The Best Self-Tanners To Use This Summer

Apply thick body butter to your elbows and knees, hands, ankles and any other areas where your tanner tends to get streaky. You want to get the most from your self-tanner.

This is our editors’ #1 favorite self-tanner on the market. It’s affordable, never looks orange, and has a mild, tolerable scent. It is easy to apply with a glove or mitt. The tanner is available in three shades to match different skin tones and depths. It’s almost like spending a Saturday out in the sun. But without all the skincare worries.

When you’re looking for a tanner to just build off your natural skin tone and give you a light tint, a gradual tanner is the way to go. This is our favorite. It costs less than $20 and has a light, natural-looking tan. Use this as your daily moisturizer for a few days, and you’ll notice a light tan that blends right in with your natural skin tone. Tip: To prolong your tan, you can also use gradual tanning (both real and fake).

If you’re a regular user of self-tanner, then you know all too well the struggle of a tanned skin and bare head. It’s a risk that many people with sensitive skin or acne aren’t willing take. However, this product is now available. This luxurious facial cream can be used nightly to give your skin a gradual tan. It leaves your skin soft and moisturized, without looking artificial. It doesn’t get orange or streaky, even on the neck. The best places to apply it are the ears and neck to ensure a natural-looking tan.

Editor’s Note: “Anyone who self-tans will know that your face fades first. So I apply this after cleansing and it transforms my face into the most natural-looking fake-tan I have ever seen.” It’s better than the Isle of Paradise Tanning drops, it’s better than whatever you’re using now—it never looks muddy or overdone but makes you look like you truly spent the afternoon in the sun. I have probably repurchased this product ten times. This is one of my top five most favorite beauty products. It’s amazing to think that you can spray a clear water solution on your skin and it will turn into a perfect, even tan. —Madeline Galassi, Fashion Content Manager and Associate Editor

These were a huge hit when they first arrived at Sephora. These tanning drops have received over 2,000 reviews. They are still in stock. Why is this so popular? You can customize your tan by adding a drop to your moisturizer for a lightening tint, or several drops for a full-fake bronze look. Tip: Use these for areas that are difficult or impossible to tan such as your ears, knees and elbows.

Editor’s note – “When I started using this, it was the first time I had used a self-tanner. I admit that I didn’t rub it in and I don’t know why. It didn’t look half bad. I then switched to an old sock. I didn’t use a real tanning mit until I almost finished the bottle. But my tan was always great. I never got streaks. Ever.” —Beth Gillette, Beauty Content Manager and Associate Editor

Ashley Graham has teamed up to bring you the ultimate self tanner kit for beginners, if you have never used one. The results? The results? Glowing, moisturized skin thanks to rosehip oil & hyaluronic acids.

A good self-tanner doesn’t require you to spend a lot of money. We all know this from our time in high school when we stole our mom’s Jergens Nature Glow moisturizer. You can try their self-tanner. It has a tropical smell and dries in less than 60 seconds.

Loving Tan is popular with people with medium to deep skin tones. This is because it provides a tanner that can go dark enough, rather than just highlighting a light/medium complexion. You can get a gorgeous, glowing tan on medium skin. Deeper skin will look more evened and bronzed with this.

A gradual tanner works best for those with fair skin. It gives your skin a natural, subtle tint that doesn’t look too intense or orange. This is the best gradual tanning product. It is made with vitamin E and aloe. It keeps your skin moisturised and smooth, while adding a little color over time. Because of its glowing finish, it is ideal to apply to your skin before going to the beach.

St. Tropez is the pioneer in self-tanning. It’s because their products work. Their classic tanner leaves you with a golden glow that’s not orange, and has olive skin tones.

This is the perfect self-tanner for you if you are sensitive to normal self-tanners. Made with soothing aloe and glycerin and dermatologist-tested, it’s a lot gentler on the skin than others on the market, making it ideal for those who are worried about acne.

Self-tans historically fade fast—until this one stepped in. This tanner will last twice as long as other self-tanners. If you are looking for something that will last a long time, this is the one for you. It will be used less often, so the higher price tag will feel a little more manageable.

Self-tanners don’t have the best perfume reputation. This self-tanner is for you if you don’t like the smell of self tanner. It doesn’t leave a tinge on your skin and is very mild to apply.

This self-tanner will not dry out your skin. It contains moisturizing ingredients, such as mango butter, vitaminE, and acai.

This will give you the tan you want in half the time of other tanners. While other tanners take six hours to develop (usually overnight), this one can be developed to a full bronzey-colored color in about an hour.

This towel can be carried on any summer trip in your carry-on. These towels are easy and quick to use, making it easy to maintain your tan (or spray tan) throughout the summer.

This is the best product on the market if you don’t like self-tanner, but want to look bronzed and glowing in the summertime. This body makeup is beloved by celebrities and influential people like Jackie Aina. It blurs the appearance of your skin and gives it a radiant glow. Use it on your legs, arms, shoulders, back—you name it. You can also choose from four different shades to suit all skin tones.

A body luminizer is a great way to add glow to your skin, rather than getting self-tanned. Rihanna has a one that is transfer-proof as well as sweat-proof and water-resistant. Tank top season!

If you want to achieve a radiant, even color with no streaks, a good tanning mitt will be a must. This one is great because it’s both double-sided. It makes it easy to apply self-tanner all over your body. The velvet material is super soft on your skin and allows you to apply the tanner with ease.