11 Nontoxic Self-Tanners That Deliver Glowier Results Than the Actual Sun

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(Image credit: The Glow Girl)

Melissa Meyers is a Los Angeles–based influencer with a focus on beauty, style, travel, and wellness. Her blog, The Glow Girl, aims to empower women to embrace the best version of themselves and cultivate a glow from the inside out. She also happens to be a 58-year-old with a passion for beauty. Below, hear from Meyers about her favorite nontoxic self-tanning products to keep her skin sun-kissed, healthy, and glowing all winter—and beyond!

"I love sporting a healthy glow all year round, and a great tan magically seems to improve the tone, texture, and color of the skin while also helping to mask any imperfections. Thankfully, gone are the days where you had to bask in the sun for hours to look like a bronzed goddess or use a smelly, toxic self-tanner that makes your skin look like a roast turkey.”

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(Image credit: @melissameyers)

"Over the years, I've road-tested countless self-tanners, but this year I decided to try some nontoxic ones to see how they'd compare to my other favorite formulas. Surprisingly, they far exceeded my expectations, so I've put together a list of my favorite clean, self-tanning formulas that are not only safe to use but also provide the most gorgeous, naturally bronzed skin.

"In order to get the most natural-looking long-lasting tan, make sure your skin gets some TLC before and after tanning! The most important tip I can share is to exfoliate beforehand to ensure even coverage. I like to use Dermasuri's Exfoliating Scrub Mitt ($15) from head to toe in the shower. Unlike loofahs, this mitt's unique fabric texture removes surface layers of buildup and dead skin cells instantly! I use the mitt with water, or with my favorite body scrub, Herbivore's Amethyst Exfoliating Body Scrub ($46)."

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(Image credit: @melissameyers)

"The botanical-based self-tanning products listed below are all derived from organic ingredients and formulated without any harsh chemicals, preservatives, parabens, or unnatural fragrances. Best of all, orange skin is nowhere to be found; all of these suggestions offer the most natural, golden look! Also, I only tried products that went on clear or white, and didn't stain clothes or sheets. Keep scrolling to discover my top seven nontoxic self-tanners for sun-kissed skin."

The Best Moisturizers to Elevate Your Tan

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(Image credit: @melissameyers)

"After your tan has made its debut, it's important to moisturize and keep skin hydrated to help the color last as long as possible. Below are my clean beauty favorites that will surely extend the longevity of your gorgeous glow."

More Nontoxic Self-Tanners We Love

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Beauty Director

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four 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. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.