18 Best Self-Tanners for a Healthy Glow

A GH Beauty Lab test winner, this Clarins lightweight lotion with softening glycerin can be used on both face and body to give skin a flattering warmth that testers loved. Evaluations found that the lotion glided on effortlessly with no mess or drying time.

Every single tester agreed the instructions were easy to follow, usage wasn’t messy, it absorbed fast and as a bonus, it leaves a natural-looking finish. Several reported that the color wasn’t "orangey," but some thought it was streaky. "This is a winner — I’ll never go back to the self-tanners I’ve used in the past," one said. Note: The buildable formula doesn't need to be rinsed off and can be reapplied as desired to get a darker shade (a tester said two applications resulted in a "deep tan").

Bronze beautifully without breaking the bank using this tinted Ulta Beauty foam formula, which scored top in GH Beauty Lab testing at achieving a “tan” that looked uniform and faded evenly. It rated above the rest on many fronts: 100% of testers liked the “airy” mousse and mitt application, 85% said the color wasn’t streaky or blotchy, 95% found that it faded evenly and 90% would continue to use it. “The result looked like my actual suntanned skin,” one raved. However, some testers felt it was too light, sharing that it didn’t give them an “ultra dark” color even after multiple applications.

As a gradual self-tanner, you can build up coverage with this product, making it easy to use and safe for beginners. The Beauty Lab test winner earned top scores for moisturization; testers were pleased with how easy this lotion was to apply, noted the lack of DHA odor and felt the product absorbed quickly into their skin. "I particularly liked how natural the color was," a tester shared. "It looked like I had a nice tan glow. There was no streaking at all and my skin looked healthy." However, some felt they did not get a deep enough tan with this product.

With a formulation like a skincare serum, Soleil Toujours was created specifically to self-tan the face. In GH Beauty Lab testing, it scored well for achieving the desired depth of tan color. The formula can also be mixed into any leave-on skincare product to achieve a subtler effect. "My skin seemed to have a glow and brightness to it," a tester reported. However, this is a pricey pick.

For the most true-to-life faux glow in any season (even winter!), look no further than Tarte’s fast-acting, long-lasting foam, which scored high in GH Beauty Lab testing at absorbing quickly and giving skin an even tone testers liked. The tint helps cover all areas and avoid missed spots, the Beauty Lab says, and an impressive 100% of testers reported that the color produced was natural-looking — the top score of all products. This pick also rated well at giving an even-toned effect without splotches and had the longest-lasting results. A few consumers commented that the immediate tint is dark but rinses away to a more natural shade in the shower.

In an almost unheard of feat for a self-tanner, this watery L’Oréal Paris mousse infused with coconut juice and castor oil earned perfect points for its “pleasant” tropical scent. Plus, the drugtore bargain came out on top for being easy to use and tied for cleanest application, being easiest to spread and absorbing fastest. It left skin "buttery soft" after application, one tester marveled. A few testers commented that it was hard to see where you were applying, as this product is clear.

GH Beauty Lab testers loved the Tan-Luxe gradual self-tanner lotion's scent during application and development, and that their tan looked natural and not blotchy. "I liked the even tone of the color and the way my skin felt," one said. "I noticed no blotchiness." For best results, apply it with a tanning mitt since some people said its thin consistency made application more difficult.

Made with skin-softening ingredients like aloe and argan oil, this Coola dry oil mist self-tanner absorbed quickly and earned the highest score for leaving skin feeling great in GH Beauty Lab testing. Several users reported that it produced a "natural-looking" tan that "does not look orange or fake." Note that some testers thought the pricey mist was harder to control than lotion and left some streaking. (Pro tip: Keep bathroom floors clean by standing on an old towel or newspaper while applying.)

Tailor your level of color with Coola's self-tanning mousse plus applicator mitt. In GH Beauty Lab testing, 89% of users agreed they were able to achieve their desired depth of tan. It also scored well for being easy to apply and spread and delivering an even result that wasn't streaky or blotchy. "I was able to get a deep, dark tan," a tester remarked. Despite this product having a "natural pi?a colada" scent, some testers didn't enjoy the scent.

