I honestly hated self-tanner until two years ago. The smell always bothered me, I never knew how to apply it without getting streaks, and I felt like the color was unnatural on my skin tone. That is, until I found a self-tanner that actually worked. Trust me, finding the perfect self-tanner can feel like a never-ending search. Whether you want a subtle glow or a deep bronze, the best self-tanner depends on your skin type, tone, and of course, personal preferences.
In this guide, I’m ranking the top self-tanners based on ease of use, color payoff, and scent, so you can achieve a flawless tan without the hassle. I even show you how to apply self-tanner towards the bottom! Read on if you want the full scoop, but if you want my #1 overall pick right off the bat, it’s Coco & Eve Tanning Foam in the Dark color. If you buy from Coco & Eve directly, use code TERILYN15 for 15% off your order. Or you can order Coco & Eve from Amazon. An honorable mention goes to St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse for the best express tan since it’s fast, natural-looking, and doesn’t smell as it develops.
Okay, onto the rest of the post!
The Best Self Tanners (Ranked by Ease, Color & Smell)
Best Mousse for a Natural Color: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
Coco & Eve’s Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is my favorite best tanning foam for a natural-looking tan. It applies really easily with a mitt (this set comes with one) and blends smoothly without streaks. I love that it contains vitamin C and E since it keeps my skin hydrated. I’m super picky when it comes to scents, but this one actually smells like tropical mango and guava fragrance, so no typical self-tanner smell.
While it does take 6-8 hours to develop, I can usually apply it in the morning, wear it under my regular clothes, and then shower at night to rinse it off so I don’t get any transfer onto my sheets.
If you buy from Coco & Eve directly, use code TERILYN15 for 15% off your order. Or you can order Coco & Eve from Amazon. Here’s a short video I filmed with some self-tanner application tips for this specific foam.
Here’s my overall “grade” for Coco & Eve.
- Ease of Use: A- (tends to deposit more color on my knees and ankles than I want, even with super cautious application)
- Color Payoff: A- (lasts about 4 days before it starts to fade)
- Scent: B+ (I wish it were scentless, but it’s not horrible.)
Pros:
- Natural golden-brown tan with no orange hue
- Streak-free application with a mitt – the mitt is key. Buy this set that comes with a mitt. (If you don’t buy a set, you can use code TERILYN15.)
- Hydrating ingredients (hyaluronic acid & coconut water)
- Pleasant-ish tropical scent
Cons:
- Develops over 6–8 hours, so you do have to wear it all day or all night before showering.
- Slightly pricier than drugstore options
Here’s a photo I snapped last spring after I had applied the tanner. So good, right?
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Best Non-Toxic Self Tanner: Beauty By Earth Self Tanner Mousse
If you’re looking for a clean, non-toxic self-tanner with a lightweight, easy-to-apply formula, Beauty By Earth’s Self Tanner Mousse is a great choice. I used this when I was pregnant! This mousse formula gives you a streak-free tan that develops into a natural-looking bronze. It’s made with organic aloe vera, coconut oil, and cranberry extract, and I found it pretty hydrating. Plus, it’s free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and parabens. If a non-toxic option is essential to you, this is my top pick (I also have my favorite non-toxic suntan lotions in this blog post).
Here’s my overall grade for Beauty By Earth Self Tanner:
- Ease of Use: A- (I found it a little harder to blend than other brands.)
- Color Payoff: B- (The color isn’t as deep as Coco & Eve.)
- Scent: A (It’s the best smelling of the bunch in this post)
Pros:
- Non-toxic self tanning lotion, organic ingredients
- Lightweight mousse formula for even application
- No synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals
- Hydrating with aloe vera and coconut oil
- Streak-free finish
Cons:
- Develops over several hours, so plan to wear loose clothing for the day or change your sheets after sleeping in it.
- Requires a mitt for best application (buy this set so it comes with a mitt).
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Best Self Tanning Spray for Face: Coco & Eve Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist
Coco & Eve’s face mist is a game-changer if you want an effortless face tan. I used to just buff the remainder of my tanning foam around my face, but this is much better. The mist is super fine and gives an even application that develops over a few hours. I especially appreciate that it’s infused with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to keep my skin hydrated and glowy, and it works perfectly underneath makeup.
Use code TERILYN15 if you order from Coco & Eve. You can also buy the Coco & Eve Face Mist on Amazon. I shared a video on LTK where I tried this for the first time so you can get an idea of the application.
- Ease of Use: A- (It mists beautifully like any other non-tanning face mist, but I have to be mindful to make sure my neck and decolletage somewhat match!)
- Color Payoff: B- (It’s not quite as dark as the foam that I use on my body)
- Scent: A+ (Mild and doesn’t linger)
Pros:
- Easy spray application
- Lightweight formula that won’t clog pores
- Hydrating with hyaluronic acid and dragon fruit extract
- Develops within a few hours
Cons:
- Not as buildable as drops or serums
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Honorable Mention: Salty Face Tanning Water
The Salty Face Tanning Water is another excellent choice for a customizable face tan, but it’s more gradual, as you can see in the photos below. It’s actually one of the top-rated self-tanners for fair skin (which I mentioned below).
Best for a Deep Color: Lux Unfiltered N°36 Supernatural Self-Tanning Mousse in Blood Orange
If you want a truly deep tan, try Lux Unfiltered’s N°36 Supernatural Self-Tanning Mousse in Blood Orange. This mousse provides a deep, bronzed color while maintaining a natural finish. I used it for a while before switching to Coco & Eve for a slightly lighter tan.
