Best Self-Tanners

Still, self-tanner is widely considered a safer alternative to tanning in the sun and tanning beds, both of which cause exposure to harmful UV radiation and increase the risk of skin cancer and premature aging. It’s also a go-to product for some people with deeper skin who turn to self-tanner to even out their skin tone and create a more balanced canvas. The big mystery about using self-tanner—and the one that probably keeps some people away is: What shade will it turn me?

CR took the risk so that you don’t have to by testing six popular self-tanners: St. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse, Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam, Coco and Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam, Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun, St. Tropez Self Tan Suprême Violet Mousse, and Loving Tan Platinum Mousse. Three testers who have different skin tones and undertones ordered each self-tanner in the shade they’d most likely try themselves to see what we thought of its application, the color it produced, its longevity, and, of course, its scent (because self-tanners have a smelly reputation). 

We all did patch tests with the products before using them, and strongly recommend that you do, too, to prevent allergic reactions and skin irritation. We applied each self-tanner using the Yvoier Self Tanning Mitt Applicator. We also continued to apply sunscreen over our self-tan (because self-tanners do not protect against skin cancer and sun damage). The good news is that none of these self-tanners turned us orange—hurray for modern formulations. The meh news is that only a few yielded dramatic results in one application (that may also be good news if you prefer to take tanning slowly—you decide).