Self Tanners

Self-tanning creams, towelettes, lotions, gels, sprays and foams

At-home, do-it-yourself sunless tanners are less expensive than salon services, and they come in several forms. The downside of doing it yourself is that product selection can be tricky for some consumers. Many (particularly fair-skinned individuals) frequently report problems correctly matching their skin tone. Complaints about uneven coverage, complicated application and long drying times are also common. It's also important to note that all sunless tanners emit a distinct odor, some stronger than others because of their concentration of DHA (the active dyeing ingredient), but scents fade as the product dries.

Overall, experts say main product differences lie in application, skin feel and drying time. For instance, sunless tanner lotions and gels are easy to apply but take the longest to dry, up to 30 minutes. Self tanner foams and sprays dry faster (in about 10 minutes), but many users say they are more difficult to apply evenly.

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel (*Est. $33 for 4.4 oz.) is high on many reviewers' lists of best sunless tanners. It comes in one shade, but reviewers of all skin tones are very pleased with the resulting tan color, and users at MakeupAlley.com say that two or three applications result in a deeper color. Most users say that the sunless tanner gel is easy to apply and virtually streak-free. Reviewers also like the lightweight texture of this gel formula and that it doesn't leave a sticky residue behind, like some other self tanner gel products do. Paula Begoun says that Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel has a silky base that doesn't feel too thick or greasy. The only consistent complaint in user reviews is the steep price, but a couple of users point out that a little goes a long way. As with all sunless tanners, several complain about its chemical smell. This tanning gel needs to be reapplied every four to five days, as an individual's tan fades, but it can also be reapplied more often for a darker, more intense tan. It's important to note that even instant tans, such as this one, take approximately six hours to fully develop. Experts recommend waiting at least that long before showering to keep any unabsorbed formula from washing off.

Banana Boat Summer Color Sunless Self Tanning Lotion (*Est. $7 for 6 oz.) is well liked by users at Drugstore.com, TotalBeauty.com and Amazon.com. Users say that the lightweight formula - available in two shades: Deep Dark and Light/Medium - is very moisturizing and easy to apply. Reviewers are also pleased with the fast results of this sunless tanner; it only takes a few hours to develop. Common complaints, as with all self-tanning products, center on the smell. Some also point out that Banana Boat Summer Color is hard to find in stores. Paula Begoun also recommends the affordable sunless tanner but is doubtful about the company's claim of speedy drying times. She says that it contains too many emollients (moisturizers) and thickening agents to dry very quickly. Begoun recommends waiting at least 30 minutes before dressing when using any lotion-based self tanner.

Long drying times are a common complaint about sunless tanners. Get dressed too soon and there is a possibility the lotion will rub off and stain clothing. That is why foam products, which dry very quickly, are popular. Reviewers say St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse (*Est. $35 for 4 oz.) applies easily and doesn't streak. This self tanner is also tinted with bronzer so users can easily see where they've already applied the product. One downside about foam sunless tanners is that they can dry too quickly -- so quickly that you don't have enough time to spread the foam evenly. Still, reviewers at MakeupAlley.com say that St. Tropez self tanner doesn't streak and it leaves skin with a natural, golden tan. Editors at Allure magazine say that  St. Tropez's tanning mousse doesn't smell too bad, either. It is available only in one shade, which some users say isn't quite dark enough. Still, others say their ideal color can easily be reached by adding a second application.

St. Tropez also makes a self-tanning lotion -- St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion (*Est. $38 for 4 oz.) -- which gets similar reviews. It takes a bit longer to dry, but users at MakeupAlley.com and Sephora.com are pleased with the resulting color which they say looks completely natural without any hint of orange. Users say that this sunless tanner can be a bit hard to rub in, however. Paula Begoun, on the other hand, is not a fan of either St. Tropez self tanner formula because each contains "numerous fragrance materials that cause irritation." Still, most users say they appreciate the pleasant scent. However, it may not be the best option for those with sensitive skin.

Sunless tanning sprays meant for self application (as opposed to professional spray tans) tend to fall in between self tanner foams and lotions, drying more quickly than a lotion but not as fast as foam sunless tanners. Most mists dry in five minutes or less. Reviewers recommend L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Pro Perfect Salon Airbrush Self Tanning Mist (*Est. $10 for 4.6 oz.) (formerly Pro Perfect Self Tanning Mist) in this category. Most say this sunless tanner provides a natural, even tan, and it dries quickly. It won't stain your bathroom because it is colorless, and it won't stain clothing if you get dressed before it dries completely. Still, reviewers recommend applying this self tanner spray in the shower stall so that you can easily wash off any residue. Some users at MakeupAlley.com complain about the lack of tint, saying that it's hard to tell where it has been applied. Like all sunless tanners, L'Oreal Sublime Bronze has a hint of odor, but several users say it isn't too noticeable and it fades as the tan develops. It is available in one shade: medium natural tan. 

