The best fake tan for mature skin in 2024 for a subtle and streak-free glow
A beauty editor in her 40s reviews the best fake tan for mature skin, from luxe bronzing picks to affordable buys that promise fuss-free results...
I’ve tried an array of fake tans over the past 20 years as a beauty editor, but as I’ve got older I’ve come to realise that the self-tan products that I once swore by now no longer work for my mature skin. So, I’ve made it my mission to scout out the best fake tan for mature skin that promises a natural glow without clinging to any dry patches…
Over the last few years, I’ve found that my skin physically can’t handle the best self-tans like it used to. Perimenopause, menopause and beyond can have an impact on how well your fake tan performs - thanks to your skin’s ability to react with the DHA in fake tan (the ingredient that works to tan your complexion) diminishing as you age. Where I was once fond of super-dark formulas, now I find them too drying and clinging to patches around my knees and feet. So, with this in mind, I’ve been hunting for a fake tan that delivers a sun-kissed glow and is kind to ageing skin - and I must say, I’ve become quite the pro.
Whether you prefer a quick and easy bronze from the best instant tan or perhaps you opt for the best gradual tan for a more subtle finish, either way, I’ve tried and tested a lineup of fake tans in order to find the very best formulas for mature skin that I’m set to reach for time and time again. Take it from a fake tan-lover in her 40s, these 9 products are set to deliver a healthy beach-worthy glow, without any of the faff that comes with self-tanning…
Best fake tan for mature skin deals
Make a huge 77% saving on this St.Tropez self-tan serum that is touch-dry in seconds. Enriched with collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and niacinamide, this skin-loving formula promises a long-lasting sun-kissed glow whilst also soothing, hydrating and evening the skin. What's more, you don't even have to rinse this tan off - a win-win.
For a quick and fuss-free tan, these Collistar Magic Drops are the answer. Developing into a golden glow in less than an hour, these lightweight yet buildable drops are enriched with vitamin E and a corn derivative to help moisturise the skin for a even and natural-looking finish. Plus, they now have 20% off.
For those who love a gradual tan, opt for this budget-friendly Nivea buy which now has 24% off! This easy-to-use lotion formula not only leaves you with a bronzed tan, it also works to moisturise, firm and tighten the skin for a youthful complexion.
The best fake tan for mature skin, reviewed by a beauty editor
Best overall
RRP: £34
Type: Tinted tan with a luxe texture
I've never come across a fake tan with a formula so silky that it feels indulgent to use. Even if you don’t feel confident about applying fake tan, this is a great choice; there’s no snagging on any dry areas and it has a lovely cocoa scent to match.
The colour continues to develop over 72 hours, a technology we fully appreciate at an age when fake tan fades so much faster on our skin. The hydrating formula suits both our tester's face and body, making it our favourite top-to-toe fake tan.
Reasons to buy: Long-lasting formula, glides on the skin, comfortable to wear
Reasons to avoid: One of the most expensive options here
Best facial tan
RRP: £36
Type: Facial tanning drops
After just one application of Collistar's Magic Drops, we realised we’d stumbled upon our new go-to option. Not only did the colour develop astonishingly fast, but I also looked healthy and our skin felt soft and smooth after applying, too.
Unlike most tanning drops, these are designed to be applied neat, which sounds slightly terrifying at first. But in reality, it works beautifully, even on pale skin. This is a great product to use to self tan your face, especially as it’s easy to evenly blend the liquid down to your neck. If you want to be ultra-cautious, you can mix it with moisturiser, but we loved the look achieved by applying these drops alone.
Reasons to buy: Quick, non-drying results
Reasons to avoid: Costs as much as some skincare products
Best for a subtle glow
RRP: £35
Type: Tanning serum
We love St Tropez's 1Hr Express Bronzing Mousse, we also really enjoy this body serum which boasted a light yet moisturising formula, making it a great fake tan for mature skin. Packed with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, as well as vitamin B5 and a collagen complex, this product delivers skincare goodness with your glow.
