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Tanning your face can be tricky to get right and there’s plenty of scope for giving away your secret
So, make sure you've exfoliated the day before and moisturised thoroughly. Pop a little Vaseline on eyebrows and around the hairline to prevent tell-tale marks. And remember to exfoliate regularly to ensure the tan fades evenly.
We tried and tested a range of tanners; starting with good-value gradual moisturisers like Simple’s Skin + Sun-kissed, building up to products that will deliver a deeper glow such as Lancome’s face gel.
Click on the gallery to see the IndyBest buys
Show all 10 1 /1010 best self tans for face 10 best self tans for face Simple Kind to Skin + Sun-Kissed Moisture Cream This inexpensive gradual self-tan moisturiser is a good one to start with if you're a novice. You can top up your tan little by little with no streaks and no orange build-up, while keeping skin nourished. It has no perfume, colour or harsh chemicals - ideal for sensitive skin.
£4.99 for 50ml, boots.com
10 best self tans for face Origins Faux Glow Radiant Self-Tanner for Face This oil-free offering from Origins is great if you're prone to breakouts and blemishes. It gives you an instant hit of radiant colour, with the final tan developing within 24 hours. Rosemary and orange peel help soothe skin, while peppermint gives it an uplifting minty scent.
£29.50 for 50ml, timetospa.co.uk
10 best self tans for face Xen-Tan Face Tanner Luxe Daily Self-Tan This is a great sunless tan for olive complexions (a skin tone that can so easily look orange with the wrong product). It gives a gentle shot of colour that can be used daily to build up into a more intense bronze. The vitamin E and shea butter combine to regenerate skin and fight ageing.
£19.99 for 80ml, xen-tan.co.uk
10 best self tans for face Soltan Beautiful Bronze Self-Tan Face Cream Easy on the purse-strings, this good value self-tan develops in two to three hours so there’s no need to leave it on overnight. We found it gives a really natural sun-kissed glow and the fresh, summery scent makes it a pleasure to use.
£4.66 for 50ml, boots.co.uk
10 best self tans for face Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser for Face This hard-working self-tan delivers a super-subtle sun-kissed glow while brightening and toning skin. And it doesn't have that biscuity fake tan smell. Instead, a blend of peach, bergamot orange oil, rose and ylang ylang, gives it a fresh fruity and floral scent.
£29.50 for 50ml, timetospa.co.uk
10 best self tans for face James Read Sleep Tan Face Mask Tanning expert James Read has seamlessly blended skincare with tanning with this leave-on mask. Pop it on overnight and tanning agents combined with soothing aloe vera and cucumber leave skin moisturised with a subtle glow. Or, if you’re after a quick boost of colour, you can leave this on for two hours and then wash it off.
£25 for 50ml, net-a-porter.com
10 best self tans for face Institut Esthederm Sun Sheen Intense Tan Self-tanning Face Cream This is one for those who want a rich, deep colour or for maintaining a holiday glow. It's long-lasting, doesn't streak and vitamin E provides extra nourishment and anti-ageing benefits. Apply up to three times a week depending on the intensity of colour you want to achieve.
£28.80 for 50ml, feelunique.com
10 best self tans for face St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion Face Non Pore Clogging St Tropez has come up trumps with this multi-tasking self-tan. It’s super-light and really easily absorbed. Apply overnight and you’ll wake up to a radiant tan. Apricot and almond oils combined with cocoa butter keep skin nourished but not greasy. If you're prone to self-tan induced blocked pores, this is the one for you.
£22 for 60ml, marksandspencer.com
10 best self tans for face Fake Bake The Face Anti-Ageing Self-Tanning Lotion This clever self-tanner contains a high-tech anti-ageing formula. It hydrates and plumps up the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and stimulates skin cells to produce collagen, all while working on a subtle golden glow. It's also paraben free and doesn't clog pores.
£22 for 60ml, marksandspencer.com
10 best self tans for face Lancome Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Face Gel The lightweight, glide-on texture of this gel makes it very easy to use. And within a few hours it develops into a natural-looking intense tan. Be warned, it dries very quickly so you need to work fast to get it blended in well, avoiding the hairline and eyebrows. Perhaps not ideal for the very fair skinned amongst us, but if a rich, deep tan is what you're after, this delivers.
£24 for 50ml, lancome.co.uk
Verdict:
If your final goal is ultra-bronze or you want to maintain your holiday colour, Xen-Tan Face Tanner Luxe gives a deep tan and is packed with skin-boosting anti-agers. For something less dramatic, James Read Sleep Tan Face Mask gives a more subtle glow that can be built up over several nights. If it’s value you’re after, Soltan’s one to put in your basket next time you’re in Boots.
Buy now
1. Simple Kind to Skin + Sun-Kissed Moisture Cream, £4.99 for 50ml
2. Origins Faux Glow Radiant Self-Tanner for Face, £18 for 50ml
3. Xen-Tan Face Tanner Luxe Daily Self-Tan, £19.99 for 80ml
4. Soltan Beautiful Bronze Self-Tan Face Cream, £4.66 for 50ml
5. Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser for Face, £29.50 for 50ml
6. James Read Sleep Tan Face Mask, £25 for 50ml
7. Institut Esthederm Sun Sheen Intense Tan Self-tanning Face Cream, £28.80 for 50ml
8. St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion Face Non Pore Clogging, £22 for 50ml
9. Fake Bake The Face Anti-Ageing Self-Tanning Lotion, £22 for 60ml
10. Lancome Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Face Gel, £24 for 50ml
