The best fake tans, according to a panel of 250 women
If you were a fan of fake tan growing up, it’s likely you’ll have experienced a bottle bronze faux pas in one way or another. Consider the orange palms, streaky legs and patchiness a rite of passage – even our beauty director has fallen victim to tan blindness!
The good news is that formulas have definitely improved a lot, but with an array of mousses, waters, gradual moisturisers, drops and the rest available, it can be hard to know where to start. Even when you do take the plunge, it’s scary not knowing whether, after hours of marinating, you’ll wake up looking fresh-from-the-tropics-tanned or simply tangoed.
That’s where the Good Housekeeping Institute can help. We’ve tested the best fake tans on the market to save you from any red-faced (or, should we say, orange-faced) mishaps.
As well as analysing them in the lab, we recruited a testing panel to try each product at home and give us their honest feedback. We also spoke to celebrity tanning specialist, James Harknett, for his advice on the best way to apply and maintain your bronzed look, so you’re good-to-glow.
What is the easiest self-tan for beginners?
Patchy hands, streaky legs, and going an unnatural shade or burnt orange are some of the main reasons people get nervous about using self-tanners. That’s why Harknett recommends a gradual tanning moisturiser for beginners. “They contain a small amount of tanning agent and won’t bronze too heavily,” he explains. “The shade is buildable over days and the user is in control of the depth of colour they want to achieve.
“Many use a gradual product to top up a natural tan, or a spray tan as it starts to fade.”
How do you apply fake tan?
It can be hard to know where to begin when you have a mitt full of brown liquid that you’re supposed to smear all over your body. But James says a large part of the process is in the preparation. Here are his recommended steps.
Exfoliate
“A few days before you plan to apply fake tan, start by smoothing out the skin with an exfoliator,” he recommends. “Concentrate on areas that get a build-up of skin cells, such as under the breasts, on strap lines, and knees and elbows. These are common areas where tan often clings to dry skin.” You can either use a pair of exfoliating gloves, a scrub, or both, to smooth and buff away dead skin cells before you begin.
Remove hair
It’s also important to ensure all hair removal is done in advance of application. “Twenty-four hours or more before is best for shaving, but if it’s a leg or body wax, then make it 48/72 hours,” advises Harknett. “This is so the skin can renew evenly, and the self-tan has enough cells to bind with to allow the tan to react.”
Moisturise
“Before applying, it’s important to moisturise your heels, kneecaps, elbows, hands and the tops of your feet, as these are areas self-tan is likely to cling to,” Harknett says. “A little moisture will provide a barrier for the skin and allow for more natural results.”
Tan
To avoid orange palms, you’ll need to apply mousse and some gradual tanners using a mitt. Some moisturisers can be put on with the hands, but make sure to wash them afterwards to swerve the Wotsit fingers.
Here are Harknett’s top tips for an even finish:
Start with the legs. Bend the knee to open out any creases. If you’re using a mousse, then do round circular motions to allow a smooth, even and fast application.
As you get towards the ankles and feet, try and graduate the tan gently. Use less pressure or opt for a tanning brush, as this will disperse the tan delicately over the heel and feet.
Many of us have probably tried tying a tanning mitt to a wooden spoon to tackle the hard-to-reach centre of the back (just us?). Thankfully, there are now products made to manage those tricky spots. Snap open back tanners allow you to work in a tanning mousse or liquid. (A snap open back tanner is essentially a fold-out arm with a mitt on the end to help you get to those hard-to-reach areas.)
How long does fake tan last?
Generally, most fake tans will look fresh for the first two to three days and begin to fade after that, but Harknett says applying a moisturiser generously and regularly is the key to prolonging its freshness and ensuring a gentle fade.
“A spray-on moisturiser is ideal and can be used on the go,” he explains. “They help avoid over-rubbing the skin too, which is a definite no-no. And instead of rubbing vigorously while drying yourself with a towel, opt for a gentle press.
“If you’re an avid gym enthusiast, try a powder in your sports bra or activewear. A cooling powder or talc on the skin will shield the tan from being rubbed by any friction from your sports bra. This is a tip I also give to all brides on their wedding day, as it allows them slip and movement in their dress.”
