I've Been Using Self Tanners for a Decade—Here Are the Ones I Like Most on My Fair Skin (2024)

TL;DR

My favorite self-tanner is the St. Moriz Advanced Color Correct Tanning Mousse - Medium, which is incredibly easy to apply and delivers a toasted, buttery brown color in just one application. You’ll stay looking bronzed for at least three days and it’s simple to touch up for continuous color. If you’re looking for something more subtle that applies more like a lotion, as opposed to a mousse (which requires a tanning mitt) you can’t go wrong with the Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk. It has no unpleasant tanning smell and rubs in seamlessly.

Given that I hit tweendom in the early ‘00s, it goes without saying that I was obsessed with looking tan. I became a devotee of the local tanning salon, cooking my body under the warm glow of the tanning bed lights. I luckily learned the error of my ways by the time I hit college, and now, in my thirties, I’m vigilant about using SPF to protect my skin from UV damage at all times. Except that bronzed goddess craving is still there, buried in my millennial psyche, which has led me down a long and winding road to find the absolute best self-tanner for my fair skin.

Luckily these formulas have come a long way since dihydroxyacetone, or DHA—the main tanning agent in faux glow products—was discovered in the 1950s. Still, by the time I played around with self-tanners in middle school, the resulting color was much more orange and unrealistic looking than what is feasible today. Twenty years later there is a wide array of more natural-looking options, not just in brand choices but application style (mist, foam, liquid, cream, or oil) and depth of color. I set out to test the buzziest self-tanners on the market right now—nine for the body and three for the face. And while I admit that I ruined more than a few white T-shirts along the way, I’m happy to report that I now have my fake tan plan for summer ‘24 on lock.

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This formula had me excited from the very first swipe. The mousse has a ton of immediate color payoff so I could clearly map out my application, which is a stellar perk for newbies (including my boyfriend who was still helping me reach all parts of my back). It dried down in just about 30 minutes, but I showered before getting into bed to avoid color transfer. The shade already looked nice and natural—very just-got-back-from-vacation.

By day three I noticed a bit of patchiness on my arms but nothing too crazy or overly noticeable. Based on how easy it was to apply and how quickly it dried, I’d say this one is ideal for maintaining a golden glow (four days is about the max before you need to reapply). You do need to scrub it away before it fades too unevenly though.

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This was the first mousse product I tested and I could tell it was going to be my favorite format compared to spray or cream—it just felt clear that one to two pumps per section was the perfect amount of product. I tested this one on my legs, and it was very easy to apply the tanner with the included mitt, but it dissolves super fast so you need to keep track of where you’ve already applied the product and how much to keep the color even.

I let this dry for about half an hour sans clothes and then wore loose pants for another three hours and changed into black jeans for the night. That might have been a mistake since one of my legs ended up with a massive streak. The color was really beautiful though, sun-kissed and not too orange. I’d definitely give this one another shot if I have a Sunday with nothing to do but stand around naked for a few hours.

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I’ve used a few different tanning waters over the years and this one is definitely a keeper. It gave me a super subtle tan after one day, with no funky smell or streaks. I added three to four drops to my moisturizer after my serums all dried down completely, and then waited five minutes before topping it with sunscreen.

I liked the color best after three days (it delivered a noticeable amount of color by this point) and then switched application to every other day to maintain the shade. Even my friends commented that I looked more tan than usual. No complaints here. Major bonus: I didn’t experience any breakouts from the formula, which is always a worry when you’re adding in a new skincare product. Just make sure to wash your hands after applying it. I forgot one day and wound up with a splotch of tan on my palm.

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To be fair, I’ve used this mist before but it remains one of my favorite self-tanners for the face. The color payoff isn’t super intense, it’s more of a subtle, natural glow. If you spritz it on dry skin before using any other products it’s a bit more intense, but I don’t like disrupting my skincare routine for the sake of a faux glow. Instead, I misted my face and neck while my moisturizer was still wet and before applying sunscreen.

I didn’t notice the color coming through until day four of using the spray, so this might be better used as a maintenance product to keep an existing tan from fading, rather than acting as the base layer. I do appreciate that it feels low stakes and fairly foolproof though.

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This gave me a surprising amount of color payoff for a mist format. I didn’t love the color on day one but after I showered again the next morning it turned into a lovely toasty bronze. I sprayed it over my arms (about eight sprays for each side) and then rubbed it in with the included mitt. I thought it might turn out splotchy since I couldn't really tell where it had landed but thankfully there were no major splotches to report.

I was worried the mist wouldn’t cover my hands evenly so I used a foundation brush to apply, spraying it a few times and then buffing in between my fingers and all over my hands and wrists. I definitely used too much and my hands were a shade too dark but this is going to be my go-to method to get my hands and toes covered without weird lines or splotches. This one lasted a pretty long time, especially considering how lightweight it felt on the skin.

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The quintessential smell of self-tanner was starting to get to me by this point, so the first thing I noticed was how amazing this formula smelled; lightly fruity and summery, without a hint of DHA funk. It’s a hydrating cream formulation (with hyaluronic acid and squalane) though so you have to work in smaller sections over your body to keep track of how much you’ve applied.

The color itself is subtle but incredibly natural-looking, especially on pale skin. I didn’t struggle with any streaks or unevenness but gave myself a solid hour before getting dressed. The drying time is definitely more of a commitment than some of the others I tested but it does feel worth it when you’re entirely splotch-free.

