14 Best Self-Tanners for Fair Skin

These self-tanners will give you that natural sunless glow at home. 

The days of tanning beds and sunburn are over. The self-tanners of the past were oompa-loompa orange and more Jersey Shore than the O.C. Laguna Beach.

Now, modern formulas deliver an instant sun-kissed radiant filter.

Today’s advanced methods come in different forms from lotions and creams to mousses and sprays. Not to mention, oils and drops.

Many of those infuse a naturally derived chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to temporarily deepen your skin tone.

If you have fair skin, you should wisely choose gradual developers to momentarily go slightly bronzer bit by bit, not being too hasty and instantly go for the bronze.

It’s always best to ensure you have fully exfoliated, and that your skin is well hydrated before applying self tanning products.

Follow these link for our reviews of the Best Exfoliation Gloves or if you prefer not to use gloves the Best Body Scrub and Best In-shower Body Lotions/Moisturizer for locked in hydration.

The Best Self-Tanners For Fair Skin

These self-tanners will give you a much softer post-holiday glow.

Tan-Luxe The Water Hydrating Self-Tan Water 

What We Like

• Clear formula
• Hydrating
• Streak-free formula

What We Don’t Like

• Pricey

Do you want a natural-looking self-tan with skincare properties? You’ve just found it.

With its crystal-clear, odourless and water-based formula, TAN-LUXE’s Hydrating Self-Tan Water is your fuss-free solution to glowing, sun-kissed skin.

The magic is in the vitamin-rich formula; simply mist it liberally, saturating the face and body, and blend lightly with a tanning mitt in large circular motions to witness how the unique blend of vitamins, raspberry oil and aloe vera leave you flawlessly bronzed – no clogged pores, streaking or dehydration in sight.

Type: Spray | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, raspberry seed oil, antioxidants, aloe | Size: 6.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: Yes

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Water Mousse 

What We Like

• Easy to apply
• Looks natural
• Transfer-resistant
• No self-tanning smell

What We Don’t Like

• Pricey
• Mitt not included

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Water Mousse is the leader of the self-tanning pack, and for a good reason.

It’s an iconic go-to to achieve that healthy California sunless glow when you’re naturally pale.

The rinse-free, water-based formula is specially made for a light complexion. This vibrant self-tanner is infused with vegan DHA, vitamin C, and naturally derived botanical extracts.

It delivers a gradual, streak-free color, and an even skin tone from head to toe. The downside is that the mitt is sold separately. 

Type: Mousse | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, vitamin C | Size: 6.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: Yes

Tan-Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

What We Like

• Mixes with moisturizer
• Streak-free formula
• No self-tanning smell

What We Don’t Like

• Pricey

Introduce TAN-LUXE’s The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops into your tanning ritual and you won’t regret it – the brand’s revolutionary, tailor-made approach enables you to have full control of your glow.

Work your way up from two drops to twelve to discover a bronzed glow that’s unique to you.

Mixing a few drops into your favourite body moisturiser will result in sun-kissed skin with all the firming, beauty-boosting properties of raspberry seed oil, vitamin E, aloe vera and the brand’s caffeine-rich Cellutone Complex.

Type: Liquid drops | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, raspberry seed oil | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: Yes

Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil

What We Like

• Natural formula
• Moisturizing
• Absorbs quickly

What We Don’t Like

• Pricey

Want to nourish and deepen your skin?

Drown yourself with the Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil to have that healthy Hollywood glow.

This exotic Moroccan argan oil infused self-tanner wonder quickly hydrates and moisturizes your skin. 

Type: Oil | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, argan oil | Size: 4.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: Yes

COOLA Organic Sunless Tan Dry Oil Mist

What We Like

• Contains organic ingredients
• Moisturizing
• Transfer-resistant

What We Don’t Like

• Not long-lasting
• Pricey

Enjoy a sun-kissed glow all year round with COOLA Organic Sunless Tan Dry Oil Mist.

The liquid formula and easy application allow you to tailor the depth of the shade to your preference thanks to the sustainably sources DHA. The delicious citrus scent and vitamin C-enriched formula helps you achieve an even, luminous colour without having to expose yourself to the sun.

Not to mention, its argan oil quenches your dry skin’s thirst.

Type: Spray | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, argan oil, vitamin C | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: Yes

Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer 

What We Like

• Budget-friendly
• Absorbs quickly
• Minimal streaks

What We Don’t Like

• Strong scent

Achieve a natural-looking tan without having to expose your body to the sun’s harmful UV rays with Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer.

To have a golden-looking tan before you hop out of the shower, exfoliate, and then massage this product onto damp skin. Avoid eyebrows and hairline for the best results.

