10 Best Instant Self Tanners UK 2024 | Creams, Mousses, and Gels
Although we can sometimes be blessed with sunny weather in the UK, you may not be lucky enough to have the luxury of lounging around in the sun. So, why not consider an instant self-tanner? It’s the quickest and most efficient way to achieve a sun-kissed glow and fool everyone that you’ve just come back from an exotic holiday - they’ll never have to know the only St Tropez you visited was from a bottle!
The options for self-tan are so vast, it’s easy to get a bit overwhelmed. Fake tan formulas have advanced so much since the early days of sticky mousses that leave you streaky - there are many different kinds, from lotions, gels, oils and more. It’s all about finding the best formula to suit your needs. So no matter what your skin type or skin tone, our guide will help you choose a product to achieve that beautiful bronzed look.
Quick List - Top Instant Self Tanners
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How to Choose an Instant Self Tanner in the UK - Buying Guide
There are so many kinds of self-tanners available on the market nowadays, with different consistencies, application times, ingredients, and shades. Not sure which one to go for? Don't worry - our buying guide will explain all the points to think about when browsing through your options!
Think About What Type of Formula Suits Your Needs
If you're not sure what your preferred formula is, our handy guide should help you out. The main factors to take into consideration is your skin type, application dexterity and time. From there, we can determine what is the best way to go with self-tanners.
Go Classic With a Traditional Mousse
Mousses are the traditional way for applying self-tan and, as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This is also the easiest way to apply self-tan, especially as a beginner who wants to try it out for the first time.
The only thing to keep in mind with mousses is to act quickly with them as their formula means they dry fast. Be sure to use a mitt and rub in the mousse quickly to ensure an even tan!
Moisturise With Lotions, Creams, and Oils
Lotions, creams and oils are also a great method for beginners as they're practically the same process as your usual body lotion with the bonus of a self-tan. These are especially great for those with drier skin types due to their moisturising and hydrating nature.
Although lotions, creams and oils may feel quite heavy for people with oily skin, if you're a person that needs to moisturise daily, this is the best route to go! Additionally, it’s recommended to avoid separate moisturisers on the first day after self-tanning to help the product develop properly.
Spray and Go With Mists
Mist spray applications are an easy way to apply self-tan, especially if you are on your own, as you can easily cover your whole body and ensure you cover all the easy to miss areas such as your back and shoulders.
These are most similar to spray tans so if that’s what you normally go for, this is a good at-home alternative! However, there is an added risk with these as they may also lead to an uneven tan if you don’t rub it in properly!
Quick-Drying Gels Are Hydrating
If your skin is on the oily side, gels may be the method for you. Not only do they offer a nice hydrating formula without leaving greasy residues, but they also ensure a faster drying time by absorbing super quickly and leaving your skin feeling lighter.
Depending on the formula, some have had issues with the gel drying sticky or tacky, but if your skin is oily, this should not be as much of a problem as those with drier skin types.
Use Wipes for No-Fuss Application
If you’re looking for something quick and easy, wipes are the way to go. There’s no need to muck about with multiple tools as you juggle your self-tan and your exfoliation and tanning mitt - these wipes are just grab-and-go.
It's a very convenient method of application that is compact, lightweight and easier to carry around for people always on the move, and it's also a really great way to avoid getting messy. All you need to do is take one out and wipe it across your body - it's that simple!
Pick a Shade Suitable for Your Skin Tone and Undertone
Some tans come in multiple shades but some only come in one shade. If you’re porcelain pale, going extra dark might look a bit ridiculous but on the other hand, if you’re already quite bronzed, a lighter shade will be too subtle for you.
It’s also important to take note of your undertones with your self-tan! If you’re more cool-toned, some products have a violet base to prevent you from looking too orange. If you’re particularly fair-skinned, this is especially important. Ensuring you find the right shade will be the difference between looking like you’ve just come back from a gorgeous holiday at the beach and looking like a popular cheesy corn-based snack!
Consider the Time It Takes to Develop and Last
Although this buying guide is for instant self-tanners, different products all have different development times. You may not have the patience or even time to sit still for several hours while your self-tan develops, trying awkwardly not to get any self-tan on your furniture!
