Top 9 Best Self-Tanners to Get a Natural Glow

In order to perfect your complexion and to look good all year long: How about a self-tanner?  From sprays to capsules and wipes, we will show you the best self-tanners for a regular and even tan! There are plenty of self-tanners in the market, some reasonably cheap and other very expensive.

What is self-tanning?

Self- tanning solutions are cosmetic actives that color (dye) the skin without the influence of UV rays (independently). This skin tan is simply a browning of the horny layer of the skin (stratum corneum), which has no influence on the activity of the melanocyte. Melanocytes, unlike the physiological browning induced by UV (pigmentation), remain completely unchanged.

Top 9 best self-tanners to get a natural glow

Here is our comparison of the nine best self-tanners on the market:

1. L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Serum

The self-tanning serum Bronze L’Oreal gives an even tan without streaks. The self-tanning activator mimics the color of melanin. The result is a beautiful natural tan with a fresh and summery scent. The texture is fine and fluid for easy distribution.

Divide the serum evenly over the cleansed skin, avoiding eyebrows and wrinkles. Do not apply too close to the eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after use. Apply daily until the desired tan is obtained, then two to three times a week. To use all the content, tap the bottom of the bottle on a flat surface so that the product settles.

The self-tanning serum offers a tanned complexion for up to 2 weeks. A self-tanner that is suitable for the face and body. The serum offers a homogeneous result without any trace. It moisturizes the skin and dries quickly after application. The golden color obtained from the first application remains on the skin after a few days. The Sublime Bronze self-tanning serum will make you look sunny and golden all year round. The streak-free, stain-free formula dries quickly and is infallible for skins that look radiant regardless of the season.

2. Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

The self-tanning the Addition Concentrate Radiance Clarins mixes all Clarins body treatments, allowing you to combine a self-tanning effect with all the moisturizing benefits, anti-wrinkle and firming body treatments usual. A very simple gesture, 100% sure, for a radiant color, incredibly natural and adaptable at will. Rich in aloe, this self-tanning protects and softens the skin.

Turn the bottle upside down. Press down to drop 4 to 6 drops. Mix it in the palm of your hand with your usual moisturizer. Apply evenly to each area to tan. Wash hands thoroughly with soap immediately after application. Do not use the product alone.

Suitable for oily, mixed, dry and normal skin. Clarins Radiance Additive Concentrate is an innovative beauty treatment that, thanks to its pleasant and easy application, makes your skin shine all year round. Only a few drops mixed with a moisturizer daily after the shower, enough to guarantee a permanent tan all year round. A self-tanning body, easy and convenient to use, that modulates the intensity of the color day after day.

3. St. TROPEZ Self Tan Bronzing Mousse

Easy to apply, the light lotion brings a hint of instant tan with a trace-free finish, while intensifying slowly to leave the body a natural golden color. Infused with Vitamin E to soothe and moisturize the skin.

To use after the shower on exfoliated skin. Apply the foam using a glove; let the foam dry a few before you dress. The fast-absorbing foam develops over 4 to 12 hours to give you a uniform and long-lasting tan.

Suitable for all types of skin. Saint Tropez self-tan classic tanning foam offers a uniform complexion for a few days. Very practical sense to use in the shower in a few minutes, it leaves no trace and dries fast. The product can be expensive to buy but its high efficiency makes it long enough. Combined with the ease of application of the product and the final result, the classic tan tanning foam becomes a premium product. It is part of the Self Dark Skin and Tan Express of the best self-tanners of the St Tropez range.

4. Self-tanning foam from St Moriz

The sunless tanning lotion Self Tan St. Moriz creates a natural, even tanning on the skin in a few hours. It does not leave any traces and allows you to modulate the gradations of tanning. It contains olive oil, which provides high antioxidant protection, protects against the harmful effects of UV rays, has a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect and strengthens the blood vessels. Vitamin E hydrates the skin, softens the complexion and delays the aging process.

How to apply it: Exfoliate the body and moisturize dry areas (knees, feet, elbows, ankles). Shake the product before use. Use a glove to apply the self-tanner in small amounts to the skin. Distribute the product with circular motions.

Effective from the first application and suitable for all skin types. St. Moriz Self-Tanning Lotion provides a professional, flawless tan and enhances your tan. This lotion has been specially developed with ingredients that help create an immediate tanned effect, giving us a pretty dark tan, complete, perfect and professional. Easy to use, St Moriz self-tanning foam leaves no trace on your skin. It is recommended for a quick and homogeneous tan.

5. ST. TROPEZ Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion Light

With its soft foam that slides on the skin, this lotion in the shower is easy to apply; daily application on wet skin, for an ultra-natural, uniform and progressive tan; the skin is golden, healthy and shiny.

Wash in the shower with your usual gel, then rinse. Apply the lotion on the body evenly. Allow the lotion to work for 3 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Dry gently before getting dressed.

Moisturized skin for 24 hours thanks to sweet almond oil. Suitable for all skin types. The progressive tan for the St. Tropez shower is easy to apply. A fundamental product for people who cannot tan but want a beautiful tan. This tan does not streak and it offers a beautiful and natural shine. Product recommended for people who do not have time to apply the tanning and let it dry for an hour.

