I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: Self-tanner doesn’t have to look fake, people! IMO, we’ve entered a golden age when it comes to the glow-inducing product. There are now so many great self-tanners out there that never look streaky, orange, or patchy. We have evolved and I couldn’t be happier about it.
I’ll admit that as a Brown woman, I don’t use self-tanner too often, but there is one particular type of tanning lotion that I do use to give my skin a natural sun-kissed glow year-round. IMO, gradual self-tanner is the way to go. It provides all that without making me look like a melted orange popsicle. Lux Unfiltered founder Sivan Ayla also gets it. She has nothing but a five-star review for gradual self-tanner. “Gradual is different from other self-tanning formats in that the tan builds slowly with every application,” she says. “To me, a gradual is the perfect way to enter the self-tanning world if you’re new or intimidated by the process. If you’re simply looking to maintain a subtle and healthy dose of color daily, a gradual is the way to go.”
Both Ayla and I have picks to share when it comes to the best gradual self-tanners. For our faves, along with highly-reviewed other options, keep scrolling.
Our Top Picks
1. Lux Unfiltered N°32 Hydrating Gradual Self Tanning Lotion ($36)
2. Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk ($21)
3. Tanologist Hydrating Gradual Tan Lotion ($16)
4. St. Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Daily Firming Lotion ($29)
5. Luna Bronze Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturizer ($34)
6. Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion ($34)
7. Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer ($13)
8. Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Tanning Lotion ($27)
9. Norvell Venetian Sunless Self Tanner Gradual Color Extender ($33)
10. Bali Body Everyday Gradual Tan Body Moisturizer ($26)
Lux Unfiltered
N°32 Hydrating Gradual Self Tanning Lotion in Santal
Pros: Can replace your regular body cream, infused with hydrating oils that boost your skin’s natural glow
Cons: Has a distinct smell
“I personally prefer a gradual for day-to-day tanning since it’s so low maintenance. Our N°32 gradual replaces your regular body cream since it’s hydrating while also building your color, which eliminates any additional steps in our already lengthy skincare routine.” — Ayla
Starring review: “Omg!!! I have absolutely loved using this as my daily moisturizer. Used with their other tanning products this has completely made my self-tan stay much longer. I always feel like I have a fresh tan!! Love!”
Bondi Sands
Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Pros: Dual action formula that acts as a hydrating daily lotion and gradual self-tanner, nourishes dry skin, works quickly
Cons: Can appear orange if you use too much at once
This dual-action formula from Bondi Sands acts as a hydrating daily lotion and gradual self-tanner in one. It contains nourishing ingredients like aloe, vitamin E, and cocoa butter to wrap skin in hydration while slowly giving you a glow over time.
Starring review: “LOVE this product! Gets you tan in about 2 uses so it’s perfect for maintaining a tan or building a natural-looking tan for the weekend! Doesn’t get dark and crusty on the elbows or the knees, blends great and gives a PERFECT not orange tan!”
Tanologist
Hydrating Gradual Tan Lotion
Pros: No tacky residue, lightweight, buildable, dries quickly
Cons: May not be suitable for sensitive skin
This formula from Tanologist is great for a variety of skin tones since it comes in two shades: fair/medium and medium/dark. Reviewers love how natural this one looks on the skin and the more you apply it, the deeper your tan will become.
Starring review: “I love this stuff!!! I haven’t used self-tanner in decades and I have nothing but negative stories to tell. But this stuff….its a gel-cream consistency and you only need a little for each limb and torso. It dries so quickly and doesn’t leave a sticky film on the skin. I can dress within 10 minutes usually. There was a slight smell on the first day but I didn’t notice it again after that. I love the natural color and I can’t seem to notice any streaks. It’s truly magical and I keep getting compliments on my tan. This is a daily moisturizer. You could use it at night or in the morning.”
St. Tropez
Gradual Tan Classic Daily Firming Lotion
Pros: Contains protective antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and brighten the skin, improves skin’s texture and firmness, streak-free
Cons: May be too dark for some
This hydrating and firming lotion protects against environmental damage while providing a medium-to-dark gradual tan that only gets better over time.
