The best fake tans for every skin type out there

Oct 30, 2023

We have a special place in our hearts for fake tan. After one mere application, we can emerge from our bathrooms with newly-found confidence and holiday-worthy glow. Just bloody brilliant.

It's no secret that fake tan has come a long way since the noughties. Essentially, it no longer smells of biscuits or leaves nasty streak marks on our bodies and bedding. There are even face tanners made for that sensitive skin, so no more patchy noses or necks. Hallelujah.

Some of us love to keep our gradual tanners close to our hearts, whilst others love to stick to the classic mousse applicators (you can't knock it, really). But the truth is, there are all sorts of fake tans out there, whether you're looking for something subtle or want to go ultra-dark.

Now, not all of us want to faff around searching high and low through all of the details - so, to make it easy for you, here are our top choices. Simple.

Best overall fake tan: Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Water

Best natural-looking fake tan: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Gradual Tanning Lotion

Best fake tan mousse: St.Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse

Let's be real, there's nothing better than feeling the glow of a freshly-baked fake tan application, and after a couple of hours stinking up the house you look as good as when you just came off a holiday. From light sprays to ultra-dark mousses, it's just hard to know which option is the perfect choice for you.

Whether you're an expert at-home applicator or this is your first time here (we all have to start somewhere), we've got a complete guide to the best fake tans on the market right now. From Isle of Paradise to the iconic St Moriz, there's something for everyone - and you'll feel ready to go and glow, once you've made a choice out of one of these favourites.

Tanning king Jules Von Hep created the brand Isle of Paradise, which we love. The products have

Want to look great and smell absolutely insane? Palmer's Cocoa Butter Tanning Lotion is super easy

We can't mention the best fake tans without including this St. Tropez product. Thanks to its

It's no surprise that this mousse has made it into bestsellers when a tonne of [celebrity reviews

If you haven't already seen this gradual tanner from Bondi Sands, it's time to tune in. Known for

Applied like your everyday moisturiser, this Crazy Angel Gradual Tan is perfect for us lazy

Rrp: £19.9

Bondi Sands is infused with coconut and argan oil, this luxurious self-tan comes in a dry oil

Rrp: £19.9

Rrp: £27.5

Wake up with a gorgeous glow with the help of the James Read Sleep Mask Tan Face. This lightweight

Rrp: £27.5

Meet one of the high-streets most coveted fake tans: the L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning

Rrp: £22

This clever-working self-tanning bronzer tans on contact, giving you an instant golden colour

Rrp: £22

This vitamin-infused water hydrates your skin while you tan and is cruelty-free, organic and

Rrp: £7.69

For a gradual, natural glow, we've been reaching for the Dove Derma Spa range. Simply sweep onto

Rrp: £7.69

Complimentary to warmer skin tones, Rose & Caramel has created a winning bespoke formula. It has

According to Cancer Research UK, fake tan is completely safe to use.

However, it's important to remember that using fake tan doesn't protect against harmful UV rays, so always remember to apply sun cream to avoid looking like a tomato and damaging your lovely skin.

In terms of skin reactions to fake tan, some doctors recommend doing a patch test before bronzing up to check you don't have an allergic reaction to the tanner.

We hear you - you're worried about breakouts too. Don't stress - fake tan can leave your skin feeling dry, which can cause breakouts, but keeping moisturised should keep those pesky spots at bay.

Fake tan staining seems pretty unavoidable. Whether it's your sheets, pillowcases or your favourite white dress, it happens.

Thankfully most fake tan stains come out in a 40-degree wash. For stubborn stains on pale fabrics, try a pre-wash stain remover.

If you're planning on getting your glow on, we recommend using a dark towel and sleeping on dark sheets instead of white or light-coloured ones. Either that, or invest in a fake tan sheet protector. Genius.

According to the NHS, using fake tanning lotions and creams is safe during pregnancy.

However, it's probably best to avoid stepping into a spray-tanning booth while you're expecting, as the effects of inhaling the chemicals used during a spray-tan are unknown.

If you're not too sure on your fake tan skills, or just want to tighten up your knowledge on how to fake tan, we've got you covered. Want to be a glowy goddess all year round? Most fake tans last between three and ten days, so if you want to be constantly bronzed, you'll probably need to apply fake tan once every 1-2 weeks.

Don't worry about how to remove fake tan either, because there are even products out there for that now too. Or, just go hard on the scrubbing in the shower, like the rest of us,

Caitlin Casey is a Senior Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women's lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.