Self-tanners are a lifesaver when you want a golden glow without the dangers of the sun or tanning beds. But when fake tans go bad with telltale orange streaks, they can ruin your summer skin! Since self-tanners can be a hit or miss, it’s important to find a reliable product that can give you a natural-looking tan. Though department stores are a good place to start, most collegiettes aren’t willing to spend a fortune on a seasonal trend. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable self-tanners on the market that can get the job done! You have a choice of buying self-tanners as a spray, lotion, gel, or mousse, so we’ve included every variety in our list. Check out these seven budget-friendly self-tanners (all for less than $18!) that are sure to give you a warm, sun-kissed look.
Before you slather on your tan-in-a-tube, read these application tips to get a natural and even color that lasts!
General Application Tips
Exfoliate
The active ingredient in self-tanners (called dihydroxyacetone, or DHA) works by dyeing your dead skin cells, according to Daniela Ferri, esthetician and owner of Daniela’s Facial Studio. When you forget to exfoliate, you end up dyeing uneven patches of dead skin, resulting in blotches and streaks. “You want to wipe that slate clean,” Ferri says. “Be sure your exfoliation result is as even as possible by exfoliating in circular as well as linear directions.” For an in-depth explanation of the best way to exfoliate, check out Ferri’s video “All About Body Exfoliation.”
Cool Down
Ferri says sweat can interfere with an even application by making the formula runny, so make sure you apply your self-tanner in a room that is not humid or warm. “Remember, we’re dyeing dead skin cells,” she says. “We want to get to as many as possible, with no chance of any of the chemical rubbing off.”
Self-Tanner Lotions and Mousses
One advantage of using self-tanner lotions is you can make your tan appear more natural by lightening areas where the sun doesn’t shine as much. Ferri suggests applying a small strip of regular lotion on the inside of your arms and legs to mix with your tanning lotion. Your skin will look lighter in these areas, resulting in overall tan that still looks natural.
Fiona Locke, a skin finishing and tanning expert, recommends applying lotions or mousses with an applicator mitten (you can buy one from Sephora for $6.50). Because your hands are porous, a mitten will ensure an even application. Locke says you simply put the product on the mitten and rub it onto your body, working from your feet up.
If you don’t buy applicator mittens, then you need to take precautions to get an even tan. Celebrity makeup artist Meredith Baraf says it’s important to keep your fingers pressed tightly together to make sure you are applying evenly. If you apply with loose hands, you may miss globs of product in between your fingers.
If you’re looking for a self-tanner lotion, try:
The Moisturizing Tanner:
Jergens Natural Glow 3 Days to Glow Moisturizer, walgreens.com, $8.99
Now you can skip a step in your morning routine! Jergens’s fast-acting moisturizer/tanner duo will both hydrate your skin and make you a full shade darker after three days, according to their website. Sona Kollarova, a 2nd year at the University of Ottawa, says she had noticeable results after the first application. However, Sona says the full effect was not immediate. “If you have a big event coming up, you need to start using it a few days before,” she says.
Jergens offers two kinds of tanner for different complexions: one for fair to medium skin tones and one for medium to tan skin tones. Jamie Blynn, a graduate of George Washington University, says, “I wouldn’t say it looks fake, but if someone were to know that you had applied it, they might think you look slightly more orange than usual. But for everyone that didn’t know, I just looked tan.” The color will last a few days and fade completely after you’ve stopped using the product for one to two weeks. You can maintain your tan by using Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, which achieves the same darkness during a longer time frame.
Both products are effective moisturizers because they contain hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin and emollients, which are also found in Jergens’s regular lotions. However, Ferri warns that girls with oily skin should look for another self-tanner, as Jergens lotions do tend to clog pores.
The Best Value Tanner:
Banana Boat Summer Color Sunless Tinted Lotion, ulta.com, $7.99
With more than 300 reviews and a close-to-perfect rating on Ulta.com, Banana Boat Summer Color Sunless Tinted Lotion is a faux glow summer favorite! According to the website, the lotion has a non-greasy and oil-free formula that is enriched with vitamin E and aloe vera. Ferri says this self-tanner is less pore-clogging than others, though you are better off using a different product for your face. The self-adjusting color formula lets you increase your darkness by simply applying more lotion (wait three hours between applications for the best results). After a few hours, you will begin to see a bronze glow that will last for several days. This tinted lotion is the most affordable self-tanner on our list and is a tried-and-true product for any skin tone.
