Not Orange, Not Streaky: 8 Self-Tanners That Passed Our Rigorous Testing
It’s sun-kissed skin season (without the sun damage, of course).
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We haven’t always been so blessed with natural-looking self-tanners that don’t cause streaky, splotchy spots of orange all over your body. But I’ve been on a years-long mission to reclaim the damage I did to my skin in my teens, from deliberately skipping sunscreen to baking in the sun in hopes of getting a “summer base tan.” Now, as a beauty editor, I’m religious about protecting my skin, for the sake of reducing my chances of skin cancer, as well as curbing fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, and hyperpigmentation.
So in pursuit of a golden glow the healthy way, I’ve been coating my body—from head to toe—with self-tanner for nearly a decade. And as I’ve mastered the formulas that work, I don’t think anyone would ever be able to tell the difference between my skin with a natural tan and what I achieve with the mousses, waters, and creams below.
Dw, though. I also enlisted other Cosmo staffers with a range of skin types and tones for their picks. Keep scrolling for all of our favorites:
What are the best self-tanners? Our top picks:
Let me get into full reviews of each (plus how we applied them), and then I’m breaking down a bunch of need-to-know info on self-tanners. Like… how do you apply it? Can you use self-tanner on dark skin? Is there such a thing as self-tanner for pale skin? All the details, below.
Dolce Glow 2-Hour Express Self-Tanning Mousse
Dolce Glow 2-Hour Express Self-Tanning Mousse
Pros
- Blends evenly without streaks
- Achieves peak color in only two hours
- Cosmo 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
Cons
- I wish it came in a few other shades
Why we love it: Lazy people, unite. Express self-tanners rarely actually reach their full color potential in only a few hours. But Dolce Glow genuinely only takes two. Just buff it into your skin in circular motions with a mitt, let it sit for two hours (ideally, wear loose-fitting clothes), then shower off. It leaves skin looking glowy and sun-kissed and never with streaks.
| Format | Mousse |
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, avocado oil |
| Shades | Ultra dark |
One Cosmo editor says: “I completely fooled my friends into thinking I spent a weekend in Tulum when I showed up to happy hour with a bronzy tan. Nope! I just spent two hours basking in this natural-looking self-tanner.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Nuda ToneFoam Olive Express Tanning Mousse
Nuda ToneFoam Olive Express Tanning Mousse
Pros
- Green hue helps counterract orange tones
- One of the longest-lasting self-tanners I've ever tried
- Cosmo 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
Cons
- The green tint can be shocking at first (but it tones down once you rinse off to a natural-looking tan)
Why we love it: A green self-tanner seems scary, but it’s shockingly natural-looking once you rinse it off. Winner of “best self-tanning mousse or water” in our 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Awards, this Nuda foam evenly coats your body for a skin-like glow that’s not even remotely orange (thanks to the green tint casting away any orange hues). And it lasts, even through sweat and swimming.
| Format | Mousse |
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, bakuchiol, ceramides |
| Shades | One (you can customize your shade by how long you leave it on) |
Loving Tan 2 HR Express Self Tanning Mousse Dark
Loving Tan 2 HR Express Self Tanning Mousse Dark
Pros
- Easy to apply without getting streaks or splotchy, even as it fades
- Although the color is very pigmented, the undertones still look natural
Cons
- Not the most "natural"-looking tan we've tested, especially if you have very fair skin
Why we love it: Loving Tan has long been a team Cosmo favorite for a natural tan that’s just a notch above “subtle.” So much so, a few of our team members are constantly fighting over any samples that show up in the closet. Why are we all so obsessed? Well, this formula never, ever, ever gets streaky or splotchy, no matter how much you put on (and this mousse can be layered if you want a deep tan). It also fades really well—almost like a real tan.
