The Best Self Tanners (Ranked by Ease, Color & Smell)

I honestly hated self-tanner until two years ago. The smell always bothered me, I never knew how to apply it without getting streaks, and I felt like the color was unnatural on my skin tone. That is until I found a self-tanner that actually worked. Trust me, finding the perfect self-tanner can feel like a never-ending search. Whether you want a subtle glow or a deep bronze, the best self-tanner depends on your skin type, tone, and of course, personal preferences.

In this guide, I’m ranking the top self-tanners based on ease of use, color payoff, and scent—so you can achieve a flawless tan without the hassle. I even show you how to apply self tanner towards the bottom! Read on if you want the full scoop, but if you want my #1 pick right off the bat, it’s Coco & Eve Tanning Foam in the Dark color. If you buy from Coco & Eve directly, use code TERILYN15 for 15% off your order. Or you can order Coco & Eve from Amazon.

Okay, onto the rest of the post!

The Best Self Tanners (Ranked by Ease, Color & Smell)

Best Mousse for a Natural Color: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam

Coco & Eve’s Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is my favorite best tanning foam for a natural-looking tan. It applies really easily with a mitt (this set comes one) and blends smoothly without streaks. I love that it contains vitamin C and E since it keeps my skin hydrated. I’m super picky when it comes to scents, but this one actually smells like tropical mango and guava fragrance—so no typical self-tanner smell.

While it does take 6-8 hours to develop, I can usually apply it in the morning, wear it under my regular clothes, and then shower at night to rinse it off so I don’t get any transfer onto my sheets.

If you buy from Coco & Eve directly, use code TERILYN15 for 15% off your order. Or you can order Coco & Eve from Amazon. Here’s a short video I filmed with some self-tanner application tips for this specific foam.

Here’s my overall “grade” for Coco & Eve.

• Ease of Use: A- (tends to deposit more color on my knees and ankles than I want, even with super cautious application)
• Color Payoff: A- (lasts about 4 days before it starts to fade)
• Scent: B+ (I wish it were scentless, but it’s not horrible.)

Pros:

• Natural golden-brown tan with no orange hue
• Streak-free application with a mitt – the mitt is key. Buy this set that comes with a mitt. (If you don’t buy a set, you can use code TERILYN15.)
• Hydrating ingredients (hyaluronic acid & coconut water)
• Pleasant-ish tropical scent

Cons:

• Develops over 6–8 hours, so you do have to wear it all day or all night before showering.
• Slightly pricier than drugstore options

Here’s a photo I snapped last spring after I had applied the tanner. So good, right?

Best Non-Toxic Self Tanner: Beauty By Earth Self Tanner Mousse

If you’re looking for a clean, non-toxic self-tanner with a lightweight, easy-to-apply formula, Beauty By Earth’s Self Tanner Mousse is a great choice. I used this when I was pregnant! This mousse formula gives you a streak-free tan that develops into a natural-looking bronze. It’s made with organic aloe vera, coconut oil, and cranberry extract, and I found it pretty hydrating. Plus, it’s free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and parabens. If a non-toxic option is essential to you, this is my top pick.

Here’s my overall grade for Beauty By Earth Self Tanner:

• Ease of Use: A- (I found it a little harder to blend than other brands.)
• Color Payoff: B- (The color isn’t as deep as Coco & Eve.)
• Scent: A (It’s the best smelling of the bunch in this post)

Pros:

• Non-toxic, organic ingredients
• Lightweight mousse formula for even application
• No synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals
• Hydrating with aloe vera and coconut oil
• Streak-free finish

Cons:

• Develops over several hours, so plan to wear loose clothing for the day or change your sheets after sleeping in it.
• Requires a mitt for best application (buy this set so it comes with a mitt).

