The Best Self Tanners for Glowing Skin That Won’t Turn You Orange

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Spring has finally sprung, and we're already dreaming of warm-weather gift ideas, like the best pickleball shoes and fun outdoor toys for kids. As our beauty editor and Florida native, I fully understand the joy of looking tan year-round — but don't feel tempted to fake bake for hours. So, the best present I can think of is gifting one of the best self-tanners for glowing skin. These self-tanners add a faux glow to the skin without risking sun damage, wasting hours roasting in the sun, or breaking your gifting budget.

The best self-tanners in the game ensure users achieve a covetable bronze glow in as little as 30 minutes. These no-fail, editor-vetted recommendations are also infused with well-researched ingredients, including vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera, to hydrate skin and prevent patchiness upon application.

Whether you're shopping for a unique gift idea for your sister who still goes to a tanning salon or a loved one who already relies on tanning lotion, this no-fail guide is handy for everyone looking to bronze on a budget. I chatted with experts about self-tanners, including how they work, how to shop, and the all-time best product recommendations so you and lucky giftees can look tan year-round with minimal effort and upkeep.

The Best Tanning Lotions

• Best Overall: L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion

• Best Budget Buy: Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer

• Best for Beginners: Bondi Sands PURE Gradual Tanning Lotion

• Best Cruelty-Free Formula: Hawaiian Tropic Self-Tanning Lotion Sunless Tan

• Best for All Skin Tones: Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam Dark

Benefits of Tanning Lotions

Great news: there are no known health risks associated with tanning lotions like there are for tanning outside or relying on tanning beds. The Skin Cancer Foundation says excessive sun exposure can increase the risk for serious health concerns like melanoma, which means baking in the sun or at the tanning salon isn’t an ideal tanning method.

Tanning lotions are also relatively cheap compared to other forms of fake baking. For example, liquid body bronzers, such as the NARS Monoi Body Glow, cost nearly $60 at Sephora, and a session at one tanning salon in New York costs $45. In comparison, my beauty editor-approved self-tanners start at just $9 on Amazon.

How Tanning Lotions Work

So, how exactly do tanning lotions work? The magic lies in an active ingredient called dihydroxyacetone — aka DHA — which, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, M.D., is “a result from glycerin that interacts with the amino acids in our dead skin cells which makes the bronze color appear.” DHA only impacts the top layer of the skin and, in simplest terms, reacts similarly to a cut apple browning when exposed to oxygen.

What to Consider

Jaliman says the best self-tanning lotions are a much safer and time-saving alternative to sunbathing outdoors or using tanning beds. We asked Jaliman and Jordan Cook, the global tanning expert at St. Moriz, about what to consider when shopping for a tanning lotion.

• Review the ingredients: It sounds like common sense, but reading the product’s label may mean avoiding an accidental allergic reaction. Once their self-tanner arrives, Jaliman recommends they do a patch test on their body to be sure they're not allergic to any ingredient in the self-tanner.

• Consider their skin tone: Many brands make self-tanners for different skin tones, ranging from fair to dark. For the most natural look, Cook advises ordering a self-tanner in the recipient's skin tone range.

• Formulation: Tanning lotions are the best formulation for all skin types, especially anyone dealing with or concerned about body acne.

How We Chose

After speaking with skincare and self-tanning experts, I asked them to spill the tea on the best self-tanners for glowing skin — and their picks are all impressive. I also researched self-tanners, analyzed their ingredients list, and carefully read up on each featured pick to ensure our selections actually live up to the hype. Some featured self-tanners are even Best Tested products we personally know and love.

I also considered price because not everyone wants to splurge on new beauty products. Don't worry: everything on this list is $50 and under, with many only costing less than $25. Plus, for an added layer of reliability, all of these self-tanners collectively earned thousands of sparkling reviews across reader-favorite retailers like Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora. Keep scrolling for our all-time best self-tanners recommendations, including budget-friend buys, face serums for a bronze glow, and fast-absorbing body lotions for a head-to-toe warmth to the skin.

Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion

Our best overall recommendation is an ideal option for anyone who wants to get tan but doesn't want their self-tanner to transfer onto their LBD. And if your giftee wants to bronze but you're worried about breaking the bank, this is the best bet.

This is the best self tanner for glowing skin because it truly serves up the appearance of sun-kissed skin with no streaking for less than $9.

Our editors tested this, plopping it on in a very quick, unprofessional application, and were shocked to find that it created a super-even result. It's great for those moments when you want a subtle tan, but also want to put in next to no effort.

The no-fuss formula is safe for both body and face, quick-drying, and helps the skin glow to perfection in any season. The streak-free formula is also ideal for both self-tanning novices and experts alike. Speaking of the formula, it's made with hydrating and antioxidant-rich vitamin E and an AHA derivative for gentle exfoliation.

Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion is also available in two flexible shades, including one for deeper complexions, further cementing its top spot on our list.

More: Face Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin

Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer

Jergens is a go-to for fair-skinned beauties because the brand offers several shades, not just a super-dark color. The Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer is a great formula for those looking to ease into sunless tanning without a salon appointment.

Regular use over the course of just seven days will result in visibly firmer skin and a natural-looking color that gradually becomes darker over time. Rest assured that this self-tanner is incredibly effective. It only takes one day to develop a gorgeous tan without the patchy effect some less effective alternatives might leave behind.

Senior Editor Summer Cartwright uses this self-tanner often but warns people with super fair skin to start with the lightest option. "I have an Irish boyfriend and let's just say it's more than evident when he uses the medium shade," she said.

Also, expert tip: If you're going to put this on your face, be sure to put it on your neck, too.

PURE Gradual Tanning Lotion

Despite having decades of beauty editor experience, our senior editor Eunice Lucero-Lee is the first to admit that self-tanner is intimidating.

She’s a big fan of this Bondi Sands self-tanner because it’s infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E. “It has a clear, gradually developing formulation that looks natural on my fairer skin tone, meaning no streaks. It’s pretty much goof-proof and, best yet, fragrance-free,” she says.

We love that it's colorless and made with 100% recycled plastic. Plus, it contains aloe vera, one of the best skin-soothing ingredients in the game.

Self-Tanning Lotion Sunless Tan

If you're like us, Hawaiian Tropic was one of the first sunscreen and self-tanning brands you tried. Luckily for everyone, this isn't the ’90s and ’00s, and the brand's innovations, such as the Self-Tanning Lotion Sunless Tan, are genuinely practical.

This derm-tested lotion is infused with soothing aloe vera and moisturizing vitamin E to offer up to 24 hours of hydration. We also appreciate that it’s PETA-certified, paraben-free, and safe for anyone who values vegan products. Even if your loved one doesn't, that’s OK because it just means the formulation isn’t tested on animals and contains no animal by-products.

Either way, this is one of the best tanning lotions in the game, and you'll notice your skin feeling nice and smooth whenever you slather on this product. This self-tanner develops into a light-medium tan as opposed to a rich, dark tan, so it looks realistic in person.

Self Tanning Foam

Available in two shades, we have to give snaps to the shade Dark because this option is a saving grace for melanin-rich complexions. It's a darker formula than other brands, leaving behind a more significant tan once it's done developing.

Its salon-quality formula also contains skincare heroes such as coconut oil and aloe vera to soothe and soften skin without any irritation, making it a great pick for sensitive skin types as well. This foaming self-tanner is so incredible that we can all but guarantee that whether you're gifting it to yourself or a loved one, you're sure to get complimented on the subtle, natural tan it sets.

The Gradual

Our readers love TAN-LUXE's array of tanning products, but The Gradual is a great product for anyone looking to control their glow. Its hybrid lotion-and-oil formula is the lightest among all of our suggestions, so it's a fantastic pick for someone who doesn't need intensive moisture.

Users should apply it as they would normally slather on a body lotion, taking extra care to only use a light amount of tanner on their knees, feet, and hands, three areas that get dark relatively quickly. Your favorite self-tanning enthusiast will begin to notice results within 2-4 hours but usually get the desired level of self-tanning overnight.

