28 Self-Tanning Products That People Actually Swear By

Look sun-kissed without the sun damage.

Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.

1. St. Tropez mousse to get an, "I just got back from summering in the South of France" glow.

amazon.com, amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "I love this stuff! I've never had a self-tanner that gives a reddish/natural tan the way this does. The smell is good at first, but after a few hours you can start to smell the DHA. I put it on, slept, and took a shower the next morning so the smell isn't a huge deal for me. It lasts for about four to five days I guess, depending on how often you shower (daily for me). Another bonus is that this product doesn't come off/fade away streaky at all! I definitely recommend this product. The price is pretty awesome, as well!" —Mallory

Get just the self-tanner for $42, glove for $6 or set for $48 from Amazon. (Cruelty-free.)

2. Tarte Brazilliance for a natural-looking tan that doesn't require you to exfoliate beforehand.

pntrs.com

Promising Review: "I have really pale skin with freckles, and this is the most natural-looking tan I've ever had! And the smell is AMAZING. I have white sheets and it doesn't stain them at all!!" —Elyse

Get it from Tarte for $39. (Cruelty-free, vegan, and Peta certified but owned by Kose.)

3. Tan Towel, easy-to-use towelettes that'll give a perfect, subtle tan.

amazon.com

Promising Review: "These work. I am very pale and use two towels to get the look I want. Not a dark tan by any means, but enough to take the blinding whiteness away!!" —klopez

Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $29. (Cruelty-free.)

4. Sun Lab creates a tan everyone will think you got while laying out at the beach.

amazon.com

Promising Review: "I know everyone says 'I've tried so many products but this one is the best' — but truly this one is the BEST!!!! It has an almond scent when applying, and I don't have a problem with streaking. I usually put it on at night after exfoliating and shaving, and leave it on until the morning. Some of the color does come off. I try to put it on when I know I am having a day off from the gym so that I give it 24 hours before I sweat. I also use a moisturizing lotion that has a tan builder just to keep it lasting, which is usually about three to five days. My new go-to." —Klarissa C

Get it from Amazon for $15. Also available in a medium shade. (Cruelty-free.)

5. Alba Sunless Tanner to get a golden glow using all-natural ingredients.

amazon.com

Promising Review: "We live in the mountains and I hate being pale! This sunless tanner has a pretty mild scent and does a good job adding subtle color. I really like that it is free of most of the gross harmful by-products most self-tanners have." —Sarah Yeager

Get it from Amazon for $6. (Cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny- and Peta-certified.)

6. Tan Physics, a self-tanner that also has anti-aging moisturizers.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "Super easy to use and finally, a self-tanner that doesn't smell bad! You don't have to wear gloves to apply it because it just doesn't tan you that much. It will stain your sheets at night, be warned. This is good if you apply daily as maintenance." —sandra miller

Get it from Amazon for $30. (Cruelty-free.)

7. LORAC TANtalizer, an instant tan that washes away in the shower.

amazon.com

Promising Review: "I have fair skin and do not tan very well. I've tried many products and this is my personal favorite. It gives a bronze color with a hint of shimmer. Looks very natural! Even my daughter said, 'Wow mum, you're tan!' She thought I sat out in the sun for a few days. A little goes a long way with this product. Won't run if it gets wet and comes off easily with soap and water. I'm definitely going to buy more!" —JW

Get it from Amazon for $33. Available in two shades. (Cruelty-free.)

8. Beauty by Earth gives you a perfect tan without the use of dyes or chemicals.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "I have tried a number of different self-tanners (lotions, sprays, and foams) and this is my new favorite! I love that it is organic and natural. I feel so much better knowing I am not rubbing nasty chemicals into my skin. I also love that it does not contain a bronzer in it. I have another foaming lotion I use that has a bronzer and it gets on everything. Especially in the summer when you are hot and sweating...not a good look. The lotion itself does not have a scent to it, which I really like." —KO

Get it from Amazon for $24. (Cruelty-free.)

9. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads, an exfoliating self-tanner with anti-aging properties and vitamin D.

sephora.com

Promising Review: "I tried it yesterday after showering, cleansing my face, and putting on moisturizer. I woke up today and immediately noticed the results. I don't look like a went tanning but I definitely have a glow and color to my face. It is a great product to use during winter. I also don't even want to put foundation on because the glow in my face is enough." —amadariaga

Get a pack of 20 wipes from Sephora for $35. (Cruelty-free and Peta certified.)

10. Banana Boat Self-Tanning Lotion for a fresh off the boat, the banana boat, glow.

amazon.com

Promising Review: "I like that it gradually adds a tan. I've tried others that made my skin dark right away, leaving streaks and spots. But this doesn't leave streaks and looks natural. The smell is nice, too and isn't overpowering. I usually wait an hour between coats." —melissa

Get it from Amazon for $6.

11. Fake Bake Flawless, an easy to apply self-tanner that'll leave you with a sun-kissed glow.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "Best fake tanner ever! Been using it for about six years now. The ONLY tanner that doesn't make you orange, nor does it streak if you put it on as directed. Love love love. I know people have different skin types. I am on the more dry skin side so be sure to lotion religiously for BEST results." —Brittany Sortillon

Get it from Amazon for $14. (Cruelty-free.)

12. Clinique Self Sun Body Lotion for a dermatologist-approved tan.

shop.nordstrom.com

Promising Review: "I love this stuff! It is the closest product I have found that looks like a real tan. No orange tint. I have people comment on my 'tan' all the time...they have no idea it's from a tube. This is my third year buying it. Even my dermatologist thought I had been in the sun and was scolding me until I told her it was fake. She wanted to know what it was so she could tell her other patients who want a good fake tan product. I mix it with regular body lotion so it goes further." —Beaches109

Get it from Nordstrom for $25. Available in two shades.

13. Skinerals Organic Self Tanner to get consistent color year-round.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "I am someone who makes sure my tan is consistent every day and have tried product after product. This brand is not only organic, which is what caught my eye, but the color itself and how it applies is more than I could have asked for! Love, love, love it and will stick to this from here on out!" —andrea barnes

Get it from Amazon for $23. Available in two shades. (Cruelty-free and vegan.)

14. Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel will help you trick people into thinking you just got back from vacation.

shop.nordstrom.com

Promising Review: "It goes on smooth, not sticky, and is practically odor-free. Leaves a nice, even glow to your skin. For someone that works all day and runs around with three kids, it's nice to have a little pick-me-up! So many people are asking me, 'did you just get back from vacation?'" —julsgrenz

Get it from Nordstrom for $38.

15. Famous Dave's for a tan that'll cover up winter's pastiness.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "This is an excellent tanning lotion. I have absolutely no streaks or anything! The color looks natural and even. It is not odor-free but it doesn't stink. In exchange for the tan it gives, I can deal with it. Plus you only need to use it once every four to five days. The photo I took is after one application, after about 24 hours. My legs were pasty white before. I would highly recommend this stuff!" —Michelle H

Get it from Amazon for $27. (Cruelty-free.)

16. Jergens Natural Glow, for a build-able tan while you moisturize.

amazon.com

Promising Review: "I use this lotion almost every day after I shower. People think I spend hours and hours in a tanning bed or out in the sun but in reality I just use this! It's my favorite. I've used it since high school and I always have a nice sun-kissed glow when I go out. The pump that was added to the bottle is so helpful. You don't have to deal with any pesky caps getting in the way or a mess of lotion everywhere." —Claudia

Get it from Amazon for $12. Available in two shades.

17. L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Towelettes for a smooth, streak-free, quick-drying tan in convenient single-use wipes.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "I like it toooo much! 😍 The color is great, natural, fast, and easy to apply. Plus, it dries quickly. I used it for only two days and I got a good tan! 😀" —Amazon Customer

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.

18. Dior Bronze provides an instant haute-couture glow that keeps developing over time.

buzzfeed.com

Promising Review: "I put this on at night and the next day I have a beautiful glow. It doesn't smudge or smear. The color looks really natural, not an orange color. I love it and will keep buying it." —Deebaby1

Get it from Macy's for $42.

