I Never Sit in the Sun, But These Gradual Tan Products Keep Me Looking Bronzed
There is nothing I love more than sunbathing. I’m ashamed to admit it, but it’s true. The feeling of joy that I get as I lie outside sipping on a cooling spritz as my skin soaks up all of the vitamin D truly can’t be beaten. And boy have I taken advantage of every minute of sun that’s come my way over the years. However, about a year ago, as I hit my mid-20s, years of sun damage started to catch up with me. I started to notice creping on my forehead, pigmentation across my cheeks and spider veins on my nose, and I knew why.
From then onward, I refuse to sit in the sun for prolonged periods of time, and for the few minutes I do sit out, you better believe I’ve slathered every inch of exposed skin in SPF 50. The problem with this is, however, that I love being tanned. In fact, when I’m not looking my most bronzed and sun-kissed, I really don’t feel like myself. And this causes issues, especially considering I’m really not a huge lover of fake tan.
Don’t get me wrong. As much as I love the feeling I get when looking in the mirror after I have applied fake tan (Bondi Sands Aero, I love you), the fuss and hassle of applying super-dark formulas is just too much. Luckily for me, over the past year or so, the number of products that aim to deliver a natural-looking, bronzing glow with minimal fuss has skyrocketed.
A far cry from the famous Johnson & Johnson Holiday Skin gradual tanning lotion of yesteryear, new and improved formulas contain a whole host of seriously impressive skincare ingredients and leave behind a subtle, yet convincing, golden glow. So for the gradual tan products I use to help keep my tan (and spirits) topped up all year round, keep scrolling.
This is the newest gradual tan to join my collection, but it's also the most exciting. I'm already a huge fan of the super-hydrating (it's formulated with hyaluronic acid), lightweight Super Glow face serum. Not only does it give a natural-looking, buildable glow, but it also plumps and firms as it works. Now, it exists for the body. It's so good that I actually feel bad for all of the other gradual tans.
I'll admit that when this product first launched, I really couldn't get to grips with it. You apply it to wet skin, wait for a few minutes and then rinse. I didn't really like standing around cold in the shower waiting for it to do its thing, but I have to admit that the results are truly wonderful. If you really like a full-impact finish, this one probably isn't for you, but if you're all about subtlety, I think it's worth a shot.
Brand new from celebrity tanner James Read (he's responsible for Rosie HW's beautifully bronzed limbs FYI), these tan drops give the most beautiful gradual glow. Not only that, but they're also jam-packed with skin-loving antioxidants.
From the brand responsible for my favourite fake tan formula of all time, it's safe to say that this gradual tanning oil lives up to its name of "liquid gold." If you're more a fan of light oils than heavy creams, this one is definitely more for you.
Whereas so many more affordable gradual tanners build up to a deep shade of tangerine, this light formula from Dove is up there with the best for those with paler skin.
This tinted facial moisturiser has remained in my everyday routine more or less since it launched. While the body cream is also wonderful, this lightweight but deeply hydrating moisturiser gives skin a healthy dewiness like no other.
This has been my go-to for a night out for as long as I can remember. It does deliver a gradual tan, but it also has an instant tint that is almost like subtle body makeup. I slather a thin layer over my legs just before I head out for a total confidence boost and to unleash my inner J.Lo.
Isle of Paradise produces some of the very best tanning products out there. However, it's no secret that its fake tans pack a serious punch. This stuff, however, is great for those that prefer to build up their intensity. Plus, it's formulated with light-reflecting particles for amped-up luminosity.
An old colleague of mine who was a self-confessed fake-tan fanatic swore by this dreamy balm for achieving the most failsafe gradual tan. Not only can the balm texture be easily built up, but it is also enriched with 100% coconut oil for ultimate nourishment.
Out of every single gradual tanning lotion I have ever tried, this is the most joyful to use. Not only does the bottle look pretty on the shelf, but it also has a beautifully fresh smell (without any hint of tan scent) and leaves skin feeling supple and soft. Plus, within a couple of hours, it develops into a natural-looking bronze suitable for even the palest of skin tones.
If you like your beauty products to come with a little bit of a spa experience, listen up. This gradual tanning lotion from Decléor adds a bit of luxury to an otherwise mundane beauty chore. With extract of vanilla from Tahiti and magnolia essential oil, the melting formula leaves behind the most bronzy of glows.
Lightweight but still super-nourishing, this gradual tanning milk gives an even, streak-free finish and smells like summer in a bottle.
It's affordable, it's trusty, and if you ask me, you really can't go wrong. It might not be the most luxe product out there, but it's definitely one of my all-time favourites.
This stuff is skin perfection in a bottle. A few pumps onto either leg gives the most even, long-lasting sun-kissed finish.
Better known for being pretty much the best body makeup out there, this version of Vita Liberata's cult-favorite Body Blur actually has a tint that lasts for up to a week. This is one of those products that I will never not own a bottle of.
Next up, this bodycare range is my secret to soft skin, and it smells unbelievable.
Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous.
Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics.
While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best.
When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.
-
Alix Earle, Victoria Monét, and Issa Rae Swear By This Red Carpet Body Gloss
We're stocking up on it for summer.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
I Tried Laser Hair Removal, and It's the One Treatment I Wish I'd Done Sooner
It's life-changing.
By Eleanor Vousden
-
Here's How Ashley Graham Achieves the Most Natural-Looking Tan Possible
Saving for future reference.
By Katie Berohn
-
This Cult Favorite Brand's New Body Scrub Gives Me the Smoothest Skin Imaginable
Plus, it's a major multitasker.
By Katie Berohn
-
10 Razors That Will Give You the Smoothest, Closest Shave of Your Life
Ingrown hairs, who?
By Katie Berohn
-
Miley Cyrus Loves This Self-Tanner So Much She Takes It With Her Everywhere
She even sleeps on planes with it.
By Katie Berohn
-
Patchy or Streaky Self-Tanner *Can* Be Removed—Here's the Quickest Way to Do It
It's easier than you think.
By Shawna Hudson
-
My Sephora Cart Is Thriving—Here Are 16 Items I Can't Stop Recommending
Meet me at checkout.
By Aniyah Morinia