The Best Self Tanners and How to Apply Them

ByCindy Hattersley Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
Comments 40 Comments

We are off to Hawaii for a wedding on Thursday.  I am white as a sheet and have never used a self-tanner. Two things I learned while researching self-tanners, they are expensive and the application is important. The tan achieved with sunless tanners is much safer than a UV tan. Of course, you can opt for a professional spray tan, but if you choose to apply it yourself, the best self-tanners develop fast while giving you a realistic faux tan. Just as you typically use different moisturizers for your face and body, you should do the same with self-tanners. Let’s talk about the best self-tanners and how to apply them.

The Best Self Tanners and how to apply them

 

Because our skin is constantly renewing itself, the outer layer is routinely sloughed off. Consequently, the effect of a self-tanner generally lasts for about four to seven days, and it will gradually lighten as your skin sheds the dead cells. The lifetime of your sunless tan will be determined by how long your skin’s natural exfoliation process takes.  Self-tanners rely on dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a sugar that safely darkens the skin. DHA reacts with the amino acids on the top layer of the skin to provide a gradual tan. which sounds like a synthetic chemical but is usually naturally derived. It sounds easy but it can be tough to stabilize.  The key is to exfoliate beforehand

how to apply self tanner

How To:

Exfoliate Before

“Spray tanner Anna Stankiewicz of Louise O’Connor Salon in New York City, suggests sloughing dead skin with an oil-free cleanser laced with glycolic or salicylic acid. Just be sure to remove any and all residue before proceeding, so you can start off with a clean, dry, and product-free slate that’ll maximize your self-tanning results”. This is a crucial step

Read the Directions

Every product is a little different

Use a Mit or Latex Gloves to Apply

Protect your eyebrows and hairline with a light layer of moisturizer or petroleum jelly to keep them from absorbing color.

Wash Your Hands Immediately After Applying

FIVE TYPES OF SELF TANNERS

five types of self tanners

Gradual Moisturizing

Best for beginners-lower concentrations of DHA, allowing users to gradually build color over the course of a few days.

Spray

Works best for quickly and easily covering larger areas like the torso, legs, and back.

Lotion and Cream

pros: allows you to easily spot any gaps in your initial application and to easily spot any gaps in your initial application

cons: messier

Towelette

Soaked with the perfect amount of solution, work well for touchups

Mousse and Gel

Pros: Spreads thoroughly and dries quickly

Cons: Little Time for Error

Here are my pics after researching several articles including these.  You might want to read the articles below for others that might work best for your particular circumstance

Good Housekeeping Best Self Tanners

Marie Claire Best Self Tanners

Allure the 21 Best Self Tanners of 2022

US Magazine Best Self Tanners for Fair Skin

The Cut-16 Best Self Tanners

FIVE OF THE BEST SELF TANNERS

The St. Tropez is said to best mist for beginners (like me).  The Coola Dry Mist is a more natural option for those with sensitive skin. The Clarins was on nearly every list (it is pricey) but it can also be used on the face and moisturizes the skin as well. The Vita Liberata Body Blur has the advantage of being quick acting if you are in a hurry. The Jergens Natural Glow is much more reasonable and favored by many.  The Dr. Dennis Gross pads are great for touch-ups and first-timers.

five best self tanners

 

SHOP SELF TANNERS

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Don’t forget that sunscreen and protective clothing should always be used in conjunction with sunless tanners. Keep in mind that self-tanners can lower the chance of natural vitamin D synthesis by sunlight. You might also enjoy reading. Fake it to Make It from Skincancer.org. You can always opt to have a professional spray tan. Here are nine things to know before you get your first spray tan should you choose that option. 

Thank you for reading The Best Self Tanners and How to Apply Them. Have you used a self-tanner? If so what are your experiences, and do you have a favorite? 

 

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40 Comments

  1. St. Tropez has been my self-tanner of choice every year. It’s pretty simple to use. I apply it after my shower, in the evening. I’ve never experienced any transfer onto my pajamas or my bedsheets.

    1. Hi Nancy

      I purchased the Clarins and did not have time to try it! I think I will give the St, Tropez a shot as well. Thanks for weighing in.

  2. after more than 20 years in the tropics I have become abstinent from the sun, but for special occasions I prefer to go to a tanning salon 2-3x because I don’t like that even the best tanner stains the bed sheets and that the towel gets dirty after the shower . Enjoy your trip to Hawaii.

    1. Hi Mumbai

      I used to tan myself to death, and am paying for it as an adult. I try to stay out of the sun as much as possible.

  3. I’m a redhead and don’t really tan, I’ve used Jergens in the past. I pick up sun just by being outside in the garden and walking the dog. If I were going to Hawaii, I’d try one of these. I’ve heard such good reports on St. Tropez. Have fun at the wedding.
    xo,
    Karen B.

    1. Hi Karen

      In my typical fashion, I had great intentions but no time to try it before I came! White legs for me. I may try to pick some up here.

  4. Aloha Cindy. Not a self-tanner, but leg make-up. When I need to wear a dress & heels in the winter with my nearly blue-white legs, I use Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. It’s a spray on leg make-up – waterproof and doesn’t rub off – it comes off with soap & water. It is easy to apply and touch up since the color is visible as you apply it. It’s hard to find – it’s at Target near the Sally Hansen nail polish – a spray can. Wash your hands immediately. Looks great.