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I was wary of any product that promised a “gradual tan” especially in the form of a lotion since it felt like such a throwback to the early '00s; however, this formula was a pleasant surprise. I only need 15 minutes before getting dressed and going about my day and I didn’t see a single streak. The color was pretty natural-looking—only a tad bit more orange than my favorite of the bunch. It also took a little longer for the cream formula to rub in than some of the other formulas I tested. I started with my hands and then switched to a mitt to help it sink into my skin. The shade was richer than I expected in a good way and I’d assume that with one to two more applications it would reach a deep golden tan.

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Here’s another gradual tanner with a gorgeous color payoff. This had a lighter texture that absorbed super quickly, even though I used about a quarter-sized amount per limb (I’m learning that more is better to avoid streaks, except for the hands and feet), and zero discernible smell. The color was super sun-kissed but still rich enough that I noticed a difference, even after only a few hours. There were zero streaks in sight (I gave myself a half hour before getting dressed) and managed to apply it to my back without any patchiness.

Honestly, for the super affordable price tag and high quality, this might be my new go-to for a foolproof faux glow. It’s already worked its way into my body care rotation every third day to keep the golden glow going.

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What to Look for When Buying Self-Tanner for Fair Skin

Since I’ve tried countless self-tanners for my fair skin over the years, I look for a few factors when sussing out the good from the bad. To determine which self-tanner is right foryourfair skin, I suggest taking the following points into consideration.

  • Buildable Formulas: Opt for formulas that allow you to measure out your level of tan (i.e., tanning drops) or gradually build up your color over time (such as express tan formulas or gradual tanning lotions). By starting light and working your way up to a darker tan, you’re less likely to go overboard and end up with a color that’s either too dark or too orange.
  • Percent of active ingredient: DHA or dihydroxyacetone is the active ingredient in most self-tanners that creates that tan pigment (it reacts with the amino acids in the top layer of your skin). According to the FDA, it's safe to use externally, but if you've got fair skin, you'll want to opt for a lower percentage of DHA so you don't go to the dreaded orange place. The lowest percentage available (usually 1 to 3%) is a good place to start.

How I Tested Self-Tanner for Fair Skin

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Below are the features I evaluated to determine my top picks for this list.

  • Application:I’ve found that most self-tanners can be applied with a tanning mitt or even your hands. I’ve noted which method yields the best results and how easy it is to apply each product evenly. I’ve also considered the drying time, as formulas that dry too quickly can be more challenging to blend in.
  • Transfer:Sadly, several white T-shirts were harmed while making this list. To spare your precious T’s, I evaluated which self-tanners left marks on my clothing or sheets and which left them clean.
  • Longevity:Self-tanners can take some effort to apply correctly, so I aimed to select picks with long-lasting results. As such, I observed how many days the results of each self-tanner lasted. I also noted if the tan faded evenly or became patchy over time.
  • Consistency:No matter how great a self-tanner looked on my skin, if it felt heavy, greasy, or sticky, it was a no from me. Instead, I prioritized picks that felt lightweight and airy.
  • Overall Results:The most crucial factor in my testing process was the results each self-tanner left behind. I noted the overall color and undertones each pick left me with, also observing if I found the scent appealing and long-lasting.

FAQ

  • How Should You Prep Skin for Self-Tanner?

    I always exfoliate my body thoroughly to prep my skin for self-tanner. Leaving rough patches would all but guarantee my tan would look splotchy and telltale fake. Ifollow up with a light layer of body lotion since my skin is already dry (I use extra around my knees, elbows, and ankles to prevent too much color buildup).

  • How often should you use self-tanner for fair skin?

    With pale skin, less is usually more—you want to avoid accidentally overdoing it. Having said that, the ideal frequency of use depends on the formula. Some self-tanners work gradually and can be applied daily until you achieve the color you want, while others provide a bronze hue after one use and fade within a few days. In any case, it’s best to moisturize with a regular lotion every day while using self-tanner.

  • How do you fix self-tanner on fair skin when it doesn't look right?

    If your self-tanner looks too dark or there are noticeable streaks that need to be buffed out, Jennifer Materia, the founder of GLOWorganic airbrush tanningstudios, advises showering with soap a few extra times. You can also create a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice and work it into the skinwith a pumice stone to tone down any over-applied areas on the hands and feet. “Anywhere else, I just use a makeup wipe and rub gently and it takes away any mistakes!”

Why Trust Byrdie

Hannah Baxter is a New York-based editor, creative consultant, and contributing writer with over a decade of beauty reporting experience. When evaluating a new product, she ensures that her skeptical side balances out her love for all things beauty to find the formulas that are truly worth the price tag. She's been testing self-tanner on a trial-and-error basis (emphasis on the error) for over 20 years. She is the author of the mental health newsletter, Anxiety Beer, and was previously the deputy beauty editor at The Zoe Report and senior beauty editor at Coveteur. Her work has been featured in Allure, The Cut, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Byrdie, and more.

  • Jennifer Materia is GLOW’s founder and CEO who started a mobile tanning business out of her home 12 years ago and has transformed her one-woman operation into luxury studiosthat specialize in organic airbrush tanningand body sculpting services in Fairfield and Westchester counties.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any self-tanners from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

I've Been Using Self Tanners for a Decade—Here Are the Ones I Like Most on My Fair Skin (2024)
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