For touch-ups or covering tan lines, reviewers recommend Tan Towel Self-Tan Towelettes (*Est. $23 for 10 wipes). Glide one of these sunless tanning wipes over your skin, and it will darken within two to four hours. The tanning wipes are available in large full-body and smaller half-body sizes. They are individually packaged, making them a great portable option for traveling or at the gym, and reviewers say they don't leave any sticky residue. Reviewers at MakeupAlley.com and Drugstore.com praise the self tanner for drying quickly, within seconds, but we saw several remarks about streaking and uneven color. Some reviewers say it can be hard to control the amount of solution coming from a towelette, making these a better choice for small areas rather than your entire body. Tan Towel is available in two shades: classic, for fair to medium skin tones; and plus, for medium to dark skin tones.

Gradual self tanners offer more control but require extra patience

Gradual self-tanning products contain lower doses of DHA to provide a more gradual, streak-free tan as they are applied over time (typically a week), while instant self tanners offer more rapid results (typically six hours for a full tan) which turns off some. Several reviewers say the tans of sunless products are less likely to turn out as even as those created with a gradual self tanner. Both gradual and instant sunless tanners contain the same tell-tale smell of DHA, but the odor of gradual solutions is often less noticeable because of their less concentrated amounts.

Jergens set the standard for gradual self tanners a few years ago when it came out with Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. The company has discontinued and reformulated this tanner, renaming it in the process. Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer (*Est. $9 for 7.5 oz.) works under the same premise as the original formula, but unlike the first version it contains a slew of antioxidants to better protect skin from environmental/free-radical damage. Experts and users repeatedly say they appreciate the even coverage this self-tanning lotion provides, calling it practically goof-proof because any spots missed in the first application are likely to be covered in later applications. Several say they don't mind its more subtle odor. Users at MakeupAlley.com and TotalBeauty.com say that the Jergens self tanner results in a natural, streak-free tan. Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer is also available in a medium/tan formula for those with darker skin tones. Several reviewers also say they use this sunless tanner in place of body lotion because it moisturizes so well.

Like all sunless tanning lotion formulas, Jergens takes a while to dry. Users recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before getting dressed -- failure to do so can easily result in stained clothing. We also encountered a few complaints from individuals who said that the fair/medium formula did nothing to their skin, as well as some who said their tan looked too orange.

Jergens Natural Glow Healthy Complexion Daily Facial Moisturizer (*Est. $8 for 2 oz.) works in a similar manner but is specially formulated for facial skin. Testers at Real Simple magazine say it gives skin a "dewy" appearance and develops into a nice coppery color over time. Editors also like the UV protection the formula provides. The sunless tanner has an SPF rating of 20, but it doesn't contain any of the ingredients known to protect skin from long UVA rays, particularly titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone or Mexoryl SX. (See our report on sunscreen for more detailed information.) Experts suggest using an additional facial moisturizer for daytime use, preferably one that provides broad spectrum protection. See our report on facial moisturizers for suggestions.

Jergens also provides a speedier way to tan with Jergens Natural Glow Express Body Moisturizer (*Est. $8 for 4 oz.). This self tanner lotion provides deeper, more intense color from the first application and can be reapplied for a deeper tan. Once you have obtained your ideal shade, you can maintain it with Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer. We didn't find as many reviews for the Express formula, but users at MakeupAlley.com give it an above-average rating. Most say that it produces nice, natural color within two to three days. A couple, however, say Jergens Express leaves an orange tint. It's important to note that results vary greatly from one individual to the next. Experts recommend testing a sunless tanner in an inconspicuous area to ensure that it matches your skin tone.

Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer (*Est. $8 for 5 oz.) is Jergens' latest gradual tanning option. It works in the same manner as other Jergens self tanners but it comes in a fast-drying mousse. It gets nods from editors of Allure, Self and Glamour magazines for drying so quickly and being less messy than other formulas. Users at Drugstore.com say that the formula is easy to apply and gradually produces a natural-looking tan over the course of about three days. Like other Jergens sunless tanner formulas, Foaming Daily Moisturizer comes in two shades: Fair to Medium and Medium to Tan.

L'Oreal Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer (*Est. $9 for 8 oz.) is another option among gradual sunless tanners. Although it does slightly better in user reviews at MakeupAlley.com and Drugstore.com, it isn't reviewed by experts as often as the Jergens Natural Glow line of products. One expert source, however, calls L'Oreal the best among several sunless tanners tested because it imparts a natural-looking tan and, unlike many other products, has a pleasant scent. Users praise L'Oreal for smelling better than competitors but wish the formula wasn't so runny – they say it has a tendency to leak out of the cap. L'Oreal Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer comes in two shades, one for fair skin tones and one for medium skin tones. It should be noted that the formula does contain a fair amount of denatured alcohol, which may help it to dry faster but could cause irritation to those with sensitive skin.