Everyone likes flaunting a sun-kissed look, and honestly, that is something that looks ravishing in Instagram photos! But to take the cat out of the bag, no one can get that perfect tan by lying in the sun alone! It will not be even tone for starters, and there are places where it won’t reach you no matter how hard you try. Self-tanners are the harmless and efficient options to go for. They give you a quick and complete glow without having to depend on anything else. We know your hesitation in using tanners loaded with harmful chemicals, so we have something that gives you a smooth look without any inorganic ingredients. Here are the 11 highest-rated tanners that give you the perfect shade of tan so that you look radiant whenever you please.

11 Best Self Tanners For Effortlessly Tanned Skin In No Time!

1. Best Lightweight:Jergens Natural Glow face Moisturizer And Self-Tanner

4.4 BUY ON AMAZON | $9.49
This face moisturizer/self-tanner for the face gives a natural-looking glow that is right for the summer skin you are looking for. It is lightweight, oil-free, and is formulated to deliver flawless color to your skin in a jiffy. It keeps your skin hydrated and protects you from the sun, making it quite the package. The formula works for fair to medium skin tones and enhances your hue, delivering the perfect summer glow. Applying it once a day can enhance your skin tone to make sure you get a natural glow. What makes it unique is that it is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation which makes it a perfect facial self-tanner to use. Pros

No unflattering streaks Does not cause breakouts Easy to apply and quick results Smells good Doubles as a moisturizer

Cons

It may not offer a long-lasting tan.

2. Best Anti-Aging:Golden Star Beauty Self Tanner Facial Serum

4.1 Image: Golden Star Beauty BUY ON AMAZON | $26.69
This self-tanner for face provides you a luxurious golden bronze tan. For you natural beauty lovers, this one’s for you. It is made under strict quality controls and is organic. It contains avocado oil, oenothera biennis oil, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, and rose hips oil. In addition to delivering the color, it comes with DHA (dihydroxyacetone) which triggers sunless tanning. It is one of the best sunless tanners for the face that nourishes and rejuvenates your complexion. Definitely, an easy and healthy way to achieve a sun-kissed tan! Pros

No fake tan smell Leaves no streaks No oily-feeling Anti-aging Paraben-free Cruelty-free and vegan Gluten-free

Cons

May turn the face a little orange in some cases

3. Best Transfer-Proof:St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water

4.3 BUY ON AMAZON | $30.0
This self-tanner is tropically scented which can be used all year round. The tanning mist is infused with 100% natural tanning actives, hyaluronic acid, and non-pore blocking skincare ingredients that refresh and revive your skin. It includes hibiscus extract known for its antioxidant properties and green mandarin water. You will notice that the formula adapts to your skin tone to give you an instant sunkissed glow. It is perfect to use instead of makeup for a post-holiday glow! This video will give you more insights into the product. Pros

Lightweight Tropically scented Made with natural ingredients No streaks and no transfer Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free

Cons

Not recommended for combination or oily skin

4. Best For All Skin Types:Beauty By Earth Self Face Tanner

4.2 BUY ON AMAZON | $29.99
One of the best self-face tanners for saying hello to sun-kissed skin, it takes you from ‘meh’ to ‘marvelous’ in just a few minutes. It is made from carefully chosen ingredients like organic aloe vera, shea butter, extracts such as Japanese green tea, pomegranate, and witch hazel extract, and DHA. It uses high-quality and nourishing ingredients to create a tanner that doesn’t expose your body to any harm. This safe, natural tan will give your face the best glow possible. Perfect, isn’t it? To make an informed decision before buying, you can check out this video. Pros

No streaks, no orange color, blotches, or dark spots Vegan and cruelty-free sunless tanning lotion Suitable for all skin types Paraben-free No phthalates No chemical-based active ingredients No dyes

Cons

Might clog pores

5. Best Non-Comedogenic:Tanceuticals Self Tanning Face Lotion

4.2 BUY ON AMAZON | $23.95
This self-tanner has been highly rated for the face and neck. The luxurious self-tanning lotion will give you a natural tan look you are looking for. It contains vitamin E, argan oil, acai berry extract, and pomegranate extract. The formula will last for 5-7 days on average so it gives you the look that you got back from a vacation. It is organic, safe, doesn’t clog pores, and gives a flawless sunless tan. The self-tanner is thick in consistency and keeps you moisturized, sounds like a must-have product on your list, doesn’t it? What makes it better is that there is no artificial coloring used, so say NO to stains when you use this! Pros

Non-comedogenic Does not cause acne Blends and dries quickly Paraben-free and cruelty-free