Though the formula is clear, we found there’s enough of a gleam to keep tabs on where it’s been applied so we didn't miss any areas. The colour result is a light golden glow that’s ideal if you’re looking for a boost rather than a huge shade shift.
Reasons to buy: Moisturises with a natural finish
Reasons to avoid: Some skin tones will need more than one application
Best for moisturising
RRP: £25
Type: Tanning butter
Whilst we can appreciate it’s not the cheapest gradual tan, we like to justify it by saying it’s a multi-tasker that moisturises, bronzes and adds radiance, too. As soon as you apply this butter, you’ll notice a couple of things: the lovely, rich feel from all the oils and the glowy, micro-particles that are visible while waiting for the actual glow to develop.
It gets to work fairly quickly in terms of gradual tan – we got a subtle yet visible hint of colour with just one use and after three we were ready to ease off everyday application. Its formula is full of hydrating ingredients that smooth the skin and keep the colour intact once it’s there. A little goes quite a long way, too, making it more worth your money. If dryness has put you off using fake tan in midlife, we think this is the product that'll win you over again.
Reasons to buy: Hydrating, easy to build up
Reasons to avoid: Pricier gradual formula
Best gradual
RRP: £5.99
Type: Gradual tan body moisturiser
Pretty much anything featuring Nivea’s famous Q10 skin-firming ingredient gets the nod of approval from us, so it's no wonder that this gradual tan gets our seal of approval. In terms of application, it’s as simple as smothering on any body cream, although we found it's better if you use a mitt, to avoid any stubborn orange stains on your hands.
We're still slightly skeptical of its promise of "tighter, firmer skin", but we will certainly agree that using it in a fortnightly tanning cycle ticked the "radiance" bit of the product name. This product would make a great all-year-round glow, as it's easy to build up or ease off as you please. After using this product, we found our skin felt a lot softer and more supple, too. It also has a summer-inspired scent of jasmine, plum and peach, but there’s still a very faint fake tan aroma by lunchtime.
Reasons to buy: Affordable, easy to use
Reasons to avoid: Has a faint fake tan smell
Best for a deep glow
RRP: £26
Type: Tinted mousse
Usually, we're not massively enamoured of anything that has “anti-cellulite” written on it, however, we're prepared to let it slide on this occasion because this fake tan is otherwise excellent. This product boasts a deep glow, so we made sure to be extra careful when wiping over trouble spots like knees and feet, but we’ve not had issues with excess build-up or skin dryness afterwards. We also like the fluffiness of the formula, which makes it very quick and easy to apply.
The guide colour isn’t particularly wearable in the daylight, but being able to achieve a tan this deep on mature skin easily makes up for it. We also think this a great option for a pre-getaway glow before jetting off on a beach holiday.
Read our full Coco & Eve tan review
Reasons to buy: Quick to apply, gives a deep glow
Reasons to avoid: Claims to banish cellulite, which isn't the case
Best smart colour technology
RRP: £20
Type: Tinted mousse
On first impressions, we thought this product might be a gimmick, but now we've tried it for ourselves, we take it all back. With four shades to choose from, "emerald", "sapphire", "caramel" and "magenta" to be exact, this clever colour-balancing technology formula is designed to give the perfect result on specific skin tones. Thankfully, the shade Sapphire, which has been created with fair skin in mind, did not turn us the colour of a Smurf - in fact, it was great, and very fade-resistant, too.
However, we did have one minor gripe, Bondi Sands has called this a "1 Hour Tan" but the pack says three hours gives optimal results. Three did seem to be the sweet spot with this one, and while there was a fake tan aroma, we didn’t need to sleep in it (or get it on our sheets as a result).
Reasons to buy: Develops quickly
Reasons to avoid: Packaging claims it develops in one hour, but three is optimal
Best serum
RRP: £26
Type: Lightweight serum
This serum is one of those brilliant hybrid products that doesn’t just straddle skincare and self tan, it excels at both. It has the feel of any regular hyaluronic acid serum and we couldn't detect any drying trade-off from having a shot of DHA in there.
