Not All Fake Tan Is Created Equal—These Are the Ones Beauty Editors Genuinely Rate

When it comes to fake tan, you probably fall into one of three camps. You either love it, are curious but also terrified of it, or aren't interested. As someone who has tried a lot of fake tans and bronzers over the years (and made a lot of fake-tanning mistakes, may I add), I can safely say that tanning products have come a very long way. Forget the orange-toned instant tans or dreaded biscuit smell of a certain gradual-tanning body lotion from the 2000s. Today's formulations won't leave you with an unusual-looking hue or ruin your expensive white bed sheets. The best fake tans are your key to a realistic glow without any of the damaging effects of UV exposure from the sun. Because we're all wearing our SPF every day now, right?

Whether you're a fake-tan aficionado who wants to know the best fake tans around in 2026 or a shy self-tanner looking for tips, we've got everything covered ahead. I asked Michaella Bolder, St.Tropez's tanning and skincare expert, for all the deets on how and where to begin with fake tan. I also asked beauty editors who use tanning products to share the best fake tans they have come across, from gradual tans to express tans and even tanning drops. Trust us, these are the easiest-to-use fake tans around. Time to get glowing!

The Best Fake Tans, as Loved by Beauty Editors

• Best Overall: Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Mousse, £20
• Best Fake Tan Drops: Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops, £22
• Best Express Fake Tan: Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam, £20
• Best Natural-Looking Fake Tan: Filter By Molly Mae Tanning Mousse, £22

1. Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Mousse

Why we love it: It's easy to apply, doesn't dry too quickly (which can cause streaks), and doesn't have an overpowering smell (though a scent is still definitely there). Since it has a colour guide, it will leave a few marks if you're sleeping in it, but the brand also offers plenty of colourless formulas.

Editor review: "As an ex–Irish dancer and now beauty editor, it's fair to say I've tried more tans than the average person," says freelance beauty journalist Tori Crowther. "I'm also really pale, so I've had my share of tan failures—all of which have led to truly knowing my way around the category. Without a doubt, my favourite tanning brand is Isle of Paradise. In my opinion, you can't beat the formulas or the brand ethos. For me, the tanning mousse is foolproof, leaving a golden tan with zero orange streaks in sight."

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2. Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops

Why we love it: If you're someone who likes complete control over your glow, these face drops are among the easiest ways to customise your tan. The lightweight formula mixes seamlessly into your moisturiser, allowing you to dial your colour up or down depending on how many drops you use. Unlike some facial tanners, it develops evenly and fades relatively slowly and without clinging to dry patches.

Editor review: "The Face Drops have a place in my heart for offering that bit more control. I can add a tiny drop to my moisturiser to take the edge off a particularly luminous pallor, but adding one or two more won't result in Lucy à l'orange," says freelance beauty journalist Lucy Abbersteen.

3. Tanologist Extra Dark Mousse

Why we love it: The mousse texture glides onto skin effortlessly, whilst the colour develops into a rich bronze that still avoids the dreaded orange territory. Despite the intensity, the finish remains surprisingly natural-looking, particularly on medium to deep skin tones. It dries quickly, feels comfortable on the skin and doesn't transfer excessively during development. If you're looking for a tan that genuinely lasts and shows up after one application, this is a standout.

Editor review: "My favourite body tans are Tanologist Extra Dark Mousse and the Utan Turbo Mousse," says Cosmopolitan beauty director, Keeks Reid. "Both leave medium-to-dark skin with a healthy-looking and believable tan."

4. Utan After-Dark Turbo Mousse

Why we love it: This is one of those under-the-radar formulas that consistently punches above its weight—it develops quickly into a dark, olive-toned tan that looks impressively realistic. The mousse is easy to buff into the skin, and the guide colour helps prevent streaks, even when applying in a hurry.

Editor review: "This Utan mousse smells like a cherry bakewell—amazing," says Reid.

5. Tan-Luxe The Face Self-Tan Drops

Why we love it: Few products have achieved cult status quite like Tan-Luxe's face drops, and after using them, it's easy to understand why. The skincare-meets-self-tan formula blends effortlessly into existing routines and develops into a truly believable glow. Rather than looking obviously tanned, skin simply appears healthier, brighter and more radiant.

Editor review: "I need about 10 drops of this for a noticeable difference, so it's not for every day, but when my anaemia is screaming, it's the perfect overnight glow-booster," says Reid.

6. Isle of Paradise Body Drops

Why we love it: Mixed into body lotion, these drops allow you to create a completely bespoke tan, whether you're after a subtle glow or a deeper bronze. The formula feels lightweight and hydrating, making it particularly appealing for those who dislike traditional mousses. Because you're combining it with your regular moisturiser, the application feels less intimidating and more forgiving.

