I Never Sit in the Sun, But These Gradual-Tan Products Keep Me Looking Bronzed

Best for: Normal to dry skin

This is the newest gradual tan to join my collection, but it's also the most exciting. Not only does it give a natural-looking, buildable glow, but it also plumps and firms as it works (for both face and body). It's so good that I actually feel bad for all of the other gradual tans. 

Best for: All skin types

If you really like a full-impact finish, this one probably isn't for you, but if you're all about subtlety, I think it's worth a shot.

Editor's review: "I've been using this gradual tan this summer, and I've never had so many compliments on how sun-kissed I look," says Grace Lindsay, junior beauty editor at Who What Wear. "What I like about it is that I can notice a difference after one application, but if I want a slightly deeper tan, I can use it over a few days for a more intense result. It sinks into the skin quickly and doesn't leave you feeling sticky like other tans can do and although it definitely has a little bit of that fake tan smell, it's a lot more subtle than others I have tried."

Best for: Mature, dry, or sensitive skin types

This lightweight lotion gives the most beautiful gradual glow. Not only that, but the formula is also jam-packed with skin-loving antioxidants. 

Editor's review: "I don’t even know where to start with listing all the reasons I love this tan, but it boils down to the fact that is just works really, really well," says Who What Wear's managing editor, Poppy Nash. "The formula is buildable, smells incredible, and leaves you with a lovely golden glow that doesn’t look fake and never leaves residue. I have multiple bottles at home and needless to say, I’ll be gutted if it ever gets discontinued!"

Best for: Normal to combination skin

If you're more a fan of tanning drops that you can mix into your favourite body cream or lotion, this one is definitely more for you. Plus, by customizing your level of tan you can maintain a natural-looking glow all summer long.

Editor's Review: "I'm a huge fan of the Filter by Molly-Mae Tanning Mousse because the colour is the perfect hue for my cool-toned skin," says freelance beauty editor, Grace Day. "These tanning drops offer the same impressive result—a lasting tan that's never orange, and that fades gradually and without going patchy. What I love about the drops is I can customise the level of tan I need, so they're perfect for using daily for constant tan top-ups without the need for removal."

Best for: Dry or sensitive skin

Whereas so many more affordable gradual tanners build up to a deep shade of tangerine, this light formula from Dove is up there with the best for natural-lloking colour. What's more, it's incredibly easy to apply, so you don't need to worry about streaks.

Best for: Oily or combination skin types

This refreshing mist does deliver a gradual tan, but it also has an instant hydration boost that makes it ideal for summer. I mist generously over my face after applying night cream and wake up to a radiant glow by morning.

Editor's Review: "While the nature of fake tan means that it's never really good for acne-prone skin, I have found that some formulas are less likely to clog pores and break me out than others," says Day. "This one in particular rarely triggers breakouts, and I love that the glow it gives is very subtle, so I can apply it daily without having to worry about it building up too deep for my fair complexion."

Best for: Dry or uneven skin tones

Isle of Paradise produces some of the very best tanning products out there. However, it's no secret that its fake tans pack a serious punch. This stuff, however, is great for those that prefer to build up their intensity. Plus, it's formulated with light-reflecting particles for amped-up luminosity.

Best for: All skin types

An old colleague of mine who was a self-confessed fake-tan fanatic swore by this dreamy serum for achieving the most failsafe gradual tan. Not only can the formula be easily built up, but it is also enriched with hyaluronic acid for ultimate hydration.

Best for: Dry, normal or textured skin

Out of every single gradual tanning lotion I have ever tried, this is the most joyful to use. Not only does the bottle look pretty on the shelf, but it also has a beautifully fresh smell (without any hint of tan scent) and leaves skin feeling supple and soft. Plus, within a couple of hours, it develops into a natural-looking bronze suitable for even the palest of skin tones.

Best for: Normal to dry skin

Lightweight but still super-nourishing, this gradual tanning milk gives an even, streak-free finish and smells like summer in a bottle.

Best for: Normal skin

It's affordable, it's trusty and if you ask me, you really can't go wrong. It might not be the most luxe product out there, but it's definitely one of my all-time favourites.

Best for: Normal to dry skin types

This stuff is skin perfection in a bottle. A few pumps onto either leg gives the most even, long-lasting sun-kissed finish.