Last but certainly not least, pat it dry before you get dressed and you’re ready to go.

It’s fuss-free, streak-free, non-messy formula is unparalleled that delivers a well-rested glow. 

Type: In-shower moisturizer | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone | Size: 7.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Clean: No

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops

What We Like

• Natural formula
• Looks natural
• Mimics vitamin D benefits

What We Don’t Like

• Small amount

For an organic pick-me-up, go for theDrunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops.

It’s infused with plant-based ingredients like black currant oil and cocoa extract to create a natural glow.

It also contains chronocyclin that copies the benefits of vitamin D you get from the sun. 

Type: Serum | Active Ingredients: Chronocyclin, black currant oil, cocoa extract | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: Yes 

Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner 

What We Like

• Budget-friendly
• Natural formula
• Moisturizing
• Vegan 
• Cruelty-free

What We Don’t Like

• Small amount

Drugstore self-tanners can hold their own. Low and behold, the Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner.  

It’s a vegan, cruelty-free, plant-based, natural formula that gives a gradual glow.

This multi-tasking, fast-absorbing self-tanner is infused with shea butter and natural oil for a moisturized, healthy sun-kissed look.  

Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, shea butter, plant oils | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: Yes

Isle of Paradise Light Self Tanning Mousse

What We Like

• Clear formula
• Absorbs quickly
• Moisturizing

What We Don’t Like

• Mitt not included

For an unrivaled self-tanning experience, check out the Isle of Paradise Light Self-Tanning Mousse.

The weightless mousse is initially a colorless foam, quickly disappears, instantly dries, and appears hours later as an enviable post-holiday glow. 

Type: Mousse | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, plant oils, omega-3s | Size: 6.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: Yes

St. Moriz Professional Gradual Tanning Lotion

What We Like

• Budget-friendly
• Gradual color
• Moisturizing

What We Don’t Like

• Strong scent

Apply this impeccableSt. Moriz Professional Gradual Tanning Lotion every day to enhance your depth of color in a timely manner.

Never pick up a skin bronzer just because it says dark on the label, as fair skin should stick to the light label.

You want to look like a glazed donut not a burnt shish kebab. The goal is to elevate your look to new heights not take it into another dimension. 

Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone | Size: 9.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: No

Vita Liberta Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Tan Lotion

What We Like

• Budget-friendly
• Transfer-resistant
• No self-tanning smell

What We Don’t Like

• Some reviewers note it streaks

For those with fair to medium skin, Vita Liberta Fabulous Self-Tanning Gradual Tan Lotion is the answer.

It’s made from innovative DHA odor-eliminating technology. The lusciously creamy lotion delivers a hint of a warm, natural tone. 

Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, marula oil, shea butter | Size: 6.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: Yes

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad for Body

What We Like

• Gently exfoliates
• Looks natural
• Dermatologist-developed

What We Don’t Like

• Pricey

If you’re looking for a sun-kissed, radiant bronze without the need for the sun, Dr. Dennis Gross has the answer with the Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner.

Open the towel and apply it to the body in circular motions, blending it evenly until dry.

Designed to provide a convenient and mess-free application, these generously sized towelettes gently exfoliate the skin with AlphaBeta and provide an even colour that develops within one hour, perfect for on-the-go bronzing.

Type: Pad | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid | Size: 8 pads | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: Yes

Supergoop! Sunless Tan SPF 40

What We Like

• Contains SPF
• Buildable color
• No self-tanning smell

What We Don’t Like

• Small amount

Want to simultaneously protect your skin from the sun while self-tanning? Sounds like a too good to be true oxymoron, but with the help of Supergoop! Sunless Tan SPF 40 you can definitely have the best of both worlds. Now, who said you can’t have your cake and eat it too? 

Type: Spray | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: No 

Tanologist Express Tan Light Self Tan Water

What We Like

• Budget-friendly
• Works quickly
• Transfer-resistant

What We Don’t Like

• Strong smell
• Mitt not included

Achieve the sun-kissed look overnight with the Tanologist Express Tan Light Self Tan Water.

The sunless tanning spray is the quickest and safest way to enhance and deepen your skin tone.

Within an hour the fairest of them all can go from Snow White to Malibu Barbie. 

Type: Spray | Active Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone | Size: 6.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Clean: No

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Final Verdict

Without a shadow of a doubt the best self-tanner is the St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Water Mousse. It’s user-friendly, ultra-lightweight and promises a radiant glow.

For babes on a budget, opt for the Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer is a winner. It efficiently works in the shower, fast-absorbing, and is streak-free.