These Are the Only Self-Tanners I’ll Recommend to Someone With Fair Skin

Which fake tan is best for pale skin?

There's not necessarily a specific color or type of fake tan that's best for pale or fair skin. "It's a bit of a myth in the tanning world that if you have a certain skin tone, you should use a certain type of product," says tanning expert Liz Agresta. If you are fair and want a tan that mimics a post-vacay glow, reach for a darker formulation, Agresta explains. However, according to tanning expert Jordan Cook, if you want a softer, natural glow to the skin, stick to the gradual developers and lighter self-tanners. "Self-tanning is like makeup—there is so much room to be creative and switch up your tan to suit the event, time of year, your mood, or really anything," says Agresta.

How do you make sure your self-tanner fades evenly?

The key to ensuring your self-tanner fades evenly is to prep your skin and commit to aftercare properly. To do this, spray tanning expert Sophie Evans emphasizes that you should exfoliate thoroughly before application and make sure any waxing or hair removal is completed 24 hours prior to tanning in order to prevent a patchy or spotty look.

For aftercare, keep your skin super moisturized with your favorite body butter or body lotion. You can also add a few drops of tanning drops into your regular body moisturizer to maintain your body glow and revive the depth of your tan, which will fade every few days very lightly, says Evans.

Does self-tanner work on pale skin?

Self-tanners work on all skin colors, tones, and types. That said, a darker tanner shade will show up more on a lighter skin tone. "Self-tanners are made with dihydroxyacetone—i.e., DHA—which reacts with amino acids in dead skin cells to produce pigment," says board-certified dermatologist Karan Lal, MD. In fact, an uneven, patchy, streaky tan isn't caused by using too much self-tanner; it's actually caused by using too little, surprise! The level of the DHA in the self-tanner is what makes you tan, not the amount you put on.

For an even tan on every skin tone, preparation is key. "Exfoliating the skin is essential before applying a self-tanner because our skin continuously sheds in different areas—exfoliating ensures the area to be treated is on a level playing field so the self-tanner goes on evenly and produces an even color," says Dr. Lal. More on this and the process below.

How to apply self-tanner:

Choosing the best self-tanner is only the first step; applying it correctly is what makes all the difference. Here is my tried-and-true process with tips from Cook:

Exfoliate and remove any existing fake tan beforehand, explains Cook, adding that you want a completely fresh canvas to work from. Massage your skin from the neck down with an exfoliating body scrub or loofah in the shower. This will help remove any old tanner and dead skin.

Protect and moisturize key areas of the skin—knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, and any other spots that seem to be drier, explains Cook. Even if the tanner you are applying is a moisturizing one, it will still stick to areas you don't want it to if you miss this step. So use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer beforehand.

Apply a liberal amount of self-tanner to a tanning mitt. Fun fact: If you don't use enough self-tan, you can end up looking streaky because there won't be enough DHA (the chemical that reacts with the skin to create the tan) to cover the skin fully. Cook warns against using regular plastic gloves as they are an "old-school" technique, and a mitt works much better.

Work on one area of the body at a time, and apply with long strokes. "To get those hard-to-reach areas of your back, my favorite tip is to slide a hairbrush inside your mitt and secure it with a hair tie," she explains. "Then, holding it by the brush handle, you can use it as an arm extender to reach those spots!”

Wash your hands one to two hours after application. This is a personal hack of mine, and I have found that it keeps my hands from over-developing.

Allow the tan to develop, and shower after the proper amount of time. For the tan to come out as intended, follow the directions on the individual tanner, and don't shower until at least the minimum suggested time.

Moisturize daily and often. Dry skin can wreak havoc on a fake tan. To avoid it fading splotchy, wear SPF and moisturize with your favorite hydrating body lotion.

How to choose the best self-tanner for pale skin:

"Don't get too overwhelmed with the choice of products on the market," says Agresta, recommending to consider what you want from your self-tan and what best suits your lifestyle. If you're on the go and don't have a ton of time, a multi-use product can be a lifesaver. Some options include a gradual tanner that doubles as a moisturizer, a serum with a bronze tint, or even an easy spray solution that develops throughout the day. "If you love to sleep overnight in your tan, a clear tanner without a color guide is your best friend—waking up in the morning with a deep tan and crisp white sheets and no transfer of color? What a great start to the day!" says Agresta.

Meet the experts:

• Sophie Evans is the St. Tropez skin finishing expert and a celebrity spray tanner based in New York, NY.
• Jordan Cook is a global tanning expert and an SFX (special effects) makeup artist. Cook has worked with brands such as St. Moriz, Mac, and Urban Decay.
• Liz Agresta is the founder, and director of Australian Glow, a natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and organic tanning line made with sustainable packaging.
• Karan Lal, MD, is a double board-certified adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.

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.

Siena Gagliano was the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she wrote about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news.