Starring review: “Nice gradual tan. I got this from a retail store, and oh my GOSH I love it so much! It gives such a great tan with 0 orangeness. Coming from a pale redhead, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRODUCTS!”
Luna Bronze
Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturizer
Pros: Contains organic ingredients and hydrating oils, soothing and gentle on skin
Cons: Contains essential oils and may not be suitable for sensitive skin
Luna Bronze’s Glow Gradual Moisturizer is a great multitasking option that delivers a realistic-looking tan over one to three applications. It’s a great option for fair to medium skin tones.
Starring review: “The gradual tanning moisturizer was easy to apply, no mess, and gives a natural-looking tan. The fact that it also moisturizes is a bonus… my skin is soft and smooth!”
TAN-LUXE
The Gradual Illuminating Gradual Tan Lotion
Pros: Helps tone and firm the skin, provides deep hydration with aloe vera and raspberry seed oil, light, subtle scent, great for darker skin tones
Cons: None
This is a great option for my fellow Black and Brown girls who just want to add a nice bronze glow to their skin. It also deeply hydrates with raspberry seed oil and aloe vera.
Starring review: “I am a black girl, medium brown skin tone and this gave me a nice bronze glow. This is nice if you want to add a bronzy tint to your melanin without a dramatic shade change. I used two nights in a row and saw about a half a shade difference. Their drops are great uf you want a true tan.”
Jergens
Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer
Pros: Affordable, creates a natural-looking tan, comes in two different shades
Cons: Strong smell
This drugstore option from Jergens comes in two different shades that suit a variety of skin tones. It creates a subtle, natural-looking glow and reviewers love it for its reliability and how buildable it is.
Starring review: “There are a lot of self-tanners on the market, and from those that I’ve tried, this is a very reliable product. It is a nice lotion to put on your skin, and it works as a tanner. The best thing about it, I have never had those obvious tanning marks that can come with self-tanners. Or you wind up with your palms brown into your cuticles. It’s great that you can choose how deep a tan you want when you buy it. You don’t have to worry that maybe you put on too much. I find the tanning very even. When summer comes along I reach for this Jergens self-tanning lotion. It works for me, and hey, you can use it in winter too!”
Beauty by Earth
Self Tanner Tanning Lotion
Pros: Streak-free application, contains organic ingredients, delivers a natural bronze look in just a few hours
Cons: None
This organic option from Beauty by Earth is classic. While it might be a less intense option than traditional self-tanners, it does still work pretty quickly as you’ll see results within hours.
Starring review: “This goes on like a lotion and the results are amazing and last several days. There is no residue or greasy feeling either. Color is even and gives your skin a nice glow (no orange color).”
Norvell
Venetian Sunless Self Tanner Gradual Color Extender
Pros: Noncomedogenic, creates a gradual tan and instantly illuminates, doubles as a CC cream, moisturizes, brightens, and firms skin
Cons: None
This formula is unique because it instantly illuminates skin, moisturizes, brightens, and acts as a CC cream all in one. The formula is also noncomedogenic and is safe to use on acne-prone skin.
Starring review: “I absolutely love this smooth tanning lotion! It gives me the perfect sun-kissed tan look without any streaks or orange undertones. The formula leaves my skin feeling hydrated and nourished. I love that it doesn’t have that typical self-tanner smell and instead has a light, pleasant scent. I’ve received so many compliments on my tan since using this lotion and I will definitely be repurchasing. I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a natural-looking tan without the harmful effects of the sun.”
Bali Body
Everyday Gradual Tan Body Moisturizer
Pros: Customizable results, hydrates and improves skin texture, enriched with nourishing oils
Cons: Strong smell
This moisturizer and tanner in one delivers customizable results while improving hydration and skin texture.
Starring review: “I am so in love with this stuff. I stock up when there are sales. Just bought four more bottles and always have two on hand. I apply two days in a row and it achieves a lovely golden tan that lasts for six-plus days. It’s so easy to apply. I apply it before bed and rinse in the morning. No staining of sheets, the smell is the only con but its not overpowering.”