The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

11 best fake tans for a golden glow all year round

Whether you’re new to faux glow or a seasoned self tanner, look to these lotions, mists and creams to know

Lauren Cunningham
Tuesday 09 January 2024 09:24 GMT
<p>After using self tanners for over 10 years now, it’s safe to say our tester is an expert  </p>

After using self tanners for over 10 years now, it’s safe to say our tester is an expert

Our Top Picks

The sun is finally starting to shine and the warmer weather is on its way after what feels like months of frost, rain and grey skies. As we start to lose the layers and let our skin see the sun again, sunscreen, SPF moisturisers and garden furniture are all being added to our baskets. But there’s one more product particularly in demand around this time of year, and many mark it as a must-have...

Enter fake tan. Heralded as a safer way to look sun-kissed, self tan can be trusted to give you a post-holiday gleam without worrying about UV rays. A golden glow in a bottle, some people also claim it makes them feel more confident and reduces the want to wear make-up. But getting it to look good isn’t always so easy.

We sat down with tanning expert Emily Rose Lansley – who has worked with Gal Gadot and Megan Fox, to name but a few – to find out what it takes to create a fabulous fake tan at home. “Prepping is the most important step before applying any tan,” she shared. “If shaving or waxing, make sure you do so 24 hours before your tanning treatment to avoid the ‘dark pore’ look and exfoliate top to toe.”

She adds that “on the day of tanning, leave your skin clean of deodorant and perfumes, and always make sure you apply moisturiser to your hands, feet, knees, and elbows. If you’re a first-time tanner, start with the lower part of your body and work your way up and get a friend to help with your back!”

When it comes to picking your tan, it’s all about skin tones, Emily shares. “If you have pink/red undertones, choose more of a green-based tan, as this counteracts the redness and leaves you with a golden glow. Those with darker or olive skin tones should avoid any orange tans and go for more of a violet-based tan to cancel out yellow undertones.” And the best way to apply is always with a mitt – she also advises blending the hands, knees, ankles and elbows with a kabuki brush.

How we tested

Our tester certainly qualifies as a self tan expert, having used fake tan for over ten years. Trying a huge range of options from almost every brand you can think of the below list as their tried and reviewed favourite finds.

Slathering on every lotion, mousse or tanning water as per each product’s instructions (and following Emily’s tips) over the course of eight weeks, ease of application, scent and final look were all key considerations when deciding which were the best. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed with any of these options.

We assessed the scent, ease of application and the finished result

The best fake tans for 2024 are:

  • Best fake tan overall – St. Moriz Luxe hydra-glow clear tanning mousse: £18.99, Boots.com
  • Best instant fake tan – Sienna X express tinted mousse: £22.99, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best fake tan mousse – Coco & Eve Bali bronzing foam: £26, Lookfantastic.com
  • Best fake tan for sensitive skin – Lucy Bee naturally glowing self-tan mousse: £22.50, Amazon.co.uk

St. Moriz Luxe hydra-glow clear tanning mousse

best fake tan
  • Best: Fake tan overall
  • Type: Mousse
  • Size: 200ml
  • Key ingredients: Rose water, goji berry extract and glycerin
  • Shades available : Fast, medium, dark
  • Shade tested : Medium

Selecting just one tan to be the best buy was incredibly tough as the options are so varied, but this St Moriz find seemed to take the good bits from each style. Clear in colour, it won’t leave you looking tangoed immediately after application, doesn’t stain bed sheets and leaves no sticky, greasy feeling, just a natural-looking golden glow.

Being a mousse, it’s incredibly easy to apply with a mitt – just be sure to cover every area thoroughly – and it instantly absorbs as it’s so lightweight. Rose water, goji berry extract and glycerin give it skin-boosting properties which hydrate, nourish and reduce redness. And the sweet scent is far from your typical fake tan too. What more could we ask for?

Use discount code “SAVE10” to save 10 per cent on the best fake tans and orders over £50 at Boots

  1. £18 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

Sienna X express tinted mousse

best fake tan self tanner
  • Best: Instant fake tan
  • Type: Mousse
  • Size: 200ml
  • Key ingredients : Aloe vera, vitamin E and caramel
  • Shades available: One
  • Shade tested : N/A

For those after a quick fix, this Sienna X express tan is sure to do the trick. Giving you colour in as little as an hour, it’s an easy win when you want a golden glow in rapid time. Although the shade is subtle, it will do away with any Edward Cullen-like gleam, and the longer you leave it, the darker it will develop.