Grab St. Tropez's self-tanning mist for a natural-looking tan that's pretty much foolproof. The spray applicator and blending mitt ensures even coverage, and GH Beauty Lab testers loved that they achieved their perfect level of color in a single application. "I got a beautiful golden tan with just one use," a fan said. "I've kept the tan for four days and it's still going." Note that since it's an aerosol mist, apply in a well-ventilated area that you don't mind getting messy.

Swipe on a faux tan with Comodynes's single-use self-tanner wipes, which proved to be truly mess-free. In GH Beauty Lab testing, 100% of users agreed that the product didn't stain clothes or other fabrics after it was dry. It also earned the highest marks for soaking in fast and not staining hands when washed immediately after application. Note that some testers found the towelettes weren't easy to apply and produced uneven results that could be streaky or blotchy.

Self-tanners infamously don't smell the best, but GH Beauty Lab testers praised the almost undetectable scent of Body Drench's tinted dry oil with a hint of shimmer. "I liked that this product had a pleasant fragrance throughout the process, with no detectable or underlying 'chemical' smell that many others have" one user noted. It gave skin a "nice deep glow," another said. Shake the bottle before use since it separates over time and put down a towel — some thought the oil formula made it messy and hard to apply.

GH Beauty Lab testers thought this St. Tropez tinted gradual-tanning body lotion worked quickly to deliver their perfect color, ideal for when you're hitting the beach and need a faux tan fast. Plus, it's formulated with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. "The slight tint immediately gave a healthy look to my legs and aided in the application to ensure even coverage," one user reported. "My skin is quite light and it was extremely realistic, just as a sun-developed tan would occur." To avoid staining your clothes, make sure skin is completely dry before getting dressed — some users said the rich texture took longer to absorb.

If you have very pale skin, self-tanners can often leave you looking orange. Not with these drops from Isle of Paradise, though. "This offers just the right amount of glow," shares GH Senior Textiles Analyst Emma Seymour. "It's easy to use and also comes off nicely with an exfoliator. I love that I can control the intensity by adding more or less drops to my favorite moisturizer." Online reviewers complain that they don't like the scent of this product.

Nervous about putting self-tanner on your face? Don't be. Not only do reviewers share that this face tanning product smells great, but it's also packed with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and glycerin. "It has a nice smell, unlike most tanners and a really natural glow," says one GH staffer. "I use it year-round." Some online reviewers feel it turns a bit orange around wrinkles on the face, so take note of that.

The classic, iconic self-tanner from St. Tropez is a long-standing favorite of editors and consumers alike. One GH editor who claims to have "tried it all, from tanning drops to lotions to mists," says this pick "has offered the most gorgeous golden tan on my light/medium skin tone." She also says that it doesn't have the strong, funky smell of most self-tanning formulas and that "one tan typically lasts me around one to one-and-a-half weeks, too!" Some online reviewers feel it can be a bit splotchy and streaky, though.

Just like choosing the best makeup for your skin's undertones, you can choose the best tan, too. In fact, "one of the most common mistakes is not using the right tan for your undertones, which can enhance redness or yellowness, which you want to offset," says celebrity tanning expert and makeup artist Tarryn Feldman.

She recommends this St. Moriz option, a "tanning color corrector that works with each skin tone," she explains. This uses color correcting primer to neutralize and chamomile to combat skin sensitivity and redness. Reviewers share that this tan dries quickly, which has both pros and cons: You don't have to worry about waiting a long time for it to dry, but you need to apply the tan swiftly and evenly to avoid splotchiness.

Self-tanning novices unite! This easy-to-use towelette was one GH staffer's first foray into self-tanning. "Though these have a bit of a strong smell, it goes away quickly," she says. "They're super straightforward and easy to use. I wipe them all over my body (making sure to do so evenly!) and can get in bed later that night without any product transferring onto my white sheets. I've never had any splotchiness with them." Each towel can be used on approximately half of your body, depending on how deep of a tan you'd like to get. "