrick recommends allowing products to dry fully first, a process you can speed up with a blow dryer on a cool setting.

When it comes to tanning the face, Menzel suggests finding a formulation that moonlights as skin care. “A lot of people are scared to use self tanner on their face because of breakouts, which can be a common problem when you don’t pay attention to the ingredients in the tanner you choose,” she says. “I recommended using something clean, that includes ingredients specifically designed to benefit your skin.”

Menzel shares her hack for waking up with a sun-kissed glow: Applying self-tanner at the end of your skin care routine in the evening, then doing your makeup routine next day according to the developed color. “Even better, that lets you minimize your typical routine. A fresh tan will even your skin tone and a lot of people find they don’t need their usual foundation.”

Best Practices for Self-Tanner Application

Hep offers a few extra tips: Use an applicator mitt and sweep it along the contours of your body in lengthways motions, set tan with translucent powder, then buff off excess on your eyebrows with a clean spoolie. Additionally, Alysa shares specific tips for applying self tanner in different formats:

Creams: “Blend, blend, blend,” she says. “Use a mitt, and don’t apply it directly on hands or feet.” Instead, she recommends using the excess product from the mitt or using a kabuki brush with a tiny bit of product on it to blend the tanner into the hands and feet.Sprays: “This is the easiest!” Alysa stresses. “Apply the spray in a circular motion at a distance—no blending needed.”Liquids: When using liquids, “Use a mitt and take your time blending,” Alysa says. She doesn’t recommend applying liquid to the hands and feet, noting that a spray works best in those areas after they’ve been properly moisturized.Pads: According to Alysa, self tanning with pads can be particularly “tricky” to master. For D.I.Y. tans, “I would use a lotion, a mousse, or a spray instead,” she says.Finally, “If you haven’t applied self-tanner with a brush before, this is a total game-changer!” Menzel adds. “It prevents getting tanner on your hands and helps to evenly distribute the color all over—don’t forget the areas you can’t see, like behind your ears and the back of your neck if you wear your hair up. Brushes work best with a tanning water that you can mist.”

How to Resolve Application Mishaps

So your tan isn’t quite giving the bronze you want it to. Whether it’s patchy results or streaks and stains in unwanted places—the good news is that you can fix a self-tanning mistake in a pinch.

First and foremost, Paulsen says you no longer need to worry as much about tanning fabric transfers: “This isn’t 2010 anymore—the self-tan game has leveled up, and your sheets should never look like an abstract art project.” To avoid this, he recommends opting for “fast-drying, non-sticky formulas that develop in only an hour or two.” “You don’t have to sleep in a tan anymore to see results. Just apply, chill for a bit, rinse, and boom, you’re bronzed, streak-free, and stress-free,” he says. “If you’re still scared of transferring your tan to your bedding, wear loose-fitting, dark clothing (leggings are not your friend here).”

Hands, feet, and elbows are trickier to apply color to, as patchy results can unceremoniously reveal your self-tanning secret. “If your hands look like a splotchy mess, and now you’re panicking—don’t worry, we’ve all been there! Start using a tan remover, like Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser. Next, you can use an exfoliating mitt to gently buff away the excess tan. Finally, a gradual tanning lotion works as a great touch-up to blend any uneven fading, especially on your hands, so there’s no telltale contrast giving away your glow,” explains Paulsen. “For prevention (because we don’t need a repeat of the patchy hand chronicles), apply a little moisturizer to your knuckles, wrists, and between your fingers before tanning to prevent overdevelopment of your self-tanner. While mitts are great for the body, hands sometimes need extra finesse. Use a kabuki brush to blend out your tan for the most seamless, natural fade,” Paulsen says.

Isabel Alysa, the founder and CEO of Dolce Glow, is a celebrity spray tan artist whose clients include Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian.Marc Elrick is the founder and CEO of Tan-LuxeJules Von Hep is a celebrity tanning expert and the founder of Isle of Paradise.Bethany Menzel is the co-founder and creative director of Saltyface, a brand of plant-based self-tanning products.Colt Paulsen is a brand ambassador and executive at Bondi Sands.