Best Face Tanner: Coco & Eve Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist

Coco & Eve’s face mist is a game-changer if you want an effortless face tan. I used to just buff the remainder of my tanning foam around my face, but this is much better. The mist is super fine and gives an even application that develops over a few hours. I especially appreciate that it’s infused with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to keep my skin hydrated and glowy, and it works perfectly underneath makeup.

Use code TERILYN15 if you order from Coco & Eve. You can also buy the Coco & Eve Face Mist on Amazon. I shared a video on LTK where I tried this for the first time so you can get an idea of the application.

Ease of Use: A- (It mists beautifuly like any other non-tanning face mist, but I have to be mindful to make sure my neck and decolletage somewhat match!)
Color Payoff: B- (It’s not quite as dark as the foam that I use on my body)
Scent: A+ (Mild and doesn’t linger)

Pros:

• Easy spray application
• Lightweight formula that won’t clog pores
• Hydrating with hyaluronic acid and dragon fruit extract
• Develops within a few hours

Cons:

• Not as buildable as drops or serums

Honorable Mention: Tan Luxe Face Drops

Tan Luxe Face Drops are another excellent choice for a customizable face tan. Just mix a few drops with your moisturizer for a natural, streak-free glow.

Best Tanning Oil: Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil

The Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil has rave reviews so I feel like I must be missing something because I found this extremely hard to use. But, given the reviews (it has 5 stars on Amazon and on the Josie Maran site), I’m still going to give it the prize for best tanning oil because I think it must be a me-issue. I did find it more hydrating than foams, but I found it very hard to apply evenly, even with a mitt. The oil is super messy and got on my rug, so beware.

Ease of Use: C-
Color Payoff: C-
Scent: A+

Pros:

• Hydrating formula for dry skin with argan oil and Vitamin E
• Natural golden tan
• Argan oil and vitamin E for added skin benefits

Cons:

• Requires a tanning mitt for application
• Can feel slightly greasy before absorbing
• Left streaks in a bad way

Best for a Deep Color: Lux Unfiltered N°36 Supernatural Self-Tanning Mousse in Blood Orange

If you want a truly deep tan, try Lux Unfiltered’s N°36 Supernatural Self-Tanning Mousse in Blood Orange. This mousse provides a deep, bronzed color while maintaining a natural finish. I used it for a while before switching to Coco & Eve for a slightly lighter tan.

Here’s my overall grade for the Lux Unfiltered N°36 Supernatural Self-Tanning Mousse:

Ease of Use: B- (It’s dark so you have to be careful when applying since mistakes are more prominent.)
Color Payoff: A+ (Truly stunning color that’s natural without a hint of orange.)
Scent: A- (Smells pleasant but lingers.)

Pros:

• Deep, long-lasting tan
• Vegan and cruelty-free formula
• Hydrating with shea butter and hyaluronic acid

Cons:

• Stronger scent than other options
• Requires more care with the application since it’s a deeper tan. Definitely buy a mitt (that one is cheap and is my favorite one I have!).

Best Tanning Mist: Tan Luxe The Water: Tanning Water

Tan Luxe The Water is a top pick for a lightweight, no-mess application. This is a clear tanning mist that provides a glow without the risk of staining clothes or sheets (LOVE that). It’s packed with hydrating ingredients and gives a gradual, buildable tan. Since the mist is clear, though, you have to be careful not to spray too much in one spot since you won’t be able to see where it goes.

It’s easy to spray, for the most part, and I like that I can mist my back, but the included mitt is slippery and hard to control. It’s also hard to use when you have to switch hands to apply to your non-dominant arm. While I love that it’s super lightweight, has a nice scent, and it’s somewhat easy to spritz onto my own back, the color payoff is pretty limited.

• Ease of Use: C (It’s easy to spray, for the most part, and I like that I can mist my back, but the included mitt is slippery and hard to control. The oil is super messy and got on my rug, so beware.)
• Color Payoff: C (Color is very minimal but natural-looking!)
• Scent: A+ (Smells great going on.)

