The best face tanners aren’t just for those dreary winter months. Similar to body self-tanners, they give you a gorgeous glow while avoiding the sun’s harmful rays. Worried about irritation or breakouts? They’re actually formulated with moisturizing ingredients like (vitamin E and hyaluronic acid) to nourish the skin, with noncomedogenic options to keep acne-prone skin happy.
To help you find the best ones for your complexion we asked the pros—dermatologists, makeup artists, estheticians, and our own Glamour editors and contributors—for their top self-tanning products, then put the most promising ones to the test. Our top pick overall is Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face Drops because it instantly absorbs into the skin, plays well with makeup, and gives you a veil of radiance in just a couple of hours. Below, we’re sharing the tanning drops, lotions, serums, and mists that really impressed.
Best face tanners, at a glance:
Your face tanner questions, answered
How do face tanners work?
According to Marisa Garshick, MD, a board certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, face tanners work by giving the skin a tan appearance without needing to be exposed to UV radiation. “They use ingredients like dihydroxyacetone which reacts with amino acids in the skin and make your skin look tanner,” she says. A good self tanner for the face also often contains skin care ingredients (like TK), according to Sophie Evans, a tanning expert at St. Tropez. “Face tanners won’t clog pores and usually have anti-aging ingredients (like hyaluronic acid) to nourish your skin and help prevent premature aging. These products are also typically lighter in formula, because the skin on your face has a higher pH level than on the body, which is why you should always use one specifically designed for the face,” she says.
How to get the perfect face tan
To get the perfect face tan, Evans recommends exfoliating your skin first. After exfoliation, follow your normal skin care routine but apply a little less face moisturizer than usual and tie your hair back to keep it out of your face, she says. “Make sure to cover every area, including under the eyes, over the eyes and the tips of the ears.
A face tanner in mist form can most evenly cover your face, but for a lotion or serum, I recommend using a makeup brush,” she says. The goal is to let the product glide smoothly over every area, while adding a little extra on your cheeks and under your jawline for contouring. “Finally, use a Q-tip to clean up any product around your eyebrows and hairline for a more polished, professional finish.”
What should you not do when tanning your face?
“While a face tanner can be mixed with some skin care ingredients, it’s best to avoid using it at the same time as any active ingredients that can be harsh or irritating on the skin, such as retinoids,” says Dr. Garshick. Evans recommends always avoiding the use of a body tanner on your face, and that the best time to tan is at night, and not in the morning (this gives the product time to develop).
How we tested face tanners
We tested face tanners by incorporating them into our everyday skin care routines to see how they fared when paired with other products. We looked at ease of application, transfer-resistance, longevity, and overall quality of glow. We checked to see if it easily absorbed, didn’t leave a residue or sticky feeling behind, and those that had little to no smell. Our favorite face tanners gave us a golden glow within a few hours and kept the tan going for up to five days.
Best Overall: Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face Drops
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Isle of Paradise Sunny Serum
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face Drops
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face Drops
- Pros: Lightweight, easy to mix in a moisturizer, lasts multiple days after application
- Cons: May not be suitable for sensitive skin
Dr. Garshick is a huge fan of these lightweight drops that give you glow and protect the skin with antioxidants. “I love that these can be mixed into your moisturizer or used on their own for a very personalized experience,” she says. Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary is also a big fan, and has been using these non-stop over the past month. “These drops are lightweight, easy to mix into moisturizer and they never pill when I layer primer and foundation. I instantly see a glow, thanks to the additional vitamin C, which helps even out skin discoloration and uneven skin tone. My skin looks brighter, sun-kissed, and fresh after using these, and I’ll be faking my tan with them come summer and beyond.”
Best Drugstore: L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Facial Tanning Drops
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Facial Tanning Drops
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Facial Tanning Drops
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Facial Tanning Drops
- Pros: Fragrance free, non-sticky, easy to apply and instantly absorbs
- Cons: Takes a minute to fully dry down
This face tanner is so luxe in application and appearance that you’d have no idea it was from the drugstore. The formula is packed with hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and plump the skin, and it can be applied on its own or mixed into a moisturizer. Glamour’s Kilkeary calls them her favorite facial tanning drops ever. “You simply can’t beat the value compared to other facial tanners on the market. They’re so effortless to use—I use 2-3 drops into my facial moisturizer and apply it all over my face. By the next day, my skin looks golden, fresh and bronzy, as if I just spent a few days on the beach.”
Best Luxury Tanner: Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
- Pros: Easy to apply; feels undetectable on skin; buildable glow; long-lasting
- Cons: Has that very recognizable fake-tan smell; is very potent so wash your hands after use
Easy to use and highly effective, these tanning drops came highly recommended by multiple pros and are beloved by our staffers and testers. “I was never a self-tan fan, but this beginner-friendly formula gives you a very natural look,” says Austin-based medical aesthetician Kristin Gunn. “I suggest playing around with what shade you like the best by gradually increasing the drops. I start with three drops mixed with my daily moisturizer for the most natural, sun-kissed glow.”
Our testers like that, because it gets mixed with your favorite moisturizer, it’s virtually undetectable on skin. “It does have that fake-tan smell, but there’s no tacky or greasy residue,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley. “It didn’t transfer to my clothes or pillowcase, either.” Overall, we got a solid three to five days from this glow too, which was slightly above average.
