In the 1920s, Coco Chanel got a sun tan while traveling on a yacht, and it immediately started a trend in the fashion industry, which is the history of modern self tanning. Self tanning is to make the skin darker and more beautiful. Special cosmetics or sunbathing keeps the skin in beautiful bronze or chocolate tone, and dark and healthy skin tone makes you look more sexy and charming. American biomedical doctor Anne Marie Helmenstine said that there are three kinds of self tanners, including products containing DHA, natural tanners with plant extracts, and tanning cosmetics. Chemical and natural tanners last for 3-5 days. Cosmetic tanners stay on the skin only for 1-3 days, yet they can be easily washed off.
We rounded up a host of brands with a cult following, like Beauty by Earth, Jergens, Austrilian Gold and so on. Each brand boasts a wide range of super-quality products, most of which are the winners of multiple beauty awards. Now, if you’re ready to get the perfect self tanner, scroll down to check the following list of brands we’ve compiled for you.
View MoreFounded in 2014, Beauty by Earth is a US-based skincare brand. Its products are natural and organic, cruelty-free, and free of harmful ingredients such as Sulfates, Parabens, and Phthalates, and have received top rating certification from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Since its establishment, Beauty by Earth has grown rapidly, expanding its business to the world, and gradually increases its product categories, and gains social recognition for its extraordinary quality. It is considered the America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies by Inc. and in 2018 received the Official Best Skincare in Texas and Indie Beauty Awards.
Beauty by Earth has launched several care products that can be used on the face, lips, body, hair, and more. Tanning products are one of Beauty by Earth's best-sellers, and also the iconic products of Beauty by Earth. Beauty by Earth has launched two tanners: Face Self Tanner and Self Tanner. The small difference between the two is that the former is mainly for facial tanning with a simpler formula, while the latter focuses on body tanning. Self Tanner is suitable for many parts of the body, so the price is higher than Face Self Tanner. Its smooth and latex-like texture smells faintly of coconut. Beauty by Earth mostly uses natural and organic formulas such as organic aloe vera leaf juice, organic shea butter, camellia oil extract, and DHA, etc. These formulas can smooth and tighten the skin while tanning it, and to a certain extent, it calms the inflammation. Gentle and non-irritating, it can be used for sensitive skin. However, before using it, you need to perform a thorough exfoliation, and then apply Self Tanner evenly on your body, and you will see that your skin will change to a natural bronze color within 6~8 hours,. Self Tanner has a large capacity, and it can be used for 2~3 months.
It is important to note that you need to reduce the amount of product on the sagging skin and wash your hands immediately after application. It is recommended to use it with Self Tanning Mitts. You can buy the product and its combination set on the official website or Amazon and other websites.
Founded in the late 20th century, JERGENS is a brand of Kao Corporation, a leading manufacturer of skincare, cosmetics, and food products. JERGENS focuses on skin cleansing and moisturizing products and is dedicated to making everyone's skin glow from the inside out with its unique formulations. JERGENS has gained widespread acclaim for its outstanding product efficacy and affordable prices.
JERGENS NATURAL GLOW is JERGENS' tanning line of mousse sprays, moisturizers, moisturizing lotions, and tanning towelettes, in a variety of forms that are highly popular with consumers. JERGENS® Natural Glow® +FIRMING Daily Moisturizer is one of the most popular products. It has been tested by dermatologists and is recommended for people with sensitive skin because of its natural, Paraben-free ingredients. It has a fresh scent and is available in 2 shades: FAIR TO MEDIUM and MEDIUM TO DEEP. Unlike ordinary tanning products, it is rich in antioxidants, Coconut Water, and collagen, elastin, which not only provides a natural tanning finish but also moisturizes and tightens the skin to a visually slimming effect, making you look more youthful.
The color does not show up immediately after using JERGENS® Natural Glow®+FIRMING Daily Moisturizer. It usually takes a few days after the initial application for the tan color to gradually appear, after which you will need to use it every other day to maintain the effect. If you stop using it, your skin will return to its color within a week or so. Although JERGENS® Natural Glow®+FIRMING Daily Moisturizer is slower to develop compared to other tanning products, it gives a natural color gradation. With excellent performance and affordable price, it's recommended to try this product if you don't have strict requirements on color development time.
