15 Best Self Tanners for Glowing Skin — No Sun Damage Included
These self-tanner solutions start at under $10.
If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
Spring has finally sprung, and we're already dreaming of warm-weather gift ideas, like the best pickleball shoes and fun outdoor toys for kids. As our beauty editor and Florida native, I fully understand the joy of looking tan year-round — but don't feel tempted to fake bake for hours. So, the best present I can think of is gifting one of the best self-tanners for glowing skin. These self-tanners add a faux glow to the skin without risking sun damage, wasting hours roasting in the sun, or breaking your gifting budget.
The best self-tanners in the game ensure users achieve a covetable bronze glow in as little as 30 minutes. These no-fail, editor-vetted recommendations are also infused with well-researched ingredients, including vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera, to hydrate skin and prevent patchiness upon application.
Whether you're shopping for a unique gift idea for your sister who still goes to a tanning salon or a loved one who already relies on tanning lotion, this no-fail guide is handy for everyone looking to bronze on a budget. I chatted with experts about self-tanners, including how they work, how to shop, and the all-time best product recommendations so you and lucky giftees can look tan year-round with minimal effort and upkeep.
The Best Tanning Lotions
- Best Overall: L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion
- Best Budget Buy: Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer
- Best for Beginners: Bondi Sands PURE Gradual Tanning Lotion
- Best Cruelty-Free Formula: Hawaiian Tropic Self-Tanning Lotion Sunless Tan
- Best for All Skin Tones: Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam Dark
Benefits of Tanning Lotions
Great news: there are no known health risks associated with tanning lotions like there are for tanning outside or relying on tanning beds. The Skin Cancer Foundation says excessive sun exposure can increase the risk for serious health concerns like melanoma, which means baking in the sun or at the tanning salon isn’t an ideal tanning method.
Tanning lotions are also relatively cheap compared to other forms of fake baking. For example, liquid body bronzers, such as the NARS Monoi Body Glow, cost nearly $60 at Sephora, and a session at one tanning salon in New York costs $45. In comparison, my beauty editor-approved self-tanners start at just $9 on Amazon.
How Tanning Lotions Work
So, how exactly do tanning lotions work? The magic lies in an active ingredient called dihydroxyacetone — aka DHA — which, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, M.D., is “a result from glycerin that interacts with the amino acids in our dead skin cells which makes the bronze color appear.” DHA only impacts the top layer of the skin and, in simplest terms, reacts similarly to a cut apple browning when exposed to oxygen.
What to Consider
Jaliman says the best self-tanning lotions are a much safer and time-saving alternative to sunbathing outdoors or using tanning beds. We asked Jaliman and Jordan Cook, the global tanning expert at St. Moriz, about what to consider when shopping for a tanning lotion.
- Review the ingredients: It sounds like common sense, but reading the product’s label may mean avoiding an accidental allergic reaction. Once their self-tanner arrives, Jaliman recommends they do a patch test on their body to be sure they're not allergic to any ingredient in the self-tanner.
- Consider their skin tone: Many brands make self-tanners for different skin tones, ranging from fair to dark. For the most natural look, Cook advises ordering a self-tanner in the recipient's skin tone range.
- Formulation: Tanning lotions are the best formulation for all skin types, especially anyone dealing with or concerned about body acne.
How We Chose
After speaking with skincare and self-tanning experts, I asked them to spill the tea on the best self-tanners for glowing skin — and their picks are all impressive. I also researched self-tanners, analyzed their ingredients list, and carefully read up on each featured pick to ensure our selections actually live up to the hype. Some featured self-tanners are even Best Tested products we personally know and love.
I also considered price because not everyone wants to splurge on new beauty products. Don't worry: everything on this list is $50 and under, with many only costing less than $25. Plus, for an added layer of reliability, all of these self-tanners collectively earned thousands of sparkling reviews across reader-favorite retailers like Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora. Keep scrolling for our all-time best self-tanners recommendations, including budget-friend buys, face serums for a bronze glow, and fast-absorbing body lotions for a head-to-toe warmth to the skin.
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
Watch Next
Best Red Light Therapy Devices, Per Beauty Experts
9 LED Face Masks for Better Skin
7 Best High-Frequency Wands to Zap Away Acne
The Best Sunscreens for Under Makeup