Sun Not Doing It for Ya? These Self-Tanners Will (In Minutes) (2024)

The Rundown

Our Top Picks

Formula Type: Mousse | Application: Easy | Dry Time: 20 Minutes | Applicator Included: No | Shades:2

This mousse formula from Tan Luxe is everything you could possibly want in a self-tanner. Thanks to the applicator mitt, it's easy to apply, smells great, and doesn't transfer onto sheets or clothing. We found the results to be streak-free and completely even. The solution is easily spreadable and feels completely dry to the touch within 20 minutes of applying. It washes off easily, and the dark tan lasts around five days when showering daily. We found the color to be on the darker side, but luckily this formula also comes in a lighter tone if you prefer a more subtle glow.

Formula Type: Lotion | Application: Easy | Dry Time: Develops between 2-4 hours | Applicator Included: No | Shades:2

If the phrase “self-tanner” gives you horrific flashbacks to bad prom tans or reminds you of orange, splotchy hands, you’re not alone. We’ve all had negative experiences here and there trying to give ourselves a little bit of color. That said, Tan-Luxe’s The Gradual lotion changed our view of the process. This formula couldn’t have been easier to slather on (it has the consistency of a lightweight lotion), and any sticky, greasy feeling was nonexistent. The end result after just two hours was a perfectly natural-looking, subtle glow — not too dark, not orange, and not splotchy.

Why It’s a 2024 Shape Beauty Awards Winner:This self-tanner is made for anyone wanting a dose of color on their skin without looking like they just got a bad spray tan. Its lotion-like consistency means it couldn’t be easier to apply, and it absorbs quickly without leaving any stickiness behind.

Formula Type: Mist | Application: Easy | Dry Time: Immediate | Applicator Included: No | Shades:1

This self-tanning water mist from L'Oreal gives an instant glow that develops into a natural-looking tan that lasts for around five days. The formula sprays on easily and evenly to the body, but we found it best to apply with a makeup pad to the face. We like that this formula is dermatologist-tested and suitable for more sensitive skin. We found that it didn't transfer onto clothing and loved it as a same-day option for a summery glow in no time.

Formula Type: Drops | Application: Easy | Dry Time: 5 minutes | Applicator Included: No | Shades:1

If you don't want to disrupt your skincare routine with a self-tanner, these convenient bronzing drops work with your favorite moisturizer to deliver a bronze, even tan, that's customizable to your liking. The product comes with a handy guide on how many drops to add for the level of tan you're seeking. We loved the natural bronze glow these drops delivered and appreciated that there was no transfer onto sheets or clothing. This product does need to be applied more often than others on the list — the color lasts about two days.

Formula Type: Drops | Application: Easy | Dry Time: 10 minutes | Applicator Included: No | Shades: 2

These self-tanning drops from Isle of Paradise are best sellers for plenty of reasons. They can be mixed with any moisturizer or even foundation to deliver a gradual glow. The formula comes in a light and medium option, and the color can be customized depending on how many drops you add. We found this formula to be a solid streak-free option. The formula fades evenly, allowing you to build on the tan gradually.

Formula Type: Mousse | Application: Dry Time: 20 minutes | Applicator Included: No | Shades:1

This self-tanning mousse from St. Tropez earns high marks across the board for easy application and even natural color. “I’m a total beginner to self-tanning, and I was shook at how easy this was,” says Kristen Geil, former Shape senior commerce editor. “I was especially impressed at how well it blended, thanks to the mousse formula. There were no harsh lines or clearly missed spots, even in the middle of my upper back where I couldn’t fully reach. I got so many compliments the next few days.” What really stood out to us was the clean, floral scent that wasn't overpowering. We strongly recommend purchasing a mitt applicator for the best application and keep in mind that this tan took around 12 hours to develop fully. This formula is also well-suited for uneven skin texture.

