7 Best Self-Tanners That Testers Say Delivered A Natural, Streak-Free Glow

The GH Beauty Lab regularly reviews self-tanners, from affordable drugstore options to high-end formulas. In the Beauty Lab’s most recent test, scientists received 115 self-tanner submissions and carefully reviewed each noting formulation type, price, and availability. From there, scientists selected top-performing formulas for hands-on testing with a range of skin tones. Testers applied each product as they typically would until reaching their desired color, then evaluated how it wore and faded over three days. Testers rated the products on a wide range of factors, including:

• Ease of application
• Formula texture and scent
• Messiness and staining of fabrics and skin
  
• The look, evenness, and depth of color achieved
• Number of applications needed to reach the desired shade
• Feel of skin after application
  
• How evenly the tan faded and how long it lasted

In addition, a Beauty Lab chemist applied each formula once and monitored color development and longevity over five days to gauge depth of color and longevity after a single application (above). In total, GH Beauty Lab experts analyzed 2,332 data points from consumer tester feedback to identify the top-performing self-tanners.

Start by considering your desired results and level of expertise, according to GH Beauty Lab experts. Here are the key details to take into account:

✔️ Instant vs. gradual: Traditional self-tanners are fast-acting, developing over a few hours (some are also tinted for instant effect) and often offer a deeper color. Gradual self-tanners develop subtler color slowly over a few days and can be reapplied for a darker look.

✔️ Face vs. body (or both): Body self-tanners are created to be used on larger areas of skin and therefore usually come in bigger bottles. Self-tanners labeled for the face are often packaged in smaller bottles and formulated without ingredients that can irritate or cause breakouts on facial skin. Some self-tanner formulas can be used on both the face and the body (look for labeling indicating this on the packaging).

✔️ Type of formula:

• Lotion, cream, and oil self-tanners apply like moisturizers, making them simple to use, but they can be more difficult to rub in and take time to absorb. "If you are new to the self-tanner game, we recommend experimenting with a lotion self-tanner first, as they usually require consecutive applications, which allows for more control over the depth of color," said GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek.
• Foams and mousses generally spread and soak in quickly.
• Spray and mist self-tanners make it easier to reach all areas of the body, but they can be messy.
• Wipes are great for travel and are mess-free, though they are single-use.

Note that some self-tanner formulas like mousses are best applied with an applicator mitt, which can be sold together or separately.

✔️ Clear vs. tinted: Some self-tanners go on skin clear, which means less mess, but it can be more difficult to know where you've applied the product. Others are tinted so you can more easily see the areas you've covered, but they can be messier or transfer to fabrics.

"The active ingredient in most self-tanners is dihydroxyacetone or DHA, which has been allowed by the FDA for external use," said GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. DHA works by temporarily tinting the skin, with results that either appear instantly or develop within a few hours or days, and that color lasts about a week.

Remember that self-tanners will not protect against sunburn or sun damage because they don't contain sunscreen ingredients (unless indicated on product packaging), so dermatologists still recommend applying a good sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to protect skin. If you apply self-tanner correctly, the color should last up to a week (and a self-tan-removing product can help if you need to return to your natural skin color before that).

The self-tanner application technique is just as important as the product itself. Here are some pointers from GH Beauty Lab and faux-tanning experts:

• Always self-tan in a well-ventilated room, and protect your nose and mouth when you're using a spray.
• Exfoliate your skin first with a face scrub or body scrub. "This will help produce a nice, even tan and prevent areas of dry skin from becoming too dark," Wnek advises.
• Avoid applying moisturizers before tanning, as they could form a barrier on the skin that prevents the color from developing evenly.
• Lightly apply the tanner to drier areas of the skin, like the knees and elbows, so the product absorbs faster and produces a darker color in those spots. Rub it in circular motions to minimize streaks, Wnek suggests. You can also try "using a blending brush to blend out the hands and feet," adds Natalia Radosz, owner of Glow2Go NYC, a spray tanning business.
• Steer clear of certain areas when applying self-tanner, specifically those covered by mucous membranes, including the lips, nose, and areas in and around the eyes, Wnek said.
• Wash hands immediately after application to avoid staining, and wait until the product is fully dry before getting dressed to prevent streaks and staining clothes.
• Protect clothes. "If you're using a rinse-off product, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty as you are waiting for it to develop, as these may stain clothes," Wnek recommends.
• Be patient. "Do not be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results," Wnek said. "DHA, the active ingredient in self-tanners, begins to develop within hours of application and can take up to 24 hours to take full effect."
  
• To achieve a darker color, apply another layer of the self-tanner. Multiple applications may be needed to get a deeper result, Wnek said.
• Read the packaging on your tanning solution to determine how long you should wait before showering.

To remove one area (like a dark or uneven patch), Sophie Evans, St. Tropez Skin Finishing Expert, suggests exfoliating with a body scrub, rinsing with hot water, and then using an exfoliating glove or mitt to lift the tanner off the skin.

If you want your full tan removed, she recommends using St. Tropez’s Tan Remover Prep and Maintain Mousse. "Apply the mousse all over skin, leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then hop into a warm shower and buff off all unwanted tan with an exfoliating mitt," she advises.

GH Senior Beauty & Style Director April Franzino researched and wrote this story. She has over 15 years of experience reporting, writing, and editing skincare-related content, including on self-tanners.

GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek conducted the Beauty Lab's past three self-tanner tests and provided expert commentary for this piece.

GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann oversaw self-tanner testing and contributed insights to the story.