Confirmed by Our Editors: These Are the Best Fake Tans for Dark Skin Tones

Fake tans for dark skin tones have been overlooked for decades. Most formulas on the market have traditionally catered to light skin, overlooking the undertones and depth needed for deep complexions. However, fake tan formulations (along with bronzer and bronzing drops shade ranges) have come a long way, and with Black-founded brands such as Caribé expertly catering to the needs of dark complexions within the tanning space, there are now more tailored formulations of fake tan for dark skin tones.

"A common misconception of fake tan is that it is only used to darken skin," says Phoebe Ellis, co-founder of Caribé. "On darker complexions, however, this isn't the sole aim—we use fake tan to enhance what’s already there by evening out tone, boosting warmth and blurring the appearance of dark spots," she says.

"Historically, tanning was never an option for us because the tones on the market just weren't cutting it. The depth wasn't there," she adds, also mentioning that, of course, fake tan is a safer way to achieve a glow without the risk of sun damage. "You can have the option for getting your summer glow back without compromising on your skin health and lying out in the sun all holiday just to keep the tan up."

Ahead, Ellis shares her expertise about what to look for when considering the best fake tans for dark skin, plus all the tips and tricks to make sure your application is on point; whilst I also asked our Who What Wear UK editors to put the best formulas on the market to the test to see how they perform on dark skin.

What to Look For

"For those with darker skin, there are three key things to look for: hydrating ingredients, the right undertones and buildable formulas with a deep tone," says Ellis. "Our skin is naturally drier, so choosing formulas that add moisture instead of stripping is always recommended.

"The best formulas for dark skin are those with olive or red hues, depending on the depth of your tone. These hues complement our natural skin shade and prevent that 'ashy' or overly orange look many generic tans can leave behind—no oompa loompa vibes," she says. "Dark-skin-friendly self-tanners are also made in richer shades, and [with a] buildable mousse, you can deepen the glow gradually and naturally."

Scroll ahead for the best fake tans for dark skin, as tested by our editors.

Best Fake Tans for Dark Skin, Tried and Tested

• Best Overall: Caribé Tanning Mousse, £25
• Best Express Formula: Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam in Caramel, £20
• Best Facial Tanning Drops: Isle of Paradise Self Tan Drops in Dark, £20

1. Caribé Tanning Mousse

Before

After

Editor review: "Fake tan was something I was previously told that I didn’t need as a Black woman with melanin-rich skin. I’d heard enough streaky-orange horror stories to steer well clear. However, after some extensive research, I concluded that the safest and easiest way to get a summer glow is fake tan," says acting senior fashion and beauty editor for branded content, Felicia Pennant.

"Co-founded by two sisters and fellow women of colour in 2024, the brand describes itself as 'the world’s first tan for melanin-rich individuals', and the reviews from ordinary women, beauty editors and influencers are unanimously positive; so much so that I wondered if this best-selling tanning mousse was too good to be true. Spoiler alert: it isn’t, and I love it. As a fake-tan newbie, I have nothing to compare it to, but I can say that it's lightweight and darker than expected. It smells tropical, as promised, rather than the overwhelming biscuit-y or nutty fake-tan scent I’d heard about. I already apply cocoa or shea butter all over after every shower, so I was pleased to see the latter amongst the nourishing and hydrating ingredients list, alongside aloe vera juice, glycerin and apple extract.

"The part I was most scared about was picking the right colour to achieve a sun-kissed, natural-looking tan. By colour-matching my skin tone to the four visual references (no mention of cool and warm undertones, though), I deduced that I was between light and medium, and opted for the medium C94 shade. Caribé also offers a tanning mitt and brush to shield your hands and create the most seamless finish," she says.

"Following the clear instructions, I slipped the mitt onto my hand, added three pumps of the mousse to my covered palm and rubbed it up and down the inside of the opposite arm in circular motions. I chose to fake tan there instead of my legs because it’s one of the lightest parts of my body, and arguably the best place to patch-test a new product. I did notice that the mousse dried and dissolved into the mitt very quickly, so if you’re not quick enough, it’s gone before it reaches your skin.

