Staff tested: The best self-tanners
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
Yes, you can get a "healthy glow" without the sun’even in the depths of winter. Try these four best self-tanners, tested by Best Health staff, to look radiant at any time of year
L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion
Tester says: "I had used gradual self tanners before and they truly were gradual. With this one, I noticed a difference after just one application—which is good if you’re in a rush for some colour. (The label doesn’t designate skin tone and I’m fair, so perhaps this is for medium-toned skin.) I loved that it did not have a medicinal smell and felt moisturizing."
Price: $16, 200 mL
Clinique Self-Sun Touch of Bronze Moisturizing Body Lotion
Tester says: "A thick pale-yellow cream, with a faint inoffensive chemical odour, this required some care when applying to ensure even coverage, but it dried in the promised five minutes. After four days, my legs had a subtle tan with just a few faint streaks. A great moisturizer, and the ‘gradual’ formula let me control the tone."
Price: $24, 150 mL
St. Tropez Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion
Tester says: "I liked the clean smell of the exfoliating gel and body lotion (steps 1
and 2). The green-tinted self-tanning lotion (step 3) dries to a
natural medium-dark tan, but I had to scrub to get the green off my
hands. I would definitely use this on occasion; for daily use, I would
stick with a less-expensive brand."
Price: $40, 240 mL, part of a 3-step system
Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream With Unsaponifiables of Cocoa
Tester says: "With its shiny tub, I felt like I was dipping into a honey pot. The thick cream, tinted a golden-brown, allows you to see when you’ve missed a spot. Its touted ‘unsaponifiables of cocoa’ felt like an indulgence (it refers to a nourishing cocoa butter, according to Clarins). The product had a sweet, slightly chemical odour, but the resulting honey colour was natural, even on my fair skin—none of the orange tinge I’ve had from other fake tanners."
Price: $40, 125 mL
Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream With Unsaponifiables of Cocoa
Tester says: "With its shiny tub, I felt like I was dipping into a honey pot. The thick cream, tinted a golden-brown, allows you to see when you’ve missed a spot. Its touted ‘unsaponifiables of cocoa’ felt like an indulgence (it refers to a nourishing cocoa butter, according to Clarins). The product had a sweet, slightly chemical odour, but the resulting honey colour was natural, even on my fair skin—none of the orange tinge I’ve had from other fake tanners."
Price: $40, 125 mL
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