| Format | Mousse |
| Key ingredients | Witch hazel, aloe vera |
| Shades | Medium, dark, ultra-dark |
One Cosmo editor says: “The hardest part about moving to NYC from Florida was the lack of sunshine, and, therefore, a decent tan. That’s when I really locked in on sunless tanning options, and Loving Tan delivers the best results on my fair skin. It gives off a natural color, and as someone who hates sitting for hours to marinate in a self-tanning mousse, their 2-hour express option is my favorite. When I have more time, I like to apply two layers with 20 minutes in between and leave it on for up to 4 hours for deeper results.”—SAMANTHA OLSON, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
CYKLAR Milky Essence
CYKLAR Milky Essence
Pros
- Doesn't require a mitt or rinse-off, making it virtually foolproof
- Absorbs into skin without a sticky feel
Cons
- We wish there was some sort of masking scent so it was a little less self-tanner-y
Why we love it: Hate heavy, sticky products on your skin? Self-tanners previously probably weren’t for you. But Cyklar’s Self-Tanning Milky Essence feels hydrating and silky on skin with zero residue and leaves behind a soft wash of color. Apply it with your hands—no mitt required—then let it develop for 8 to 12 hours. Best of all, there’s no rinse-off required.
| Format | Serum |
| Key ingredients | Ceramides, squalane, allantoin |
| Shades | Light medium and medium dark |
Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter
Bali Body Gradual Tanning Butter
Pros
- Thick texture really moisturizes skin while adding a hint of color
- Cosmo 2026 Holy Grail Award winner
Cons
- I wish it came in a squeeze tube for easier application
Why we love it: I’m all for self-tanners that pull double duty as skincare, and this ultra-rich body butter does exactly that. It drenches skin in moisture while adding a soft bronze tint at the same time. One application gives you just a hint of color, but after two or three days, it builds into a believable tan that stays natural-looking—not orange—even on pale skin.
One Cosmo editor says: “Moisturizing and tanning at the same time usually isn’t a thing, but this body butter makes my skin feel so soft while imparting a soft bronzy look in a few days. And it doesn’t have the usual chemical-y tanner smell.”—BG
| Format | Cream |
| Key ingredients | Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, cocoa butter |
| Shades | Only one |
Saltyface Tanning Water
Saltyface Tanning Water
Pros
- Oil-free, so it's great for acne-prone skin
- Spray format offers quick, even application
- Cosmo 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
Cons
- Has a pretty strong self-tanner-y smell, which is fine, but a smidge off-putting on your face
Why we love it: Saltyface is one of the rare self-tanner brands creating formulas specifically for acne-prone, sensitive skin. Its facial tanning water gives skin a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow in just a few spritzes—so good, it earned a Cosmo 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Award.
| Format | Liquid spray |
| Key ingredients | aloe vera, cucumber extract |
| Shades | Light to medium and medium to dark |
St. Tropez Self-Tan Supreme Violet Bronzing Mousse
St. Tropez Self-Tan Supreme Violet Bronzing Mousse
Pros
- Blends out to a super natural-looking shade once you wash it off
- Fades softly and evenly
Cons
- Likely too dark for very fair skin
Why we love it: Many self-tanners fall in a sweet spot of being a bit too deep for fair skin but never dark enough for anyone in the medium category or above. But this self-tanner is one of the darkest I’ve ever tried without turning terracotta or splotchy. The shade has a purple base that helps counteract yellow tones (think of it like a color corrector) for a neutral bronze finish. Obviously, it’s not going to add much color if you already have deep skin, but it can help even things out and add a soft glow to your skin.
One Cosmo editor says: “I’ve used up many bottles of this over the years (a feat considering I’ve tested so many). But it really gives my olive skin the most natural-looking tan ever, mimicking the undertones my skin takes when I actually spend time in the sun. Last spring, I went on a trip with a handful of beauty editors to Tulum, and everyone was asking how I got so tan before we even made it to the beach. It was all this.”—BG
| Format | Mousse |
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, jojoba esters |
| Shades | Just one (supreme violet) |
FAQs
How to choose the best self-tanner:
The best self-tanner for you really comes down to personal preference, and largely, your skin tone. But a few things to look out for:
Consider your ideal application.
Lazy people will love gradual lotions and serums that don’t require tools or rinsing off. Keep in mind, though, these are often more subtle. So if you don’t mind spending a bit more time blending, a mousse will provide deeper color.
Check out the shade options.
A deep-dark, violet or olive-toned self-tanner might look a bit intense on a very fair skin tone, just as a medium, gradual tanner will probably do nothing for tan to deep skin. Of course, this is all subjective and based on what you’re looking for. In general, the lighter the shade, the more subdued it’ll look on your skin. Gradual tanners are also much more natural-looking than an opaque mousse you leave on for eight hours.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing stories on hair, makeup, and nails.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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