The best fake tan for your face to unlock a healthy holiday glow all year round

Our beauty team's tried and tested guide to the best fake tans for your face, from easy-to-use mists to gradual drops

Collage of the best fake tans for your face (L-R) St Tropez Sunlit Tint + Tan, Self Glow by James Read Sunbright Self-Tan Drops and Caudalie Vinobronze Self-Tan Sun Drops, on a neutral gradient background
(Image credit: Future / Sennen Prickett)

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

Self Glow by James Read Sunbright Tinted Tan Drops
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Tan Luxe THE FACE Self-Tan Drops
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Looking for a seamless face self-tan that evens the skin tone and cancels out any redness? Look no further than the popular Tan Luxe The Face Self-Tan Drops, which now has a notable 34% saving when shopped via Amazon.

The 9 best fake tans for face, tried and tested by our beauty team

How we tested the best fake tans for the face

Image of the best fake tans for your face lined up on a desk (L-R) Skin & Tan Notox Drops, Watermans Facial Tan Spritz, Self Glow by James Read Sunbright Drops, Caudalie Vinobronze Self-Tan Sun Drops, St. Tropez Sunlit Tint and Tan, Lucy Bee Naturally Glowing Self-Tan Drops

(Image credit: Future / Sennen Prickett)

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

Advice from
Sunless tanning expert and Founder of Self Glow by James Read, James Read smiling wearing a navy T-shirt
Advice from
James Read

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.

Advice from
Image of Michaella Bolder smiling with head in the palm of her hand, with wavy blonde ombré bob and wearing a white jumper
Advice from
Michaella Bolder

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.

Expert Tan Artist
Expert Tan Artist
Amanda Harrington

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.

Tested by
Image of Sennen Prickett, Digital Beauty Writer, smiling with curled long brunette hair
Tested by
Sennen Prickett

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.

Tested by
Jess Beech
Tested by
Jess Beech

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.
Sennen Prickett
Digital Beauty Writer

Sennen is Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she shares the latest beauty launches, trending buys and personal product recommendations, from makeup and hair to skincare and nails. She is also a judge for the annual woman&home Haircare, Skincare and Beauty Awards.

Previously, Sennen achieved a First Class Fashion and Beauty Journalism degree at Birmingham City University, before undertaking her role as Junior Digital Fashion and Beauty Editor at FROW Magazine. During this position, she wrote about the latest industry news, new product launches, viral trends and thoroughly reviewed a lineup of beauty products. Since leaving FROW, Sennen has gone on to create fashion, beauty and lifestyle content with numerous brands, including Who What Wear UK, HuffPost UK and Harvey Nichols.

When she’s not writing about all things beauty, Sennen spends her spare time outside of work watching the latest Netflix series, doing lots of online shopping and going on countryside walks with her dog.

With contributions from