Gone are the days of lounging by the pool, sipping on something cold and soaking in the sun’s rays — sad! But our skin probably isn’t complaining. Prolonged sun exposure is hard on the skin; UV radiation damages skin cell DNA and breaks down connective tissue (including collagen), making the skin more susceptible to cancer, premature aging, discoloration and dryness. In other words, the lack of sun during the winter is a blessing in disguise!
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Sunless tanners had a reputation for turning out orange, patchy, artificial-looking and streaky, but that was 10 years ago. Today, some self-tanning foams, mousses, lotions, serums and sprays look even more natural than a sun tan itself! (Some of Us opt for sunless tanning all year round — even during the summer!) But that natural glow is only if you get the right self-tanner . . . the wrong one can make you look like an orange and smell like straight DHA.
If you want to finally find the right self tanner that gives you a Turks-and-Caicos hue all winter long, read on! We gathered some of our favorite self tanners that give you a deep bronze hue while nourishing your skin with hydrating, ultra-firming ingredients. Cheers to tan girl winter!
16 Best Self Tanners
1. Our absolute favorite: Skincare meets beauty with this moisturizing Bali Body tanning milk. It comes straight from sunny Australia — $32 at Ulta!
2. Five stars: Reviewers can’t get enough of this MineTan coconut, avocado and jojoba-infused tanning foam . . . neither can we — $21 at Target!
3. Luxe is right: All you have to do is put a few of these drops in your everyday body lotion, lather on in circular motions and let the magic happen — was $60, now $54 on Amazon!
4. Coco and Eve: Whether you’re just getting started in sunless tanning or you need a new mitt, this mitt-and-foam duo has you covered — $41 on Amazon!
5. Buttery smooth: Self-tanning butter is as nourishing as it sounds, especially when it’s this vegan body butter from Isle of Paradise — $28 on Amazon!
6. Summer-in-Europe glow: In case you haven’t heard, self-tanning mist is a thing! This easy-to-apply Dolce Glow formula is a must-have — $49 at Ulta!
7. Time crunch: In just one hour, you’ll have a bronze hue that everyone asks about with this budget-friendly Tanologist find — was $18, now $13 on Amazon!
8. Workout queen: Self-tanning and working out don’t have to be mutually exclusive — not when you use this caffeine-enhanced firming foam — was $35, now $31 on Amazon!
9. Drop-dead gorgeous: You’re stunning anyway, but get ready to multiply it by 10 with these face and body tanning serum drops — $50 at Nordstrom!
10. St. Tropez: Vegan, customizable, quick-drying and heaven-smelling, this fast-acting mousse yields a streak-free finish every time — $46 on Amazon!
11. Clean beauty: This natural pick from Beauty by Earth contains mostly organic ingredients as well as coconut, aloe, shea butter and botanical extracts — was $42, now $36 on Amazon!
12. Gradual tan: Just let it happen! Over a thousand people have bought this gradual Tan-Luxe tanning lotion in the past month — $34 on Amazon!
13. Streak-free guarantee: With a green base, you’re guaranteed a deep brown hue with zero orange undertones thanks to this tanning mousse — $31 on Amazon!
14. Salon quality: If you’ve ever had a really great spray tan, this tanning foam just might surpass it in quality. It should be much more expensive — $24 on Amazon!
15. Deep violet: No matter your skin color, type or texture, this one-hour tanner will give you a rich hue for seven days without any patchiness — $30 on Amazon!
16. Sun-kissed look: Untinted with zero transfer, this luscious Vita Liberata lotion will keep your sheets happy, too. It even contains soothing hyaluronic acid — $20 on Amazon!
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