12 best face tanners for an effortless sun-kissed glow in 2025

These drops are free from sulfates, soap and synthetic fragrances, so they’re kinder to the skin, and are formulated using the brand’s signature grape water, which works to hydrate, soothe and brighten skin while your tan develops. Unlike other tans I’ve tried in the past, I was impressed that these drops didn’t dry out any areas of my face.

I found that three drops provide a subtle glow, while six drops offer a deeper bronzed look. Applying the formula couldn’t be easier – you can either mix drops with your moisturiser or apply them on their own at the end of your skincare routine. If you opt for the latter, I found that the serum-like consistency glided effortlessly across the face and dried quickly. Make-up layered on top of the formula well, and when I applied it in the evening, I was pleased to find that it didn’t transfer onto sheets. It takes around two hours to develop a slight sun-kissed glow, but after four hours, I had an entirely natural-looking tan. Even better, the colour fades evenly over three days.

Read the full Caudalie vinobronze self tan sun drops review

Infused with soothing aloe vera extract, hydrating glycerin and pro-lipids to boost elasticity, Dove’s budget-friendly gradual face tanner comes in a large 75ml tube that dwarfs some of the other offerings in this round-up.

Just like the brand’s cult body gradual tan lotion (those who’ve tried it rarely go back), the facial version is lightweight and fast-drying, with a coconut and floral scent. It feels silky smooth upon application, developing within three hours into a natural-looking light tan.

You could apply it instead of your night cream in the evening (it doesn’t transfer onto sheets) or swap out your daily moisturiser for the self-tanner (followed by SPF, of course). The subtle finish means it works well as a lightweight layer on holiday over a real tan, as it can prolong a natural glow, too.

Celebrity fake tanner and industry expert James Read launched his own brand, Self Glow, last year. Unlike some other brands, Self Glow uses hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. When it comes to facial tanners, the tinted tan drops are lightweight and hydrating enough to be mixed with any of your usual beauty products, be it a foundation, serum or moisturiser.

Don’t be scared of the deep brown colour, as this leaves just a subtle tint after application and develops gradually over the next few hours. The clever formula also works to mask hyperpigmentation, which is another big plus. It fades nicely, too, so you’re not left patchy on day three. In fact, the initial colour lasts a good two days before fading at all, which means you only need to reapply every three days or so.

By Terry has married skincare and fake tan in this face and body mist. The lightweight formula nourishes and hydrates your skin and leaves an instant tan in its wake. It’s fast-drying, non-sticky and has minimal transfer, so you can mist it across your face and be out the door within minutes. It’s a saviour in those 11th-hour moments when you want a little colour around your face and décolletage just before you head out.

It offers sufficient coverage if you want to add a little concealer and blush, but it also sits well under foundation without drying out your skin. I recommend this to anyone scared of committing to fake tan - it washes off easily with water at the end of the day.

From shade range to price point, Isle of Paradise is one of the best accessible fake tan brands. Its face drops are bestsellers for good reason, but its just innovated its cult formula to make it even better. The self tan drops are dermatologist approved, with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to boost hydration and even out your skin tone. Complete with colour-correcting actives, the formula helps to smooth your complexion while minimising the appearance of dark spots.

The formula is scent-free (a nice change from others on the market) and fast-drying (there’s no greasy sheen), while the gold-tone formula has just enough guide colour for patch-free coverage. While you can mix the formula with your moisturiser for a subtle glow, I preferred applying three medium drops at the end of my skincare routine for a natural-looking bronzed finish. It doesn’t dry out skin or go patchy around the hairline, with the tanned finish lasting up to four days.

The OG viral bronzing drops, Drunk Elephant’s formula has inspired plenty of alternatives, but none are as good. The lightweight formula has an almost silky texture, and it’s very easy to blend, whether in your moisturiser or directly onto your face (a brush helps around the hairline).

The drops provide an instantly tanned look without a hint of orange, and I love to use them as a liquid contour on my cheekbones and forehead. Similarly, it can be applied anywhere else on the body for a touch of bronze, with just one drop going a long way.