Formula Type: Mousse | Application: Easy | Dry Time: 5 minutes | Applicator Included: No | Shades:3

If you love to be tan but hate tacky formulas that feel heavy on the skin, this self-tanner from Coco & Eve will likely make you pretty happy. We couldn't believe how quickly the formula dried after applying and how weightless it felt post-application. The color develops in around two hours but reaches its full potential after a full 24 hours. This formula also helps blur pigmentation to make skin tone appear more even, which is an added plus. You can purchase the product solo or with the mitt body applicator and kabuki brush for the face in a bundle for a discount — which we highly recommend for the best application!

Formula Type: Mist | Application: Easy | Dry Time: 5 minutes | Applicator Included: No | Shades:1

The application instructions on this St. Tropez self-tanning face mist seem too good to be true at first glance. Can you really spray a clear mist onto your face and get even results? To our surprise and delight, the answer is yes. Though the results of this product aren't as dramatic as others on the list, we liked the subtle glow this product gave us, especially since the stakes are higher when self-tanning your face (though we didn't notice any unevenness or blotches after applying!). This mist is infused with beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid, hibiscus extract, and green Mandarin water to keep skin healthy and hydrated.

Formula Type: Mousse | Application: Easy | Dry Time: 1-hour | Applicator Included: No | Shades: 3

Even the most seamless self-tanner takes some time to apply, so it makes sense to want your self-tan to last as long as possible for your efforts. This self-tanning mousse from Loving Tan lasted longer than any other self-tanner on the list, up to a week and a half, even with frequent showering. However, we did notice that this formula wasn't as quick-drying as others and felt slightly tacky, though we didn't notice any transfer onto sheets or clothes during testing. We appreciate that this mousse has three color options: Medium, Dark, and Ultra Dark. This product is available as a bundle with a mitt and back applicator, though we found the back applicator more difficult to use than the mitt.

Formula Type: Mousse | Application: Easy | Dry Time: 30 minutes | Applicator Included: No | Shades: 2

We've sung the praises of the classic Jergens Natural Glow delivers instant results. A little bit goes a long way with this tinted mousse, which is easy to apply using an applicator mitt. It's infused with coconut water and delivers a fresh, tropical scent of passion fruit essence when applied. Though it took around 30 minutes to dry fully, the results were instant. Even though the formula remained tacky after application, we found no transfer on clothing, so you really can apply this and head out for the night looking instantly bronzed!

Formula Type: Gel | Application: Easy | Dry Time: 3-5 minutes | Applicator Included: No | Shades:1

This gel formula from Clarins glides on and absorbs like a lotion, with the added benefit of a natural-looking tan that develops throughout the day to a warm, bronze glow. We like this formula for its non-sticky finish and easy application. However, it's important to apply it evenly, as we did notice some inconsistencies during the application. This formula suits combination, dry, normal, and oily skin types. Though the product didn't transfer onto sheets or clothing, we did notice that it transferred onto towels after showering, so be sure to pat dry rather than rub when using this formula.

Formula Type: Wipes | Application: Easy | Dry Time: 3-5 minutes | Applicator Included: No | Shades: 3

If you've never tried self-tanner, we recommend starting with these tan towelettes. The formula is premeasured into each moist towel, so all you need to do is glide it evenly over your body for an even tan. We noticed this color was much lighter than others on the list, so you may need to apply it a few times to build the color to your liking. The towels come in two sizes, a full-body size for head-to-toe applications and a half-body size for touch-ups. The formula is clear, so you'll have to rely on how covered your body feels to ensure you don't miss a spot.

Formula Type: Wipes | Application: Easy | Dry Time: 1-minute | Applicator Included: No | Shades:1

Want to take care of your skin and look nicely bronzed? These wipes from Dr. Dennis Gross check all the boxes. Packed with ingredients like hydrating lactic acid and AHA/BHAs that gently exfoliate away dead skin cells, this wipe works hard to make your skin look and feel great and glowy. For such a luxurious product, we were a little surprised at the rough texture of the wipe but pleased with the ease of application, how quickly it dried, and the subtle results the next morning. Like others on this list, you may need to apply more than once every few days to be tanned to your preference.