Believe it or not, the headline for this story is not clickbait nor an exaggeration for dramatic effect. I've tried self-tanner on an almost-weekly basis since I was in eighth grade (the result of being endlessly teased for how naturally pasty I was). Lacking parental permission to increase my skin-cancer odds by going to tanning salons like many of my peers, I always felt like the odd one out, so I became dependent on the drugstore aisle filled with bottles and spray cans of Jergens and L'Oréal Sublime. At the time, I was convinced a fake tan would be better than looking like I had never had a wink of sun exposure, and it was then that my obsession with self-tanning products was born. I've come a long way since then and now love my tan-free, fair skin.
These days, I generally skip self-tanner and spray tans. That said, I still consider myself a connoisseur in the art of self-tanning and all the offerings on the market. No joke, I have an entire cupboard at home brimming with mousses, lotions, waters, sprays, powders, and every other self-tanning innovation you can think of. Something that may surprise you? Some of my favorite formulas can be found at the drugstore.
Even though I love pricier picks from Isle of Paradise, St.Tropez, James Read, and Bali Body, I still have love for Jergens, L'Oréal, Sally Hansen, and other low- to mid-cost brands you can find on Amazon or at Walmart. Ahead, I'm sharing seven of the best drugstore self-tanners I personally use, have purchased in a pinch while traveling, and/or have recommended to friends when they don't want to spend $50 on a bottled bronze. Keep scrolling! All my faves lie ahead.
The Best Drugstore Self-Tanners, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse
- Best Quick-Drying Self-Tanner: L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Milk
- Best Foam: Bondi Sands Aero 1 Hour Express Self-Tanning Foam
- Best for Travel: Tan Towel Self Tan Towelette
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Mist
The Best Drugstore Self-Tanners of 2025
Best Overall: Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse
I hadn't used anything by Jergens in years—until a few months ago that is when I was traveling and needed an affordable self-tanner fast. Formulas have come a long way since then, and let me just say I was wrong to assume this mousse would be as streaky, smelly, and all-around subpar as I remember the original lotions being. I was SO impressed.
This mousse applies without streaks, with minimal smell, dries quickly, and yields the most believable and even tan ever. Even though I have an entire cupboard of expensive self-tanners at home, I went out to CVS and snapped up another bottle of this the second I landed back in L.A. It's that good. I keep my original purchase at home in Arizona for any self-tanner needs on the horizon.
Type: Mousse
How to apply: Apply evenly on clean, dry skin by hand or with a tanning mitt, and wait one minute for the mousse to dry. Darken your tan by reapplying the next day if need be. Wash hands post-application.
Lasting power: Several days
Customer review: "I work inside, so I never get out much to tan. I tried this to get a summer glow, and let me tell you! IT WAS AMAZING. It doesn't look fake. It has a very natural color to it. VERY easy to spread."
Best Quick-Drying Self-Tanner: L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Milk
My devotion to L'Oréal's impressive selection of self-tanners has never wavered. These days, however, I prefer the brand's luxe-feeling tanning milk. It costs only $13 but delivers results similar to gradual self-tanning lotions, which are almost four times the price. It's one of the brand's best-selling tan formulas and is even boosted with an extra dose of skin-loving vitamin E.
Type: Lotion
How to apply: Exfoliate to prep your skin. Then, dispense the lotion onto your hands and apply in long, sweeping motions. Wash your hands after applying, and wait two to four hours for tan to develop.
Lasting power: Five to seven days
Customer review: "No complaints and only praise from me regarding this product. Once you learn what you're doing, this is a no-nonsense bronzer. It looks great, works after a day, and can be brought to perfection with a bit of exfoliation. It is very easy and convenient to use and can be maintained over time."
Best Foam: Bondi Sands Aero 1 Hour Express Self-Tanning Foam
Even though this drugstore self-tanner is more expensive than most, it's worth it. Aussies don't mess around when it comes to their glowing skin. I actually wrote all about my love for Bondi Sands here, but this formula is one of my absolute favorites. It dries instantly, so you're not left with that dreaded tackiness. It actually smells good and develops fast. If you hate wearing self-tanner longer than necessary, this foaming formula will be your new BFF this summer. Plus, it works no matter how naturally dark or light your skin tone is.
Type: Foam
How to apply: Exfoliate and shave a day before applying. Pump the foam onto the application mitt and rub in long, sweeping motions onto clean, dry skin. Rinse after one hour, shower with warm water, and pat dry when done.
Lasting power: Five to seven days
Customer review: "I have received so many compliments on my tan! Works great! I leave it on for eight hours while I sleep, then wash it off that morning! Works way better than washing it off an hour. Also, there is a green tint. No worries! It turns into a beautiful tan!"
Best for Travel: Tan Towel Self Tan Towelette
Almost every self-tanning brand now has a wipe or towel iteration, but these are the OG. The reviews don't lie, and considering that this drugstore favorite has over 800 reviews with a solid four-star rating on Amazon, it's safe to say this is one of the most dependable self-tanners out there. Plus, the towels are perfect for traveling or touching up small or hard-to-reach spots. I keep them on hand at all times! I've tried other self-tanning towels that have left me disappointed and streaky.