It's ideal for achieving a light, natural-looking tan as we head into the summer season. The lotion also contains high-quality ingredients to leave their complexion feeling soft and supple while looking tan.

Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam

This ultralightweight tanning foam won't leave a sticky feel or streaky mess. It transforms into a bronzy, subtle glow that will have everyone thinking your recipient just came back from the French Riviera.

Users will appreciate that it doesn't leave behind streaks or transform them into a life-size Cheeto. It dries in about 20-30 minutes before it's safe to put on clothes without staining them, making this self-tanning a total winner.

The tan is subtle but still noticeable and only takes 2 hours to develop fully — a time-saving dream in our book! Plus, the lightweight formula smells like mango and guava for a sweet tropical vibe.

THE FACE Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

This innovative tanning concentrate turns any serum, moisturizer, or lotion into a tanning product. Just add a few drops of this magic to an existing favorite, and it's suddenly a self-tanner. Depending on the number of drops used, the tan depth can be fully customizable.

It provides a covetable golden glow with only a few drops, making it a staple, especially as we enter the peak of spring and summer only a few weeks ago.

Cartwright loves Tan-Luxe, and says it's great for people with medium-fair skin who get pretty dark in the summer but are prone to winter paleness. "It's super easy to apply, I just drop a half-dozen drops into my moisturizer, mix it together, and apply to my face and neck," she says. "The result is super even, realistic, and noticeable enough for some added confidence."

Pro tip: Encourage your loved one to wash their hands right after applying to avoid any issues with orange residue on their palms or, worse, their Oprah-approved Cozy Earth bamboo sheets.

Face Self Tanner

Is your skincare-obsessed loved one looking to blur skin imperfections like acne, scars, and wrinkles? This self-tanner uses natural ingredients, like witch hazel, cranberry, and pomegranate extracts, to ensure their face is always picture perfect, hydrated, and golden. There's also shea butter, aloe vera, and antioxidant-rich green tea, which helps reduce redness.

And don't worry: This is a non-comedogenic self-tanning lotion, meaning it won't cause annoying acne or congest your bestie's pores.

It works in just one application, isn’t sticky nor orange, and doesn’t have that awful smell cheap drugstore tanners have, making it worth spending a few extra dollars to purchase this self tanner.

Self Tan Bronzing Mousse

This classic sunless tanning mousse by St. Tropez is a bestseller for good reason. It's a super lightweight, easy-to-apply, tinted mousse that dries in 60 seconds and delivers a rich, bronze glow.

It quickly creates a nice, even tan and dries fast, so stained clothes are a thing of the past. Beginners should experience zero problems with this self-tanner, including transferring onto their white sheets and clothes. It provides a nice glow without making your loved one look orange, which is always the vibe.

Better yet, it does it all while swapping that typical self-tanner smell for a mood-boosting fragrance.

Fabulous Gradual Tanning Lotion

Makeup artists I've previously interviewed are keen on Vita Liberata products, so I was intrigued by their Fabulous Gradual Tanning Lotion. It's similar to Jergen's tanning lotion, but this one imparts a richer tan to the skin. Thanks to a grape seed and marula oil blend, this self-tanner is incredibly hydrating.

It also relies on a combo of other easy-to-pronounce and skin-friendly ingredients, like soothing cucumber, witch hazel, and aloe vera. There's also bladderwrack for anti-aging benefits, papaya to exfoliate skin and promote collagen production, and antioxidant-rich pomegranate to plump the skin.

Your loved one can expect super smooth skin without worrying about leaving behind tanning lotion on their clothes or sheets. Just remember to share a helpful tip with your giftee before they use their new present: Apply a body lotion, such as the THC-free Hempz Sensitive Skin Herbal Body Moisturizer, to dry spots like the elbows, knees, and ankles, to ensure everything is even-toned and non-patchy.

Self Tanning Instant Gel

This fast-acting gel is a winner for anyone short on time because it will give a quick tan. It's oil-free and creates an even, streak-free finish, and it dries in literal minutes.

