What Is A Self-Tanner?

Self-tanners are beauty products to tan your skin without exposing it to harmful sun rays. They are commonly sold as lotions, creams, sprays, or drops. Self-tanning drops are generally mixed with regular body lotions or oils and then applied to the skin. You can easily customize the strength of the tan with these drops. Wondering if these products work? Read ahead to find out.

Do Self-Tanners Really Work?

Yes. Sunless tanning is considered safe and gives effective results. The active ingredient in these products is dihydroxyacetone, which reacts with dead cells on your skin’s surface to give a tanned look.

10 Best Self-Tanning Drops For Women

1. Best Oil-Free Formula: Sol By Jergens Deeper By The Drop Serum

Sol By Jergens Deeper By The Drop Serum blends well with your moisturizer. Its oil-free and lightweight formula is derived from natural sugars, making it a long-lasting product. It is tested by dermatologists and works on your unique skin tones. The product is handy and travel-friendly. Watch this video to get a detailed review of the product. Pros

 Travel-size  Dermatologically-tested  Cruelty-free  Dye-free  Paraben-free  Lightweight  Oil-free  Long-lasting

Cons

 May feel patchy

2. Best Natural-Looking Finish:  Isle of Paradise Light Self-Tanning Drops

The color-correcting benefits of Isle of Paradise Light Self-Tanning Drops give you the ultimate natural-looking fake tan. Its skin-brightening actives provide the perfect light, sun-kissed glow. The product is beginner-friendly and perfect for those who have a lighter skin tone. It features a blend of superfoods like chia seeds, beetroot, and kale extract to nourish your skin. Avocado, coconut, raspberry seed oil, and blueberries in this product boost collagen production. The cocoa seed extract in these tanning drops protects skin from pollution and blue light. Here’s a video to help you know more about this product. Pros

 Cruelty-free  Vegan  Ideal for daily use

Cons

 Expensive

3. Best Cruelty-Free: Xabav Self-Tanning Drops

The Xabav Self-Tanning Drops offer a golden glow to your face and body. It rejuvenates all skin types. This vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free formula gives a natural look to your skin and is enriched with the goodness of coconut, chia seed, and avocado oil. Mix it in your favorite lotion or moisturizer to use on your skin. Pros

Cruelty-free  Vegan  Paraben-free

Cons

 Sticky

4. Best Non-Toxic: Tan-luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

The bespoke high-end Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops feature triple tan technology, a blend of organic tanning actives, to deliver a radiant, natural-looking tan. It is non-toxic and cruelty-free. The product is formulated with the goodness of raspberry seed oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E to keep the skin soft and nourished and give streak-free results. This video takes you through this product’s details. Pros

 Fragrance-free  Non-toxic  Cruelty-free  Natural finish  Phthalate-free  Sulfate-free  Mineral oil-free  Synthetic dye-free  Streak-free

Cons

 May clog pores

5. Best Hydrating Formula: L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops

The L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops has a hydrating formula enriched with hyaluronic acid. It makes your skin feel moisturized, nourished, fresh, and smooth, and gives a healthy bronze glow. This product is easy to apply, dries quickly, and offers sun-kissed radiance. Pros

 Artificial fragrance-free  Dye-free  Non-sticky  Easy to apply  Streak-free  Cruelty-free

Cons

 May give an orangish tinge

6. Best Non-Sticky: Skinny Tan Face Self-Tanning drops

If you want a gorgeous glow that you can build drop by drop, choose the Skinny Tan Face Self-Tanning Drops. It leaves your skin ultra-soft and hydrated, thanks to its natural ingredients. The aloe vera and guarana extract present in this product provide nourishment and give your skin a beautiful natural-looking tan. Pros

 Gets absorbed quickly  Non-sticky  Vegan  Cruelty-free  Paraben-free  Sulfate-free

Cons

 Tan may not last long

7. Best Quick-Absorbing Formula: Collistar Face Magic Drops Self Tanning Concentrate

The Collistar Face Magic Drops Self-Tanning Concentrate leaves the skin moisturized, supple, smooth, and toned. It has a delicate scent, can be easily applied, and gets absorbed just as quickly so you can dress up straightaway. The product is designed for the body and has a beautiful intense bronze color. Pros

 Delicate scent  Fast results  Non-staining

Cons

 Tan may not last long

8. Best Dermatologist-Tested Formula: Ulta Beauty Gradual Self Tan Face Drops

The Ulta Beauty Gradual Self-Tan Face Drops deliver a glowing complexion without any effort. It has the best soothing formula, thanks to the presence of aloe vera and green tea, which helps soothe and hydrate your skin. It delivers a natural bronze look to your skin, is cruelty-free, and is formulated without parabens. Pros