Being a mousse, it’s best applied with a mitt and dries almost instantly, so you don’t have to waste time waiting around. The best part is probably the ingredient list, as it’s packed with a cocktail of skin-loving ingredients. Aloe vera and vitamin E hydrate, pomegranate smooths, blackcurrant revives and babassu strengthens, while caramel moisturises and adds to the colour.

  1. £22 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
Back to top

Tan-Luxe the gradual illuminating tanning lotion

best fake tan self tanner
  • Best: Gradual fake tan
  • Type: Gradual lotion
  • Size: 250ml
  • Key ingredients : Raspberry seed oil, vitamin E, aloe vera
  • Shades available: One
  • Shade tested: N/A

As the name suggests, tan luxe products look very luxurious and feel just the same. Sitting in between an oil and a lotion, the lightweight liquid can be applied just like a moisturiser – bare hands are fine, just make sure to wash them well afterwards – while it softly builds a slight colour. Raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera are all included to deeply hydrate the skin, so there’s no need to moisturise alongside, and a caffeine-rich cellutone complex is said to make the skin appear firmer too.

While we didn’t notice too much skin firming, we did love how hydrated our skin felt after using this cream, and it absorbs in just a matter of minutes, meaning you can use it morning or night. The brand claims that the colour will start to develop in just one hour, making it a great option for beginners. Regular self-tanners may find it a bit too subtle, although it does make for a great daily top-up of a darker self tan, stretching the colour out for longer while adding a slight shimmer.

Use the discount code “22NC” to save 22 per cent off the best fake tan at Lookfantastic

Back to top

St. Tropez gradual tan watermelon firming lotion

best fake tan self tanner
  • Best: Fake tan for dry skin
  • Type: Gradual lotion
  • Size: 200ml
  • Key ingredients : Glycerin, grape seed oil and raspberry seed oil
  • Shades available: One
  • Shade tested: N/A

For those with dry skin, a creamy lotion fake tan is sure to be your best bet, combining your daily moisturiser with a hint of faux glow. So, of course, we had to include St Tropez, one of the most famous fake tan brands around, and for good reason.

This gradual tanning lotion impressed on many fronts: its ease of application, sweet scent, shade and ingredients list. Developed to aid hydration, hyaluronic acid and glycerin give the skin a much-needed moisture boost, alongside raspberry seed oil, grape seed oil, sunflower seed oil and watermelon fruit juice. It absorbs into the skin as any moisturiser would, leaving a sweet scent and a soft, supple finish while allowing you to tailor your tan depending on how often you use it.

Use the discount code “CBAFF15” for 15 per cent off the best fake tans and all orders over £25 at Cult Beauty

Back to top

Bondi Sands pure bronze self tan foaming water

best fake tan self tanner
  • Best: Fake tan for dark skin tones
  • Type: Tanning water
  • Size: 200ml
  • Key ingredients : Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E
  • Shades available : Light/ medium, dark, ultra dark
  • Shade tested : Ultra dark

It’s a common misconception that fake tan isn’t for those with darker skin tones, but that’s definitely not true. With a shade spectrum spanning light to ultra-dark, Bondi Sands has something to suit everyone, giving any skin tone a sunkissed glow.

Sitting in-between a mousse and a water, this foaming tanning water is incredibly lightweight yet truly packs a punch when it comes to colour, delivering an instant shade that develops over six to eight hours. You’ll want to use a mitt so as to not stain your hands, and black bed linen will be your best friend as it definitely does transfer. But proceed with caution, and you’re sure to be golden (literally).

Hyaluronic acid and glycerin hydrate, while vitamins C and E help support the skin from external damage and UV rays. So, if you’re searching for a deep faux glow, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this one. Just be sure not to shake the bottle as that’s what helps it foam up – please learn from our past mistakes.