Australian Gold products cover a wide range of sun protection, laundry, and skincare, which are popular for their natural ingredients and excellent quality. Among the Tanning series, BRONZING DRY OIL SPRAY INTENSIFIER and RAPID TANNING INTENSIFIER LOTION are both warmly welcomed for their good tanning performance. It has a fresh and sweet scent of coconut, orange, and vanilla, and it does not contain sunscreen ingredients. BRONZING DRY OIL SPRAY INTENSIFIER is suitable for dry skin, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing. It uses Australian tea tree oil as an antioxidant to moisturize and cleanse. It is enriched with various colorants such as Melanin, Caramel, Walnut Shell, etc., which can quickly turn your skin into a natural tan. Aloe Vera can soothe and deeply nourish your skin, and Carrot Oil can add shine to your skin, suitable for outdoor use in summer.
BRONZING DRY OIL SPRAY INTENSIFIER is easy to use, you can spray it directly onto the skin and then apply it evenly. In a lotion texture, INTENSIFIER is not very different from BRONZING DRY OIL SPRAY, but it is formulated with tea tree oil and vitamin E for a stronger antioxidant effect. However, it comes in a regular bottle and is not as convenient to use as BRONZING DRY OIL SPRAY INTENSIFIER. These two products are sold at the same price on the official website, both at $9.49 a bottle. It's quite cost-effective and you can choose according to your needs.
Bondi Sands, founded in 2012 and based in Melbourne, is a leading Australian tanning (self-tanning) brand specializing in tanning, sun protection, and skincare. Popular in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other countries, it has won the trust of many consumers, with dozens of international celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, James Charles and Tammy Hembrow as its brand ambassadors. Bondi Sands is also committed to environmental protection and charity donations to the Red Cross to develop society thanks to its related products .
Bondi Sands offers a wide range of salon-quality tanning products in a variety of types, textures, and packaging. They are suitable for both beginners and pros, so you can always pick a perfect one. With a coconut smell, Self Tanning Foam DARK is the best-seller of Bondi Sands, which is suitable for those who have darker skin tones or want to get a tan . Bondi Sands offers a wide range of salon-quality tanning products in a variety of types, textures, and packaging. Self Tanning Foam DARK is a lightweight foam that is easy to apply and will easily turn your skin into a natural tan. Self Tanning Foam DARK is also specially formulated with coconut and aloe vera to moisturize and give your tan skin a hydrated glow after application. Depending on the needs, it is also used in a slightly different way than the regular application. If you want to make the tanning effect last longer, it is recommended to wash the foam off with warm water after 6 hours, and if you want a darker tan, you need to layer the product again half an hour after the initial application.
Self Tanning Foam DARK can show tanning effect within 6 hours, but if you want it to work fast, we recommend Aero Self Tanning Foam ONE HOUR EXPRESS, which was awarded "BEST OF BEAUTY" by Allure in 2020. It can quickly change the skin tone within an hour, showing its excellent effect.
Bondi Sands tanning products have been awarded by Allure, Beauty Heaven, and other fashion media, so you can use them with confidence for their high quality.
GOLDEN STAR BEAUTY is a well-known tanning brand in the U.S. It is often recommended by bloggers on Instagram and other social media with a good reputation. The tanning products of GOLDEN STAR BEAUTY are made from a variety of organic ingredients with excellent quality to create a perfect after-sun tan while also moisturizing the skin. It is cruelty-free and you can check the complete ingredients on the label. All of its products are made in small batches to ensure that each product has a long life span.
