The best drugstore self-tanners prove you don’t need a fancy price tag to get an incredible streak-free glow. Rather, all you need is a smart formula and a few minutes of application in the bathroom. Trust me, pharmacy aisles (or Amazon!) are stacked with self-tanners that offer just that. Whether you need a quick-pigmenting mousse for last-minute dinner prep or a gradual lotion you can apply every time you shower, these budget-friendly options rival Prestige’s products in terms of color performance, wear time, and hydration.
Top drugstore self tanners
FAQ
Even better, many of them actually smell good, dry quickly, and leave your skin smoother than when you started using it. We tested a bunch of options to find out which drugstore self-tanners really give you that glow that makes you feel like you just got back from vacation without the dreaded orange tint.
Best overall: Loving Tan Platinum Express 2 Hour Mousse
Why it’s worth it: No wonder this moose won the 2024 Best of Beauty award. Although it is super applicable, dark (You can’t go outside in the dark, etc.) When you apply it, it may look a little streaky, but it dries quickly and will not transfer to your clothes after a certain amount of time. The fastest two-hour washout on this list gives you one of the most natural-looking tans our editors have tried. Even if you err on the pale side, even the deepest of this tanner’s four shades looks incredibly beautiful with its olive-toned (not orange!) finish.
The aloe vera base keeps skin moisturized, while the added caffeine (known as a de-puffing ingredient in body care) provides a subtle smoothing effect. The color continues to darken over a 24 hour period, but never gets “too dark”. Pro tip: Use a very thin layer on your face to keep it a little less visible. too much Yellowish brown. When we tested this product, we found that the color faded after about 5 days, which is normally expected with a 2 hour development period.
“At first I was skeptical about how dark this tanner would be, but it wins big points for how quickly it dries and doesn’t leave a sticky feeling. The color build-up is amazing. I applied it at 5pm and by 7pm it was a gorgeous bronze color, perfect for dinner time. Even if you have naturally fair skin, the color is an incredible golden bronze, so you don’t have to stress about it.” —Lily Wallner, Commerce Writer
- Main ingredients: aloe vera, caffeine, pomegranate
- Color: 4 (medium, dark, ultra dark, maximum)
- Development time: 2 hours
- scent: none
- Lasts until: 5 days
Best step by step: Jergen’s Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
Why it’s worth it: A perennial Best of Beauty and Readers’ Choice Award winner, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer remains a drugstore icon for good reason. Achieve soft, authentic bronze without the hassle often associated with self-tanners. It doesn’t take a long time to dry, it doesn’t show streaks, and it doesn’t need to be washed off. The silky lotion absorbs quickly and provides an even glow over several days (make it a habit for easy post-shower care). You can easily apply it with just your hands without using a mitt. Thanks to its moisturizing glycerin and vitamin E content, it can also be used as a daily body lotion to soothe and soothe your skin without the need for any extra moisturizer.
“When you apply this tanner, use your hands to work it into your body, as it’s like a lotion (and wash your hands right afterward, because you definitely want to avoid orange palms). It’s a gradual self-tanner, so you’ll need to keep applying it for days until the tan really sets in, but once you’ve tanned, you’ll know it was worth the wait.” —Angela Trakosis, former Shopping Market Editor
- Main ingredients: Vitamin E, elastin and moisturizing complex
- Color: 2 (fair to medium, medium to tan)
- Development time: Builds up gradually with daily use
- scent: light floral scent
- Lasts until: Use daily for lasting results
Best mousse: bondi sands ultra dark foam
bondi sands
ultra dark form
Why it’s worth it: Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam, a favorite of Irvine, California-based spray tan artists. Audrey Spinais a lightweight mousse that applies smoothly and dries quickly without leaving a sticky finish or staining clothes. “For the price, you get the most even color, with an olive undertone that avoids the orange look that cheaper formulas tend to have,” says Spina, who recommends it to clients who want something reliable without spending too much.
Another pro? Since it’s an instant tint, it’s easy to see where you’ve applied it. Add a few pumps to your tanning mitt, make long stroking movements all over your body, and leave it on for at least 6 hours. It should develop overnight (a risky practice for people who usually have white sheets), but it takes hold almost instantly without migration. What’s even better is that it skips the classic self-tan scent. Instead, you get a soft coconut scent combined with soothing aloe and glycerin, leaving your skin feeling luxurious, hydrated, and deeply bronzed.
- Main ingredients: aloe vera, glycerin
- shade: 3 (Light/Medium, Dark, Ultra Dark)
- Development time: up to 8 hours
- scent: coconut
- Lasts until: 5 days
Perfect for beginners: L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Mist
loreal paris
sublime bronze self tanning mist
Why we like it: Founder Sofia Avanzato mainline spray tan Villanova, Pennsylvania-based L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Mist calls it “incredibly easy to use.” What’s the secret? The 360-degree wide-jet applicator delivers a lightweight, fine mist for a smooth airbrush effect. It may sound like a hassle, but as long as you do it in the shower, the process is seamless. There’s no rubbing required, and the formula dries almost instantly and develops color in just 2 hours. The result is a smooth, polished glow that’s subtle enough for a natural look, but with the option to layer for a deeper bronze if desired.
- Main ingredients: castor oil
- Color: 2 (Medium natural tan, deep natural tan)
- Development time: up to 3 hours
- scent: yes
- Lasts until: Use several times a week for lasting results
FAQ
How can I get a natural look with drugstore self-tanner?
Natural-looking results are all about preparing, blending, and controlling your skin, says Avanzato. “Use less product on dry areas like elbows, knees, hands, and feet, which are the areas most prone to tanning at home. Always blend these areas with a damp mitt or makeup brush to diffuse the color,” she says. Another tip? Work in light layers rather than one heavy application because “it’s easier to build up the colors than to fix them.”
How do you prepare your self-tanner?
Spina says the preparation for using a drugstore self-tanner is the same as for any other at-home tanner. “Shower and exfoliate the day before, and definitely not on the day of,” she says. Once you’re out and about, “skip to heavy lotions; a light moisturizer only on dry areas like elbows and knees is sufficient.” Once the lather is created, it will keep your skin cool and dry until it’s time to rinse, giving you an even, streak-free tan.
What is the difference between a drugstore self-tanner and a high-end self-tanner?
“The biggest difference between drugstore and high-end formulas usually comes down to the quality of the ingredients and additional skin care benefits,” Avanzato says. “High-end brands use higher quality DHA (tanning active ingredient) and may contain more moisturizing and skin-soothing ingredients.”
That said, Avanzato points out that many drugstore formulas perform surprisingly well and are easy to use on a daily basis. “While the prestige version may offer a more luxurious feel, a well-prepared, well-blended drugstore tan can look just as beautiful.”
meet an expert
How to test and review products
Before reviewing makeup, we ask questions about various factors. What ingredients does it contain? Does the brand offer a wide range of shades aimed at consumers of all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for our readers with sensitive skin or contact lens wear? Is it affordable or more than a splurge? Is the packaging consciously designed or is it wasted?
To review the best drugstore self tanners, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review products. This ensures that the testing base spans a variety of skin tones, genders, and skin conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four key categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and comprehensiveness. For more information on what our report includes, please visit our full review process and methodology page.
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After all, can you? Really Can you say that a skin care product is “best” for people over 50 if the testers only asked for opinions from people who haven’t yet reached 30? Can you honestly think that a high-end diffuser that has never been tested on curls is worth your hard-earned money? We are proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin colors, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds. That means you can get a fair review of every beauty product in your beauty closet.
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Source: Allure – www.allure.com
