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10 of the best self-tanners for the face

10 of the best self-tanners for the face
Jess Maisey
Writer and expert2 years ago
View Jess Maisey's profile
Last updated: 24/05/2024

 

When it comes to nailing your fake tan routine, the face can be one of the most difficult places to get right. Often, if you try to apply a body tan to your face, you end up with patches, or an unnatural looking colour.

For a truly seamless sun-kissed finish, it's always best to use a self-tanner for the face and achieve a light golden glow (without the harmful UV rays!)

Although some self-tanning formulas are made for both face and body, if it doesn't state face on the packaging, it shouldn't be applied onto it. The skin on your face is different to that on your body, and using the wrong formula may lead to breakouts and dehydration. We've picked out 10 of our favourite self-tanners for the face that will leave your complexion with a golden glow...

Our top 10 face-tanners

  1. Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
  2. Bondi Sands Technocolor Self Tanning Face Serum
  3. Skinny Tan Wonder Serum Face Tanning Drops
  4. Tanologist Face and Body Drops
  5. Sol de Janeiro's Copacabana Bronze Glow Motion
  6. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
  7. Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Face Mist
  8. OSKIA Adaptive Tan Drops
  9. St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist
  10. Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops

Which are the best self-tans for the face?

To help you out we've curated an edit of the best self-tanners for the face that will leave you looking, and feeling, like a bronzed goddess.

1. Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

Discover instant radiance with the Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops. Enriched with skin-boosting and hydrating raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera, the liquid tan-in-a-bottle helps to minimise skin imperfections, unify uneven skin tone and enhance your skin with a luminous radiance without any streaks.

Why we love it: Hydrating, radiance-boosting and lightweight.

2. Bondi Sands Technocolor Self Tanning Face Serum

The Bondi Sands Technocolor Self Tanning Face Serum is blended with vitamin C, the multi-purpose tan visibly brightens, clarifies and blurs the complexion, featuring Dermachromatic™ Colour Technology that adds instant warmth and radiance to the skin. The serum’s non-comedogenic composition makes the self tan suitable for those prone to blemishes and sensitivity, while chamomile nourishes with every application.

Why we love it: Features a Blemish Control Complex™ for airbrushed results.

3. Skinny Tan Wonder Serum Face Tanning Drops

Discover Skinny Tan's fast absorbing Wonder Serum Face Tanning Drops, designed to be used alone or mixed in with your moisturiser, these drops can be easily incorporated into your daily skincare routine. Infused with a blend of hyaluronic acid, coconut water, organic vitamin E and organic blackberry leaf extract, the formula leaves your skin feeling nourished as you tan, promoting a healthy-looking glow.

Why we love it: Can be mixed in with a moisturiser or used alone.

4. Tanologist Face and Body Drops

Achieve an effortless sunkissed tan with the Tanologist Face and Body Drops. A great way to incorporate tanning into your daily routine, these drops can be combined with your normal moisturiser to boost your glow. Formulated to be lightweight and apply smoothly onto the skin without clogging pores, you can create a radiant glow, without compromising your skin.

Why we love it: Won't clog your pores.

5. Sol de Janeiro Copacabana Bronze Glow Motion

Bridging the gap between skincare and makeup, Sol de Janeiro's Copacabana Bronze Glow Motion is a highlighting oil that illuminates your complexion, without leaving it sticky. Whether used alone or in combination with makeup, the Coconut and Açaí Oil enriched formula repairs skin and protects it from environmental aggressors whilst providing a radiant shimmer.

Why we love it: No sticky residue.

6. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops

Sunshine in a bottle, the D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops bestows immediate luminosity – almost as if you’ve been bathing beneath the rays! Infused with the brand's signature cold-pressed virgin marula oil and blackcurrant seed oil, the glow drops work to hydrate and nourish skin while adding a subtle bronze tint, so you can fake a holiday glow, even on the darkest winter days.

Why we love it: Ideal for very dry skin.

7. Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Face Mist

Refresh and tan with the Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Face Mist. Formulated with Lemon and Rosemary to invigorate and awaken the senses, this lightweight mist gives you a glowy boost with just a few quick sprays. Perfect for use on the go, the mist contains Hyaluronic acid to plump skin and maintain its natural moisture all day long.

Why we love it: Great for refreshing your tan on-the-go.

8. OSKIA Adaptive Tan Drops

OSKIA's Adaptive Tan Drops are made from a 100% natural formulation. Featuring the brand's own unique (and natural) encapsulated DHA, the drops also contain natural melanin boosters to increase your skin's chance of tanning naturally. They have been designed to be added to any moisturiser or serum of your choice, and let you wake up with a lightweight golden glow.

Why we love it: Made with 100% natural ingredients.

9. St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist

Wear the kiss of summer on your cheeks with the St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist. Lightweight and breathable, the spray hosts a cocktail of skin-loving ingredients that help to nourish the complexion, while warming the skin with a bronzed glow. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and green mandarin water, offering a refreshing cooling sensation, while hibiscus extract helps to protect the skin against environmental aggressors.

Why we love it: It is 100% vegan.

10. Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops

Discover the versatile Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops by Garnier, a multi-benefit formula designed to leave skin with a bronzed glow. The easy-to-use drops can be used on their own or mixed with your favourite moisturiser for double the dewiness, allowing you to achieve a completely customisable finish.

Why we love it: Features hydrating hyaluronic acid and coconut water.

Shop all facial self-tanners on LOOKFANTASTIC!

Jess Maisey
Writer and expert
View Jess Maisey's profile
Ever since I discovered makeup and tutorials from a young age, I have been completely in love! Makeup, for me, is more than just a look - it’s a feeling. I am obsessed with the process of applying my makeup, bringing a look together and feeling a whole new level of confidence. My makeup routines and looks have been on a transformative journey over the years but now my most favourite go-to look is glowy, natural and sun-kissed. The Iconic London Radiance Booster is the ultimate game-changer and a makeup must-have!
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