Back to top

Watermans browned off

best fake tan self tanner
  • Best: Fake tan for lighter skin tones
  • Type: Mousse
  • Size: 200ml
  • Key ingredients : Glycerin, caramel, aloe vera leaf powder
  • Shades available : Light to medium or medium to dark
  • Shade tested : Light to medium

Watermans is another smaller, UK-based brand that makes a fabulous fake tan. Available in two shades, light to medium and medium to dark, there’s something to suit a wide range of skin tones, but we’re dubbing it as a go-to for those with lighter skin tones. Working more with layering rather than time scale, this tan gets darker the more you put it on. So one quick swipe is perfect for those on the fairer side. Glycerin, caramel and aloe vera leaf powder make it more moisturising, while the lightweight mousse is incredibly easy to apply. Our tester also fell in love with the scent and the fact it dries almost instantly with a bronzed base colour.

  1. £14 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
Back to top

Coco & Eve Bali bronzing foam

best fake tan self tanner
  • Best: Fake tan mousse
  • Type: Mousse
  • Size: 200ml
  • Key ingredients : Glycerin, banana fruit extract and papaya fruit extract
  • Shades available : Medium, dark, ultra dark
  • Shade tested : Dark

We’ve already sung the praises of this self tan before, and we’re going to do it again now. In a typical foaming mousse, it’s easy to apply with a mitt and gives an instant guide colour so you know exactly which areas you’ve already bronzed, handy. It has a green undertone that’s visible on some skin types – you may want to do a patch test before leaving the house like the Hulk – which, as Emily explains, helps to neutralise red and pink undertones for a more even golden glow. Worry not though, as this washes off, leaving only a sunkissed shade underneath. Glycerin, banana fruit extract and papaya fruit extract all feature in the formula, making it moisturising for the skin as well as giving it a fruity, tropical scent our tester just loved.

Back to top

Skinny Tan self tanning whip

best fake tan self tanner
  • Best: Smelling fake tan
  • Type: Mousse
  • Size: 150ml
  • Key ingredients : Hylaronic acid, vitamin E and chia seed oil
  • Shades available : Medium or dark
  • Shade tested : Medium

If you could combine whipped cream and fake tan, this would be the result. Light and fluffy in texture with a super sweet smell, Skinny Tan’s self-tanning whip is incredibly moreish. It’s asy to apply and so long as you have a mitt, it melts into the skin for an instant golden glow that dries within seconds.

Ingredients-wise, it’s also impressive with hydrating hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and chia seed oil alongside blueberry and kale leaf extract helping to boost collagen and create a healthier skin barrier. The guide colour helps with even application and washes off for a more subtle golden glow within around eight hours, making it another great option for beginners, scent aside.

  1. £21 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

Dove dermaspa summer revived shimmer

best fake tan self tanner
  • Best: Fake tan for beginners
  • Type: Gradual lotion
  • Size: 200ml
  • Key ingredients : Glycerin, dimethicone and caramel
  • Shades available : Fair to medium or medium to dark
  • Shade tested : Medium to dark

For anyone new to tanning, a gradual lotion is sure to be your best bet. More like a moisturiser with a soft sunkissed shade, the Dove summer revived is incredibly easy to apply, doesn’t stain bed sheets and definitely won’t leave you with any sudden shocks of orange. So long as you apply it to every area of the body – with your hands is fine, just be sure to wash them afterwards – and no patches are left, you won’t see any streaks or over-tanned patches.

Glycerin, dimethicone and caramel all help to create a deeply hydrating formula, leading to softer, suppler skin as well as sunkissed in shade, which our tester truly loved. As the shade is incredibly subtle, our tester dubs this as best for beginners, as those well-versed in tanning may find it a touch too gentle, but the shimmer particles are a nice touch.

  1. £8 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

Isle of Paradise self tanning oil mist

best fake tan self tanner
  • Best: Fake tan for experienced tanners
  • Type: Tanning water
  • Size: 200ml
  • Key ingredients : Hylaronic acid, squalene and a seven oil blend
  • Shades available : Light, medium or dark
  • Shade tested : Dark

Any big Barbie fans may already know Isle of Paradise was the tan used in the upcoming film, giving it a very big celeb seal of approval. And, after trying it, it’s easy to see why. Opting for the oil mist hybrid over the typical water version, we found it more hydrating and longer lasting in shade. Available in three colours which all correspond to the undertones, as Emily explained, this violet option cancels out any yellow undertones, and green and peach are also available.

