Cosmo's Team Has Tested A *Lot* of Self-Tanners—These 13 Are the Best

When you need to look bronzed and golden STAT, you'll be glad you have this bb on hand. Not only does the lightweight formula dry in 60 seconds, it's meant to be washed off in just two hours—no overnight waiting or staining your sheets in the process. The platinum shade is meant to give an olive-toned, natural bronze that is both dark but also blends into skin in a gradual way. The shade is also surprisingly flexible for different skin tones. Gillette loves this on her medium skin, but it's also beloved by fair-skinned assistant news editor Sam Olson too.

• Type: Mousse
• Shades: 1
• Size: 3.3 oz

One Cosmo editor says: “Of all self-tanners I’ve ever tried, this one gives me the most natural-looking tan. I had this on all over my body during New York Fashion Week and dozens of people asked me if I had just went on a trip because my skin looked so tan and bronzey. Nope, it was all this.” — BG

This nourishing self-tan mousse works its magic over the course of two to three days. Here's how: Use a mitt to smooth onto clean, dry skin, starting at your ankles and working your way up using long, circular motions. Rub any excess tan on your hands or face (it can be used on your face safely, fyi), and wait six hours before rinsing the formula off. It's gradual and subtle and will develop over a few days—and best of all, it doesn't transfer onto your clothes or sheets.

• Type: Mousse
• Shades: 1
• Size: 8 oz

One Cosmo editor says: "St. Tropez Classic mousse is the only one that doesn't make me orange AND fades without becoming splotchy! I love it, and I find the guide color foolproof for even application.” — Mackenzie Dunn, senior commerce manager

What if getting a glowy tan and evening out your skin tone was just a spritz away? Well, it is with this easy-to-use tanning water. This does so much more than bronze your complexion—it also addresses redness and dullness, and seriously hydrates skin for a true ~lit-from-within~ radiance. Just mist, blend with a tanning mitt, then wait six hours, and you're all good to go.

• Type: Water
• Shades: 3
• Size: 6.76 oz

One Cosmo editor says: "The girlies on TikTok got me with the hack of buying one of those misting sprayers off Amazon for an even application. literally go to sleep and wake up glowy—maybe I should do this again soon…” — Rachel Torgerson, senior director, commerce

Whether you want a light, dark, or ultra-dark glow, consider this Australian brand your new go-to. You simply shake the bottle and smooth the foam onto your skin. It dries quickly but needs about six hours to fully develop—plenty of time to catch up on your Netflix queue before rinsing for a streak-free, believable glow.

• Type: Foam
• Shades: 3
• Size: 3.3 oz

One Cosmo reader says: "Best self-tan on the market. I have been using it for a little over a year at this point and have consistently gotten a clean tan. This tanner has a brown base so it does not make me green or orange which results in a natural looking tan. I tend to apply twice a week after a shower and before bed. I wake up and rinse it off and I am good to go!"

If you've been scrolling through TikTok lately, you know that people have been strategically placing their self-tanner where they'd put contour to simplify their makeup routines. There's lots of room for mistakes when you use any old self-tanner, which is why we recommend this wand. It's filled with self-tanning formula that develops in a few hours, and the applicator allows for optimal placement.

• Type: Tanning contour stick
• Shades: 1
• Size: 0.5 oz

One Cosmo editor says: "If you just want to add a tiny bit of color to your cheekbones or forehead, this pen is perfect. It’s just like a contour wand, except filled with a self-tanning formula that develops over a few hours. I’ll put it on in the morning, then by nighttime, my skin already looks more ~sunkissed~.” — BG

If you avoid tanning your face because, without fail, it results in some gnarly breakouts, I urge you to give these Glow Drops a try. The weightless formula is noncomedogenic, so you won't have to worry about it getting trapped in your pores or causing pimples. Gillette swears by it and says it's the only thing that won't make her oily skin freak out.

• Type: Drops
• Shades: 1
• Size: 1 oz

One Cosmo editor says: "I won’t use any other self-tanner all over my face, which is hiiiiigh praise coming from a beauty editor. But this one never, ever breaks me out, but adds a tinted glow to my skin that’s light but fresh.” — BG

Why do so many self-tanners smell chemical-y and gross? (FWIW, it's the DHA in the formula, which is what gives you the tan in the first place.) Even the ones with a tropical scent can be a bit much. If you want one that won't trigger your nose—and still give you an even tan—opt for this water. Liberally spritz it where you want to glow and within 30 minutes you'll begin looking radiant, without such an awful smell.

• Type: Water
• Shades: 1
• Size: 6.76 oz

One Cosmo editor says: "I absolutely adore this tanning water spray!! it's incredibly easy to blend and creates a natural-looking, streak-free tan. Most self tanners have an overpowering chemical scent but this one is super subtle. it also feels very lightweight and isn't sticky at all.” — Lauren Gruber, associate commerce editor

If you've tried Jergen's iconic gradual tanning lotion, you'll love the mousse version. It's actually highly beloved on TikTok to even out deep skin tones and add a bronzey glow. According to reviews, it's really easy to blend, and everyone loves how affordable it is (I mean, same). True to their brand, it's also acts great moisturizer so your skin feels softer and more comfortable.

• Type: Mousse
• Shades: 3
• Size: 6 oz

One Cosmo reader says: "I don’t often leave reviews unless a product or service is great or horrible, but this product is phenomenal! This was my first time using sunless tanner and I was so blown away at how beautiful this looked on my skin and how easy it was to apply. I’m very pasty in the winter so the Light Bronze color was perfect for me. It gave me some color without me looking orange or like an Oompa Loompa."

Even though the majority of self-tanners can be applied on your body and face, I've never had success (I usually end up looking muddy). That's why I love this bronzing face mist so g'damn much. I mist a thin layer underneath my makeup, and it develops into a golden, glowy tan in four to eight hours. The best part? It lasts up to three days, so I don't have to worry about daily touchups.

• Type: Water
• Shades: 1
• Size: 2.7 oz

One Cosmo reader says: "I can't say enough good things about the St. Tropez Face Tanning Mist! I've been using this product for years, and it has consistently delivered flawless results. This mist is incredibly lightweight and feels refreshing on my skin—no heavy or sticky residue at all."

This easy-to-apply formula is a light mousse that's practically foolproof. (Yep, even if you've never self-tanned before, you'll be obsessed from the first use.) Once applied, it needs at least one hour to activate (but no more than three) before you rinse it off and reveal your new color. My friends swear by this and always bring it on vacation to achieve a picture-perfect glow.

• Type: Mousse
• Shades: 1
• Size: 6.7 oz

One Cosmo editor says: "I have a mini of this that stays in my travel bag at all times. It only takes an hour to develop and provides me with a soft, glowy tan that isn’t streaky or orange.” — BG