You can have gorgeous glowing skin year-round, despite summer only being 3-months a year. Not only that, but you also don’t have to submit yourself to the sun’s harmful UV rays or terrible-for-you tanning beds to do so.
The best drugstore self-tanners are tried-and-true formulas that deliver natural-looking color that’s free of streaks and splotches. Read on to discover the best options available today.
Jergens Natural Glow Self-Tanning Daily Moisturizer ($10; amazon.com)
This one has been around forever and is a cult favorite for a reason: It delivers all over, even color as well as moisturizing and antioxidant benefits. And because the color is gradual, you can build up to your desired effect, whether that’s a soft glow or a just-back-from-vacation tan. It’s available in two shades: fair to medium and medium to tan.
Also Read: 8 Tips For Removing Self-Tanner From Your Hands
L’Oréal Paris Sublime Luminous Body Bronzer ($8; amazon.com)
This self-tanner builds a beautiful tan in under a week, as well as offers a golden glow immediately upon application which makes it ideal for special occasions. It’s also quick-drying, streak-free, and infused with vitamin E to hydrate skin and extend the length of your color.
St. Moriz Instant Self-Tanning Mousse ($14; ulta.com)
If you’re super fair and find that self-tanners tend to give your skin an orange tint, you’ll appreciate the natural-looking color this formula delivers. The application process is super easy, thanks to the tinted mousse that allows you to see where you’ve blended, and the color develops fully in less than six hours. It’s also infused with olive milk and vitamin E to leave your skin soft and nurtured.
Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion ($8; walmart.com)
This self-tanning lotion delivers a deep golden tan on every skin tone, and the brand’s Self-Adjusting Color technology allows you to control just how dark your skin becomes; simply apply more for a deeper shade. It dries within minutes and develops in under three hours, leaving skin silky-smooth thanks to added aloe vera and vitamin D.
Bondi Sands Aero Aerated Self-Tanning Foam ($29; ulta.com)
This self-tanning foam absorbs into the skin deeper and more quickly for a controlled application. The result? A deeper, darker glow in as little as six hours. Enhanced with vitamin E and jojoba, it delivers a patch-free and prolonged color. It also smells like summertime, which is an added perk considering a lot of self-tanners are quite smelly
Australian Gold Instant Sunless Tanning Lotion ($6; walmart.com)
If you have dry skin, which often results in a splotchy faux tan, this formula is for you. The color payoff is intense and long-lasting, thanks to its highly-concentrated DHA. It also contains maca extract, vitamins C and B, and shea butter so that your skin is left looking soft, radiant, and most importantly, streak-free.
Bondi Sands Pure Gradual Tan Lotion ($22; ulta.com)
Another gradual glow lotion, that makes this self-tanner unique is its milk-like consistency, which blends seamlessly and absorbs super-fast. It also contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and vitamin C to leave skin supple and radiant. Gentle enough for sensitive skin types, it can be applied daily to build deeper color.
Also Read: The Best Bronzers For A Natural-Looking Glow
SOL by Jergens Medium Water Tanning Mousse w/ Coconut Water ($20; walmart.com)
Made with tanning agents derived from natural sugars, this dye-free water dispenses as a super-lightweight foam that blends smoothly over the skin. While it delivers a subtler tan than other options on this list, the color is natural-looking and long-lasting.
Note: Anytime you are using a self-tanning product on your body for the first time, be sure to test it on a small area of your skin first to make sure that you do not have any allergic reactions or adverse reactions. We also recommend using a tanning mitt, so that you do not stain your hands upon application.
