Self tanner is a great way to achieve a natural, healthy glow without exposing yourself to harmful UV rays and taking the risks of skin cancer. Among sunless tanning drops, creams, mists and others, tanning lotion is favored for good reasons: Some tanning lotions are infused with nutritious ingredients to nourish the skin, some are easy to apply for an even result, some are buildable so you can control the level of tan. Tanning lotion does a great job of delivering and maintaining a lovely glow, and is ideal for daily use. You can even replace your body lotion with tanning lotion to get a healthy glow while leaving the skin hydrated.
To save your time, I’ve rounded up the 10 popular tanning lotions on the market. Read on to find the best tanning lotion for you.
View MoreNO.1
Vita Liberata is committed to producing self-tanning products with organic extracts to provide skin with a natural glow. If you are after a gradual tanning lotion, then look no further, this Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion is our best pick. It is free of fragrance, so even people with sensitive skin can use it with confidence. This lotion is infused with hydrating shea butter, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera to moisturize, plump and soothe the skin. It applies like a dream, leaving you a natural, healthy glow. You can use it as a daily body lotion to keep your skin hydrated while building a bronzed tan.
NO.2
Tan-Luxe has produced a wide range of cruelty-free tanning products to deliver a natural, customizable glow with zero transfer onto sheets or clothes. The Gradual Illuminating Tan Lotion melts into the skin within seconds, leaving you a buildable, streak-free tan. Infused with raspberry seed oil, vitamin E, aloe vera, and caffeine, this lotion helps firm and deeply moisturize the skin while delivering a radiant glow. The best part is that you can achieve a sun-kissed glow within 1 hour. The lightweight formula is easy to apply for an even result, ideal for beginners. To achieve an even, radiant glow, it is recommended to use a tanning mitt to apply it.
NO.3
This is another wonderful lotion from VITA LIBERATA. Designed for all skin types, the Ten Minute Tan for Face & Body delivers a golden, radiant finish while hydrating the skin as well. Infused with aloe vera, glycerin and glycerin, this lotion soothes the skin, stimulating a healthy skin barrier to shield the skin from harmful UV rays. It features peptide complex to lessen fine lines and promote collagen production. Using a tanning mitt can help you apply it more evenly. It doesn’t have the unpleasant odor thanks to the innovative Odor Remove™ technology. Note the color might not be dark enough if you have olive skin already.
NO.4
Founded in 1954, Clarins has two principles: listening to women’s needs and a love of nature. Clarins is dedicated to making life more beautiful, leaving behind a more beautiful planet. This Self Tanning Milky-Lotion is for face and body, delivering a flattering, natural-looking, and flawless tan. The lotion is brimming with aloe vera and organic fig extracts to hydrate and smooth the skin for up to 24 hours. Free of Parabens, it is suitable for all skin types. What impresses me most is that it dries quickly, so the color won’t transfer to clothes or stain your white sheets.
“I've been using this product for a few years. It provides just a hint of color with a single application, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I've done a second application hours later for a deeper tan on occasion. I use it with a moisturizer and have never experienced streaking or blotching,” says one of its customers.
NO.5
This is another pick from Tan-Luxe. If you are after a natural tan with a slight shimmer, this one is for you. The Butter Illuminating Tanning Butter is formulated with Cellutone Complex to help firm the skin and lessen cellulite. Infused with raspberry seed oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera, the tanning butter leaves the skin supple, soft and hydrated. It delivers a radiant finish, ideal for dull and unevenly textured skin, dry skin, skin that has lost firmness and elasticity. Note the tan might not be dark enough for people with dark skin tones.
“I've used this tanning butter twice now, and the color is lovely and natural-looking. With just two coats, the tone was beautiful and golden on my medium skin tone. My skin felt hydrated and soft, and the fragrance was delightful. There were no uneven marks or crocodile skin to be shown as the color faded,” says one of its customers.
NO.6
Founded in 1930, Neutrogena is an American brand with wide product lines, including skin care, hair care and cosmetics. As a dermatologist-recommended brand, its products have been sold in over 70 countries. This Gradual Sunless Tan Lotion dries within five minutes after application and will not leave you with a sticky feeling, great for daily use. With this buildable tan lotion, you can control your tan level by applying it repeatedly for the area that needs darker color. This tan lotion delivers a natural, healthy glow with a nice smell. The only drawback is that the color doesn’t last long, and it disappears after a shower.
“I like how I can customize the color of my tan. It dries quickly and smells wonderful. It's not difficult to use, and keeps my legs hydrated. It is literally suitable for all skin tones! I absolutely love the scent,” says one of its customers.
NO.7
Beauty by Earth promises not to use harmful chemicals and never test on animals. The mission of Beauty by Earth is to create the most effective products with the cleanest ingredients that can be found on earth. Free of dyes, fragrance and synthetic chemicals, this lotion is made with organic oils and butter, which means it doesn’t give off a pungent scent and doesn’t cause irritation. Formulated with aloe vera and argan oil, the self tanner deeply hydrates the skin and delivers a healthy glow. The lotion is available in two options: fair to medium for pale skin, medium to dark for olive skin.
“I like how it applies like a body lotion, allowing you to see exactly where it needs to be rubbed in. I like how it has a pleasant smell and does not stain my clothes or sheets. I apply it at night before bed and then shower and exfoliate. I haven't seen any streaking at all,” says one of its customers.
NO.8
COOLA is committed to offering beautiful product experiences that embody a happy, healthy lifestyle. COOLA set up a strict formula standard, and every formula contains more than 70% certified organic ingredients. COOLA strives to use responsibly sourced ingredients, and use low-impact extraction method. To protect the planet, all of its tubes are made with sustainably sourced sugar-cane resin.
The streak-free tan helps build a natural-looking tan that lasts up to 3 days. It doesn’t stain your clothes thanks to the transfer-resistant formula. Featuring green caffeine, alaria esculenta seaweed, and pea extract, this lotion gives a golden glow while tightening and firming the skin. Note for some people it is hard to apply it evenly and turns out a little blotchy.
NO.9
The mission of Mario Badescu is to brighten up the world with their skin care products, and deliver the healthy and beautiful skin to customers. This Oil Free Self Tanning Lotion is perfect for fair skin to achieve a natural, subtle glow. The buildable lotion is easy to apply, and it won’t turn your skin orange. It is recommended to apply it on clean, dry, well-exfoliated skin for an even result. It can be used on both face and body to build a lovely glow.
NO.10
This certified-organic, non-toxic lotion is a great choice for those with sensitive skin. Infused with noni extract, rosehip and Sea Buckthorn Oils, this nourishing lotion helps hydrate, refresh, soothe the skin. Thanks to its lightweight formula, the lotion is easy to apply and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. Formulated with lavender essential oils, it comes with a pleasant scent. It can be used as a daily lotion to maintain a natural, healthy glow.