The Well-Balanced Tanner:
Victoria’s Secret Self Tan: Self-Tanning Tinted Lotion, victoriassecret.com, $15
Baraf and Ferri both contend that this is one of the best picks on the list. Though it uses coconut and avocado oils, which can be pore-clogging, Ferri says it uses smaller amounts than most other self-tanners. Jenna Kapsis, a junior at William Paterson University, says she would definitely recommend this product to a friend. “I actually only started using it a month ago and I apply it every other day,” she says. “I was seeing results within two weeks. I love it! It’s very natural looking, too.”
The reason some self-tanners turn out orange is because there is too much DHA in the formula, according to Locke. But too little DHA can mean you won’t see much of a difference in darkness. When a brand is able to hit that sweet spot in between, you get a product that makes you noticeably darker in a natural way!
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If you’re looking for a self-tanner mousse, try:
The Delicious Skin Tanner:
Body Drench Whipped Chocolate Self-Tanning Mousse, folica.com, $12.99
A chocolate-scented self-tanner? Yes, please! This lightweight foam glides over your skin for an easy, streak-free application. Because the first listed ingredient is hydrogenated oil, Ferri says it’s a good pick for girls with dry skin. Use this tanner daily until you reach your desired shade, then reapply once or twice a week to maintain your warm color.
The Most Convincing Faux Tanner:
St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, sephora.com, $18 (1.69 oz bottle)
“I have been tanning people in the entertainment biz for 10 years, and after trying many things, I discovered St. Tropez self-tanning product and have not used anything else since then,” says Locke. She says that because the company specializes in only bronzing products (unlike general beauty brands that include a self-tanner line), St. Tropez is able to focus on perfecting the formula. Two of Locke’s favorite things about the formula are the aroma guard (it eliminates the fake tan smell) and the smart technology that works with the melanin in your skin to create a natural-looking tan. This lightweight formula dries in just 60 seconds, according to Sephora, and results in a rich bronze color.
Spray Application Tips
One benefit of a spray application is you can keep your hands clean of the product (if the instructions say you don’t need to rub it in). Discolored hands are a major problem among people who self-tan, so make sure to wash your hands frequently if you do need to spread the spray over your body.
If you are having trouble reaching your back with a spray, Baraf says to “look over your shoulder into the reflection of your back in the mirror. Keeping the spray bottle in motion, spray a thick mist and step back into it – letting it hit your back.” You will also ensure an even application with this method.
If you’re looking for a self-tanner spray, try:
The Steal-the-Spotlight Tanner:
L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Clear Self-Tanning Gel, lorealparisusa.com, $10.99
This tanner has a light, shimmery finish to give your sun-kissed skin an extra boost! “Shimmering lotion or powder is a great way to help legs look leaner,” says Baraf. She says you can even “add a little extra shimmer up the center of the leg to contour. This trick reflects light to the center of the leg and recedes the outer leg, making the leg look leaner.”
To apply, spray the gel evenly on your skin and massage it in. Because the product is clear, spraying evenly will be the only way you know which areas you’ve covered. According to Ferri, some self-tanners have an added bronzer to help you see how much you’ve applied and give you an immediate tan. However, the bronzer is only meant to give you immediate color while waiting for the DHA in the formula to actually make your skin darker (Ferri says the DHA usually starts working in 10-14 hours). So a clear formula works just as well as a tinted one in the long run—and you don’t need to worry about a clear formula staining your clothes!
The Skin-Friendly Tanner:
Neutrogena MicroMist Airbrush Sunless Tan, neutrogena.com, $10.99
You don’t have to sacrifice clear skin for summer color! Ferri recommends Neutrogena for a skin-conscious tanner. She says, “As an acne specialist, my main concerns are pore-clogging and pore-irritating ingredients that could aggravate both facial and body acne.” Ferri advises acne-prone girls to opt for an oil-free tanner, such as Neutrogena MicroMist Airbrush Sunless Tan. The formula is also alcohol-free (unlike most tanning sprays), which means it won’t irritate dry skin. The bottle sprays an ultra-fine mist over your skin (so you don’t need to rub it in) and gives you a healthy, even glow, according to Neutrogena. The spray dries in just five minutes and the tan lasts a few days.
Even when summer ends, these self-tanners will leave you glowing year-round. A surefire way to brighten your overall appearance, self-tanning is a beauty trick that every collegiette needs to try at least once. And with so many affordable options to choose from, why not experiment on a few occasions? When you do find your perfect match, share it with us in the comments below; we’re always looking to discover new bronzing gems!