A quick shake activates the tan, dispersing the skin-loving oils – coconut, chia, sage, argan, sunflower, avocado and grapefruit, the list goes on – for a cocktail of body-boosting ingredients alongside a beautifully bronzed glow. As there is no guide colour and it absorbs almost instantly without the creaminess of a mousse, getting an even application does take some skill, so we’re dubbing this as a go-to for well-versed fake tan fanatics.

Back to top

Lucy Bee naturally glowing self-tan mousse

best fake tan self tanner
  • Best: Fake tan for sensitive skin
  • Type: Mousse
  • Size: 200ml
  • Key ingredients : Coconut water, citric acid, lemon peel oil
  • Shades available: One
  • Shade tested : N/a

Unlike most of the famous fake tan brands on this list, you’ve probably not heard of Lucy Bee. The brand was built to produce beauty products free from palm oil that are fully vegan and made in the UK. Taking this ethos into tan, the brand has created a sweet scented mousse that’s suitable for sensitive skin. Coconut water, citric acid and lemon peel oil give it skin-boosting properties, while the deep-toned formula gives skin an instant colour.

Being dark in colour, it’s incredibly easy to see what sections you’ve applied it to, meaning there’s little risk of streaks too, and a mitt will be the best method of application. Two hours will give the lightest lick of bronze, while eight hours will give you a real sunkissed shade, and it lasted on our tester for between five to six days without topping up. We loved the scent, look and feel of this option, as well as the fact it encouraged us to shop small.

  1. £22 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
Back to top

Fake tan FAQS

What is the easiest fake tan to apply?

When it comes to tanning, gel-based formulas are the easiest to apply. They aren’t as streaky as a liquid but look more natural than a mousse, so are a great starting point for beginners. With that said, lotions and mousses are still easy to apply as long as you exfoliate beforehand and use a tanning mitt.

What to look for in a self-tanner

When choosing a tan, look for a non-biscuity scent, minimal transfer, hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or antioxidant oils such as rosehip oil, colour correcting actives to counteract any unwanted orange tones, fast-drying formulas and long-lasting colour pay-off.

How to remove fake tan

First up, invest in Face Halo’s exfoliator mitt (£18, Lookfantastic.com) as a must-have. We’ve tried every exfoliator brush, glove and mitt under the sun and nothing scrubs off your tan (without irritating the skin) like this does. In the shower or bath, apply an exfoliating scrub and use the mitt in circular motions to slough away dead skin cells (and patchy tan). Follow up with a moisturiser to keep skin hydrated.

How long does fake tan last?

This all depends on the formula you’re using, and how you treat your skin after tanning. To increase the longevity of your tan, be sure to moisturise daily. And before applying a fresh layer of tan, always exfoliate (see above) in order to give the formula a fresh canvas.

Mousse formulas tend to go patchy after four to five days (particularly on drier skin types) while lotions and gels tend to last longer and fade more naturally. However, there are exceptions to the rule here – read our detailed tan reviews above to find long-lasting formulas.

The verdict: Fake tan

Having tested countless fake tans, the competition was incredibly tight, but these 11 stuck out as our favourite finds. Leading the pack, the St. Moriz Luxe hydra-glow clear tanning mousse best impressed with its ease of application, natural sunkissed shade and ingredients list.

However, we’d also recommend the Dove dermaspa summer revived shimmer and St. Tropez gradual tan watermelon firming lotion for soft, buildable shades with a healthy hit of hydration. Meanwhile experienced tanners will be best served by Isle of Paradise and Bondi Sands to get a golden glow that almost instantly absorbs.

We’ve found the best face tanners for achieving an effortless summer glow all year round

Voucher Codes

TUI Discount Code
£250 off per bookings £2,500+ with this TUI discount code
ASOS Discount Code
15% off first orders over £20 using this ASOS promo code
Travelodge Discount Code
5% off all bookings with this Travelodge discount code
The Body Shop Discount Code
20% off everything with The Body Shop discount code
The Perfume Shop Discount Code
15% of all orders with The Perfume Shop birthday discount
Cult Beauty Discount Code
Up to 20% off all orders over £40 - Cult Beauty discount code

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in