Type: Wipe
How to apply: Unfold a wipe and apply it to clean, dry skin, moving in a circular motion. When done, wash your hands, and wait two to four hours to see results.
Lasting power: One week
Customer review: "I love these! I've used them before, and they give a perfect tan that lasts for about 3 to 4 days. No streaks and very natural."
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Mist
If you're looking for something fast, mess-free, quick-drying, and suitable for all skin tones, I recommend this affordable drugstore self-tanner from Banana Boat. The smell is one of the less offensive I've sniffed, and its believable and buildable finish is one of the best. It has over 1500 reviews on Amazon and still manages to maintain a nearly solid 4.5-star rating. The fact that it's oil-free is important to me as someone who's prone to breakouts.
Type: Spray
How to apply: Spray onto clean, dry skin, and use it sparingly around the ankles, knees, hairline, and elbows. Spray it onto your hands before applying it to your face. Wash your hands immediately after, and wait two to three hours to see results.
Lasting power: One week
Customer review: "Makes you look like you spent the week in Hawaii!"
Best Lightweight Formula: Tanologist Self Tan Water
The first time I spritzed this onto my skin and began spreading it with a mitt, I was nervous I'd wake up the next morning looking like an Oompa Loompa. But I woke up impeccably bronzed. There wasn't a streak or uneven inch of skin in sight. My skin was hydrated, supple, and glowy. The color was almost unfathomably natural and perfect. Like, wow. I'm so excited I discovered this drugstore gem because it's become one of my go-to formulas when I want my skin to be glowy. It also lasted a week with zero touch-ups needed, and when it did fade, the process was patch-free. I love the dark, but the brand also makes light and medium formulas.
Type: Mist
How to apply: Moisturize dry areas prior to application. Then, spray from head to toe and blend with your hand or a mitt. A blending brush can be used for the face. Wash hands immediately after.
Lasting power: Up to one week
Customer review: "I love this stuff. First time trying, and now my go-to. Super easy to use. I've used it about 5x so far and barely made a dent in the bottle."
Best for Legs: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup
Here's the thing—everyone talks a big game about Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs spray, but I prefer this water-resistant lotion formula. Body makeup is having a moment right now, and compared to some other new and popular options on the market, this drugstore pick holds up. But back to this lotion versus the spray: Not only does this formula result in more satisfying coverage (the spray is a little too sheer for me), but it also instantly blurs and hides anything you'd rather not show off while staying on your legs and not on your clothes or in the pool. Plus, I love that you can wash it off at night. The brand also has a cool new illuminator that looks ridiculously pretty when mixed with the self-tanner/body-makeup hybrid above.
Type: Lotion
How to apply: Squeeze a quarter size of product into your hand, and apply it evenly to your legs and feet. Rub it in completely, and apply it sparingly to your knees and ankles. Let it dry fully before getting dressed. Wash hands immediately after.
Lasting power: One day (comes off with soap)
Customer review: "I was absolutely SHOCKED at how good this looked! I immediately went out and bought a second bottle! I was expecting just another bronzer, but nope! It covered up every single blemish or scar on my legs. They looked flawless!"
How Do You Know What Kind of Self-Tanner Is Best for You?
Your skin tone plays a big role in the kind of self-tanner that's right for you. St.Tropez tanning and skincare expert Michaella Bolder previously told Who What Wear UK that "lighter skin tones carry a cool pink or blue undertone; therefore a light tanning solution such as a gradual tan is for you." Meanwhile, medium skin tends to have green undertones, which she says suits a warmer tanning solution like St.Tropez Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse. Deeper skin tones have undertones that are red, which is where a darker formula might come in handy.
How to Prepare for Self-Tanner
When it comes to self-tanner, preparation is everything. The first step always starts in the shower, according to Bolder. If you're tanning your body, start by exfoliating with an oil-free product to buff away dead skin cells. This will ensure your skin is smooth prior to application. "Remove unwanted hair at this stage if you want to. Then rinse your skin with cool water to reduce any inflammation and close your pores," she says. "Pat your skin dry and apply an oil-free moisturizing lotion over any dry areas and wait a few minutes until the skin is cool and settled."
Once you're ready to move on to your face, start by doing your regular skincare routine with cleanser, a serum, and moisturizer. "Add your SPF here if you are heading straight out afterwards," says Bolder. "Avoid any exfoliating [ingredients] either in your toner or serum on the day of applying a fresh layer of self-tan." Wait for your products to set, and then you're ready to tan.
How to Apply Fake Tan
It goes without saying that every product has its specific ingredients that require you to follow directions for ideal application. Generally though, there are a few tips worth keeping in mind. "The best way to apply self-tan products is on freshly prepared skin with a clean tanning mitt and your chosen tanning solution," says Bolder. "Use long, sweeping, fast motions to move the self-tan freely around the skin, covering all areas." She recommends starting on your legs and working your way up the body one area at a time. Take your time to ensure you're covering all areas evenly, and use the other side of your mitt (if you're using one) to get rid of residue.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best drugstore self-tanners for this roundup, we leaned heavily on our testing experience and considered several factors, including price, product type, and lasting power. As beauty editors, we're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list as well.
Why Trust Who What Wear
Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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