The best fake tans for your face will not only deliver a healthy, sun-kissed glow that mimics a week spent in a beachy destination in just a matter of hours, but also boasts other benefits such as minimising the appearance of dark circle and blemishes, too.
The self-tan market has drastically expanded in recent years. Just one browse down the self-tan aisles and you'll see a multitude of formulas catering for different skin types, such as the best fake tan for mature skin or best fake tan for pale skin, to some of the best gradual tans, which are perfect for those just starting out in the self-tan world or wanting a more natural appearance. The choices really are endless.
Despite initially seeming quite daunting (we get it, we've all been there Googling how to remove fake tan at home), self-tans that are designed specially to be used on the face are one of the latest additions to the market and can easily be adopted into your skincare routine when you're craving a holiday glow. So, we're sharing our secret to banishing our dull and tired complexions, and it arrives in the form of these nine tried and tested (and loved) face self-tans.
Best face tan deals
The 9 best fake tans for face, tried and tested by our beauty team
RRP: £39
I must admit, I was impressed by the Self Glow by James Read Sunbright Drops from the get-go. The first thing I noticed about these drops was the buttery smooth formula that effortlessly melted into my skin - a feeling I've quite literally never experienced before. Its formula layers easily, no matter how many drops you use, to allow for a fully tailored tan of your choice, while its hydrating hyaluronic acid formula imparted a gorgeous dewy finish. These drops leave me with the perfect natural yet noticeable each and every time. They are on the pricier side, however a little goes a long way with this luxe formula, making it a worthwhile investment.
For
- Easy to apply
- Skincare-infused formula
- Effortlessly layers for a customisable tan
- Plant-derived DHA
Against
- Pricey
- No guide colour
RRP: £19
Whether you have a pale skin tone or are simply on the hunt for a face self-tan with a natural finish, look no further than Caudalie's Vinobronze Sun Drops. Despite its lightweight texture, the pipette dispensed the perfect amount of product which allowed for easy control. When mixed into my moisturiser, it left my skin with an incredibly subtle glow - which works especially well in the cooler months of the year when you may be seeking a more natural tanned appearance. It also left my skin with an enviable glass skin glow, which is no surprise considering its nourishing formula.
For
- Natural DHA
- Subtle tan
- Nourishing formula
- Dewy, glass skin finish
Against
- May not work for those seeking a deeper tan
RRP: £29
If bronzing drops and self-tans collide, you'd reach the destination of St.Tropez's Sunlit Skin Bronzing Tint and Express Tan. This innovative formula boasts both an immediate bronzed result and a long-lasting golden glow with reoccurring application. Not all self-tans are suitable to wear out of the house while you're running errands, however this nifty buy is incredibly wearable, meaning you can go about your day as normal while it works its magic. One thing to note, I noticed it does require some strength to squeeze the product out of the tube. That said, it does give you extra control and avoids any mess when it comes to applying the product.
For
- Instant and long-lasting results
- Wearable out of the house
- Gives the complexion some dimension
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Against
- Slightly tricky to get out of the tube
RRP: £13.99
I must admit, the Watermans Facial Tan Spritz earns the title of the easiest, fuss-free face self-tan I've ever used. The clue is in its name, simply spritz this fine mist onto the skin to reveal a subtly flattering yet noticeable sun-kissed glow. Personally, I also chose to buff the product into my skin with a fluffy self-tan brush to ensure a streak-free finish. Enriched with aloe vera for hydration and boasting a tropical scent, this mist had the ability to transform my dull, pale, post-flu skin into a radiant bronzed complexion.
For
- Easy, mess-free and fuss-free application
- Leaves a subtle natural glow
- Hydrating formula
- Slow-releasing fine mist
- Affordable
Against
- Requires a few spritzes for a deeper tan
Best instant wash of colour
RRP: £33
If you've been invited to a last-minute social engagement and want a tan immediately then this is the product for you. It's lightweight, super sheer formula provides an instant wash of dewy colour that evens out your skin tone and minimises redness. Its chunky doe foot applicator effortlessly dots onto the skin, but just be careful not to pull too hard or you will end up splattering product on your clothes (we learned the hard way). It’s only available in four shades, which is a shame as we'd like to see more, however they are fairly stretchy.
For
- Lightweight formula
- Instant wash of colour
- Delivers a blurring effect on the skin
- Easy doe foot applicator
Against
- Only available in four shades
RRP: £18
These self-tan drops from Lucy Bee are not only cruelty-free and palm oil-free, but is also packed full of natural ingredients, including natural DHA, aloe vera and coconut water, to create a kind-to-skin bronzed glow. As someone with sensitive skin, I found the application of these fragrance-free self-tan drops to be a breeze, absorbing quickly and hydrating my skin without causing any irritation. As for the results, I found the formula to leave my skin with a healthy and luminous golden glow in just two hours - albeit with a slight orange hue to it.