    1. I love Sally Hanson Airbrush Legs, too! Will be using it this weekend for a wedding we are attending. It helps cover veins and imperfections. Fast and easy for a more flawless look.

      1. Hi Marie

        Now that sounds like a good one for me. I have burn scars on one leg so anything that covers imperfections I am all over!!

      2. Hi Marie

        Love anything that covers veins and imperfections. I am heading to Target for that!

  5. Aloha to Cindy – have an amazing vacation looking gorgeous and tan!
    I have tried a bunch of self tanners over the years and I have found that Tan Physics is absolutely the best in natural color! I dry brush and exfoliate the areas that the brush missed (heels, sides of feel etc) using a exfoliating mitt. I mix about a dime size of Tan Physics with my deep moisture lotion and apply everywhere – i never use a self tanner alone. I repeat this after my shower every dan until I get the color I want and then I do the same thing every other day. In-between using self tanners I use Jenny Kayne’s body oil as it really helps for a natural glow. Tan Physics is absolutely the best!

    1. Hi Dianne

      Great I will check it out. I knew you ladies would have the skinny on everything!

  6. I have used both at tropez and Loving Tan , Loving Tan tan gives me a more natural hue less orangey in appearance . For prepping the skin I use I use Skinfix RX, it exfoliates beautifully , and is non irritating

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  7. As always, a great “how to” article, Cindy! I’ve been using Clarins for many years on my face and arms. It gives me a very warm and natural tanned look and I feel like I’m treating my face with extra good ingredients at the same time. Several years ago I was talking with a fair skinned, dark red-haired salesperson in Nordstrom and asked her what she was using to have such a pretty tanned look. She took me over to the St. Tropez counter and I’ve been using it since then on my arms and legs applying with a mitt. Definitely takes a couple times to get your technique down. As you said, little time in the application for errors but you can see exactly where you’re putting it as you apply. It’s the edges that took some time for me to master.

    1. Hi Susan

      It sounds like I need to try the St Tropez. I am kind of a clutz with anything makeup related so I am sure I will need some practice!

  8. I used to get a spray tan. Then I went to Jergens for the last several years. I just bought Il Makiage and am trying that this year – it is applied with a mitt on the body and a brush on the face…. I do like Coola Sunscreen, so that’s good to know. Which one did you opt for??

    1. Hi Gray

      I purchased the Clarins and did not have time to try it. Susan from Arizona sounds like she has a good plan. I have never had a spray tan. I am so out of it!

  9. I am going to try Blue Saint self tanner…..invented (with her father who is a scientist) by a teenager in AZ. It is probiotic all natural and works quickly. smells good and doesn’t turn orange. Sounds perfect!

    1. Oooh Sharon this sounds good. So many great suggestions here. I think we all need to write a book together…makeup and self care tips for women over????

  11. I like the St Tropez foam. Use the mitt and I wash the Mitt after so I can use it again. The foam is designed to go on dry skin (after exfoliating). You leave it on for an hour to two hours depending how much tan you want and then go have your shower. The foam product will look darker than the resultant tan and the product is designed to layer on a bit more tan with another application if you did not get what you wanted the first time….and of course it needs to be done again every week to 2 weeks as it fades. Because of the way it goes on (where you wash after) it does not ever seem to stain anything like sheets, towels, clothes, etc.
    I have read a bad review where the person did not use it properly and did not like the result ….wondered why they could not follow directions but maybe they were just having a bad day

    1. Hi Lauren

      From all of your comments the St Tropez sounds like a winner if I can perfect my application!

  12. I always use latex gloves to apply my Jergen’s self tan which prevents
    getting tanner on my palms, then take one glove off at a time to do
    the top of my hands.

    1. Hi Buelah

      That sounds like a great plan to me. Our latex gloves are at the new house (can’t find half of my stuff right now!). My self tanning experiment is going to have to wait. In the meantime you all have shared so many great suggestions!

  13. I too am as white as sheet and dry as a bone lol
    I use L’Oréal sublime bronze..best color for me
    New tube yearly …only use on legs
    Exfoliate, shave, put light cream all over legs first,,
    Extra on knees and ankle’s, let soak in for awhile before using tanning cream
    Start with large part of legs , rub tanner into hands before legs then rub vigorously into skin
    Ending with feet and knees. Then do same with thighs, avoiding knees. Put more on hands and do back thighs and butt
    Best to do few days before your event but start now to get hang of it
    Good luck

    1. I use Sublime too! I always forget to apply a self tanner so this towelette works perfectly and it was $12 atvTarget. I suggest taking a few with you when you travel to a beach.

      1. Hi Marcia

        Some of those self-tanners are so expensive!! Who knew a tan could be so expensive? I think I am going to try the Clarins on my face (it’s pricey) and one of the others on my body. You ladies always have such great suggestions.

    2. Hi Judy

      Hilarious! So am I! Thank you so much for the tips. I can tell there is definitely an art to this!

  15. My ‘go to’ self tanner is Banana Boat self tan. Best used after a shower and exfoliation. i use the light formula and the medium formula that builds the tan to what you like. On my skin, it has a natual look and adds some luminescence to the skin.

  16. I like and use Banana Boat self tan. i use the light formula and the medium formula that builds the tan to what you like. On my skin, it has a natual look and adds some luminescence to the skin. It is my ‘go to’ self tanner.

  17. I’ve been using Jergens for years and like the subtle color I get. You do have to exfoliate completely to achieve an even tone

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