I'm in My 30s But Have Self-Tanned Since My Teens—7 Drugstore Formulas I Swear By

I consider myself a connoisseur, TBH.

Woman with tanned skin reclining on a lounge chair.
(Image credit: @irelandrileyhudson)
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Believe it or not, the headline for this story is neither clickbait nor an exaggeration for dramatic effect. I've used self-tanner on an almost-weekly basis since I was in eighth grade (the result of being endlessly teased for how naturally pale I was). Lacking parental permission to increase my skin cancer odds by going to tanning salons like many of my peers, I always felt like the odd one out, so I became dependent on the drugstore aisle. At the time, I was convinced a fake tan would be better than looking like I had never had a wink of sun exposure, and it was then that my obsession with self-tanning products was born. After much trial and error, I found the formulas that don't streak, smell, or look unnatural.

I've come a long way since then and now love my tan-free, fair skin, so I generally skip self-tanner. That said, I still consider myself a connoisseur in the art of self-tanning and all the offerings on the market. In fact, I have an entire cupboard at home brimming with mousses, lotions, waters, and sprays. Something that may surprise you? Some of my favorite formulas can be found at the drugstore.

Even though I grew to love some pricier picks, I still keep affordable favorites from Jergens, L'Oréal, Sally Hansen, and other low- to mid-cost brands on hand. Ahead, I'm sharing seven of the best drugstore self-tanners I use, have purchased in a pinch while traveling, and/or have recommended to friends when they don't want to spend $50 on a bottled bronze complexion. Keep scrolling!

The Best Drugstore Self-Tanners at a Glance

The Best Drugstore Self-Tanners of 2025

Best Overall: Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Tanning Mousse

Beauty Director Erin Jahns after applying the Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Tanning Mousse.

Beauty Director Erin Jahns after applying the Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Tanning Mousse

(Image credit: Erin Jahns)

Best Quick-Drying Self-Tanner: L'Oréal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Milk

Best Fast-Developing: Bondi Sands Aero 1 Hour Express Self-Tanning Foam

Beauty Director Erin Jahns after applying Bondi Sands Aero 1 Hour Express Self-Tanning Foam.

Jahns after applying the Bondi Sands Aero 1 Hour Express Self-Tanning Foam

(Image credit: Erin Jahns)

Best for Travel: Tan Towel Self-Tan Towelettes

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Mist

Beauty Director Erin Jahns after applying Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Mist.

Jahns after applying the Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Mist

(Image credit: Erin Jahns)

Best Lightweight Formula: Tanologist Self Tan Water

Best for Legs: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

What to Look For

Your skin tone plays a big role in the kind of self-tanner that's right for you. St. Tropez tanning and skincare expert Michaella Bolder previously told Who What Wear UK that "lighter skin tones carry a cool pink or blue undertone; therefore, a light tanning solution such as a gradual tan is for you." Meanwhile, medium skin tends to have green undertones, which she says suit a warmer tanning solution like the St.Tropez Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse. Deeper skin tones have undertones that are red, which is where a darker formula might come in handy.

Then you can always look at the extra ingredients in the formula. If you have dry skin, you might want to look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. If you have acne-prone skin, it may be beneficial to find an oil-free formula.

How to Prepare for Self-Tanner

When it comes to self-tanner, preparation is everything. The first step always starts in the shower, according to Bolder. If you're tanning your body, start by exfoliating with an oil-free product to buff away dead skin cells. This will ensure your skin is smooth prior to application. "Remove unwanted hair at this stage if you want to. Then rinse your skin with cool water to reduce any inflammation and close your pores," she says. "Pat your skin dry and apply an oil-free moisturizing lotion over any dry areas and wait a few minutes until the skin is cool and settled."

Once you're ready to move on to your face, start by doing your regular skincare routine with cleanser, a serum, and moisturizer. "Add your SPF here if you are heading straight out afterward," says Bolder. "Avoid any exfoliating [ingredients] either in your toner or serum on the day of applying a fresh layer of self-tan." Wait for your products to set, and then you're ready to tan.

How to Apply Self-Tanner

It goes without saying that every product has specific directions for ideal application. Generally, though, there are a few tips worth keeping in mind. "The best way to apply self-tan products is on freshly prepared skin with a clean tanning mitt and your chosen tanning solution," says Bolder. "Use long, sweeping, fast motions to move the self-tan freely around the skin, covering all areas." She recommends starting on your legs and working your way up the body, one area at a time. Take your time to ensure you're covering all areas evenly, and use the other side of your mitt (if you're using one) to get rid of residue.

How We Chose

As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best drugstore self-tanners for this roundup, we leaned heavily on our testing experience and considered several factors, including price, product type, and lasting power. As beauty editors, we're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.

Why Trust Who What Wear

Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.

Erin Jahns
Erin Jahns
Beauty Director

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over five years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor.

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