Sunless tanning brings about a youthful, golden glow that keeps you out of the harsh rays of the sun. Sunless tanning is better for you than spending hours in the sun where you’re absorbing harmful UV rays and risking skin problems in the future.
We have reviewed some of the best self tanners for the perfect tan, and we’re sharing the best of the best here for you today. They’re in no particular order.
Sun Laboratories Sunless Self Bronzer

The natural ingredients in this self tanner make it safe for sensitive skin. It’s a tinted bronzer that acts as a guide. You’ll be able to see exactly where it’s been applied, so you can avoid streaky areas or missed areas completely.
Best Features of the Self Tanner
- Moisturizing ingredients
- Easy application
- Instant brown glow
- Dark color
There is a mitt included with this bronzer, too. You don’t want to end up with brown palms or tinted fingernails. Many sunless tanning products will sink into fingernails and change their color. It’s not a look that you want.
Darksyde Ultra Bronze Self Tanning Lotion

This self tanning lotion is incredibly gentle with moisturizing ingredients that can be used on your face. You don’t want to miss the face when you’re using a self tanner, or it’ll look strange.
Some self tanners contain harsh chemicals with weird smells that can really have an impact on the sensitive skin there. There are botanicals like aloe that will soothe and smooth your skin.
Best Features of the Self Tanning Lotion
- Sulfate free
- Great scent
- Fast working
- Gentle
You’ll need to use a mitt for the application that isn’t included with this lotion. They’re fairly inexpensive, and you can actually use a makeup sponge when applying this bronzing lotion to the face.
It’ll provide a streak-free application. The color will become evident within a few hours.
Tanceuticals CC Self Tanner

If you want a self tanner that is used by celebrities and has received awards, this is the one you should choose. It’s full of organic ingredients that are all-natural.
This lotion doesn’t have a bronzing agent to be used as a guide when applying the lotion. It’s a heavy cream, though, so it’ll you’ll be able to keep track of where it’s been applied quite easily.
Best Features of the CC Self Tanning Lotion
- Easy application
- Non-streaking
- Organic ingredients
- Award winning
Aside from the amazing color, people have been raving about the scent. When self tanners have DHA in them, there’s normally a huge scent of chemicals.
This one smells like coconut and has natural ingredients like fruit extracts, nut oils and cocoa seed butter. Anyone with an allergy to nuts should be aware of the ingredients before applying this to the skin.
Beauty by Earth Self Tanner

The company is big on providing their customers with a self tanner that isn’t full of chemicals.
They don’t add elements that will prolong shelf life or cut down on costs because usually that means the company isn’t providing the best tanner for their customers.
All of Beauty by Earth’s products are made with organic ingredients including natural DHA from non-GMO vegetable glycerin. If this is an important value for you, this is a great product for keeping your body healthy.
Best Features of the Self Tanner
- Waterproof
- Customizable tone
- Works quickly
- Gentle for the face
Along with all-natural, organic ingredients, they provide a product that will tan the skin without leaving behind any orange streakiness.
That’s very important if you’re tanning for a specific reason like an event. You don’t want to spend days before the event trying to tone down the orange of your skin. This will give you a natural glow that you can deepen as needed.
These self tanners are some of the best on the market for giving you the perfect tan. You can avoid the sun and have an even tan in exactly the right shade you want.
It’s important that you take care of your skin before and after the application process to avoid the tan leaving splotchy areas as time goes on, and it starts to fade.
None of these products will make you orange or leave behind a hugely chemical smell. You can easily apply the lotion, leave it to set for a few hours, and have a golden brown tan in the right shade before your event.
It’s great for people who live in areas where a tan is expected, but when they don’t want to risk the punishing rays of the sun or using tanning beds.