Cons

Contains fragrance

6. Best Cruelty-Free:Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops – Light/Medium

4.3 BUY ON AMAZON | $37.5
With the Triple Tan Technology, this is definitely one of the best self-tanners for the face. It is a blend of organic tanning actives that make your skin tone look radiant and hydrated. It is formulated with raspberry seed oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E, nourishing your skin while not requiring you to sit under the sun for hours. It is recommended to apply a greater amount of the self-tanning drops for a deeper glow if that’s what you aim for. It works with the highest quality, natural tanning actives (DHA) grown in the South of France to complement your skin. What better way to tan your skin! Pros

Cruelty-free Toxin-free Leaves your skin looking hydrated and nourished No streaks No smell Develops a radiant glow in 2-4 hours

Cons

Might clog pores

7. Best Long-Lasting:Norvell Venetian Self Tanning Mist For Face

4 BUY ON AMAZON | $16.25
Norvell has crafted this Venetian Mist for the face for a long-lasting tan. It is formulated with natural color complex and organic ingredients such as tomato fruit extract, cranberry fruit extract, aloe leaf juice, and vitamin E. it helps create a deep, sun-kissed radiance. A tropical paradise look in minutes, who would have thought? The Venetian Mist contains a blend of instant and long-lasting bronzers composed of violet and brown tones. The ordonone technology used in this mist eliminates sunless tanning odor, what a relief. One special element is the Vio-7 which is a unique blend of anti-orange bronzer pigments to counter the orange tone so you don’t look like a cheeto! Pros

Gluten-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free Non-comedogenic Pleasant fragrance Travel friendly TSA approved

Cons

Some may find the pump too stiff to spray.

8. Best Non-Sticky:L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Facial Drops

4.2 BUY ON AMAZON | $13.49
This is one of the best self-tanners for the face to achieve a healthy and beautiful glow and it can be an effortless addition to your makeup regimen. This clear, concentrated self-tanning serum is non-sticky and, when mixed with moisturizer, it makes your skin smooth in just one use. It is recommended to use 5-7 drops for a sun-kissed glow and 8-10 drops for a deeper bronze glow. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid to make your skin look well-rested and hydrated throughout the day. What more do we need than a flawless bronze glow that makes us look confident and sexy? Pros

Fragrance-free Works for all skin types Transfer resistant Streak-free

Cons

May not offer a deep tan

9. Best Streak-Free:Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner For Face

4.4 Image: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare BUY ON AMAZON | $38.0
These self-tanner towelettes are highly recommended to achieve healthy skin with a bronzed glow. It provides a streak-free, natural tan that develops within 3-4 hours which is quick and easy. This formula is enriched with vitamin D to exfoliate and provide anti-aging benefits. It tightens your pores and eliminates blackheads, making it a versatile self-tanner. After just one use, your skin will be smooth as butter. There are 20 towelettes in a single pack to help you get the perfect kind of sun-kissed glow. It is subtle which makes it look like you’ve sat in the sun for an hour while just sunbathing at home, 1 towelette at a time. Pros

100% fragrance-free Easy to apply Doesn’t dry the skin Works for all skin types Long-lasting color

Cons

Some may find the towelettes a bit greasy.

10. Best For Dry Skin:Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning For Face

4.3 BUY ON AMAZON | $52.61
The Clarins Self Tan For Face is a beauty-award-winning Self Tanner. It is highly recommended to give you a healthy glow quickly. It hydrates your dry skin and makes your skin feel smooth as milk. It is a vitamin-packed tanner that helps you achieve a look that provides natural results. Why sun-bathe for hours when this product can give you the bronze glow and keep your skin soft? It is formulated with aloe vera which makes it easy to dry and streak-free. The subtle glow lasts long and even when you didn’t go for a vacation, it makes you look like you did. Pros

Easy to apply Offers quick results Recommended for all skin types No streaks or spots No self-tanning smell

Cons

May not be suitable for sensitive skin type

11. Best Affordable:Tanwise Self-Tanning Face Gel

4 BUY ON AMAZON | $18.86
This self-tanning face gel is a sheer tinted one that provides an immediate bronzing effect. What makes it unique is its formulation with avocado and vitamin E oil that show some love to your skin. It is a budget-friendly pick which makes it a great option for pocket-saving lovers. The gel is easy to use and helps you achieve a smooth, radiant glow. All you have to do is apply a nice even coverage and give yourself that just-back-from-vacay transformation! Pros

Provides a natural-looking glow Budget-friendly Immediate bronzing effect No streaking

Cons

May not be suitable for acne-prone skin

We have reached the end of our list of top 10 highly recommended self-tanners for face. Some might be hits and misses, according to our reviews. Finding the right self-tanner for face can be quite the task, hope we made it easier. And to make it easier, here’s a little buying guide!

