The best self-tanners have come a long way from the orange, blotchy, stinky formulas of the past to deliver a gorgeous sun-kissed finish (sometimes within an hour!). Plus, they are a safe alternative to sun tanning, which without sunscreen is a big no-no. To help you find the best ones, Glamour editors spent a month testing various types and came away with a little something for everyone: foams for a natural-looking finish that even beginners can use, creams that build up gradually, and face drops for a radiant golden glow. We vetted them with self-tanning experts and dermatologists, and got tips on how to apply them to avoid streaks and splotches. Our best pick was St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse because it was quick, mess-free, and backed by experts, but we also found budget-friendly picks under $20 and easy-to-apply lotions for low-maintenance girlies.
The best self-tanners, at a glance
- Best Overall: St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse, $46
- Best for Beginners: Tanologist Brightening Gradual Tan Lotion, $13
- Best Quick Self Tanner: Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam, $27
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Tan Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops, $60
- Best for Face: L’Oréal Paris Sublime Self-Tanning Water Drops, $19
- Most Popular: Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Refillable Water, $32
1. Best Self-Tanner Overall: St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
With her stacked calendar of events to attend, it’s no surprise this fast-working self-tanning mousse is a go-to for Glamour editor in chief Samantha Barry. Depending on the amount of product you apply, the formula continues to darken, though you’ll see results within as little as an hour. A gentle application will give you a golden-hour glow, but if you want to look as if you’ve spent the last few weeks on the Côte d’Azur coast, wait up to three hours to really watch the bronze emerge.
Glamour senior global director of audience development Chantal Waldholz, who has fair skin, is a fan too. “I was nervous before using my first self-tanner, but I’m happy to report that this exceeded my expectations,” she says. “The application process was super easy: I used a mitt to spread the mousse by section, and it took me only five minutes to apply all over. Plus, there was no odor. St. Tropez recommends showering one to three hours after application, depending on your preference (one being a light tan, two being medium, and three being dark). I opted for a little over two hours and was so impressed by the result. There were no awkward tan lines; it appears totally natural.”