Here’s my overall grade for the Lux Unfiltered N°36 Supernatural Self-Tanning Mousse:
- Ease of Use: B- (It’s dark so you have to be careful when applying since mistakes are more prominent.)
- Color Payoff: A+ (Truly stunning color that’s natural without a hint of orange.)
- Scent: A- (Smells pleasant but lingers.)
Pros:
- Deep, long-lasting tan
- Vegan and cruelty-free formula
- Hydrating with shea butter and hyaluronic acid
Cons:
- Stronger scent than other options
- Requires more care with the application since it’s a deeper tan. Definitely buy a mitt (that one is cheap and is my favorite one I have!).
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Best Tanning Mist: Tan Luxe The Water
Tan Luxe The Water is a top pick for a lightweight, no-mess application. This is a clear tanning mist, or tanning water, that provides a glow without the risk of staining clothes or sheets (LOVE that). It’s packed with hydrating ingredients and gives a gradual, buildable tan. Since the mist is clear, though, you have to be careful not to spray too much in one spot since you won’t be able to see where it goes.
It’s easy to spray, for the most part, and I like that I can mist my back, but the included mitt is slippery and hard to control. It’s also hard to use when you have to switch hands to apply to your non-dominant arm. While I love that it’s super lightweight, has a nice scent, and it’s somewhat easy to spritz onto my own back, the color payoff is pretty limited.
Here’s my overall grade for the Tan Luxe The Water:
- Ease of Use: C (It’s easy to spray, for the most part, and I like that I can mist my back, but the included mitt is slippery and hard to control. The oil is super messy and got on my rug, so beware.)
- Color Payoff: C (Color is very minimal but natural-looking!)
- Scent: A+ (Smells great going on.)
Pros:
- Lightweight, clear formula
- No transfer onto clothes
- Smells nice
Cons:
- Difficult to use the bottle with your non-dominant hand when spraying your dominant arm
- Also requires careful application since you can’t see where the product is going
- Limited color payoff
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Best Express Self Tanner: St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
I recently tried the St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse, and it quickly became a top favorite. The texture is lightweight, it blends beautifully with a mitt, and the color is a natural, olive-toned bronze. It’s never streaky and not overly orange.
I love that it’s an express tan since I hate sitting in tanner all day, and if you need a nice wash of color before family photos, a big date night, or a wedding weekend, you may not have the entire day to let a fake tan develop. It’s worth noting that I noticed the color got a little darker after 12 hours, which I honestly like! I also love the pleasant scent.
Here’s my overall grade for the St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse:
- Ease of Use: A (This blends the easiest of any brand and didn’t leave any lines the next day.)
- Color Payoff: B+ (The color isn’t as deep as Coco & Eve, but, to be fair, it’s an express tan. But the color itself was beautifully natural without zero orange tones.)
- Scent: A+ (Smells great going on, then fades, unlike most self-tanners that get smellier over time.)
Pros:
- Reliable, streak-free finish
- Express tan – develops in 1-3 hours
- Natural-looking color (not orange)
- Long-lasting fade
- Pleasant scent
Cons:
- Pricey
- Color isn’t as deep as other express options
If you’re new to self-tanning or just want something you can trust every single time, this is my top recommended self-tanner.
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Self Tanner to Skip: Isle of Paradise
I’ve tried Isle of Paradise, both the drops and the foam, and I hated them. The formula didn’t work well for me. It was either too streaky or too patchy, and the smell wasn’t great. The foam formula leaked everywhere, too. Definitely not a repurchase for me!
Self Tanner Application Tips
Here is a short video with tips for applying self-tanner evenly, but the key takeaways are:
- Exfoliate your body before applying the tan. I like this Primally Pure body exfoliator.
- Always use a mitt.
- Start with two pumps and rub all over.
- Sweep down on hands.
- Use whatever is left over on your mitt for the back and front of your knee.
- Gentle sweep down on your feet.
- Wear something dark and lightweight like these wide-leg pants from Amazon while your tan develops.
What Is the Best Self Tanner for Fair Skin?
If you have fair skin, the wrong self-tanner can leave you looking orange or patchy. The best options develop into a natural shade without an orange hue. Mousse or foam formulas work well for fair skin because they allow for even application. To prevent dryness and streaks, look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Aloe vera, and shea butter. My top recommendations would be the Salty Face Tanning Water or the Coco & Eve mousse in the medium shade (I use the shade Dark, and I have light/medium skin).
Final Thoughts
The best self-tanner for you depends on your skin type, desired depth of color, and application preference. Whether you love a mousse, mist, oil, or drops, these top-rated picks will give you a natural, streak-free glow. Always prep your skin with exfoliation and moisturization before applying self-tanner, and use a mitt or brush for a flawless blend.
Best Self-Tanning Products Recap:
- Best for fair skin: Salty Face Tanning Water
- Best non-toxic: Beauty By Earth Self Tanner
- Best face tanner: Coco & Eve Face Mist (use code TeriLyn15)
- Best deep tan: Lux Unfiltered N°36 Supernatural Self-Tanning Mousse
- Best body mist: Tan Luxe The Water
- Best express tan: St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse
Which self-tanner is your go-to? Let me know in the comments!
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