The 9 best gradual tans for an effortlessly easy and streak-free natural summer glow

RRP: £18 | Texture: Lotion | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, marine algae, blueberry and raspberry seed oils | Shades available: 2

We're always keen to stock up on anything that contains high levels of skin-loving ingredients, which work to hydrate, protect, smooth, soothe, and firm skin, so this St.Tropez option was a no brainer. Offering a slightly deeper finish than some of the other best gradual tan options on the market, this super-effective formula goes on like a dream and there is no need to apply two or three layers, so it's also a great time saver. The texture spreads really nicely and covers your limbs without missing a spot (winner), so no nasty streaking here. A proper trustworthy gradual tan offering that will not let you down. 

RRP: £8.75 | Texture: Lotion | Key ingredients: Cell-Moisturisers®, natural seed oils | Shades available: 2

I must admit, I've relied on this formula for years now. I've raved about it so much that I've introduced it to all my friends. While it's undoubtedly a staple throughout the summer months, I actually use this gem all year round - as I love its results that much. Despite not having a guide colour, it's very easy to apply and I get a seamless, streak-free finish with every use. After finding myself Googling how to get fake tan off hands one too many times, I personally choose to apply the lotion with a mitt to ensure an even application. It effortlessly glides onto the skin, while also drying down fast and without transferring onto my clothes or bedsheets. Plus, considering its affordable price tag, I'd say this formula is pretty close to perfect.

RRP: £12 | Texture: Cream | Key ingredients: Apricot oil | Shades available: 2

You don’t have to break the bank to get a good glow. This Garnier gradual self-tan lotion lends limbs a natural hint of colour that can be built up from soft and subtle to a 'whoah!' glow. Brimming with hydrating apricot oil, its moisturising formula challenges some of the best body moisturiser. We used a mitt to apply the cream, buffing it in for an even, streak-free finish, which also meant we avoided tell-tale orange hands. We did find the formula is a little sticky when you first apply it, but it soon sinks in and begins to develop. The one downside? It does have that distinctive fake tan scent. 

RRP: £6.99 | Texture: Lotion | Key ingredients: Anti-aging Coenzyme Q10 | Shades available: 1

We really liked this Nivea gradual tan option and found it was one of the best fake tan for pale skin options, as it provides a gorgeous natural-looking glow. The lotion boasts a fruity floral aroma, so it had none of that dreaded fake tan smell. The lightweight lotion absorbed easily into our skin and left it looking plump and hydrated instantly. It did slightly sting as we applied just after shaving, so it might be worth leaving to apply the day after a shave. Beauty Director, Sarah Cooper-White tried it for herself and says: "Normally gradual tans leave my knees looking patchy and orange but this didn't, it glided onto my limbs and was completely streak-free and evenly balanced."

RRP: £25 | Texture: Lotion and oil hybrid | Key ingredients: Raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera | Shades available: 1

This Tan-Luxe option has a oil/lotion hybrid formula which glides effortlessly across skin, melting in like butter and unlocks a natural, bronzed look that adapts to your skin tone. Laced with raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera, it hydrates, smooths, and firms skin, too - and it’s odour-free. We also found that it develops faster than most – delivering a subtle glow after just one hour. Wait another three hours and your skin will look seriously radiant. It also was our favourite formula for using as a fake tan for your face out of the gradual tan options we tried. And while it is pricier than some, we think it's well worth it. 

RRP: £34 | Texture: Lightweight cream | Key ingredients: Organic aloe vera, ginkgo biloba extract and bladderwrackr, witch hazel, glycerin | Shades available: 1

This serum-meets-moisturiser formula is tinted in colour which allows for an easy and seamless application when applied with long, circular motions. It’s worth noting that you need quite a few pumps to cover the entire body – so if you like it as much as we do, the bottle will run out fast. That said, we can confirm that this gradual tan delivers a believable lightly-bronzed radiant finish that looks as though you’ve just come back from holiday. It also boasts slow-releasing DHA, which means results will continue to develop for up to 72 hours after application. Oh, and there’s also a cocktail of powerhouse skincare ingredients to hydrate, moisturise, smooth, and soothe skin, too. 

RRP: £13.99 | Texture: Lotion | Key ingredients: Avocado extract, bentonite and shea butter | Shades available: 1

Ideal for the summer months, this everyday tanner instantly moisturises dry skin with avocado extract and shea butter, while gradually developing into a subtle tan. It’s a great pick for fake tan first-timers as well as those who want to top up their tan post-holiday. After a few hours, we noticed that a gorgeous subtle glow appeared, that was both streak-free and natural looking. It wasn’t as deep as expected but this meant you could truly control the level of colour and meant we just had to apply a little extra the next day to get the perfect level of faux holiday glow. The downside? The cocoa butter scent is quite overpowering and sweet - but we'd say it's definitely worth it for the results.

RRP: £42 | Texture: Serum | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, natural caramel and shea butter | Shades available: 1

If you’re after a quick glow booster, specifically designed for your legs, consider this tanning serum from This Works. Powered by vitamin C and shea butter – this skin savvy serum (that also smells amazing) bolsters radiance and locks in moisture for luminous limbs. It also contains DHA to build a bronzed, healthy-looking glow. We applied it onto clean, dry skin using our hand, but you can also use a mitt to apply. If you do use your hands just be sure to wash them immediately after application. We adore the instant glow you get from this serum and noticed that after a few hours, our legs looked nicely tanned. We're officially hooked and will be using this prior to weddings, parties, and holidays.

RRP: £35 | Texture: Lightweight cream | Key ingredients: Coconut and soy oil, Vitamin E | Shades available: 1

We wondered what could justify this gradual tan being expensive, turns out it’s worth every single penny, and possibly the best gradual tan luxury option we tested. Beauty Writer, Annie Milroy says: "I was shocked at just how luxe and unique this product is. The first thing you will notice is the irresistible scent made up of pear, mandarin mixed with sandalwood, and musk. When I say this is one of the best smelling body lotion buys I have ever used, I am in no way exaggerating." She continues, "The super lightweight lotion absorbed instantly and left my skin feeling silky soft. It left lovely sun-kissed colour and secured me lots of compliments from my team on its transformative powers."