The best self-tanners of 2026: I tested 15 foams, creams and sprays
Yes, you can totally fake a sun-kissed glow — these are the best self tanners for healthy-looking skin.
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If you're like me (a pasty workaholic mole person), you may not love seeing a ghostly-white reflection staring back at you in the mirror, especially around this time of year. However, you don't need to stay alabaster until the sun shines upon you again in June. The best self-tanners can give you a healthy, flushed glow year-round, without exposure to harmful rays.
In this story
The first time I ever tried self-tanner was in 2002. I was in my 20s, had an early-summer wedding to attend, a shortish dress to wear and only my splotchy-pale winter legs to pair with it. I wanted a fake tan and I wanted it fast. At the last minute, I picked up an inexpensive Jergens self-tanning product and applied it hastily with my bare hands on my un-prepped skin. The result was a streaky, uneven, too-caramel colored mess. My palms, which I'd waited too long to wash, resembled Oompa Loompas; I attended the event with my legs orange striped.
Since then, a lot has changed in the world of at-home tanning. In fact, in 2026, choosing the best self-tanner is easier than ever before. With an array of new formulations — from bronzing mousse to wipes to drops to traditional creams — there's a sunless tan method for most everyone, no matter your skin type or shade. If you're looking for a little skin glow up, self-tanning products are superior in all ways to time spent baking in the sun, decreasing your risk of skin cancer, hyperpigmentation, age spots and premature wrinkles. You just need to learn how to use them first.
The best self-tanners of 2026
Formulation: Mousse | Development time: 2 hours | Shades: 3
Long gone are the good old days when I used to lay out with the sole purpose of getting a deeper tan. (Obviously, not
doing this is the smarter, less skin-cancer-risk way to live.) Now, as someone who's relatively new to self-tanner, I've always been a little paranoid of streaks, patchiness, and any sort of stinky formula. That's exactly why Loving Tan (a favorite of Ms. Bethenny Frankel's) won me over. I quickly learned why this mousse was such a hit.
The application was pretty foolproof. I used a tanning mitt, applied one even layer and it felt hydrating, was easily spreadable, and dried fast — in just 60 seconds. The fact that it can be rinsed off after just two hours is ideal for both beginners and busy folks, while the color continues to deepen over the next day. It's a believable, long-lasting tan that sticks around for days and made my legs look like they'd been stretched out by the pool underneath the sun, even if they absolutely had not. I should have been using this a long time ago!
- Dries quickly and fast development time
- Deep, natural-looking color payoff
- Even, streak-free results
- Has a scent, though our testers didn't mind it
- Requires a mitt for application
Formulation: Mousse | Development time: 8 hours | Shades: 1
The whipped consistency of this classic self-tanning foam is what makes it special — and especially easy to use. It glides on effortlessly (particularly when applied with its companion tanning mitt ), dries fast with zero streaks and doesn't smell. The tan takes a while to develop — a full 8 hours to get the complete effect — but it also lasts: for me, it stayed in place for a week. The mousse itself has a green undertone, which means it's supposed to work best for those with cooler skin shades, but it made my warm-tone ruddy skin golden brown. St. Tropez is a trusted mainstay of the at-home tan world and this particular product currently holds nearly 13,000 5-star Amazon reviews. My only complaint is that it does transfer during the development process, if you go to bed before washing it off like I did, it will stain your sheets, even if the product appears "dry."
- Easy to use
- Zero streaks
- Golden brown tan
- Subtle scent
- Nonsticky
- Long lasting
- Some transfer to sheets and clothes during develop process
Formulation: Drops | Development time: 2 hours | Shades: 3
Even though (or maybe because) they're TikTok famous (with more than 15 million views), I was a bit skeptical of these clear, odorless tanning "drops." However, after dropping three into my morning serum (as recommended) and applying evenly to my face and neck, the product developed into a subtle (but still noticeable) golden glow that lasted for five days. Mixing with a moisturizer, face oil or serum you already use makes Isle of Paradise drops great for sensitive skin and the fact that you can dial up the hue by just adding a drop or two more means the color is highly customized too. Last, you can choose from three shades: Light, Medium and Dark — I went with "Light" on my ruddy medium-pale skin and it made my skin more taupe colored and less red. When in doubt, go lighter — you can always build more color with a follow-up application.
- Versatile — you can easily level up the tan factor by adding an extra drop or two
- Comes in three shades: Light, Medium and Dark
- Streak-free
- Affordable (you need just two to three drops at a time)
- Natural, non-orange look
- May be too subtle on darker skin tones
Formulation: Mousse | Development time: 2 hours | Shades: 1
This is an excellent choice for first-time self-tanners who want to try a reliable product without shelling out too much cash. The clear formula is infused with coconut water and Vitamin E to soften skin and make for an easier application. It develops into a streak-free tan in just two hours and won't transfer to your clothes, sheets or towels while it bakes in. The color itself is subtle — if you're looking for a deeper tan, a different mousse may work better.
