9 of the best fake tans for your face that deliver a believable sun-kissed glow
Emma-Jade Stoddart
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 5 minutes
Get ready to glow with our edit of bronzing must-buys
The best fake tan for your face should guarantee to provide a good year-round glow, without compromising on skin health. Far safer (and faster) than tanning from the sun IRL, the latest fake tanning formulas not only bestow a believable bronzed glow, they also hydrate and nourish skin too (thanks to added ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C).
From tanning drops and sheet masks to tinted creams and bronzing mists, there are so many self-tan options available – each with their own unique selling points. For those of us who are new to fake tan, easy-to-apply tanning drops and mists are a must-try. For regular glow-getters, give a cream or night mask a whirl.
Here we round up eight of the best fake tans for the face, as well as top application tips from tanning guru and founder of Isle of Paradise, Jules Von Hep.
How to apply fake tan on the face
“First, find a formula that works best for your skin type,” says Jules. If skin is dry or lacking moisture, go for a hydrating lotion that contains hyaluronic acid and/or vitamin E. “Oily skin types should avoid oil-based products,” notes Jules. Something lightweight, such as a water-based spray, is a good option here. For sensitive skins, steer clear of anything overly scented.
While each product will come with its own set of application instructions, there are a few steps that, according to Jules, can help prep the skin for a streak-free finish:
Step 1
Ensure the face is cleansed thoroughly before you start, as most fake tans will work best with a clean base.
Step 2
Exfoliating will help remove dead skin cells and deliver a more uniform skin tone.
Want to get the most out of your exfoliator? Check out our tutorial for more.
Step 3
Splash your face with cold water to close pores and apply toner and serum as normal – note that AHAs and retinol should not be used with self-tan.
Now the skin is prepped and primed, it’s time to start tanning. When using drops, "mix them in with your normal facial moisturiser and sweep over the skin in upwards motions and down the neck to the décolletage," says Jules.
For mists, "take a deep breath, close your eyes, and mist the fake tan over the face at arm’s length." And for mousse, "apply half a pump onto a mitt and mix with moisturiser before massaging into skin.”
How often should you fake tan your face?
"Tan on the face fades faster than that on the body because we tend to wash and exfoliate this area more," explains Jules. "I recommend tanning the face every other day and the body once or twice a week for two to three weeks before taking a break," he continues.
Jules’s top tip? "Regular exfoliation is key to ensuring an even fade with no build-up.”
Self-tanning drops are a great way to subtly tan the face and supercharge your existing skincare routine
Which fake tan looks most natural?
For easy application and a natural-looking finish, Jules highly recommends self-tanning drops. “They’re a great way to subtly tan the face and supercharge your existing skincare routine,” he says. For a soft believable bronze, “mix two to three drops into face cream, serum or sunscreen.” For a deeper tan (think two weeks in the Maldives), go for five to six drops.
9 of the best fake tans for your face to try
From serums to drops, mists, lotions and even masks, we’ve got every self-tanning need covered to help you find the best format and consistency for you. Here are nine Boots-approved picks to help build your bespoke shade for a professional finish, from the comfort of your own bathroom.
Best hydrating fake tan for face
Try: Isle of Paradise Hyglo Hyaluronic Self-Tan Face Serum
• Size: 30ml
• Hydrating serum
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
Thirsty skin? Turn your face towards this Self-Tan Face Serum from Isle of Paradise. Seriously lightweight, its hydrating formula combines hyaluronic acid and avocado, coconut and chia seed oils with just the right amount of DHA to deliver a healthy, radiant glow.
Best fake tan for face with skincare benefits
Try: St.Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Face Serum
• Size: 50ml
• Water serum
• Medium face tan
• Tropical scent
• Vegan-friendly*
Oily skin types will appreciate this weightless, water-based Bronzing Face Serum that sinks into skin speedily, delivering a medium golden glow. Brimming with nourishing skincare ingredients, it also brightens and hydrates the skin.
Best self-tanning face mist
Try: Skinny Tan Coconut Water Bronzing Face Mist
• Size: 100ml
• Face mist
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
• Suitable for all skin types
• Contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E and Q10
Mists are an easy fake tan format to master. Simply spritz five to six pumps of this Coconut Water Bronzing Mist over the face, neck and décolletage and leave for four hours before washing. The results? A believable, bronze tan and a more radiant complexion (thanks to vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and coconut water).
Best self-tanning face lotion
Try: Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Face Lotion
• Size: 50ml
• Non-comedogenic
• Cruelty-free
For a natural-looking tan, try this Gradual Tanning Face Lotion from Bondi Sands. The nourishing cream, blended with shea butter, can be applied daily to build up a soft, gorgeous glow that will have people asking, “have you been away?”
Best face fake tan for darker skin tones
Try: Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops Medium/Dark
• Size: 10ml
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
If you’re looking for a post-holiday glow, look no further than these genius tanning drops that allow you to turn any skincare product into a customisable tan. Great when applied at night, they provide a soft shield of sun-kissed colour to darker skin tones and a dose of year-round radiance.
Find more top tanning products for darker skin tones – and application tips – in our guide.
Best multi-purpose tan for face
Try: Vita Liberata Beauty Blur Face with Tan
• Size: 30ml
• Tinted moisturiser
• Available in two shades
• Smooths and brightens
• Cruelty-free
Looking for a fake tan that slips easily into your everyday routine? Give this self-tanning, tinted moisturiser from Vita Liberata a whirl. Apply on its own, as a primer or mixed in with your go-to foundation, for a shot of dewy radiance. For a long-lasting glow, leave it on for eight hours before cleansing.
Best affordable tan for face
Try: Boots Glow Essence Serum
• Size: 28ml
• Lightweight serum
• Natural-looking glow
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
You don’t have to break the bank to find a good fake tan for the face. Case in point: this Glow Essence Serum from Boots. 100% clear, the lightweight, silky formula can be applied onto bare skin before moisturising, for a subtle, even glow.
Best tanning drops for face
Try: Filter by Molly-Mae Tanning Drops
• Size: 30ml
• Tan drops
• Suitable for all skin types
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
The beauty of tanning drops is that you can create a completely bespoke tan by adding as many (or as little) as you like into your go-to moisturiser. For a natural-looking tan, four drops of Filter by Molly-Mae Tanning Drops will give you a soft, sun-kissed sheen.
Best overnight tan for face
Try: Bondi Sands Pure Self Tanning Sleep Mask
• Size: 75ml
• Lightweight cream
• Fragrance-free
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Cruelty-free
• Non-comedogenic
Wake up to glowing skin with Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Sleep Mask. The skin-savvy formula (that’s enriched with vitamins C and E, and hyaluronic acid) gets to work while you snooze; moisturising and brightening skin, while delivering a veil of sun-kissed colour.