This quick-drying self-tanner has a gel formula that imparts an even, long-lasting tan onto the face and body without causing breakouts. It combines a property DHA blend and erythrulose, which is also a plant sugar, for gentle, no-fail results.

No need to wash it off — just apply and wait about 15-20 minutes before getting dressed, and your loved one will be all set to head out for the day.

Just remember to let the self-tanner fully dry before popping on a light, long-sleeve shirt and pajama bottom before bed, and you'll wake up with a gorgeous glowing tan that actually lasts.

Glow Protect and Tan

Want to look tan before stepping foot onto toasty beach sand? Coppertone, a well-respected drugstore sunscreen brand, created the ultimate hybrid product.

This gradual self-tanner is lightweight, imparts a sun-kissed glow onto the skin, and provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 coverage. Even better? It's also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so anyone looking to take a dip can rest easy knowing their skin is protected from the sun's UVA and UVB rays, while their body looks golden brown.

Your loved one will appreciate the goof-proof formula and natural effect. There’s no fake-looking orange color when using this self-tanner. Plus, it has a fresh sunscreen scent for a welcome treat upon each application.

Organic Sunless Tanning Lotion

We feel comfortable recommending this product because dermatologists have previously suggested that our readers use Coola sunscreens. This tanning lotion is the only option on our list that uses caffeine to help firm up the skin, while other natural ingredients, like shea butter, soften and nourish dry skin.

Coola’s award-winning self-tanner is lightweight and fast-absorbing. Plus, we love that it uses beet-derived DHA to impart a warm, tan glow onto the skin.

After first use, your giftee will swear by this tanning lotion because it doesn’t streak and dries quickly. They will want to reapply about every 3 to 4 days for a lightly tanned look, but the relatively minimal upkeep is totally worth it for sun-free warmth without the skin damage.

Brazilliance PLUS + Self-Tanner with Mitt

This self-tanner product is packed with quality vegan skincare ingredients such as squalane, aloe, and vitamin E to nourish the skin as it bronzes. It's also infused with maracuja oil, Tarte's signature ingredient, that promises to help firm and brighten the complexion.

Many consider this the ultimate self-tanner because it doesn't make fair skin orange. It's well worth the extra cost to ensure your new tan looks incredible IRL and in videos and selfies.

Bonus: It includes a tanning mitt to keep your hands from turning too tan in the process. What's not to love?

FAQ

Q: How long does self-tanner last on skin?
The experts we consulted say self-tanner will last anywhere from 3 to 10 days, depending on the product someone uses and how frequently they shower or soak in a bubble bath.

How often someone sheds dead skin cells also determines how long their self-tanner lasts. “Self-tanner only penetrates the surface layer of the skin, which is the epidermis layer. This means that when your natural skin cells are shedding throughout the day, so is your tan,” explains Cook.

Q: What happens if you don't exfoliate before self-tanner?

We love all things body scrubs, so when the pros encouraged us to exfoliate before using a self-tanner, we were excited, although curious about why it's essential.

“If you exfoliate well, it [self-tanner] should last about 6 or 7 days. If you don’t exfoliate and have a lot of dead skin, your self-tan will last much less,” says Jaliman, an assistant clinical dermatologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.

Q: Does self-tanner work on dark skin?

Yes, darker skin tones can use self-tanner, but your results will vary depending on the product and how many layers you use.

"The amount of noticeable difference may be less obvious on an individual with darker skin, but it will deepen the skin cells as it would if the person spent time in the sun, without the damage," says Melanie Richard, founder of goGLOW tanning studios.

Cook recommends opting for a self-tanner that's similar to your natural skin tone and notes that you might need to use extra layers to achieve your desired shade.

You Might Also Like

• The Paris Hilton Housewares Collection Brings ‘That’s Hot’ Energy to Your Kitchen

• 16 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Perfect for Rocking Out in Quiet Bliss

• Beyoncé Uses This $26 Amazon Product for Her Glossy Blonde Hair