Beauty Skincare The 10 Best Self-Tanners for a Year-Round Glow Reach for Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer. By Erin Lukas Erin Lukas Instagram Twitter Erin is a Brooklyn-based beauty editor and has been with InStyle since 2016. She's written for NYLON, Teen Vogue, Into The Gloss, FASHION Magazine, and more. She graduated with an Honors B.A. in Creative Writing and English Literature from University of Windsor, Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Book and Magazine Publishing from Centennial College, and A.A.S in Advertising and Marketing Communications from Fashion Institute of Technology. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on June 27, 2022 Pin Share Tweet Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Photo: ShotPrime/Getty Images Sunless tanners have evolved, and now come in multiple forms — from traditional tanning lotions to gradual tan serums — and they're easier than ever to use. Some even offer bonus skincare benefits like extra hydration and gentle exfoliation. While today's self-tanners are fairly easy to use, there's still room for error. The key for an even tan is prepping skin with a gentle exfoliator — especially on areas like the knees, elbows, neck, ankles, and feet. This step will remove dead skin build up from these spots, which can cause uneven application. It's also important to be strategic about your shaving schedule. Shave your armpits and legs one day before using self-tanner. The lotion can get trapped in freshly-shaved hair follicles and cause a patchy finish. The same goes for shaving after you apply self-tanner because you might take off some of your faux glow with the hairs. Whatever self-tanner you choose, you'll end up getting a healthy sun-kissed glow without exposing your skin to damaging UVA/UVB rays. Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer helps achieve that fresh-off-vacation tone while reducing the appearance of cellulite. This $10 Self Tanner Is My Secret to Achieving a Bronzed, Natural-Looking Color Since finding the right self-tanner can take a ton of trial and error, we've gone ahead and done the work for you. Here, the 10 best tanning lotions to use on your face and body for a faux tan that looks unbelievably real. Our Picks Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Water Mousse M-61 PowerGlow Peel Gradual Tan Coola Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self Tanning Foam Bali Body Ultra Dark Self Tanning Mousse Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster TAN-LUXE THE WATER Hydrating Self-Tan Water Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer Courtesy The Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer is known for delivering the most natural glow at a drugstore price point. On top of a realistic fake tan, this scent-free lotion simultaneously hydrates and firms skin. Replace your current body moisturizer with this formula at least once a day and watch as your natural skin tone is enhanced in as little as a week for fairer skin tones. To buy: $12; walgreens.com L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Water Mousse Courtesy If lotions aren't your thing, try a mousse. L'Oréal Paris' self-tanner melts into skin for a streak-free finish and smells like a tropical vacation. Just remember to wait four hours post-application before showering so the color fully develops. To buy: $15; target.com M-61 PowerGlow Peel Gradual Tan Courtesy Run one of these pads over your face for a bronze glow, plus a bit of light chemical exfoliation. On top of a realistic tan, glycolic and salicylic acids reduce pore size and improve skin texture and tone. To buy: $36; bluemercury.com Coola Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum Courtesy It checks all the boxes off as a good self-tanner (a natural, streak-free glow), but it also offers the same skincare benefits as your favorite anti-aging serum. Plant cells and hyaluronic acid included in the formula keep skin soft, smooth, and firm. To buy: $54; ulta.com Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self Tanning Foam Courtesy This lightweight foam dries down in seconds, which is great if you want to look instantly bronze. What makes it even better is that you won't mess it up since it's so easy to apply. To buy: $26; walgreens.com Bali Body Ultra Dark Self Tanning Mousse Courtesy Seasoned self-tanners will appreciate this ultra-dark tanning mousse. It's formulated with a color guide to ensure you get even coverage. To buy: $30; ulta.com Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops Courtesy Don't want to give up your favorite moisturizer? Just add in a few drops of this product for a subtle glow. What makes these drops unique is their color-correcting actives that balance our your skin tone. Use the peach to brighten, green to reduce redness, and violet to minimize sallowness. To buy: $32; sephora.com St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist Courtesy Further dispelling the argument that face mists are pointless is this self-tanning version from St. Tropez. It's infused with natural tanning agents and refreshing botanical extracts. An added bonus: It has a tropical scent instead of that unpleasant, tell-tale self-tanner smell. To buy: $30; sephora.com Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster Courtesy Mix this self-tanning booster to your day or nighttime moisturizer to develop a soft, natural glow. Just don't use this product solo — it's meant to be used with a cream, people! To buy: $34; clarinsusa.com Tan-Luxe The Water Hydrating Self-Tan Water Courtest This color-free tanner looks like a tall glass of water, but it also contains organic tanning actives: vitamins B, C, and E, raspberry seed oil, and aloe vera. It will leave skin unbelievably realistic tan and supremely hydrated. To buy: $34; ulta.com Was this page helpful? 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