Editor review: "My fake-tan MO is not looking like I've used fake tan. I like a subtle sun-kissed glow, but my skin is very pale, so I find any hint of orange really stands out against its pasty backdrop," says Abbersteen. "This isn't an issue with Isle of Paradise's brilliant colour-correcting formulas (hardly surprising when you consider that the brand's lovely founder, Jules Von Hep, has a decade and a half of experience as one of the go-to celebrity tanners). The Light range nails my personal brief."

7. Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam

Why we love it: Bondi Sands' Technocolor range takes a more tailored approach to tanning. The one-hour express formula develops quickly whilst avoiding the overly warm finish that some rapid tans can create. It leaves skin looking naturally sun-kissed rather than obviously fake-tanned, and with a believable depth that photographs beautifully. The colour guide makes application straightforward, and the fade is impressively even.

Editor review: "Amanda Harrington's Body Mousse in Olive is my perfect tan," says freelance beauty journalist, Ava Welsing-Kitcher. "Not only does it spread and soak into skin so easily, but the shade is also spot-on for my yellow-based natural skin tone. Plus, the brand's kabuki application brush makes it so easy to get into cracks and crevices like knuckles and between fingers."

[Amanda Harrington London has since announced its closure, and the products are no longer available; however, Bondi Sands also has a tanning foam for a deep olive tone.]

8. Filter By Molly Mae Tanning Mousse

Why we love it: This mousse applies smoothly, develops evenly and creates a rich, golden-brown finish that looks truly natural. Despite the depth of colour, it manages to look polished rather than overly intense, and the long-lasting wear and smooth fade make it particularly appealing for regular tanners.

Editor's review: "I wasn't expecting to love this tan as much as I do, but it's fast become a firm favourite, and even though I get sent fake tans to test (the perks of being a beauty editor!), I still find myself buying this one," says beauty contributor Grace Day. "It's the only tan I've used that looks totally natural—not too warm and not too cool—and it fades so subtly that you never notice it turning patchy."

9. Tan-Luxe Express Mousse

Why we love it: For anyone who wants flexibility without compromising on results, Tan-Luxe's Express Mousse ticks every box. The colour can be customised depending on how long you leave it on before rinsing, making it suitable for both subtle and deeper results. The formula feels lightweight and luxurious, spreading evenly across the skin with minimal effort.

Editor's review: "I've tried a lot of bad fake tans. I like my tan to give me a realistic glow—more my skin tone, but healthier-looking—and they have to be fuss-free. I'm not waiting around for my tan to develop, and I hate the feeling of sitting in a sticky fake tan for hours on end. So, lightweight and fast-acting formulas are my go-to. I've recently been testing Tan-Luxe Express Mousse, which is like having a pro tanner on speed dial to get you glowing within a matter of hours," says Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden.

10. St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Body Serum

Why we love it: Part self-tan, part bodycare treatment, this serum is ideal for those who prioritise skincare alongside colour. The texture feels more like a premium body serum than a traditional tanning product, delivering hydration whilst gradually building a believable bronze. The result isn't dramatically dark, but that's precisely its appeal—if you prefer expensive-looking skin over an ultra-deep tan, this is one of the chicest options available.

11. Beauty Pie Awesome Bronze Gradual Tan Drops

Why we love it: Beauty Pie's gradual tanning drops are a clever option for anyone looking to weave tanning into their existing skincare routine. The formula allows for complete customisation and develops into a natural, flattering glow that can be maintained with regular use. It never feels heavy or greasy and layers easily with moisturiser, and the colour payoff is subtle but buildable, making it difficult to overdo.

12. St. Moriz Instant Tan

Why we love it: Not every tanning product needs to develop overnight, and that's where St. Moriz's instant tan comes into its own. Offering immediate colour payoff, it's perfect for last-minute events or occasions when you need a glow in minutes rather than hours. The finish is surprisingly convincing considering the affordable price point, delivering bronzed skin with minimal effort.

Editor's review: "Calling all fake-tan stans: this one's for you. I've finally done it: I've found what I believe to be the best instant tan on the market," says Rebecca Rhys-Evans, Who What Wear UK deputy editor. "And because I don't gatekeep, I'm happy to tell you that it's by St. Moritz. What makes it so good? Well, when applied with a mitt and moisturiser, it leaves not a single streak. It also has a lovely golden colour that makes you look like you've spent two weeks on a yacht in the Mediterranean. What's more, it's only £6!"

