In this article:
How to find the best self-tanner
How to prep skin for self-tanning
The best way to apply self-tanner
Other self-tanning tips
Self-tanning innovations have come a long way, making it easier than ever to liven skin with a faux sun-kissed glow… but even the best products can be derailed by user error.
As it turns out, there’s an art and science to getting the perfect sunless tan. We dove into the research and consulted self-tanning experts to bring you the top tips for choosing the best self-tan products and mastering application.
How to find the best self-tanner
A self-tanning product’s texture and shade intensity play vital roles in the hunt to find the best self-tanner for your skin. Use these pro tips to help guide you to your ideal match:
- Going for head-to-toe coverage? Mousse/foam self-tanners earn top praise for their smooth blendability. Self-tanning lotions, serums, milks, mists and other formats can work great too, but pros point out that a foam consistency has a user-friendly edge for full body application.
- Plagued by streaky self-tanner? Products with an instant bronzing pigment or “guide colour” can help. This allows you to easily see where you’ve applied the product while the underlying sunless tan colour develops hours later.
- Prefer a separate product for the face? The best self-tanners for face application are self-tanning drops that can be added to your moisturiser of choice. This is a pro favourite for customising the intensity of tan and integrates the formula with what you already know works for your skin type. (Just don’t mix with your sunscreen, as that will dilute the SPF.)
- New to self-tanning or just looking to maintain a subtle faux glow? Gradual self-tanning lotions may be your best bet. These can be especially helpful for beginners or those with fair skin where application mistakes tend to otherwise show up more noticeably. They have a more natural self-tanner look!
- No matter which type of self-tanner you go with, vet the formula through our Skin Care Ingredient Checker to ensure it’s free of skin irritants. Many self-tanners contain potent fragrance ingredients and other irritants that can deteriorate skin’s health over the long haul (1).
Keep in mind you can use self-tanners for more than just faking a tan. Using self-tanner to temporarily even out skin tone and camouflage the appearance of hyperpigmentation is a longtime celebrity secret weapon, including on deeper skin tones. Choose a shade intensity (light, medium, deep, very deep, etc.) that will complement (but not overpower) your skin.
How to prep skin for self-tanning
Exfoliate. Self-tanner saturates more intensely in areas of dry, dead skin cells, (think knees, ankles and elbows). Using an exfoliating lotion consistently in the days leading up to your self-tanner application will create the smoothest base possible. This method is preferrable over abrasive scrubs that can impair skin’s barrier. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have a leave-on chemical exfoliant, you can manually exfoliate skin by massaging with a soft wash cloth combined with your body wash or cleanser in the shower.
Plan your hair removal strategically ahead of time. When you shave or wax right before applying self-tanner, the formula is more likely to accumulate inside the follicles of the freshly removed hair, resulting in what looks like tiny specs/dots of self-tanner. You should wait to self-tan after shaving. Building in a couple days buffer between hair removal and subsequent self-tanner application can help alleviate this issue.
Start with clean, hydrated skin. You can moisturise before self-tanning, but don’t apply an oil or thick lotion—those will interfere with the self-tanner’s absorption. Instead, self-tanning pros suggest a light layer of hydration via a milky toner. For extra-dry areas, such as elbows, feet, and knees you can top off with a very thin dose of body lotion—this helps prevent the drier areas from soaking up more self-tanner than the rest of your body.
The best way to apply self-tanner
Use a mitt for smooth blending all over the body. This helps distribute the sunless tanning product more evenly, reducing the likelihood of streaks. It also helps prevent stained palms (if you skip the mitt, wear disposable gloves or wash hands every few minutes during application).
Start at the center of your body and work outward, so that by the time you reach extremities like your feet and hands you have less product on the mitt and can gradually blend it out for a natural-looking tan fade.
Apply self-tanner in a way that mimics a real tan. Because certain areas rarely see the sun (for example, the underside of arms), they naturally look lighter when you get a suntan. Imitate that by mixing your self-tanner with lotion in these areas for a more subtle and believable sun-kissed glow.
Give self-tanner ample time to set before getting dressed and try to stay dry for the next six hours. Generally, self-tanner takes about 30-90 minutes to dry. However, you should avoid getting wet or sweating for at least six hours after application. Showering or taking a dip in the pool soon after will impede results. Plan accordingly if using a self-tanner with a guide colour/instant bronzing—you may want to rinse off before bed to prevent stained bed sheets.
If you end up with streaks or blotches, even it out with a chemical exfoliator. This is a pro secret weapon for fading self-tanning mistakes. You can use the same product that you used during prep.
Other self-tanning tips
Self-tanner does not protect skin from the sun. You still need to wear sunscreen and carry out other sun proactive measures just as you would normally (2). In fact, some studies suggest self-tanning actives can trigger more damage during UV exposure, making sun protection even more important (3). Don’t let that last bit deter you— at-home self-tanning products continue to be deemed safe, just remember to apply SPF before sun exposure! (4).
Don’t use self-tanner before laser hair removal appointments. The pigment/darker skin from self-tanner competes with laser’s ability to target the hair follicle, which can lead to burns and inadequate results (5, 6).
Avoid shaving right after applying self-tanner. Shaving can remove a superficial layer of dead skin, which will take some of your fake tan with it.
If you want your fake tan to last longer, you may need to alter how often you exfoliate. While exfoliation is crucial for smooth skin, there’s a tradeoff in that it also accelerates how quickly your sunless tan will fade. You may find going from daily exfoliation to once every few days strikes the right balance.
Practise ahead of time if you’re going to a big event. There’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to mastering self-tanning and it can take few tries to nail it. If you mess up the first time, you can even it out with the next application.
Avoid an orange faux glow. Thanks to evolved formulary techniques, self-tanners now often include colour-correcting pigments (such as a green or olive tint) to help offset an unnatural looking orange hue (7). Some brands take a step further with even more instant tan options that flatter a variety of skin undertones and levels of melanin. When in doubt, chat with the brand’s customer service team for natural self-tan product recommendations on what would best flatter your skin.
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References for this information:
- International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, March 2024, pages 1-7
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, April 2022, pages 79-88
- Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, May 2008, pages 1,423-1,428
- SKIN The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine, November 2023, pages 1,077-1,089
- Dermatologic Surgery, June 2013, pages 823-838
- Journal of Cosmetic & Laser Therapy, 2006, pages 197-202
- Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures, Third Edition, February 2022, Chapter 20