We also recommend wearing loose-fitting dark clothes or pyjamas to bed once applied to avoid any transferring or staining on sheets.
How we test
The Good Housekeeping Institute experts recruited 250 at-home beauty testers to trial 14 fake tan products to find the ones that leave skin looking golden and sun-kissed, with minimal effort.
Each tester gave detailed feedback on ease of application, whether there was any patchiness or streakiness in the finish, and what they thought of the scent. Back in the lab, our experts used the Digi-Eye machine to visually assess how evenly the tan faded over seven days. All the feedback and results were then collated into a final score.
Winter sun(tan) here we come...
Liquid Gold Tanning Foam
Score: 94/100
Look like you’ve spent the summer on the shores of Australia in a matter of hours with this fast-developing and deep-tan mousse from Bondi Sands. Minus any harmful sun damage, obviously.
Only dropping six points overall, our winner certainly lives up to the ‘liquid gold’ in the name. It impressed all our testers by delivering everything you’d want in a mousse. It absorbs quickly and delivers a long-lasting, even tan. You can forget about staining any bedsheets or PJs too, as testers were seriously impressed with how non-transferable it was.
The mousse is also enriched with hydrating argan oil, so it doesn’t dry your skin and leave it looking scaly. Plus, it’s infused with a summery coconut scent, to avoid the dreaded fake tan smell.
Tan and Tone Oil
Score: 92/100
Fake tans can be drying on the skin, but that isn’t the case with this hydrating tanning oil, thanks to the added skin-friendly ingredients. Coconut oil moisturises the skin as well as helping to keep your tan looking fresh for as long as possible.
There’s also added blackberry juice and poppyseed extract, which both work to firm and brighten the skin. And our panel noted these benefits in testing – they all said it delivered a long-lasting tan that didn’t look patchy.
It’s a great starting point for those who don’t want to jump straight into using a mousse. “I liked how easy it was to use,” said one tester. You don’t need to rinse this one off either, so you can spray it on and glow about your day as your tan gradually develops.
Self-Tanning Milky Lotion
Score: 91/100
Fake tanning your face is a scary prospect for anyone but let this lotion from Clarins soothe any fears. According to one, now-less-pasty, panellist, it leaves behind a “beautiful, natural and glowing tan.” In fact, all our testers were happy with how the shade gradually developed, without drying out their skin. The added moisturising aloe vera can probably take the credit there.
We’d expect nothing less from Clarins, which puts quality and efficacy are at the forefront of formulating products. It may be an investment, but when the payoff is a “golden glow that doesn’t look fake,” according to one tester, then it’s certainly worth it.
St. Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse 200ml
Score: 87/100
At some point in every fake tanner's life, St Tropez will make an appearance. Whether it acts as the gateway into the world of year-round bronzing, or as an occasional post-holiday top-up, it’s certainly iconic. And there’s no need to dedicate a whole evening to looking fresh from a holiday with this one, as it was the fastest to develop on test.
One tester told us they had a “natural-looking tan” in just one hour. The longer you leave it on, the deeper the tan becomes, but it won’t get much darker after three. Our entire panel was also impressed with how the colour could be built up with repeated application. Last-minute plans just became a whole lot more appealing.
Instant Fake Tan Mousse
Score: 85/100
Mousses aren’t always the easiest to use, but of all the ones we tested, this came out on top for how effortless it was to apply. Though it doesn’t come with an extra set of hands to help tan your back (cue unimpressed partner/flatmate/child), according to one tester, the “very light foam-textured mousse was easy to apply with a mitt”, and multiple others agreed.
It takes six to eight hours to fully develop, so we recommend applying before bed. Once you’ve smeared the coconut-scented mousse evenly across your skin, both seamlessly and stress-free (we hope), pop some pyjamas on and expect to wake up well rested and tanned.
Gradual Tan Tinted Daily Firming Lotion
Score: 85/100
When you haven’t had time to tan, a tinted lotion is perfect for an immediate dose of bronze that will also develop throughout the day. This one from St Tropez uses hydrating hyaluronic acid to help draw in moisture, and a blend of raspberry and blueberry seed oils, two antioxidants that reduce inflammation and brighten skin.