Note that you can customise the degree of tan you want, whether it be just a light glow or a darker bronze, based on the amount of time you leave it on before showering. However, if you don’t have the luxury of waiting longer than a couple of hours, it’s recommended to use an express self-tan with a shorter development time.
In addition to that, you might also want to look into how long the results of your tan will last on your skin after it has been applied. Most high-quality self-tanners can last anywhere from a day to a week.
Check the Ingredients to See What Extra Benefits Your Tanner May Provide
What about any added benefits? As we’ve briefly mentioned before, if your skin is especially dry, you may want to purchase a self-tan with additional moisturising ingredients so you ensure the product is beneficial to your skin. Ingredients such as vitamin E or argan oil will provide the extra hydration that your skin needs.
Or perhaps you’re focusing on anti-ageing in your skincare so you want this to reflect in your self-tan too. Look out for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or ginkgo that will plump your skin as well as help to refine any lines and wrinkles.
If you have sensitive skin, it might be best to go for a minimal, fragrance-free product. After all, less is more! A fragrance-free product means fewer unnecessary ingredients that might lead to breakouts, which is definitely not what you want when you’re trying out that new tanner!
Top 10 Best Instant Self Tanners in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops | | Cult Favourite Customisable Tan | |
2 | Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam | | All-in-One Anti-Cellulite and Anti-Ageing | |
3 | St. Tropez Purity Bronzing Water Gel | | Effortlessly Easy Application | |
4 | Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam | | Best for Olive Complexions | |
5 | Vita Liberata Body Blur Sunless Glow Latte | | Instagram Filter In a Tube | |
6 | Clarins Self Tanning Milky-Lotion | | A Self-Tan That Doubles As Moisturiser | |
7 | St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse | | Quick and Easy Express Tanning | |
8 | St Moriz Professional Fast Tan Mist | | A Fast Developing Spray With Instant Guide Colour | |
9 | Comodynes Original Self-Tanning Towelettes | | Dermalogically-Tested for Sensitive Skin | |
10 | Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan | | Water Resistant Instant Tan |
Cult Favourite Customisable Tan
These customisable tanning drops are another cult favourite - a unique concept in that you can mix this solution with any of your existing products to easily integrate it with your everyday skincare, making it a very versatile product that stands out from all the others on the list.
Control how deep your tan will go by adding just the number of drops you need. Even better, these drops contain colour correcting actives so it's perfect for all skin tones and types. Plus, they're completely vegan and cruelty-free!
Coco & EveSunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
All-in-One Anti-Cellulite and Anti-Ageing
Packed with a plethora of natural antioxidants and nutrients such as coconut, fig and banana, with a delicious tropical mango and guava scent, this mousse is a popular cult favourite especially because these ingredients are super nourishing for the skin!
Not only that, the ingredients also contain anti-ageing and anti-cellulite properties! Using a green-grey base to counteract orange tones, this lightweight formula dries quickly and is non-sticky, which is sure to ensure an easy application process.
St. TropezPurity Bronzing Water Gel
Effortlessly Easy Application
With a clear, lightweight gel-to-water formula that effortlessly glides onto the skin, this product provides a foolproof streak-free tan that anyone could master. Containing hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, this Bronzing Water Gel feels cool to the touch and gives your skin up to 72 hours of hydration.
It has a lovely tropical scent that will transport you to the tropics and comes in a transparent container to showcase the clear formula in it. This clear formula is great for people who hate how messy self-tanning can be as it's a really clean option.
Best for Olive Complexions
This product is fast-selling online for good reason! This Bondi Sands foam has golden undertones which means this is best for providing a deep glow for olive or darker skin tones. The unique formula is lightweight and provides a flawless-looking tan.
Enriched with Aloe Vera and Coconut for a hydrating finish, this formula dries within seconds for the ultimate Australian tan. What's more, it also infused with Jojoba oil and Vitamin E for that extra skin nourishment.
Instagram Filter In a Tube
Not only does this product provide a beautiful glow, but it also minimises blemishes and smoothes out any imperfections, leaving you with flawless skin as if you've just taken a selfie using the Paris filter on Instagram!