We tested out the medium shade and, once we'd built up an initial golden base after three layers of application, we then settled into a "one day on, two days off" routine in order to keep on top of the glow. The results kept us both hydrated and radiant. It was also a great time-saver; we found we needed less makeup to look presentable and many days we were happy to ditch our foundation and just conceal on our under-eye circles. We loved it that much that we even bruised our palms thwacking the base to get every last drop out.
Reasons to buy: Buildable colour, hydrating
Reasons to avoid: Only really suitable for your face
Best for a custom body glow
RRP: £26.95
Type: Tanning drops
The original Isle of Paradise facial tanning drops are great, so we had high expectations for body version to follow suit. They were incredibly easy to add into your existing regime and by popping a few drops into our usual fragranced body cream.
Arriving in three options that colour-correct any unwanted undertones, we tested the medium shade with around eight drops per generous dollop of our body cream. Whilst not every handful had the same proportion between cream and drops, we still got a natural-looking result. Our favourite thing about these drops, though, was how easy they are to top up at the first sign of fading, so if you're looking for a product to make your tan last longer, this is it.
Reasons to buy: Great for mixing with moisturiser
Reasons to avoid: May require experimentation to find the right colour for your skin
How to choose fake tan for mature skin
If you're on the hunt for a fake tan that will bring a sun-kissed glow to mature skin, there are a few key factors to keep in mind...
- Undertone: First and foremost, it's wise to understand your skin's undertone to help you choose a fake tan that will suit your complexion. If your veins are green, you have a warmer undertone, whereas those with blue veins will have a cooler undertone - if you have a mix of the two, this indicates that you have a neutral undertone. This can be extremely helpful when choosing a colour-correcting formula or the depth of tan you need to achieve your desired results.
- Ease of application: When it comes to fake tan, it's all about how easy it is to apply and trying to avoid a sticky or streak-free formula. If you're someone who doesn't want to spend a dedicated amount of time tanning, opt for fake tan drops that can be added to your everyday body or facial moisturiser instead, for a subtle and fast-absorbing glow. Those new to self tanning may also benefit from a product with a guide colour that washes off, while those who are short on time (or who simply don't want to sleep in fake tan) will get on well with an express product.
- Skincare benefits: Keep an eye out for the products that are packed full of genuine mature skin-loving ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. Opt for a product that promises to be highly moisturising, too, as this will be soothe your skin rather than drying it out even further.
- Scents and fragrance: Many of us know that familiar scent of DHA – AKA the thing that gives it that tell-tale "fake tan smell". If you're not a fan of this smell, you'll be pleased to know that many products on the market now have floral scents that are much more pleasant, including some featured in this guide.
How we tested the best fake tan for mature skin
Midlife is complicated enough; fake tan doesn’t need to add to that. In order to create this edit of the best fake tan for mature skin, I tried and tested a variety of self tan products, from the best fake tan for pale skin to fake tans for the face. I made note of the products that I found were easy to apply, those that developed evenly and provided a convincingly natural colour that looked like I'd just come back from a week-long beach destination.
I was also mindful of fake tans that boasted added skincare ingredients to help combat the drying nature of DHA and lock in the colour for longer. I'd love to say "doesn’t smell" was on my must-have list too, but my testing experience has taught me that an 100% odour-free fake tan doesn't exist as there will nearly always be some degree of that recognisable, biscuity scent. With that in mind, I settled on "not too gross" as a bonus marks category.
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Lynne has spent over two decades as a beauty journalist, trying out every possible treatment from top to toe. (Quite literally: she once had stem cells injected into her feet to regrow her cartilage.)
She’s written for a host of titles, including Notebook, S, OK!, new!, Heat, the Mirror and the Express, and interviewed all sorts of famous folk about their beauty regime, from Joan Collins and Eva Longoria, to Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Beckham. Lynne spends her professional life testing out products designed to compensate for her genetic shortcomings: skinny hair, weak nails and ghostly skin being top of her complaints. Aesthetics is another of her passions. When she’s not trialling treatments in a bid to hold back the years, you’ll find her rolling her eyes at celebrities who claim their ageless skin is down to olive oil and early nights. Sure it is.
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