The drops also have impressive longevity, lasting all day without any smudging or patchiness. The drawback is that this is a relatively pricey pick, but if you love an instant tan or fear the commitment of a developing formula, you won’t regret the splurge.

Infused with hyaluronic acid and moisturising coconut water, this formula delivered a hydration boost to the skin. The consistency is thinner than others I’ve tried and colourless, but it glides effortlessly across skin. Fake tan novices may struggle with the lack of guide colour, but it’s easy to get even coverage when mixing this product with your moisturiser.

The tan sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave a sticky sheen, while the fragrance is reminiscent of classic biscuity fake tan scents, with softening notes of vanilla. It takes about six hours to develop, leaving a subtle and understated tint. The magic of Garnier’s formula is that it can be built up to your desired shade over a couple of days, without going patchy or drying out skin. Delivering a deep, streak-free finish without a hint of orange, the tan lasts up to four days.

Providing a dewy glow, this nourishing serum, which comes in three shades (light, medium and dark), applies evenly without streaks or patches. About three pumps will give you ample coverage, but you can seamlessly build it up for a deeper bronzed finish. It’s fast drying, so you can continue your usual skincare routine almost instantly – I follow up with a moisturiser and SPF when applying in the morning. And within three hours, I find that I have a tanned and radiant complexion

If you typically stay clear of facial tanners because you’re worried about them being drying, I’d recommend Bare By Vogue’s hyaluronic-acid-enriched serum, it will slot effortlessly into your skincare regime.

A mist is the most effortless method for applying fake tan – simply spritz, blend and wait for it to develop. And this is a great option. A face tan can be hard to prolong because of daily cleansing, so this mist is ideal for quickly spritzing over your skin when you need extra glow. Just make sure to use a brush around the hairline, nose and jawline for a flawless finish.

The formula contains kind-to-skin ingredients (think hyaluronic acid and niacinamide) and works just like your normal skincare mist does – hydrating, brightening and giving you that dewy finish, so the brand recommends it for sensitive skin.

The bonus of Sienna X’s formula is that you’re left with a bronzed tint within just four hours, and it doesn’t clog or cling to pores.

These self-tan drops have a cult following for good reason. The formula is packed with skin-loving ingredients that work to strengthen the skin barrier, improve elasticity and firmness, and hydrate and soothe. The guide colour means the formula is incredibly easy to apply, whether mixed with your nightly moisturiser or used as the last step of your morning skincare regime.

The drops are potent, so don’t overdo it – about three drops leaves you with a rich, natural-looking tan, while four to six result in a deep tan. Once applied, there was no sticky residue, orange tone or biscuity scent. Though an initial investment, the 30ml bottle lasts a while.

This new launch from St Tropez has a liquid-like consistency, which makes it a dream to blend across the face. It’s super lightweight and sinks seamlessly into skin without leaving a greasy residue. There’s a guide colour to help with even application, but it delivers sheer coverage that instantly boosts radiance and glow. Developing over a couple of hours into a natural-looking tan, it instantly gives skin a bronzed tint.

The formula doesn’t settle into fine lines or pores, instead working to even out the skin tone and mask blemishes. There’s even the added benefit of hyaluronic acid and butylene glycol for a hydration boost. Lasting for longer than your typical bronzing drops (up to two days) while giving you instant tinted coverage, St Tropez’s latest facial tanner arguably offers the best of both worlds.

Infused with aloe vera, natural oils and guarana for a radiance boost, this formula glides effortlessly across skin, whether you use three to five drops at the end of your skincare regime or mix three drops into your moisturiser for a subtler tint. The formula is non-greasy and doesn’t cling to pores or fine lines, but I found you need to use a brush around your hairline and nose for a blended finish.

The tan begins to develop within just two hours, leaving a natural-looking bronzed sheen, but after eight hours, you’ll look like you’re just back from a beach holiday. It helped mask any redness, which was particularly noticeable around my nose, and colour faded naturally and evenly, with no dry patches. Plus, the 30ml bottle will last you ages – in fact, the brand says it will last you an entire year (a claim I’m yet to test, but I’ll report back). The coconut scent is dreamy, too.