Pros:

• Lightweight, clear formula
• No transfer onto clothes
• Smells nice

Cons:

• Difficult to use the bottle with your non-dominant hand when spraying your dominant arm
• Also requires careful application since you can’t see where the product is going
• Limited color payoff

Best Express Tan: Coco & Eve Express Tanning Antioxidant Mousse

I recently tried Coco & Eve’s Express Tanning Antioxidant Mousse, and WOW, I was impressed. This mousse applies just like the tanning foam I shared at the beginning of this post, but you only have to leave it on for 1 hour, which is fantastic for a busy mom like me. If you need a quick tan for an event that same evening, a photoshoot, or just want to feel better on an off day, this is the best self-tanner I’ve found. If you buy from Coco & Eve directly, use code TERILYN15 for 15% off your order.

• Ease of Use: A- (tends to deposit more color on my knees and ankles than I want, even with super cautious application)
• Color Payoff: A
• Scent: B+ (I wish it were scentless, but it’s not horrible.)

Pros:

• Develops in 1 hour
• Smells decent

Cons:

• Requires a mitt to apply evenly
• Color is slightly more orange than their Bali Bronzing foam which has more olive tones.

Most Viral: St. Tropez

St. Tropez Self Tanner is one of the most well-known self-tanners on the market, and I just ordered it for myself so I could put it to the test. I can definitely see what all the hype is about! I love that it’s an express tan since I hate sitting in tanner all day, and if you need a nice wash of color before family photos, a big date night, or a wedding weekend, you may not have the entire day to let a fake tan develop. I also love the scent!

• Ease of Use: A (This blends the easiest of any brand and didn’t leave any lines the next day.)
• Color Payoff: B+ (The color isn’t as deep as Coco & Eve, but, to be fair, it’s an express tan. But the color itself was beautifully natural without zero orange tones.)
• Scent: A+ (Smells great going on, then fades—unlike most self tanners that get smellier over time.)

Pros:

• Express tan – develops in 1-3 hours
• Nice scent

Cons:

• Pricey
• Color isn’t as deep as other express options

Self Tanner to Skip: Isle of Paradise

I’ve tried Isle of Paradise, both the drops and the foam, and I hated them. The formula didn’t work well for me—it was either too streaky or too patchy, and the smell wasn’t great. The foam formula leaked everywhere too. Definitely not a repurchase for me!

Self Tanner Application Tips

Here is a short video with tips for applying self-tanner evenly, but the key takeaways are:

• Exfoliate your body before applying the tan. I like this Primally Pure body exfoliator.
• Always use a mitt.
• Start with two pumps and rub all over.
• Sweep down on hands.
• Use whatever is left over on your mitt for the back and front of your knee.
• Gentle sweep down on your feet.
• Wear something dark and lightweight like these wide-leg pants from Amazon while your tan develops.

What Is the Best Self Tanner for Fair Skin?

If you have fair skin, the wrong self-tanner can leave you looking orange or patchy. The best options develop into a natural shade without an orange hue. Mousse or foam formulas work well for fair skin because they allow for even application. To prevent dryness and streaks, look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Aloe vera, and shea butter. I would try Coco & Eve in the medium shade (I use the shade Dark, and I have light/medium skin).

Final Thoughts

The best self-tanner for you depends on your skin type, desired depth of color, and application preference. Whether you love a mousse, mist, oil, or drops, these top-rated picks will give you a natural, streak-free glow. Always prep your skin with exfoliation and moisturization before applying self-tanner, and use a mitt or brush for a flawless blend.

Top Picks Recap:

• Best for fair skin: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Foam
• Best non-toxic: Beauty By Earth Self Tanner
• Best face tanner: Coco & Eve Face Mist (use code TeriLyn15)
• Best tanning oil: Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold
• Best deep tan: Lux Unfiltered N°36 Supernatural Self-Tanning Mousse
• Best body mist: Tan Luxe The Water

Which self-tanner is your go-to? Let me know in the comments!

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