"In the photos and in real life, I could see the difference straight away. It was subtle, but my arm was suddenly radiant, making the dullness of the other arm more stark. It was about two shades darker, like I’ve been on a beach holiday, which is enough for me, but for a deeper colour, the brand recommends applying more mousse. It developed beautifully over the next day, and my skin didn’t feel dry at any stage.

"The more I think about it, the more I consider Caribé a viable alternative to the shimmery body makeup I’ve seen all over my social feeds. I hate feeling the weight of any products on my skin, and whilst the coverage is lighter, the glowy results last for up to a week, and it doesn’t stain. I have no issues with the price, which seems mid-range, but the bottle is small given that I’m 5"11'. I’m just not sure if 150ml will fully cover my arms, legs, decolletage and face more than once, which could make my brand-new fake tan habit more expensive than I anticipated."

2. Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam in Caramel

Before

After

Editor review: "As someone with a deep skin tone, I had never even considered fake tan," says editorial assistant Brittany Davy.

"That was, of course, until I spotted a number of my favourite beauty influencers on TikTok using it to even out their skin tone and provide them with a healthy summer glow, year-round. Now, I’m hooked. And my favourite by far is Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam in the shade Caramel.

"It’s extremely easy to apply, and I appreciate that you only need to wear it for an hour. Not only does it help even out my complexion, but it also gives me that golden-caramel glow I often lose throughout the colder months. I also have to mention that I have eczema and very sensitive skin, and this does not cause any flare-ups or burning at all."

3. Isle of Paradise Self Tan Drops in Dark

Before

After

"As a mixed-race woman, I’ve always been highly sceptical of anything self-tan-related. You see, I never lack in pigment," says junior fashion editor, Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolaki. "Now, I must admit I tried a few facial tan products in my day; however, I always felt they left my skin looking discoloured and rather muddy, instead of the smooth base I was looking for. So when I was tasked with testing the Isle of Paradise tanning drops in Dark, I jumped at the chance to give you, our beauty readers, my honest opinion.

"With a pipette applicator, the product applies much like your run-of-the-mill serum. With a blend of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, it aims to help even out the appearance of discolouration whilst adding a healthy glow, which, after four months of little sunlight, sounds very appealing to me. The bottle advises mixing 1-12 drops with moisturiser (the more drops, the darker the tan), so for the most accurate test, I added 12 to my Aestura moisturiser and let it sit for 20 minutes after application.

"Whilst my face was a touch sticky, the tan worked incredibly quickly. After 30 minutes, you could really start to see the result. My skin looked healthy, and a subtly sun-kissed glow was building throughout, visible to the naked eye. After applying a full face of makeup, everything looked just that bit warmer. I did have to opt for some of my 'holiday' shades of concealer to make the tone work, as what I’ve been using so far in London this winter was a bit pale.

"Four days in, and only now am I starting to see the colour begin to fade (and I’m not ready to let it go!), so I’ve prepared to apply the drops again tonight. All in all, for the ease, payoff and the fact that it's well priced at £20, I have to say that I'd definitely purchase the Isle of Paradise Self Tan Drops again."

How to Prep Before Fake-Tan Application

"Preparation when tanning is a non-negotiable, and so simple," says Ellis. "Tied in with your typical 'everything shower', gently exfoliate and moisturise to ensure your skin is smooth and hydrated (specifically for darker skin tones, focus on dry patches on elbows or ankles, as the tan can cling to these areas), then use a tanning mitt for even application."

"For deeper tones, a gradual tan with a guide colour gives you more control over the intensity and helps avoid patchy results, as you know where the tan is being applied," says Ellis. "Following this routine helps to keep the tan up, meaning no more pale winters!"

How We Tested

We enlisted the help of Who What Wear UK's editors to test the best fake tans for dark skin tones. They each tested multiple formulas over a couple of weeks, from facial tanning drops to tanning mousses and express formulations, to find out which fake tans are truly the best for dark complexions. Each of our editors tested the fake tans first-hand, honestly evaluating the application, undertone and overall result, sharing their before-and-after photos in their reviews.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.