6 Best At-Home Face Self-Tanners to Get Glowing, Reviewed

To identify the best facial self-tanners, we consulted a tanning expert and a dermatologist for product recommendations and ingredient guidance. We also included products that Good Housekeeping staffers have personally used and recommend. When making our selections, we considered factors such as ease of application, color evenness, texture, overall feel on skin, and retailer customer ratings. We also analyzed recurring themes in retailer reviews to identify products that consistently performed well for users.

Keep these factors in mind when shopping:

✔️ Designed for the face. “Look for products specifically formulated for the face that contain hydrating, lightweight, and non-comedogenic ingredients,” Margulies says.

✔️ Moisturizing formulas. “Those that have added skin-hydrating ingredients can prolong the time your skin maintains the color, and are often more effective at pigmenting skin cells,” Dr. Nazarian says.

✔️ Natural results. “A natural-looking finish is especially important for the face, which is why many of our clients love skincare-focused tanning products that enhance the complexion without feeling heavy,” Margulies says.

✔️ Buildable color. “Look for those that gradually build tone or can be added to your own moisturizer at home, and allow you to slowly customize your shade over time,” Dr. Nazarian says.

“The most valuable benefit is to have a sun-kissed skin tone but with avoidance of actual radiation, which is required for a true tan,” Dr. Nazarian says. “Ultraviolet radiation is super dangerous, and can mutate skin cells and cause skin cancer (in addition to wrinkles, uneven pigment, and thin, crepey skin). Anything we can do to encourage people to stay safe and avoid a tan (which is a direct result of radiation!) is preferred.

“It’s also nice to encourage use of self-tanners because I’ve found that when people feel they have color, they’re less likely to lie out and expose themselves to more sun, especially when on vacation,” Dr. Nazarian says.

“Facial self-tanners are typically formulated with gentler, more skincare-focused ingredients because facial skin is more delicate and sensitive than the body,” Margulies says. “They’re usually lightweight, hydrating, and designed to layer seamlessly with skincare and makeup. While professional body spray tans or self-tans provide an even all-over glow, facial self-tanners are ideal for maintaining color in a more controlled, gradual way on the face.”

“We always recommend starting with a self-tanner designed specifically for the face,” Margulies says. She shares step-by-step instructions for applying a self-tanner to the face:

1. Start with freshly cleansed skin.

2. Gently exfoliate to remove dry patches or product buildup at least 24 to 48 hours before application.

3. Start light—you can always build. Blend with a dense brush or mitt for a seamless finish.

4. Don’t forget your ears (lightly!), neck, and down the chest to match your body.

5. Fun tip: Use a little more product on high points to softly contour with the tan (cheekbones, temples, jawline).

“The most common mistakes we see are skipping exfoliation, applying product over dry skin, or not removing old self-tanner before application,” Margulies says. “This can lead to uneven development and patchiness. We also recommend avoiding harsh exfoliants, retinols, or strong acids immediately before and after tanning, as they can cause the tan to fade unevenly.”

“Hydration is the key to maintaining a flawless facial tan,” Margulies says. “We recommend using gentle skincare products, avoiding over-exfoliation, and moisturizing daily to keep the skin healthy and the tan even. Many of our clients choose to skip facial spray tanning during appointments and instead maintain their glow at home using a facial self-tanner. It’s a great way to refresh color gradually and keep the face perfectly balanced with the body between spray tan appointments.”

“Many people have an allergy or sensitivity to ingredients in skincare products, and certainly even your self-tanner can be a culprit,” Dr. Nazarian says. “You would never want to apply a product to your face that you could potentially be allergic to. I recommend a small patch test whenever starting a new product. This is typically done by applying a very small amount of product to a discreet area with thin skin, such as the inner wrist. Then see how your skin responds to the product overnight. If you experience any redness, irritation, or itchiness, it may be a sign that you have a contact allergy or sensitivity to one of the ingredients being applied.”