18 Self-Tanners That Don't Leave My Fair Skin Orange or Streaky
I am so naturally pale that when Twilight came out, kids in my class used to ask if I sparkle in the sun (spoiler: I basically do). I love my naturally fair skin and am more than happy to leave it au naturel most of the time, but whenever I want to look like I've seen the sun, I'll reach for a self-tanner to give me a natural-looking, sunkissed glow.
Over the years, I have tried many self-tanners that don't live up to the hype. When it comes to applying self-tanner, I am absolutely abysmal at making my tan resemble anything other than Colby-Jack cheese. This is even more pronounced when a formula ends up leaning more orange than you were hoping for. After tons of test-driving, I've found some of the best self-tanners that actually work for me and don't make me look orange, streaky, patchy, or too tan.
If you have fair skin like me, you'll want to opt for a tanner with a hydrating formula, which promotes the longevity of your tan and help lessen your risk of streaks. It's also generally safer to go for a gradual or customizable formula (though a select few express options work quite well for fair skin, too). Keep reading for the best self-tanners for pale skin.
Photo:
@joannacoopsBest overall: Tan-Luxe The Water Hydrating Self-Tan Water
This nourishing tanning water encourages you to choose the formula you want based on your skin tone, not how deep you want the end result to be. Light/Medium is for people with red or pinkish undertones that burn easily, while Medium/Dark is formulated for olive or darker tones that tan easily.
Customer review: "I really enjoyed this product because it was easy to apply, and it smelled good as well. It didn't stain my hands or transfer to anything, but it gave me the desired result of getting more tan. I would recommend this."
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Body Butter
Personally, I'm a big fan of this deeply nourishing and moisturizing body butter. I have dry skin, so any rich lotion immediately makes my skin feel more quenched, and a lotion self-tanner is super easy to apply (and doesn't require a glove). This formula also has color-correcting properties to make sure your tan looks natural, not orange.
Customer review: "It's incredibly easy to use. You can't mess it up! I'm really not very skilled at self-tanning, and I've used so many products that have left me splotchy and streaky, so I was so surprised and pleased that this one looked pretty amazing after my first use. It's subtle, which I like, but it's a buildable formula. It totally evens out your skin tone."
Jergens Natural Glow In-Shower Lotion
If there's one product I love above all others, it's in-shower body lotion. It's the easiest and smartest way to apply body lotion, in my opinion. That being said, I was skeptical of a wet-skin self-tanning body lotion because, in my mind, that translated to tons of streaks. In practice, though, this lotion delivers a buildable, gradual tan that looks so natural on the skin. It has nearly 6000 five-star reviews on Amazon for a reason.
Customer review: "After using this one time, I can immediately, and I mean immediately, see the difference. I love the way I look. It's subtle after one use, but it's a world of difference to me. I am very excited to keep using this, and I love how confident it's made me feel."
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse
This bronzing water feels light and refreshing when you glide it onto the skin. After one application, it develops into a light, natural-looking tan. The formula also hydrates.
Customer review: "I have fair to light skin, and this is amazing for a natural tan. Highly recommend."
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops
Who doesn't love a multitasking product? This self-tanner imparts a natural-looking glow while also defending skin from environmental aggressors and pollutants. A blend of oils (like black currant seed oil) works with vitamin F to keep skin glowing and healthy.
Customer review: "I did not think D-Bronzi would work for me. I am the palest, pinkest person ever, and I thought this would turn me into an Oompa Loompa. Nevertheless, the instant it launched on Sephora, I ordered it anyway. This is indeed instant sunshine. Even on my porcelain skin, it imparts the most stunning, natural glow."
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Body
Self-tanning wipes can be tricky, but these are by far the best option on the market if you like the ease of a pre-soaked pad. Infused with exfoliating ingredients, it brightens skin while it delivers a streak-free, even tan.
Customer review: "Great! Easy to apply. Dries quickly. Does not look like a fake tan."
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Glow Drops
Here it is—the most customizable way to self-tan. Add anywhere from two to 12 drops in your foundation, skincare, or body lotion for an all-over glow that is as tan as you want it to be.
Customer review: "I am kind of obsessed with this stuff. I love self-tanner and have tried my fair share of them all. I mixed about three drops per lotion application. I did each leg, arm, and body part separately. Basically, how I apply lotion—just adding the drops each time. Two drops for my face and neck lotion. It left me with a beautiful, natural-looking tan."
Tanologist Express Tan Tinted Mousse
This foamy mousse has a golden guide color and sinks in quickly. Since it's an express tan, you can shower off the guide color in one to four hours, depending on how deep you want your tan to be. The result is a super-even tan with a neutral undertone.