19. Moist Hemp for a bronzing moisturizer to subtly help you develop a perfect tan.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "I am very fair-skinned, so it's hard for me to find anything that looks natural on my skin when it comes to lotions and spray tans. 100% recommend this product. I've only been using it for two days and there is already a difference." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $9.

20. Kiehl's Sun-Free Self-Tanner, a lightweight moisturizer with lasting color.

shop.nordstrom.com

Promising Review: "As someone who is really pale, I was apprehensive to try this. I'm not a fan of the orange color that often comes from sunless tanners, but the price was right so I decided to try it. I exfoliated before my shower and then applied post-shower. The first time I used it, I mixed two pumps of lotion and a dime-sized amount of the tanner. It was a nice even, natural color. I applied it again the next day to add more color (still mixing with lotion). It dried in about 20 minutes and I was able to wear leggings all day without it streaking. It does have the awful smell, but nothing you can do about that. It lasts about five days before needing another application." —LMCDenver

Get it from Nordstrom for $23.

21. Tanceuticals for a self-tanner that doesn't get on your sheets!!!!

amazon.com

Promising Review: "I won't use anything else. This makes my fair skin beautiful and golden. Does not rub off on clothes or sheets." —TS

Get it from Amazon for $28. (Cruelty-free and Peta certified.)

22. Bain De Soleil gives you a luxurious color in just a few hours.

amazon.com

Promising Review: "The best and I have been using since the '80s. This lotion provides sunscreen and keeps your skin soft. Plus, the smell is so nice!" —DwR

Get it from Amazon for $13.

23. Salon Bronze Airbrush Tanning System so you can get a salon-quality tan at home.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "I do not like tanning outside because I'm too impatient. I want to be tan now, like every other teenager in South Georgia. I tanned myself about nine days ago and still look like I just spent five hours in the sun! Just make sure to hold it away from you by 12 inches or so." —Jaeda!!

Get it from Amazon for $13.

24. L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Pro Perfect Airbrush to get an even tan on those hard-to-reach places.

amazon.com

Promising Review: "I've been using this brand for about six years. Even my doctors comment on my tan and think it's real. I use the spray to reach my back because I don't have help, and it works great." —Ana

Get it from Amazon for $9. Available in two shades.

25. Olay Total Effects Moisturizer Plus Touch Of Sun for a gradual glow on your face.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "At 31, I was really getting frustrated with my skin. I couldn't figure out what it needed, but I knew my wrinkles were getting deeper. The texture was gross, uneven. As you can see in my photo, all of my issues cleared up within two weeks of night and day use. My skin is firmer, the texture is smoother and much more even. My face just feels and looks good. The sunless tanner is a nice touch. It makes me glow...not orange at all, and not dark enough to make it seem unnatural." —SallyReviews

Get it from Amazon for $17.

26. Kate Somerville Somerville 360 Tanning Towelettes to get a sun-kissed glow with a simple swipe.

amazon.com

Promising Review: "I love these wipes. They are a bit expensive, but they are the only tanning product that works well on my very white skin without looking streaky or fake! Creates a nice looking, built-up tan that will vary depending on the shade of your skin. I was nervous to use on my face because my skin is VERY sensitive and prone to breakouts, but it was fine!" —MarissaS

Get the pack of eight from Amazon for $48. (Cruelty-free but owned by Unilever.)

27. NIVEA Sun-Kissed Radiance, a gradual tan that looks totally natural.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising Review: "I was afraid to wear shorts when the winter went away because I was so pasty. The price of this product compared to others and the amount given is so worth it. The smell is a tad overwhelming, but after one day I saw results. Greatest self-tanner I've ever used." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $7. Available in two shades.

28. And Sephora's Tinted Self-Tanning Mist because you want a perfect bronze look without a difficult application process.

sephora.com

Promising Review: "This was so easy to use. I blended it with my hands, and it came clean-off from my palms after. No weird areas and no orange. I'm very pale, so it's crazy for me to go straight to tan in just a few minutes." —musikjunki

Get it from Sephora for $18.

Here's to a summer free of sunburns and peeling!

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