Best Self-Tanning Face Mist: St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
- Pros: Easy to apply; vegan; cruelty-free; suitable for all skin types; contains hyaluronic acid for additional hydration benefits
- Cons: Lighter shade than some others
For the ultimate convenience, consider this tanning water face mist by St. Tropez that Dr. Garshick loves. “This gentle face tanner that gives a natural glow without clogging pores or causing breakouts. I love that it is easy to apply and doesn’t require any rubbing,” she says. We love that it’s packed with hyaluronic acid too, so the skin benefits go deeper. Our editors note that this makes the product a good choice for dry skin, particularly if you’ve found other face tanners to be drying or irritating. “I’ve been using this St. Tropez bronzing mist for a couple of years now, and it never fails to give me just the right amount of glow. While you can spray it directly onto the face, I prefer to spritz 1-2 pumps into my morning moisturizer and spread it all over my face. I find that this gives me more even coverage,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best Gradual Face Tanner: Kopari Gradual Self-Tanning Face Serum
Original video from Brittany Loggins testing Kopari Gradual Self-Tanning Face Serum
Original photo from Brittany Loggins testing Kopari Gradual Self-Tanning Face Serum
Original photo from Brittany Loggins testing Kopari Gradual Self-Tanning Face Serum
- Pros: Lightweight, moisturizing
- Cons: Takes a little longer to dry down compared to other picks on this list
If you want to ease into self-tanning your face, we recommend these lightweight drops that give you glow gradually. “The consistency of this face serum is absolutely perfect,” says Glamour contributor, Brittany Loggins. “Around 3-4 drops will cover your entire face and spread down your neck. I also found that it dried quickly so I didn’t feel like the tan was going to smear or rub off entirely, but it felt nourishing to my skin thanks to the niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. I was initially nervous about the exact shade of tan due to the color of the product in the bottle, which I felt skewed a bit orange. That said, it ended up looking great! I applied right before bed and it gave me the perfect wash of color the next morning.”
Best Self-Tanning Drops: +Lux Unfiltered N°12 Bronzing Face Drops
Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing +Lux Unfiltered N°12 Bronzing Face Drops
Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing +Lux Unfiltered N°12 Bronzing Face Drops
- Pros: Highly buildable formula; vegan; fragrance-free; includes skin-nourishing ingredients; long-lasting
- Cons: Not available at as many retailers
It’s hard to find anything bad to say about this sunless tanner. For starters, the clear formula comes in a cute little bottle that looks more like a serum than tanning drops. It doesn’t have that weird scent most fake tanners have, either. It works like other drops: You simply mix the desired number of drops with your favorite moisturizer. (Read: Newbies won’t end up with streaks.) “This makes blending a breeze, and you don’t have to worry about tanning lines or uneven application,” says Aimee Car, a professional makeup artist and founder of Voodoo Makeup. “You can control how tan you want your face to be by the amount of drops you apply—the more drops you use, the deeper the tan will be.”
We love that it’s nontoxic, vegan, and fragrance-free too. The ingredients list also boasts hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and pomegranate extract. Plus, our testers reported long wear times. “I can get almost a full week out of this face tanner,” says Earley.
Best Drugstore Face Tanner: Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer With SPF 20 Sunscreen
Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer With SPF 20 Sunscreen
Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer With SPF 20 Sunscreen
- Pros: Easy to apply; noncomedogenic; oil-free; contains SPF
- Cons: Color may be too light for some users’ preference.
When as natural as possible is your ultimate goal, Jergens is your bestie. The drugstore brand offers both a face lotion and a body lotion, and both are more like daily moisturizers than self-tanners, but offer a hint of color that gradually darkens the more you use it. “I love this because you can get a flawless, quick, gradual tan that mimics results from the sun,” says Rachel Lozina, a licensed esthetician and founder of Blue Water Spa in Oyster Bay, New York.
We’re big fans too. “I love that this formula has an instant tint—that way I can get the color right away and I can see what I’m doing without streaks,” says Glamour contributor Bella Cacciatore. “It looks great instantly and gradually deepens into the perfect shade.”
Best Instant Glow: Isle of Paradise Sunny Serum Instant Face Bronzer
Original photo from Jen Calle testing Isle of Paradise Sunny Serum Instant Face Bronzer
Original photo from Jen Calle testing Isle of Paradise Sunny Serum Instant Face Bronzer
- Pros: Instant results; can be used alone or with makeup; packs a lot of additional skin benefits
- Cons: It’s a more temporary option.
When you want that tan and you want it now, reach for Isle of Paradise’s instant face bronzer. The lotion delivers some of the most luminous results we’ve seen. “A little goes a long way with this product,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “I would recommend using a moisturizer because it can dry up quickly and you want to be able to apply it all over your face before it does. (I mix it with CosRx face serum.) The first time I used this it gave me an immediate glow—all I needed was blush and I was good to go.”
But perhaps even better than the color is all of the skin-care benefits you’ll reap from slathering it on. Yes, the glow is nice, but so is the improved tone and texture you’ll get from the niacinamide, the hydration you’ll get from the squalane, and the reduced redness and irritation you’ll experience, thanks to the jojoba oil.
Best Face-Tanning Serum: Coola Hyaluronic Acid Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum
Original photo from Isabelle Halperntesting testing Coola Suncare Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum
- Pros: Multiple ways to apply based on desired result; contains skin-nourishing ingredients; suitable for all skin types; vegan; cruelty-free
- Cons: Some users say the shade is too light.
Our tester called this formula “skin care and a tan all in one.” Celebrity facialist and holistic skin expert Vee Mistry agrees: “It’s an organic product that not only allows you to build a beautiful tan, but also cares for your skin with glycerin and centella asiatica, helping to plump fine lines and improve complexion.”
It’s perfect for maintaining a glow, especially during colder months or in the lead-up to a vacation. And it can be used in two different ways: For gradual color, pump two to three drops into your daily moisturizer; for maximum color, dispense a small amount into the palm of your hand and spread evenly across your face. “My favorite way to use this is by mixing a few drops in with my moisturizer before bed, and to wake up with a glow,” says Halpern. “Even though I have sensitive skin, it never breaks me out.”
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