- Develops fast
- Easy to use
- Streak free
- Great for fair skin
- Long lasting
- Adds a lighter color, may not be appropriate for those looking for a deeper tan
- Watery solution is best applied with a mitt
Formulation: In-shower lotion | Development time: 3 hours | Shades: 2
I don't know if I'm legally allowed to write a self tanner story without mentioning Jergens. The brand is a pioneer in the no-sun tan game, and this in-shower lotion is particularly standout. You apply it when your skin is wet (yes, ideally in or just after the shower), rub it in like you would a moisturizer, let it dry and ... that's it. The tan — a few shades darker than where you began — develops in just a few hours while you go about your life/day. The formula is white like a cream and doesn't transfer to a towel or clothes. Unlike other popular self tanners there's no wait time for getting dressed or heading to bed. It's not the best product I tried, but the results are reliable and consistent and you truly cannot beat the ease. The only two downsides for me: it has a bit of a chemical smell and you have to remember to wash your hands immediately after applying or risk the dreaded palm tan.
- Easy in-shower application
- No wait time
- Goes on like a moisturizer
- Subtle shade
- No color transfer
- Strong scent
- Lasts only 2 or 3 days
Formulation: Mousse | Development time: 2 hours | Shades: 3
Coco & Eve's self tanner is packed with ingredients like coconut oil, lotus extract and mango oil which are meant to reduce the lumpy appearance of cellulite and help older skin look less crepey. In the week I tried this mousse I didn't notice this (I also don't know that any product can actually deliver on these claims), but — still — this is a high-quality self tanner that left my legs a tawny light brown, developed in just two hours and lasted for 5 days. The texture of the foam is super lightweight (think ocean foam) and the included glove is velvety soft and made application a breeze. The product did settle a bit in my knees and ankles, but I was also not especially careful — blame the player here, not the game.
- Lightweight
- Develops fast
- Easy to apply
- Natural formula
- Green-gray base means it never looks orange
- Pleasant scent
- No streaking or transferring
- Settled into knee creases
- Small bottle doesn't last long
Formulation: Wipes | Development time: 1 hour | Shades: 1
I've been using these famous exfoliating + self-tanning pads since my magazine days when every beauty editor I knew raved about them (and kept a handful in her purse). They're the perfect on-the-go face self tanner, combining an anti-aging pre-treatment and a glowy-bronze hue all in one. The pads are packed with lactic and glycolic acids to slough away dead skin and they add a light, natural-looking golden tan that develops in about an hour and builds each time a new one is applied. They're not in any way a bargain, but they're a consistent, reliable and easy way to get a quick sun-kissed glow on your face ( or your legs or arms — they come in body size too).
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Trusted brand
- High-quality ingredients
- Reliable results
- Even color
- Could be longer lasting
- Pricey
Formulation: Mist | Development time: 3 hours | Shades: 2
If you don't want to deal with the art-project messiness of a mousse or cream, Dolce Glow's mist is the choice for you. The clean, ultra-hydrating spritz is made by tanning artist Isabel Alysa Vita (her clients include J.Lo, Salma Hayak and Kim Kardashian) and sprays on almost freakishly evenly (there's a specially designed nozzle to ensure uniformity). I used a glove and followed the handy instruction video and wound up with perfectly bronze-y legs within 3 hours. I did use a bit too much product so my legs ultimately developed to a shade or two darker than I wanted but luckily the tan hue lasted only around 3 days before it started to fade.
- Fast drying
- Easy, even application
- Good for all skin types and tones
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, silicone-free cruelty-free and vegan
- Non-offensive scent
- No product transference
- Expensive
- Easy to go too dark
Formulation: Mousse | Development time: 1 hour | Shades: 5
There's a part of me that wants to ignore this #1 best-selling self tanner with more than 30,000 positive Amazon reviews because BY GOD, DID IT MAKE ME TAN. Within an hour of application, I looked like I'd been laying out in Ibiza for a week. This was a bit alarming, too "bronze babe" for this middle-aged mom but, listen, I'm a pale white writer lady whose skin rarely sees daylight — a tanning wimp. If you're looking to appear more sun goddess than sun-kissed, B.Tan's Tanned AF Tanner Mousse just might be the thing for you. It's a quality, cruelty-free, vegan product with no weird smell. It goes on easy and smooth and left behind zero streaks. It lasts for at least four days. Warning: It will stain your sheets (or hands or anything in its non-tan path) before it's rinsed off but, as one happy 5-star reviewer claimed, you may be "Too tan to give a damn"!