GOLDEN STAR BEAUTY has 5 tanning products with different textures, all in black bottles. They are divided into products for the face and body. All GOLDEN STAR BEAUTY products are made with organic ingredients and certified by USDA, suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. Self Tanner For Face is the best seller of GOLDEN STAR BEAUTY for facial tanning. In a serum texture, containing Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid, vitamin b5, macadamia seed oil, calendula extract, and other superior ingredients, it allows your skin to reveal a natural golden bronze color without turning orange. Also, the blend of many organic ingredients deeply moisturizes the skin, slows down skin aging, and improves skin tone. Surprisingly, although Self Tanner For Face has a wide range of formulas, it is easy to apply, and will not clog pores and cause acne. Self Tanner For Face can be used by both men and women. Just apply the product evenly on cleansed face or neck, and reapply the next day if you want a more visible bronze effect. It is important to note that you should not wear makeup before or after using this product. You can check the e-book on the official website for detailed instructions on how to use it.
For body tanning, GOLDEN STAR BEAUTY also offers GOLDEN STAR BEAUTY, Self Tanner Lotion and Tan Extender Lotion. You can choose flexibly according to their staying power and your own skin tone.
ED HARDY is a U.S. brand specializing in the production of tanning products that are sold in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, and many other countries or regions. ED HARDY's product packaging, showing its bold attitude, which is easy for people to recognize, and the pattern on the packaging is inspired by the world-famous tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy's artwork, loved by many trendy young people.
With a wide range of products, ED HARDY is suitable for the beginners and pros and they can always find the right one. ED HARDY has five product lines, including Exclusive Collection, Premier Collection, Tanovations Line, Privileged Collection, and Advanced Search.
Exclusive Collection comes in a big wine bottle and colorful patterns printed on the packaging. Containing Quad-Tyrosine, it can accelerate the production of melanin with vivid hues, and the protective agent can also make the effect of tanning more durable, to a certain extent to prevent tattoo fading. Among them, COCONUT KISSES with coconut milk flavor sells well. It contains Melactiva, Nouritan, Body Fit, and many other ingredients that can turn your skin into a natural tan. It also contains coconut oil, coconut milk, and cocoa butter to provide anti-aging and strongly moisturizing benefits.
The Premier Collection is made with advanced antioxidants and softeners, which are of high quality and positioned at the middle and high end of the consumer spectrum; Advanced Matrixyl Synthe 6 is contained in Tanovations Line, which focuses on anti-aging and can reduce the appearance of fine lines. The rest of ED HARDY's products also have good performance, and you can also check the website for more information.
You can use the Fitzpatrick skin type chart on the website to know your skin type better so that you can choose the most suitable products.
Founded in 1907, L'Oréal Paris is one of the most popular and long-established cosmetic brands in the L'Oréal Group. Personal are products of this brand have the highest sales volume in Europe. It mainly offers products of hair dye and hair care, cosmetics, and skincare at cost-effective prices. That's why it is popular all over the world.
L'Oreal Paris has launched 14 Self Tanner products, available in mousse, lotion, gel, and other textures, most of which are packaged in gold and brown. They vary widely with different effects, and many of them are selling very well. Tinted Self Tanning Golden Mousse is popular among women for its portability and excellent tanning effect. Containing DHA, linolenic acid, sodium thioglycolate, and vitamin E, it smoothes fine lines and leaves your skin looking with a natural bronze glow. It comes in a spray bottle as a liquid that transforms into a mousse texture by squeezing the pump head. Tinted Self Tanning Golden Mousse is easy to apply and create a tan layer out quickly, so before applying it to the clean and smooth skin, you need to shake well. It's worth mentioning that it develops the color at a slower rate, taking 4 to 8 hours to fully reveal the after-sun effect. This product isn't available anymore on the official website, but you can purchase it on amazon.
The bestseller Hydrating Self-Tanning Milk Medium has been recommended by famous websites such as allure. In a lotion texture, it's suitable for people with neutral (MEDIUM) skin tone. Many ingredients contained allows you to get natural tan skin at home, avoiding the damage caused by UV rays to the skin. Containing vitamin E and other moisturizing ingredients, it hydrates the skin well. It gives a very natural finish and you can apply it as many times as you want to get a tan look, making it suitable even for beginners. For the best tanning results, it is recommended to use it 3 times a week and it needs to be applied well on the knees, elbows, and ankles to avoid lines and caking.
L'Oreal Paris has a wide range of tanning products with excellent performance and similar price points, so you can choose different forms of products according to your usage habits.