Though you’d usually apply a gradual tanner with your hands, because this one is tinted, it’s better to use a mitt to avoid extra dark palms. Generally, our panellists were happy with the colour of their tan, with one praising the “natural results that didn’t look orange”.
The Gradual Self-Tan Lotion
Score: 82/100
Gone are the days of horrifically stained bedsheets, thanks to gradual tanners. Certainly not if you’re using this one, anyway. All our testers confirmed it didn’t leave any marks or stains on the sheets thanks to its ability to soak into skin quickly. The cream itself also feels lightweight on application, according to our panel.
As all self-tanners will know, application is often followed by that truly unique biscuity scent. However, one tester told us: “I was waiting for the normal, horrible biscuit odour to develop, but it didn’t”, while another even went as far as to say they “loved the smell.” Eau du fake tan, anyone?
Tanning Mousse
Score: 84/100
If anyone knows anything about fake tan, it’s a Love Islander. So, we were sure this one from Molly Mae wouldn’t disappoint. It dispenses a dark yet natural tan that most testers said they would carry on using after the trial. The entire panel also agreed that it doesn’t dry out skin, which means there was less clinging to dry patches, too.
The bespoke fresh and delicate scent earned this one extra brownie points. “I liked the smell compared to other tans,” said one tester, while another told it us it meant they could go out after applying without having to worry about others catching that biscuit whiff. That sounds like a bit of us.
Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Score 82/100
Another fake tan fear is the dreaded tiger bread look that sometimes appears after a few days. However, our testers said they didn’t experience any cracks or flaking with this tanning milk. The smooth, butter-like textured formula is enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E, for a much-needed dose of moisture and antioxidants.
If you’re not a fan of coconut-scented products, then this one might not be for you, as a few testers found it was rather overpowering. We’d recommend this one for topping up an existing tan, or building up over a few days, as it required a few applications for testers to notice a difference in skin tone.
Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser
Score: 81/100
Gradual tan that keeps your skin intensely hydrated? Enter: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter. The brand has taken its ultra hydrating formula and combined it with tanning ingredients to make the ultimate natural glow in a bottle. It won’t dry out skin, as some fake tans do; instead, panel members told us it left the skin feeling soft.
There were a few comments about the strong scent of this one, but if you don’t mind that, for under £10, you can expect a lovely streak-free and hydrated finish to your tan.
1-Hour Express Self Tan
Score: 80/100
Whether you want to exaggerate your holiday glow or just fancy a bit of extra colour for an evening out, this ultra-dark tan will deliver a deeper shade of bronze. It only takes an hour to fully develop, too. Simply apply with a mitt, pop on an episode of your favourite TV show, rinse off afterwards and you’re ready.
Testers did experience some transferring onto clothes and bed sheets, so to avoid staining, it might be a good idea to wear all black, or old PJs, or get yourself a handy tan sleep sac...
Gradual Tan Classic Firming lotion
Score: 80/100
The key to a long-lasting, crack-free tan is making sure that your skin stays moisturised and hydrated. This lotion scored the highest with our panel for doing just that. “My skin felt well-nourished, and it wasn’t drying,” said one tester, which is exactly what we all want to hear about a gradual tan.
The thick, rich formula, which is boosted with hyaluronic acid and blueberry and raspberry seed oil, means we'd advise leaving a little time before you head out, so it has time to sink in before getting your glad rags on. But one happy panellist told us you can expect "a subtle and lovely tan" after a couple of applications, so it's certainly worth the wait.
Instant Self Tanning Mousse Dark 200ml
Score: 77/100
Whether you’re just starting out on your tanning journey and want to test out your skills, or you’re flying through one bottle after another at speed, you probably don’t want a product that costs the earth, and this St. Moriz mousse is a great, affordable option. However, you may want to pair it with some budget bedsheets and pyjamas after applying, as testers our did experience some transferring of tan residue.
Overall, though, our panellists were happy with how dark and long-lasting their tan was, so if that’s a priority, and you follow our household advice editor’s tips on how to get stains out of bedding in the wash, we don’t think it’s a dealbreaker. We tested the dark shade, but there’s also light and medium to choose from if this suits your skin tone more. Not bad for under a fiver!
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