For
- Cruelty-free
- Natural DHA
- Fragrance free
- Hydrating formula
Against
- No guide colour
RRP: £32
For those in a hurry and wanting to give their complexion a last minute holiday hue, let us introduce you to this clever Loving Tan formula. It only needs to be left on for 2 hours before washing off, yet continues to develop on your skin for up to 24 hours after. I loved its thicker, serum-like formula as it allowed for an easy and seamless application, avoiding any streakiness. Its nourishing formula, infused shea butter, hyaluronic acid and B5 actives, left my skin feeling hydrated, soft and supple. It also gets extra points for its surprisingly natural finish, reminiscent of my summer complexion - without any orange tint.
For
- Fast results
- Guide colour makes for easy application
- Leaves the skin with a hydrated and supple finish
Against
- Might be too intense for those with paler skin tones
Best hydrating
RRP: £36
The great thing about this clever little bottle is that it lets you customise your colour at every use. We mixed one or two drops with our moisturiser for a light tan, but you could apply two to three for medium, or use it neat if you really want to fake two weeks in the Med overnight. The tone itself is natural, not orange, and the colour fades evenly. Its various hydrating ingredients left our skin feeling soft and hydrated, with minimal-looking pores. While it is pricey, a little goes a long way so it'll last for ages. Also, don't forget to wash your hands afterward to avoid Googling how to get fake tan off hands.
For
- Works nicely with other skincare products
- Easy to apply and mix
- A choice of shades available
- Hydrating ingredients
Against
- No guide colour
RRP: £29.99
When it came to testing Skin & Tan's Notox Self-Tan Drops, I found the sweet spot was to mix roughly four drops into my favourite night cream for a natural glow, however six to eight drops left a slightly warmer finish. While the watery texture is slightly tricky to work with, I found the formula to be fast-absorbing which meant it didn't budge during my entire night's sleep - the streak-free finish was impressive considering I wear an eye mask for a full eight hours straight. The vegan collagen formula also left me with a radiant, plumper complexion every morning after application.
For
- No biscuity scent
- Natural bronzed glow
- Enriched with vegan collagen for firmness and radiance
Against
- Watery texture that can be tricky to handle
How we tested the best fake tans for the face
Here at woman&home we consider ourselves something of fake tan connoisseurs, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that between us, we’ve tried pretty much every formula on the market - including dozens for this very guide. Exactly how we tested for best face tanners varied slightly depending on the product, but in general, we applied them before bed so we could access our glow in the morning. For the gradual face tanners, we repeated this process for a couple more nights until we’d reached our desired depth of colour – at the same time making sure that the nightly layering didn’t lead to streaks.
Once we were satisfied we’d seen enough of the formula to access how good we thought it was, we allowed it to fade over the course of a few days to see if it did so evenly or in patches. Then, we thoroughly exfoliated, either with a scrub or chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid, to reset the skin and create a clear canvas, before starting the process all over again. We also took into consideration the ingredients within each formula, how easy they were to apply and the price tags of each product.
How to choose the best fake tan for your face
When it comes to choosing the best fake tan for your face, there are many factors to consider - more so than simply choosing one of the best instant tans for your body. Below you'll find some of our helpful tips to assist you to choose the best face self-tan to suit your personal preferences and your skin's needs...
- Think about your routine: Are you too impatient to build up a gradual tan over a few evenings and prefer an instant quick fix instead? The best face tanner for you will be the one that suits your routine best. For example, if you have very dry skin and hate the feeling of not wearing a moisturiser, then you’ll want some drops you can mix with it, rather than a serum that requires you to skip it for a night.
- Texture: Not everyone enjoys using the same kind of products. The textures you prefer will influence whether you purchase a face self-tan in the form of a moisturiser, a serum, a mist or drops. For example, a mist may suit those looking for a fast and fuss-free application, whereas drops may work better for those with skin that requires hydration.
- Skin type: Fake tan does have the potential to disrupt your skin, whether that be clogging pores on oily and blemish-prone complexions or drying out dehydrated skin types. If you relate to the former, choose a lightweight face tanner that won’t settle into your pores. If the latter speaks to you more, make sure you’re choosing a formula with added nourishing ingredients like shea butter or ceramides.