Customer review: "Tanologist's Express Tan is extremely fast acting and long-lasting. Easy to apply, and the effects are fast. I have had nothing but positive results. No issues of it smearing, transferring onto clothing, no irritation. An amazing product with spot-on results and no orange tint."
Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Swap your usual body lotion for this tan-boosting one, and watch a subtle glow develop as you continue to use it. As your skin gets more tan, aloe vera and vitamin E also help soften and nourish, which in turn gives your tan more longevity.
Customer review: "I'm a very pale woman. I was looking for something that wouldn't turn me orange, and this stuff is perfect! This is a nice subtle glow with a light tan."
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
The secret to this formula's flawless tan is all in the base color. It's developed with a green-grey base to curb orange tones, ensuring you look naturally bronzed.
Customer review: "I bought this after doing a bit of research on self-tanners (I was pretty nervous to try self-tanning again after many failed attempts from the mid-2000s). I am fair-skinned, redheaded, freckled, and super freaked out about streaking and orange looking self-tanners. Having said all that, this one is a winner."
St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse
Many express tanning products can end up looking too harsh on extremely fair skin, but St. Tropez's formula delivers a seamless glow. If you want a subtler and natural-looking color, shower after just one hour of letting this self-tanner develop, and wait up to three hours for a deeper (but still natural-looking!) bronze.
Customer review: "This is the best self-tanner I've found. Been using this one for years. Goes on easily as a mousse texture does, dries fast, and doesn't stain clothes after you let it dry a short time, about five minutes. Leaves a nice dark brown tan."
St. Moriz Professional Instant Medium Self Tanning Lotion
The nice thing about this tanning lotion is that is has a wash-off guide color, so you can ensure your tan won't end up patchy. It's also moisturizing, leaving skin soft.
Customer review: "I wanted a moisturizing tanner for my dry skin and am loving this lotion. The color is amazing—very natural—and it was easy to apply with the tanning mitt. I definitely suggest getting the mitt. Otherwise, I could see it being difficult to spread evenly. It looks really dark in the bottle but develops into a beautiful natural glow."
Coola Organic Sunless Tan Dry Oil Mist
Don't let the words "oil mist" scare you—this self-tan won't leave your skin feeling greasy or oily. In fact, it absorbs nearly instantly and leaves skin with an even-looking glow.
Customer review: "Amazing, buildable, even color. Doesn't smell. Doesn't dry out your skin and is actually moisturizing."
Vita Liberata Tinted Tanning Mist
After applying this tanning mist, it dries within two minutes. Not only is this perfect if you're tanning before putting clothes on, but it's also helpful if you decide you want your color to be a bit darker—you can apply more right away
Customer review: "I absolutely love this product. Drying time is very quick, so you are basically able to mist and go. The color is on point, and there are no streaks. Definitely my new go-to tanner."
Photo:
@ariannabaqAlba Botanica Sunless Tanner Lotion
Shea butter, sweet almond oil, and safflower oil work to hydrate and nourish skin, while this self-tanner imparts a non-streaky, natural-looking bronze.
Customer review: "As a natural redhead, my skin is pasty, and there is no amount of sun that's going to make me tan. I just get really dark freckles. A lot of sunless tanners are a bit much because my skin starts so white, but this stuff isn't dramatically dark and is more like a little tint you can build on, which makes mistakes less noticeable too!"
Tan Luxe Super Glow SPF 30
Get a (faux) tan while shielding your skin from sun's harsh rays. This sunscreen is SPF 30, but thanks to self-tanning ingredients, you'll end your day in the sun with a safer tan.
Customer review: "This is a must-have in your skincare collection. I always use it and have never been disappointed. I have tried so many others in my 30 years but never anything as good as this product."
Clarins Self Tan Instant Gel
This Clarins gel has long been a favorite among the beauty editor cohort. It's easy to apply, is long-lasting, and makes you look tan instantly while never appearing orange or blotchy.
Customer review: "I have been using this product for about eight years and have been very pleased. It is easy to use, and you get a really nice tan without an awful odor."
Tarte Limited Edition Brazilliance 2HR Express Deep Foaming Self-Tanner
This mousse formula is also extremely hydrating, so your skin will feel rejuvenated while you tan. It's also easy to use, with a bronze indicator that lets you know how to customize your color.
Customer review: "Wonderful green-based self tan! I've noticed most of the negative reviews mention this. A lot of higher end tanning products have either a violet or a green base. Those colors cancel out unwanted orange, red, or yellow tones. The result means a cool brown shade after showering, as in your final color...minus the green."
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Next: I Had 72 Hours in Las Vegas—Here's Every Single Beauty Product in My Carry-On