13. St. Tropez Gradual Tan Body Lotion

Why we love it: There's a reason this lotion remains a staple in so many beauty editors' bathrooms. The moisturising formula builds colour slowly and evenly, reducing the risk of streaks or patchiness. The texture feels nourishing enough to replace your regular body lotion, making maintenance effortless. For beginners, it's one of the safest recommendations on the market.

Editor's review: "Although I don't use instant tans or tanning mousses that much, I do love using a tanning milk or gradual tan in summer," says Grace Lindsay, Who What Wear UK deputy beauty editor. "I personally find them a lot easier to apply, and I like that you have control over the finished result depending on how often you use it. My favourite is this one from St. Tropez, a gradual-tanning lotion that feels hydrating on the skin and leaves you with a gorgeous glow."

14. Skin & Tan Coconut Water Clear Self-Tanning Mist

Why we love it: This lightweight face mist is ideal for anyone who finds traditional tanning formulas too heavy or cumbersome. The coconut water-infused formula feels refreshing on application and develops into a soft, natural-looking bronze, and the spray format makes it particularly useful for topping up existing colour or reaching awkward areas.

Editor's review: "The Skin & Tan Coconut Water Clear Self-Tanning Mist is my current favourite face tanner, and one of the best I’ve ever tried," says Georgia Seago, Who What Wear UK copy editor. "It’s a light and refreshing mist that smells like coconut, and it gives a gorgeously subtle, sun-kissed glow that’s undetectable as fake tan. Instead, it just makes you look fresher and more radiant with the slightest hint of colour. It doesn’t irritate my psoriasis, and it's foolproof to apply—I never have any patches, streaks or stains."

15. Gatineau Golden Glow Gradual Tan Cream

Why we love it: As you might expect from a skincare-first brand, Gatineau's gradual tan focuses just as much on skin condition as it does colour. The creamy formula nourishes while slowly building a believable golden glow over several applications.

Editor's review: "Everyone in the Who What Wear UK office knows that I love a fake tan and my absolute favourite is Gatineau’s Gradual Tan," says Poppy Nash, Who What Wear UK managing editor. "I don’t even know where to start with listing all the reasons I love it, but it boils down to the fact that it just works really, really well. It’s buildable, smells divine and leaves you with a lovely golden hue that doesn’t look fake or leave a horrible residue. I have multiple bottles at home and, needless to say, I’ll be gutted if it ever goes out of production!"

16. Tan-Luxe The Water Hydrating Self-Tan

Why we love it: Tan-Luxe's cult tanning water remains one of the most innovative formulas in the category. Completely clear and ultra-lightweight, it feels more like a facial mist than a self-tanner. The transparent formula means there's no guide colour, but it develops into a surprisingly even and natural-looking glow. The result is fresh, radiant skin that doesn't look overdone.

Editor's review: "I find it really hard to tan naturally (and I want to protect my skin from sun damage), so I heavily rely on fake tan to give me that extra glow," says Sophie Cookson, Who What Wear UK ecom analyst. "It's safe to say I've tried almost all major fake tans going, but the Tan-Luxe water self-tan is the trusty, reliable choice and my go-to. I love that it doesn't have a smell and that it doesn't stain my bedding or clothes.

"You can wear it all day without feeling like you've got it on, and it dries quickly. It can be quite subtle, so sometimes I opt for the dark option depending on the time of the year. The downside is that you can't see where you've applied, so you need to be consistent when using your mitt. That being said, I've never missed a spot where it looks really obvious. I also think it fades nicely; you can just reapply when you need to, as you don't go patchy."

17. Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam

Why we love it: Few self-tans have achieved the popularity of Bondi Sands' original foam, and for good reason. The mousse formula is easy to apply, develops consistently and delivers a rich bronze that suits a wide range of skin tones. It strikes an impressive balance between affordability and performance, rivalling far more expensive formulas.

Editor's review: “I didn’t go through high school performing the weekly ritual of fake-tanning. I’d only ever used a gradual-tan moisturiser on occasion, meaning that my knowledge and interaction with the category was quite limited," says Ava Gilchrist, Who What Wear UK SEO writer. "It wasn’t until early last year that I decided to take a plunge into the foaming dark liquid and see what all the fuss was about. I can’t claim to have tried hundreds and know intimately what separates a good fake tan from a bad one, but this Bondi Sands tan was the first I picked up and the one I’ve remained loyal to ever since.

"I really enjoy the colour payoff as it isn’t too orange, but more of a sultry bronze that suits my undertone nicely. The aloe vera and coconut scent isn’t too overpowering, and I find it glides on easily and blends in wonderfully. It fades evenly and actually has never stained my sheets or clothes, which makes it a winning formula in my book."