- Shade: If you want your glow to look convincing rather than faux, it’s important not to go too deep. Most brands offer different shades of tan, spanning from light through to dark. We recommend choosing a shade based on your natural skin tone rather that what you're aiming for.
Expert Panel
James Read has over 20 years of experience sunless tanning, crafting natural-looking glows on an array of A-list celebrities. Before launching his very own self-tan company, Self Glow by James Read, in the UK in 2024.
Michaella Bolder is an industry leading facialist and tanning expert based in the UK. Bolder established herself as a bronzing expert for awards ceremonies and special events, helping to deliver a natural 'glow' to her celebrity clients before they hit the red carpet.
With over 15 years of industry experience, celebrity makeup artist, Amanda Harrington is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to self-tan. Harrington launched her own fake tan brand in 2019 with products designed to deliver straightforward, salon-worthy results.
Sennen Prickett is a Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she shares her thorough tried and tested reviews on a variety of beauty buys, from self-tans to hair tools.
Jess Beech is Beauty Editor at woman&home and has more than eight years experience testing and reviewing an array of beauty products, in order to scout out which buys are actually worth investing in.
Your face self-tan FAQs, answered
What fake tan is best for your face?
If you're looking to apply self-tan to your face, we'd recommend opting for a formula designed specifically to be used on your face rather than the entire body. These buys are less likely to clog your pores and cause breakouts of blemishes, plus many are formulated with popular skincare ingredients, such as collagen, aloe vera or niacinamide, to hydrate your complexion.
While there are many stellar buys available on the market, we'd suggest Self Glow by James Read's Sunbright Drops for those seeking a luxury skincare-infused formula or the Watermans Facial Tan Spritz if you're looking for a fuss-free, easy application. Other notable mentions from our testing include Coola's Sunless Tan Anti-Ageing Face Serum, Votary's Hyaluronic Self-Tan Drops and Garnier's Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops.
How does fake tan work?
While many of us put the results of self-tans down to magic, there is in fact a clever scientific explanation for how the formulas deliver an enviable sun-kissed glow. “The best self tan contains an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (also known as DHA) which is derived from plant sources such as sugar cane and by the fermentation of glycerin,” explains professional tanner James Read. “When applied to the skin, it reacts with dead cells in the skin’s surface layer to temporarily darken the skin and simulate a tan.”
However, it's also worth noting the downside of DHA, and the reason why lots of people question whether fake tan is bad for your skin, is that it’s notoriously drying. It’s important therefore to make sure that the formula you’re using is combating this, and caring for your skin at the same time as adding a glow. By blurring the lines between tanning and skincare ingredients, the results are more natural, convincing and longer-lasting, and will also create a smoother base beneath your best foundation.
How to apply face tan for a seamless finish
We'll be the first to admit that face tans can be quite daunting when you don't know what the results are going to look like. However, just like applying fake tan to your body, the key is all in the prep. It is incredibly important to moisturise your skin prior to application, or mixing self-tan drops into your best face moisturiser, to ensure a seamless finish
Personally I prefer using a brush, such as the St.Tropez Tantour Face Brush, to make sure I've applied the face tan to every section of my face and prevent any streaks. I also find this encourages a natural-looking finish and means you don't have to battle the dreaded orange palms either!
In terms of the formula itself, we've spoken to two tanning experts to share a few helpful points that are worth considering before you purchase your face tan of choice.
- Buy a face-specific formula: "Just like you wouldn't use shower gel to wash your hair, using body tan on your face is no different,” says expert tanner Amanda Harrington. “The skin on our faces is vastly different from our bodies. It is very thin and more delicate so needs to be treated differently to body skin, which is thicker and generally more robust.” (if it is in fact a robust body-friendly formula you seek, check out our Coco & Eve tan review) “Face tanners are produced to be non-comedogenic and give a lighter result, much like the best gradual tan. This makes them ideal to use without concerns of congestion or being too dark,” adds St Tropez Tanning Expert Michaella Bolder. Hence why the best fake tan for face tends to come in spray, serum, or mist form – light formulation is less likely to settle into pores or the natural creases of the face.
- Pay attention to ingredients. Wondering how to self-tan your face in a way that plays nicely with other skincare products? “Avoid retinol or any enzymatic skincare as these can accelerate the fade time of tan,” says Harrington. “And steer clear of any oil-based skincare products too. Oil breaks down tan and causes it to separate on our skin.” Bad news for our fresh new glow, but that does mean that oil is your go-to ingredient for learning how to remove fake tan in a hurry. Another way is “with skincare acids and a warm cloth,” adds Read. Do this before applying a fresh tan, too, to avoid any streaking.
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