- Deep, dark tan
- No streaks
- Develops in an hour
- Affordable
- Easy application
- Transfers to clothing and sheets while developing
How we tested self tanners
As longtime editors, I've been testing self-tanner since my days as an editor at Lucky magazine, nearly 20 years ago. For this story, I tested over a dozen new (or new to me) face and body self-tanners, leaving each on for a week after initial application. I rated each product on the following:
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Color payoff:Did the result look natural and sun-kissed or weird and orange-y?
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Application:How easy or not was it to apply streak-free, with or without a mitt?
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Development time:How long until results were visible?
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Scent: If it had one, how strong was the scent?
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Staying power:How long did the color last? How did it fade?
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Cost:Was the performance worth the price?
Overall, I found self-tanner mousses and foams to be generally the easiest and most foolproof, which is why there are so many represented here. Heavier creams were (with few exceptions) harder to control. With one notable exception, I could not get self-tanning "mists" to appear smooth.
Other self-tanners we tested
+ Lux Unfiltered No 36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse Foam : The tan itself was fine, but the fragrance was far too strong and chemical for my taste and, at $40, I felt it was too expensive for what it was.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops :Every teen on TikTok is obsessed with these, but I found them uneven and too subtle, and they left my face sticky.
Tan-Luxe Hydra-Mousse Hydrating Self Tanner :There's a lot to like about this cruelty-free, toxin-free, ultra-hydrating mousse that tops many "best self tanner" lists, but ultimately the $50 price tag felt, for me, like not enough bang for your buck.
Self tanner FAQs
What's the best way to apply self-tanner?
"The best way to apply self-tanner is with a tanning mitt as well as makeup brushes to blend areas such as wrists, knuckles, fingers, feet and toes," says celebrity airbrush-tanning artist Kristyn Pradas (her clients include Bella and Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Lawrence, Susan Sarandon and Kaley Cuoco). Pradas has been in the tanning game for more than a decade — she also owns the award-winning Pradas Glow spray-tan chain, with locations in Miami, New York and Los Angeles, and has been featured as a tanning specialist on the Real Housewives of New York .
Other pro tips for applying self-tanner include using less product in high crease/high texture areas such as knees and ankles — you can even dilute your self-tanner with your favorite moisturizer in these spots to ensure a more even look.
In terms of prepping skin pre-self-tan, according to the American Academy of Dermatology , the best way to get the most natural glow from self-tanner is to exfoliate first (I like Bliss's Lemon Sage Body Polish for this — it's effective, affordable and doesn't smell like a cheap surf shop) and then dry skin completely . If you're not using gloves, wash your hands frequently to prevent the product from settling into your palms. And don't forget to allow time for any product to set: You should wait at least 10 minutes post-application before putting on clothes.
How does self-tanner work?
The active ingredient in most self-tanners is something called dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, a sugar compound that, when it interacts with the proteins of our skin cells, creates a temporary darkening of the skin. Dihydroxyacetone is FDA-approved and safe for most skin types (though, as with any new product, you should test self-tanners on a small area before a full application, particularly if you have sensitive skin). DHA creates a gradual tan that usually develops over 2 to 8 hours, so don't freak out — and don't add more — if you're not seeing color right away.
Will self-tanner protect me from the sun?
This is a hard "No"! The American Academy of Dermatology advises applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher over self-tanner whenever you plan on being in the sun.
What's the best way to remove self-tanner?
So what if you make a mistake when applying self-tanner or apply too much? Kristyn Pradas has you covered: "The best way to remove self-tanner that has not yet developed — for instance, from palms of your hands — is with witch hazel, or witch hazel wipes work amazingly well," she says.
If your tan is already developed and it's looking too dark or in the wrong place, Pradas has this advice: "You can make a homemade mix of baking soda and lemon juice, then, in circular motions, apply to the area you want to either lighten or remove self-tanner. You may also use a loofah or a washcloth."
Lastly, for a tan that's fading unevenly: "Salt scrubs are my favorite. For dry or balanced skin, I love mixing salt with jojoba oil. For extra dry skin, I like to mix the salt with apricot seed oil or avocado oil. These options will help nourish your skin while you are exfoliating."
How do I find the right self-tanner for my skin?
"One of the biggest mistakes people make with self-tanner is thinking there is one shade or one hue for everyone, says Pradas. "Just like with makeup, certain hues look better with certain skin tones."
When in doubt, choose light options with olive-brown undertones, which tend to look good on most skin tones.
What makes a good self-tanner?
"People should look for a self-tanner that is hydrating, glides on easily, yet dries quickly. This will ensure an easy, stress-free application," says Pradas. "This will also help to prevent crease marks from developing and to prevent the self-tanner from transferring to clothing, leaving your skin uneven in certain areas."
Meet our expert
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Celebrity airbrush-tanning artist Kristyn Pradas
Update, June 14, 2026: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best self-tanner remains unchanged.