 Dermatologist-tested  Paraben-free  Cruelty-free

Cons

 Strong smell

9. Best Non-Comedogenic: Bondi Sands Pure Self Tanning Drops

The Bondi Sands Pure Self Tanning Drops offer an iconic intense bronze glow. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid to provide hydration, vitamin C to boost skin radiance, and vitamin E to repair the natural barrier. Mix this colorless formula with your favorite lotion, serum, or moisturizer for a buildable and customizable glow. Pros

 Non-comedogenic  Dermatologist-tested  Eco-friendly  Fragrance-free  Dye-free  Sulfate-Free  Vegan  Cruelty-free

Cons None

10. Best Lightweight Formula: Paulinrise Medium Self-Tanning Drops

The Paulinrise Medium Self Tanning Drops maintain your beautiful, tanned skin all year round. It has the best lightweight formula, thanks to its tested, premium, high-quality ingredients. It has color-correcting actives, fruit extracts, hyaluronic acid, and hibiscus flower extract to give you a uniform tan without skin damage. In addition, it is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and has a long-lasting effect. Pros

 Lightweight  Cruelty-free  Vegan  Skin-friendly  Easy to use

Cons

 Expensive

Now that you know the best self-tanning drops available online, it is time to learn the right way to apply this product to your skin. Read the next section for a detailed guide.

How To Apply Self-Tanner Drops?

It is always advisable to follow your package direction. Follow these steps to apply self-tanning drops. Step1: Exfoliate your skin to remove the dead cells and pat your skin dry.Step 2: Add a few drops of the tanning product to your regular body lotion or oil.Step 3: Apply the lotion evenly to your body. Focus on the elbows, knees, and ankles.Step 4: Wash your palms immediately after application.Step 5: Wait for four to five hours and let the color develop. Want to know how long tanning drops last? The next section answers your query.

How Long Do Self-Tanning Drops Last?

Depending on your skin type or the depth of color, the tanning may last somewhere between four to ten days. If you want to remove the fake tan before it fades away, you can follow our tried and tested methods. Keep scrolling to learn how!

How To Remove Fake Tan

  1. Scrub: Scrub the body with a washcloth in circular motions to remove the fake tan.
  2. Baking Soda And Lime juice: Mix baking soda and lime juice and apply it to your skin to remove tan.
  3. White Vinegar: Dilute equal parts of white vinegar and water and wash your skin with the solution.
  4. Baby Oil: Apply baby oil and leave it on for ten minutes, then rinse it with warm water.
  5. Rubbing Alcohol: Apply rubbing alcohol to the tanned area and leave it on for ten minutes. Rinse it off with water Ready for your self-tanning journey? Well, before going ahead, give a moment to learn the best way to choose self-tanning drops for yourself.

How To Choose The Best Self-Tanning Drops

  1. Ingredients: Check for soothing and natural ingredients like aloe vera and tea tree oil in the tanning drops for added benefit. Avoid products that have parabens, alcohol, and other harmful chemicals.
  2. Skin Type: Consider your skin type, before choosing tanning drops. These drops generally suit all skin types but they work best for dry skin.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Shiboli Chakraborti, the author of this article, is a certified skin care coach. She loves helping you discover new products that improve your skin. She understands the risk behind exposing your skin to harsh UV rays to achieve that perfect tan. So, she recommends using these self-tanning drops instead. She investigated each of these products and their reviews across multiple forums and platforms. Do self tan drops work? Yes, self-tan drops help you achieve a sun-kissed glow throughout the year. They are gentle to your skin and protect it from harsh UV rays. Is tanning mousse or tanning drops better? Tanning drops are better since you can easily customize how tanned you want to appear. You can mix your tanning drops with a moisturizer to keep your skin nourished and hydrated. How long do self-tanning drops take to work? Self-tanning drops take around four to six hours to work. Do tanning drops stain sheets? No, tanning drops do not stain your clothes or sheets. Can you shower after using tanning drops? No, do not shower after six to eight hours of using the tanning drops. Showering may rinse the tan without letting the color settle in your skin. How do you mix self-tanning drops with moisturizer? Add three to five drops of the moisturizer to a pea-sized amount of the self-tanner. You may use more tanner as per your convenience. Mix both the products in a small dish and apply the combination all over your body. How often should you use self tanning drops? You may use self-tanning drops every day if you are trying to build up your tan. If not, use them twice weekly for a subtle look.

10 Best Organic Self Tanners 15 Best Gradual Self-Tanners 5 Best Self-Tanners With Sunscreen To Buy Online Get A Sun-Kissed Glow From The 10 Best Sunscreens For Tanning Best Self Tanners For Fair Skin