St. Tropez, established in 1996, is an American tanning brand affiliated with PZ Cussons, a British company focusing on healthcare and consumer products, which is endorsed by Ashley Graham, a well-known model. St. Tropez has launched a wide range of cosmetic, tanning, and skin-repairing products, and its research and development team continues to introduce new products of outstanding quality that have won the hearts of the public.
As a professional tanning brand, St. Tropez has a wide range of product lines, including St. Tropez Tan, Self Tan Purity, Self Tan Classic, Self Tan Dark, etc., which come in bottles, cans, and tubes. Many products are best-selling. Endorsed by Ashley Graham, Tan x Ashley Graham Limited Edition Ultimate Glow Kit is quite popular among the public. Adding safe ingredients like high-quality rosehip oil and vitamin E as antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, it smells good and gives a natural glow while moisturizing your skin. The caramel-colored mousse dries quickly. After washing and exfoliating the skin apply it evenly on all areas of the body, and you will notice the color of the skin gradually darkening in one hour, and it will completely change to tan in about 4~8 hours. It is easy to handle and friendly for beginners. It has a large volume, 200ml/bottle, and is priced at $55 on the official website, making it cost-effective and worth a try.
If you want a long-lasting tan, we recommend Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse, one of St. Tropez's most iconic products. It has a foamy texture and feels great to use. Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse is available in 50ml, 120ml, 240ml, and 400ml sizes to satisfy your needs.
Founded in the mid to late 20th century, Fake Bake is one of the first companies to introduce tanning products and plays a leading role in the tanning industry. It advocates the tanning of the skin while protecting the health of the skin, so it has strict control over the ingredients. Its products have been widely used in homes, salons, and international magazine shoots, and are widely recognized for their excellent quality. Many international celebrities such as Ruby Rose, Amy Schumer, Jordin Sparks, and Miranda Lambert recommended Fake Bake products and used them on various major occasions.
Fake Bake focuses on tanning products, which are available in mousse, lotion, and other textures, mostly in the form of spray bottles. Flawless Self-Tan Liquid was voted "Best Artificial Tan" and once recommended by Glamour Magazine. It has sold over 1 million bottles worldwide. It is priced at $28 for 170ml/bottle and comes with a pair of special gloves. Considering its price, it's very cost-effective and worth recommending. Containing DHA, DMI, and Erythrulose, it gives a natural tan effect within 6~8 hours, and your skin will be glowing naturally under the sun. With a coconut scent, it's easy to apply and dries quickly, so you don't have to worry about it rubbing off on your clothes or other places. When it comes to application, you need to bring your gloves or use the professional gloves included in the kit. Apply an appropriate amount of the product evenly to all parts of your body and rinse off with warm water when the tanning effect is fully visible. It is recommended to use it once a week to maintain a healthy skin condition for a long time.
Products of Fake Bake can be purchased on the official website, Amazon or Ulta, and other shopping sites.
Founded in 1983 by Gisela Hunter, Sun Laboratories is the first American company specializing in the production and distribution of tanning products, and has grown into a family-owned company at present. Its products are recommended by many experienced tanners. Sun Laboratories has its own laboratory in California and manufacturing facilities in many countries around the world to ensure fast delivery and satisfactory service.
Sun Laboratories provides tanning products and product kits with great popularity. Influenced by the COVID-19, Sun Laboratories has also launched a hand sanitizer to protect public health. Tanning products of Sun Laboratories are mainly available in the form of solution and lotion to create three different skin tone effects: Medium, Dark, and Very Dark. You can choose the right one according to your usage habits and the skin tone you want.
SUNLESS TANNING LOTION ULTRA DARK has been praised by many users for its excellent performance and recommended by celebrities and professional doctors many times. Formulated with DHA, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, vitamin C, and aloe vera extract, free of parabens, SUNLESS TANNING LOTION ULTRA DARK gives you a natural healthy dark finish without sun exposure. It is non-clumping and easy to apply with a soft touch. You can apply it to all parts of your face or body. To maintain the best results of tanning, it's recommended to apply it one to three times a week. You also need to exfoliate regularly and use it in combination with Tan Moisturizer Maintainer for better results.