Our correspondent Jillian Tangen has curated a list of the best self tanners for face and body to apply at home for a safe summer 2022 glow, including lotion, mist, and oil products from luxury beauty brands.
what’s the best luxury self-tanner to apply at home?
We all know that tanning, whether under the sun (or heaven forbid inside a tanning booth), is bad for your skin and your health. Fortunately there are safer ways you can obtain that sun kissed glow associated with relaxing vacations year round.
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If you’ve been reluctant to try self-tanners in the past, we don’t exactly blame you. Early self tanning formulas created unsightly streaks, featured a distinctive chemical smell, transferred color onto your clothing or worse, created the dreaded orange glow. And we can all agree that human Cheeto is never a good look.
The best luxury self tanners for face and body to apply at home for a safe summer 2022 glow, including lotion, mist, and oil products.
Thankfully though, self-tanners have undergone significant advances in recent years. New formulations now result in more natural tones, more pleasant scents and less streaking thanks to mediums like oils, wipes and mists that apply and spread both smoother and easier.
But with so many products on the market, which one is best for you?
The best luxury self tanners for face and body to apply at home for a safe summer 2022 glow, including lotion, mist, and oil products.
We’ve done the hard work for you, finding 16 of the best formulas out there. From mousses to mists to oils and lotions made specifically for your face, these self tanners are easy to use, streak free and will leave you looking like you just came back from a tropical beach vacation even if you haven’t.
The best luxury self tanners for face and body to apply at home for a safe summer 2022 glow, including lotion, mist, and oil products
Intrigued? Read on.
The best luxury self-tanner for face and body to apply at home in 2022
1. lotion: tan-luxe the gradual
If you’re looking for a self-tanner to slowly build your glow, try Tan-Luxe’s newest product, The Gradual ($36). With naturally derived raspberry seed oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera, it provides all-day hydration plus it’s formulated with Cellutone Complex to firm the look of skin and reduce appearance of cellulite while delivering hydration and a soft subtle glow.
BUY NOW – $36.
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2. lotion: mario badescu self tanning lotion
The Mario Badescu Self Tanning Lotion ($12) is ideal for fair skin tones or anyone looking for just a hint of color. The lotion is lightweight, oil-free and safe to use on both your face and body. Not only will it hydrate your skin, but you will also achieve a healthy, subtle glow within two hours of application.
BUY NOW – $12.
3. lotion: supergoop healthy glow sunless tan spf 40
If you’ve ever wished you could apply SPF and self-tanner at the same time try Supergoop Healthy Glow Sunless Tan SPF 40 ($38). Not only does the formula spray on clear and develop into a golden glow over a few hours. It also contains a healthy dose of SPF 40. What’s more, it can be used safely on both your body and face.
BUY NOW – $38.
4. lotion: clarins self-tanning milky lotion
Is it a self-tanner or is it a body lotion? Clarins’ Self-Tanning Milky Lotion ($41) is the best of both worlds, offering 24-hour moisture while imparting a natural-looking golden glow. The star of the show here is a fusion between thirst-quenching fig extract and skin-soothing aloe vera — making it ideal for those with sensitive skin.
BUY NOW – $41.
5. oil: josie maran argan liquid gold self tanning oil
Former supermodel Josie Maran knows a thing about camera ready skin and her Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil ($39) deepens to a molten gold for a goddess- like finish. Ensuring you are ready for your close up – even if it’s still just on Zoom. Apply with the accompanying mitt to ensure a streak-free matted glow.
BUY NOW – $39.
6. oil: cleantan quickie concentrate
Looking for something completely customizable? Add a few drops of Cleantan’s Quickie Concentrate ($43) to your favorite moisturizer for an even and hydrating color boost. When you’re ready for a deeper glow, simply add a few more.
BUY NOW – $43.
7. oil: tan-luxe wonder oil
Aptly named Wonder Oil ($69), Tan-Luxes’ roll-on formulation not only gives you a natural looking tan, but also soothes your skin with it’s blend of jojoba, argan and raspberry seed oil – and it improves elasticity at the same time. Not to mention, the packaging is uber chic.
BUY NOW – $69.
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8. oil: isle of paradise self tanning drops
Not only do Isle of Paradise’s Self Tanning Drops ($32) enhance your glow, their formula also helps to color-correct skin once you’ve added them to your product of choice.
BUY NOW – $32.
9. mists, mousses + wipes: james read glow20 tan mousse
Need some color right away? James Read’s Glow20 Tan Mousse ($39) can deliver in 20 minutes. Plus it’s encapsulated Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and Fruit Extracts which aid hydration, suppleness and brighten the skin. Win-win.
The best luxury self-tanning products to apply at home in 2022 including lotions, mists, and oil.
BUY NOW – $39.
10. mists, mousses + wipes: st. tropez self tanning bronzing mist
Mists are generally a safe bet for a streak-free application and an airbrushed finish for experts and novices alike. St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mist ($35) is an ultra-fine tanning mist that goes on streak-free, isn’t sticky or heavy and delivers a natural finish to all skin tones. It’s ideal for covering those hard-to-reach areas like your back too.
BUY NOW – $35.
11. mists, mousses + wipes: coola organic sunless tan dry body oil mist
Coola’s Organic Sunless Tan Dry Body Oil Mist ($46) checks off all the boxes: zero mess, no strong odor, streak-free and the color is noticeable and natural after one use. It’s also 100% vegan and 70% organic. Simply mist and allow the antioxidant-rich formula to work its skin-loving magic.
BUY NOW – $46.
12. mists, mousses + wipes: dr. dennis gross alpha beta glow pads
New York dermatologist Dennis Gross’s Alpha Beta Glow Pads ($45) are specifically designed for use on the body (the brand makes separate ones for the face). They offer exfoliation with the help of lactic acid and willow-bark extract and deliver a bronzy hue. In addition, the wipes have other beneficial claims, too, like firming skin and slowing down hair growth.
BUY NOW – $45.
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13. face: drunk elephant d-bronzi anti-pollution sunshine drops
Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops ($36) deliver the sunshine’s bronze color, without the damage. Add a drop or two to your favorite serum, moisturizer or sunscreen for a healthy glow accented with antioxidant-rich cocoa extract, marula oil and peptides to nourish and boost skin’s elasticity.
BUY NOW – $36.
14. face: coco & eve sunny honey bronzing face drops
For self-tanner beginners, the coconut-water-based Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops ($28) are as natural and easy-going as they come. Add 2-3 drops to your moisturizer of choice. And voila, you have a vacation-like glow.
BUY NOW – $28.
14. face: soleil toujours daily sunless tanning serum
With a formulation like a skincare serum, the Daily Sunless Tanning Serum ($56) from Soleil Toujours was created specifically to self-tan the face. It can be mixed with your daily moisturizer, SPF, facial oil or regular serum to achieve a subtle radiant glow, or used alone for an even deeper color.
BUY NOW – $56.
16. face: james read sleep mask tan
Don’t let the word “sleep” in James Read’s Sleep Mask Tan ($32.50) fool you. James Read’s face tan lotion can also be used in the morning for a light tan that deepens as the day goes on.
BUY NOW – $32.50.
best luxury self tanners for face and body to apply at home
That’s our roundup of the 16 best luxury self-tanning products to use yourself at home, whether you prefer a lotion, a mist or an oil.
And if we could offer one quick tip on at-home self tanning: be sure to exfoliate beforehand and apply to clean, dry skin for best results. And wash your hands afterwards to avoid any staining.
So what do you think? Are you ready to give an at home self tanner a try or is your bronzy glow best left to the professionals?
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This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links.
Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.