Formulated with nourishing ingredients such as aloe vera and shea butter, it also contains light-reflecting particles to amp up your glow and give you the perfect tan. Simply rub it in for lasting tan radiance for up to 7 days.
A Self-Tan That Doubles As Moisturiser
Clarin's Milky Lotion has all the benefits of a great-quality body moisturiser with the added bonus of giving you a beautiful, glowing tan. With its fresh fruity fragrance, it provides long-lasting results for combination, oily, dry, normal and sensitive skin types.
More so, with ingredients such as aloe vera and fig extract to provide up to 24 hours of hydration after application, this self-tan sinks into the skin instantly so you can apply before bed and wake up with a brand new tan.
St. TropezSelf Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
Quick and Easy Express Tanning
St. Tropez is the go-to brand for most tanners for a reason. Their Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse is a classic, traditional self-tan mousse that's fast-acting and easy to use. Leave the formula on for just 1 hour for an instant glow, or let it sit for up to 3 hours to develop a deeper, darker tan.
Other than providing a quick-drying tan, this product doesn't include any other additional benefits. It's a basic self-tan that does the job but if you're looking for something more, you may want to opt for another product.
A Fast Developing Spray With Instant Guide Colour
St Moriz's Professional Fast Tan Mist is the perfect product for a quick and precise finish, thanks to the guide colour that enhances precision during application. Plus, it has a 360°spray for easy application that is also streak-free!
However, the drawback of a spray with guide colour is that it can be a bit of a mess as the colour can transfer to furniture or clothing, causing stains. More so, as with most spray mists, you also run the risk of a patchy tan with this product.
Dermalogically-Tested for Sensitive Skin
If your skin is particularly sensitive, these self-tanning wipes are the way to go. With an all-natural formula free of parabens and oils, these wipes are gentle enough to use all over your body and face. If you can reach of course!
Suitable for all skin types, whether dry or moisturised, they provide a natural and uniform tan from just 3 hours after application. Unfortunately, these towelettes have a shorter lasting time at only 4 days so if you want a long-lasting tan, this may not be the top choice for you.
Water Resistant Instant Tan
Rimmel's Sunshimmer Instant Tan is perfect for those who are impatient. No need to wait hours for your tan to develop, this provides you with an immediate, sun-kissed glow. Plus, it is water, smudge and rub resistant!
This is a wash-off formula so you can easily remove the tan with soap and water. This may be a benefit or a drawback depending on what your needs are as this tan will only last as long as you don't shower!
For a Seamless Finish, Pay Attention to Prep and Aftercare
No matter how great your self-tan product is, your prep and aftercare are just as important in maintaining your great new glow. If you don’t prep properly, you run the risk of a patchy and uneven tan. Ensuring you use a good exfoliator and scrubbing away all your dead skin cells will ensure a nice, smooth and even canvas for your self-tan.
On the other side of this, ensuring you look after your new tan after you’ve applied the product is just as important! Avoid anything too extreme like long hot baths or sweat-inducing exercise as they may cause your tan to fade away faster. Furthermore, treat your skin gently and don’t scrub too hard in the shower or when towelling off as the exfoliation will encourage your tan to fade faster!
More Summer Body Essentials
Planning to hit the beach in the summer? Or have no summer plans, but still want to look ready for summer anyway? While instant tans are perfect for giving you that summer glow ahead of time, there are some other products that you should put in your holiday washbag. Take a look!
Summary
So with all this in mind, we hope our buying guide has proved useful in finding you a great self-tanner. Whether you’re a novice looking to try out tanning for the first time or a pro looking to find a new and improved product, our buying guide and suggested items will hopefully help you achieve a beautiful, gorgeous glow!
Author: Dodo Wang
Top 5 Instant Self Tanners
No. 1: Isle of Paradise｜Self Tanning Drops
No. 2: Coco & Eve｜Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
No. 3: St. Tropez｜Purity Bronzing Water Gel
No. 4: Bondi Sands｜Self Tanning Foam
No. 5: Vita Liberata｜Body Blur Sunless Glow Latte
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.