The one time I used a self-tanner I couldn’t leave my house for a week.
While I cannot recall the exact brand, it was the 90s, so it was definitely a cheap drugstore impulse purchase. Maybe Neutrogena? It doesn’t really matter because I fucked up, royally. Not only was I more orange than tan, but I wasn’t consistently orange because it was waaay darker in some areas.
There were splotches and streaks — I looked like an Oompa Loompa — and no amount of vigorous loofah-ing my tangerine skin helped, it just made my skin raw. And, no, red, irritated skin did not help my citrus color. Hence my seven-day, self-imposed shut-in.
But that wouldn’t happen today due to the amazing advances in self-tanners. There are so many brands and easier ways to apply than back in the day, making modern self-tanners almost impossible to mess up. There are application mitts and brushes so you can avoid the dreaded hand stains, which usually happen no matter how fast you wash them.
Self-tanners have come a long way and we made a list of the best ones, so you can get your glow on, all year long!
Best For Normal, Dry, Combination, And Oily Skin Types: Isle Of Paradise Self Tanner Kit
Best For Easy Application: Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse
Best For Hydrating: Tarte Brazilliance Plus + Self-Tanner w/ Mitt
Best For Pasty, Pale Skin Tones: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
Best For Quick Results: Bondi Sands 1 Hour Express Aero Aerated Self Tanning Foam
Best Reviews: Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil
Best Affordable: B.Tan I Woke Up Like This Overnight Tanning Treatment
Best For Daily Use: Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Best Splurge: St. Tropez x Ashley Graham Ultimate Glow Mousse Kit
Best Buildable: Hyglo Hyaluronic Acid Self-Tan Body Serum
Best For Normal, Dry, Combination, And Oily Skin Types: Isle Of Paradise Self-Tanner Kit
The Isle Of Paradise Self-Tanner Kit comes with everything you need to become a spray tan pro with a flawless glow, including the Pro Glow Spray Tan Mister and Self-Tanning Water.
Best For Easy Application: Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse
Achieve a perfect, natural looking, sunless tan with Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse – it’s easy to apply, fast drying, and lightweight.
Best For Hydrating: Tarte Brazilliance Plus + Self-Tanner w/ Mitt
Tarte Brazilliance Plus + Self-Tanner w/ Mitt is a skincare-infused self-tanner that delivers a just-back-from-vacay bronze glow while nourishing skin with natural exfoliators and moisturizers.
Best For Pasty, Pale Skin Tones: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is the “world’s first anti-aging, anti-cellulite self-tan! NO nasties, NO streaks, NO orange tones, NO bad smells!”
Best For Quick Results: Bondi Sands 1 Hour Express Aero Aerated Self Tanning Foam
Bondi Sands 1 Hour Express Aero Aerated Self Tanning Foam gives you an instant summer glow, is quick drying, and provides a natural-looking, dark tan.
Best Reviews: Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil
Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil is a quick-absorbing, hydrating, self-tanning body oil infused with 100 percent pure argan oil, coconut water, and aloe.
Best Affordable: B.Tan I Woke Up Like This Overnight Tanning Treatment
B.Tan I Woke Up Like This Overnight Tanning Treatment tans skin while you sleep! Wake up glowing with this triple action hyaluronic acid + vitamin A – enriched, dark tanning treatment.
Best For Daily Use: Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk creates a long-lasting, hydrating tan that develops within 1-3 applications.
Best Splurge: St. Tropez x Ashley Graham Ultimate Glow Mousse Kit
St. Tropez x Ashley Graham Ultimate Glow Mousse Kit is an Allure Best of Beauty award winner and quickly delivers a golden tan, developing into a natural, long-lasting tan. It touch-dries within seconds for an easy, streak-free application.
Best Buildable: Hyglo Hyaluronic Acid Self-Tan Body Serum
Hyglo Hyaluronic Acid Self-Tan Body Serum is a hyaluronic acid infused gradual self-tan serum for the body. Apply directly to skin daily for a gradual glow.
Do you miss your summer glow? What do you think about our picks for the best self-tanner for pale skin? Sound off in the comments!
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