6.  Fake Bake Flawless

Fake Bake Flawless is one of our favorite self-tanning sprays. It gives a good natural color, smells very good and lasts several days. In addition, the tan will be quite dark compared to other products. The only thing we did not like was the application somewhat complicated to be aerosol (it is also a bit sticky).

7.   Clinique Self Sun

Clinique Self Sun has been in the market for years and is still one of the best options when you are looking for a good self-tanner. It is applied with ease, dries quickly and smells very good. But what we really like about the tan that leaves, very natural and luminous with a rather light bronze color with a little shine.

8.  St Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted

This gradual bronzer is the most complete and advanced, it works like a BB cream to help hide imperfections. It is lightly tinted so you can get an instant golden brown (you can see where it has been applied), while the active agents are put to work slowly to tan the skin little by little. It is recommended to apply in the morning and wait until it dries before dressing and uses every day to get the tone you want.

• Illuminates the skin providing a beautiful golden tone that conceals the imperfections
• Very easy to apply
• Get a progressive tan in every application
• Hydrates the skin throughout the day
• Soft fragrance

9. Lancome Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Lotion

The best self-tanner in our compartment is Lancome Flash Bronzer. This award-winning, self-tanner was one of the first to get a tan at home easy and natural. It dries so fast that you can get dressed almost immediately without staining your clothes and let your skin get color all day long. Vitamin E nourishes and cares for the skin, offering a delicate golden glow that can be increased with regular use.

How to apply your self-tanner?

An even tan with a self-tanner can only be achieved if the skin is properly prepared. It should be as smooth as possible so that the tanning cream can also absorb and act evenly. Before using tanning, you must therefore wax and exfoliate your body.

Step 1: Use an epilator to shave yourself

Shave the areas you want to “tan”. The hairs prevent an even distribution of the product. It is advisable to shave or wax the legs (and arms if necessary) to obtain a good final result.

• If you have light hair on your legs and arms, you do not need to shave unless you want to shave it.
• Boys should also consider shaving the chest and back (or waxing) before spreading the tanner.

Step 2: Exfoliate your skin

Whatever your skin type, the best thing to do is to exfoliate in the shower before putting the product on. When the skin is dry, it is much harder to evenly spread the self-tanner and you could end up with skin spots instead of with a nice tan. The chemicals inside the self-tanner react with the amino acids in the upper layers of the skin. By removing the outermost, you know that the tan will set up a new skin and will last longer. In addition, dry skin tends to absorb more color, which increases the likelihood of spots. To exfoliate, use a towel, brush or scrub.

• Concentrate on the hardest points such as elbows and knees. The self-tanner tends to darken these areas further because it is absorbed more quickly. Hard skin makes tanning uneven.
• If your skin is very dry, you must moisturize it after the exfoliation. Use a lotion or oil to preserve the natural moisture of the skin after a shower. Wait until it is completely absorbed before dispensing the tanner.

Step 3: Dry yourself

It is essential that the skin is completely dry during application. If you are in the bathroom, wait until the moisture from the shower has dissipated. Be sure to cool off so you do not sweat in the early morning.

Step 4: Spread the tan on your legs, arms, and torso

Work ankles up to get a natural result. Place a small amount of cream in the palm of your hand and distribute it to the skin with circular movements and sweeping. Follow the instructions on the package to find out how long you need to rub. Apply the cream on one side of the body at a time, so do not forget the sections.

• If you are using a spray product, follow the directions on how far to keep the beak and how long you should spray all areas of the skin. If you spray too long or at a close distance, you may get an uneven tan.
• If you need to apply the tanner on your back, ask a friend for help.
• If you do not wear gloves, install a timer and wash your hands every 5 minutes. Rub well even under and around the nails.
• Although most people do not tan under the armpits, this is a hard area to avoid, so it is best to spread a thin layer of the product and 5 minutes after wipe with a damp cloth.

Step 5: Wash your hands

Hands are often more dry and callous than other parts of the body because of their daily use. In addition, when you apply a self-tanner, you come into particularly intense contact with the coloring lotion. After using the self-tanner, hands should be thoroughly washed to prevent stains and marks

Step 6: Let the tanner act

Like any other cream, the self-tanning lotion needs some time to be completely absorbed by the skin. Especially with self-tanners must be strictly adhered to this period. Therefore, do not wear clothes for 10 to 20 minutes after self-tanning. After all, an excess tanning lotion can stick to the laundry and discolor it.

Conclusion

When choosing your self-tanner, you will need to ask the right questions. Do you have clear or matte skin? Dry, mixed or oily? Do you prefer a different product for the face, legs, and body? Do you want an immediate or progressive result? Do you feel more comfortable with an application in spray, cream or shower? It is recalled, for light and / or dry skin, it will be necessary to have a progressive self-tanner spray or cream with a DHA of 1 to 3%. Women with matte skin will have more choice but must make sure to choose a DHA of 5%, otherwise, the tan will be much lighter than desired (if less than 5) or too pronounced – even orange -, especially in winter (higher at 5).