Self-Tan, Instant Tan and Gradual Tan—What's the Difference?

There are so many types of tan out there. And whilst choice is great, it can be overwhelming if you're not sure where to start, especially as a fake-tan beginner. The best place to start is to choose a formulation that works best for your lifestyle and needs. Some tans will give you a glow for a week, whereas others will give an instant colour but wash off in the shower.

Self-Tan: Self-tan is a tanning formula that contains DHA, the ingredient that develops on the skin over several hours to give you a glow that will typically last for around a week and won't wash off during that time. "Self-tan is ideal for those looking for a long-lasting tan," says Bolder. "For those short on time and wanting a non-transfer or 'no need to rinse' formula, an express tan such as St. Tropez Express Mousse for one or two hours is a great option." It's the kind of tan you find in self-tanning drops for your face too.

Instant Tan: Instant tan, on the other hand, gives the skin an immediate deeper hue and will wash off in the shower. "Instant tan is a fantastic solution that washes off after one wear to top up your colour last-minute, add a sun-kissed glow to your pins or décolletage or even contour your face and body," says Bolder. Think of instant tan like bronzer for your face. You can wear it for an instant glow and wash it off at the end of the day.

Gradual Tan: "Gradual tan is ideal for people who love to create their own desired glow or are slightly nervous tanners, looking to apply a tanning lotion daily or every other day," says Bolder. You can apply it each day to build a subtle glow that you're happy with.

How to Choose the Right Tanning Product for Your Skin Tone

Whatever your skin tone, there is a tan to suit your complexion. "You can find the perfect tan for your skin tone that replicates the glow you would have if you were sat in the sun," says Bolder. "Lighter skin tones carry a cool pink or blue undertone; therefore, a light tanning solution such as a gradual tan or the St. Tropez Luxe Body Serum is for you. Medium skin tones carry a green undertone, which will suit a warmer tanning solution like St. Tropez Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse. Deeper skin tones carry a red undertone, [so it] is a great option to introduce a dark tan such as St. Tropez Extra Dark Mousse."

How to Prepare for Fake-Tan Application

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail when it comes to fake tan, whether you're applying it on the face or body.

To prepare the body for tan: "It all starts in the shower," says Bolder. "Exfoliate the body all over with an oil-free solution to buff away dead cells, unveiling a smooth and soft surface ahead of self-tan. 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. Pat your skin dry and apply an oil-free moisturising lotion over any dry areas and wait a few minutes until the skin is cool and settled."

To prepare the face for tan: "Massage your usual cleanser into the skin before rinsing off and apply a hydrating serum and moisturiser. Add your SPF here if you are heading straight out afterwards," she says. "Avoid any exfoliating [ingredients] either in your toner or serum on the day of applying a fresh layer of self-tan."

How to Apply Fake Tan

"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. Begin on the legs and work your way up the body one area at a time," she says. "Don't rush the process—check that you have covered all areas evenly before putting the mitt down. Go over drier areas with the clean side of your mitt or a black sock to buff away any excess residue and blend the tan further."

If you're using tanning drops for the face or body, then simply add a couple of drops to your usual serum or moisturiser and follow the same steps.

Tanning Dos and Don'ts

To avoid mishaps, it's important to be clued up on the most common tanning mistakes. Applying tan last-minute and not preparing the skin correctly or at all is one of them. Bolder says, "Self-tan sits beautifully on a smooth, even surface, so applying tan onto dead and dry skin cells leaves your tan uneven and patchy."

To get the most out of your tan, it's important to follow a few pointers. "Avoid hot baths, exfoliating acids and oils applied directly to the skin, as this will enhance cell turnover and make the tan patchy," she says. "Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! [Use] a moisturiser every day to keep your skin healthy and supple, resulting in a longer-lasting, glowing tan, and gently buff the skin on day three or four to help the tan fade evenly."

If, despite your best efforts, your tan has still gone awry, there are things you can do. "Always keep some tan-removal options in your kitchen cabinet or bathroom. St.Tropez Prep and Maintain Remover & Primer Mousse is a great one, which you can massage into the area that has overloaded self-tan, and wait five minutes before buffing with a tan-remover mitt to buff the tan away," she says. "An at-home option to remove self-tan is baking soda and lemon mixed into a paste and massaged into the area for a few minutes, then leave for another few minutes to break down the self-tan colour."

It's key to apply moisturiser to dry areas too. "Make sure you overload moisturiser on hands and wrists, feet and ankles, elbows, knees and all around your feet, as this will help to dilute the self-tan rather than the dry skin grabbing too much colour in one area," says Bolder.

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 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.