How To Choose The Right Self Tanner For Face

Type

Self-tanners come in various forms such as lotions or mousses. It could even be wipes, drops, or sticks. Each has pros and cons so it might befuddle us to think which one is better. Lotions take time to soak in which can be tricky. The positive aspect of it is that it moisturizes your skin, making it smooth as butter. The next type is mousses which create a visible layer so you have an idea of what you are applying. They are lightweight and tend to dry faster but hold on, they might not be as moisturizing as lotions. Self-tanning moisturizers have a lower concentration of DHA so they will gradually build a sun-kissed glow with daily use. Tanning towelettes are sheets that have to be unfolded and swiped across the face to provide an even glow. It makes it look like you have gone on a vacation so you can be stress-free.

DHA content

The active ingredient in sunless tanning products is the color additive dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Whenever you apply a product that has DHA, it reacts with our dead cells to temporarily darken the skin and stimulate a tan. It wears off after a few days. If you wish to try a product that has DHA, there are options. You might have to choose a product that contains added antioxidants.

Fragrance

Though DHA has a certain odor, there are some products available to mask the smell. They do that by adding a fragrance whereas some leave a knowing smell behind. Finding the best self-tan for the face might be overwhelming, don’t worry. If you want to avoid DHA, you can opt for a wash-off product. Some products can reduce the smell or disguise it in the product. It is trial-and-error testing to find a product with the right scent for you. And more often than not, the label of the product will leave clues as to whether the product has a certain smell. Are you confused and overwhelmed thinking about how to apply self-tanner to your face? There are a lot of steps before you get the bronzed glow, and here’s how you follow them.

How To Apply Self Tanner For Face

Step 1- Before you apply the self-tanner to the face, you have to cleanse your face. Make sure you use a facial cleanser that can remove your makeup and cleanses your skin from dirt and impurities. Use micellar water-soaked cotton to clean your skin. Now it is time for step 2. Step 2- If you want to have a bronze glow, you need to scrub your skin. It is an important step before application. Exfoliate your skin to get rid of the dead skin cells. They can cause the self-tanner to go on streaky. Use scrubs that can take away the dead cells from the skin’s surface. After this, grab a cotton pad and gently dab it over your face- there you go, you have a bright, radiant face ready to get the tan on. Step 3- After you finish exfoliating, you need to apply a moisturizer to create a smooth base for the self-tanner. Find a moisturizer that can provide a long-lasting effect on the tan you are looking for. It is recommended to use a water-based moisturizer and apply it over your face and neck. This would help to nourish your skin so it doesn’t look dry. Step 4- Find the best self-tanner for the face that works for you. To apply, pump it directly into your palms and apply it evenly to your face after you have finished moisturizing. Make sure you apply the self-tanner past your jawline and onto your neckline. If you don’t, it will make your tan look fake. You have to wait for the tan to dry and then get on to dressing up and applying makeup. If you use it daily, you will get the bronzed glow you are looking for.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author of this post, Kirtana Divakar, is a skin care enthusiast. She conducted thorough research to shortlist the best self tanners for face. She has checked user reviews and feedback on multiple trusted online platforms before preparing the list. The products included in the list are safe for the skin and provide even results. How to remove self-tanner for the face? If you wish to remove the self-tanner, you must gently exfoliate with a sponge, loofah, or towel. It will be quite the task to remove the tan but if you soak the sponge in warm water, take a shower, or swim, it can remove the tan quicker. Another effective remedy would be to apply lemon juice to lighten the skin. Does self-tanning clog your pores? Some self-tanners contain harsh chemicals which can irritate your skin, making it oilier. This leads to breakouts by blocking pores. How long should we leave self-tanner on our face? To get the best results, be sure to leave the self-tanner for at least 6-10 hours. Even 2-3 hours work in some cases. Be sure to know what works for you. Is it good to mix self-tanner with moisturizer for the face? Mixing self-tanner with moisturizer dilutes the formula a bit so the results can end up being subtle. If you have applied the lotion, you can see your skin looking smooth for an even application. This results in no streaks and a natural glow. Does self-tanner age your skin? Yes, prolonged and excessive use of self-tanner can increase oxidative stress on your skin and lead to enlarged skin pores and the appearance of wrinkles. Does fake tan on the face cause blackheads? Yes, excessive use of fake tan can enlarge your pores, accumulate more dirt, and form blackheads. Can I put a face self-tanner on my neck? Yes, a face tanner is meant for the face and the neck. Apply the product evenly to your skin to get a smooth, streak-free, glowing tanned look. Can you mix self-tanner with moisturizer? Yes. If your self-tanner is not moisturizing enough, mixing it with moisturizer is an excellent idea to keep your skin hydrated and achieve a streak-free, even-looking tan.

Self Tanners For Fair Skin Self-Tanners Infused With SPF Protection Self Tanners For Sensitive Skin For A Sun-Free Tan Face Self-Tanners For Acne-Prone Skin