I am naturally pale, so I slather SPF 50 all over my body year-round, especially in the summer. While sunscreen is vital for everybody, it's particularly important if your natural skin tone veers vampiric like mine. I like to fake the look of having seen the sun, though, so I also have a self-tanning ritual on Thursday nights where I coat my entire body in self-tanner. Unfortunately, I'm bad at self-tanning, so while I've improved over the years, I nearly always end up with unsightly streaks or blotches.
I've tried almost every self-tanner formula on the market—mousses, gels, gradual lotions, and more—to varying degrees of success. One formula I didn't try until recently, though, is tanning water. Now that I've started using tanning water, I'm hooked. My tans look more even, it's incredibly easy to use, and tanning waters give me a more natural-looking glow than other self-tanners I've tried—no streaks or orange blotches included.
What is tanning water?
"A tanning water is a self-tanner in which the tanning agent known as DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is suspended in water, making the self-tan formula clear, so there is nothing to transfer onto clothing or bedsheets,” says Sophie Evans, a St.Tropez skin finishing expert and celebrity tanner. "Plus, the water base makes the formula incredibly hydrating to the skin.”
Isle of Paradise founder Jules Von Hep agrees, noting that tanning waters are lightweight enough to spray on under makeup or before going to work in the morning since they sink in instantly. These formulas make tanning at home feel effortless. When shopping for tanning water, look for a formula enhanced with skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or other anti-aging ingredients, and steer clear of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.
How do you use tanning water?
"Spray your skin liberally,” says Von Hep. "Your skin should be saturated once finished. Once applied, take an applicator mitt and sweep the product all over the skin to blend, remembering to do under the arms and all over your legs.”
According to Evans, working in sections is absolutely crucial when it comes to tanning waters since there’s no guide color to help you remember where you sprayed the product. "For example, the knee to the ankle would be one section, then the thigh would be a different section,” she says. "If you are unsure if you have covered an area, simply go over the area again. It will not negatively affect the development, as the skin can only absorb a certain amount of product in one application.” She notes that you can never apply too much tan but that you can apply too little, leading to streaks and uneven tone.
To apply tanning water to your face, Von Hep recommends misting your skin as you do when using a face mist or toner. "For hands and feet, run the mitt over those areas and lightly apply using the residue product left on the mitt,” he says. Also, if you don’t have a mitt, don’t worry—you can apply using your hands. Just make sure you wash them thoroughly afterward and scrub between your fingers.
Best Overall Tanning Water: Tan Luxe Hydrating Self-Tan Water
This is the tanning water I tried, and I loved it. It gave me an extremely natural-looking and even tan. It spritzed on easily, absorbed into my skin instantly after rubbing it in, and my skin felt hydrated after using it. Plus, it didn't leave behind the dreaded self-tanner smell.
Promising review: "Love this self-tanner! Very natural looking. Might go darker next time..." — Revolve customer
With avocado oil, chia seeds, and grapefruit oil, this tanning water is supremely hydrating. It also has color-correcting that ensures your skin looks natural and has no orange tint to it.
Promising review: "I've been using this for over a year now, [and] this is literally my lifesaver. I use it once a week, and my color lasts for a couple of days. My skin turns into a beautiful golden smooth color, and I barely need to wear any makeup. The application is really easy, and it blends beautifully. If you're looking for an easy, effective self-tanning product, this is the way to go. I can't get enough of it." — Sephora customer
Evans recommends this St.Tropez collection for effortless at-home tanning. "It safely mimics the positive, feel-good benefits of the sun by helping your skin produce vitamin D for overall skin wellness, plus vitamin C to achieve ultra-smooth, soft, and even skin," she says. "This is all captured in a clear, green, mandarin-infused bronzing water that smells divine."
Promising review: "As a beginner to self-tan [products], I found this incredibly easy to use. I followed the directions and got a nice even result. I don't think you could mess it up. I am already more of a medium tan skin tone, so I used this two days in a row to get more color. Definitely happy with my purchase!" — Sephora customer
If you're looking for a formula that will leave your face bronzed with virtually no effort on your part, Isle of Paradise's mists are tough to beat. "The tanning water will absorb through makeup if you want a top-up mid-week," says Von Hep. "Spray your face like you would with a facial mist."
Promising review: "I was scared to try this product, but it gives such a nice subtle natural-looking glow. The perfect product for pale people like me who don't catch a tan." — Sephora customer
When Who What Wear's beauty director, Erin Jahns, reaches for tanning water, you can guarantee it will be this one from Tanologist. She feels okay using this tanning water to wear under clothes or throughout the day—that's how imperceptible it is once applied.
Promising review: "I am fascinated with this product! It leaves you with incredible skin, fascinating hydration, and a splendid color without spots. I'm really obsessed. I can't stop using it." — Revolve customer
This innovative formula is something of a gel-water hybrid. Evans says that the longer you leave this on, the more benefits your skin gets. "It's infused with hyaluronic acid, so it hydrates skin for up to 72 hours," she says. "It is also very comfortable to wear bronzing waters throughout the whole development, which usually takes about eight hours."
Promising review: "I'm obsessed with this. The smell is great, and it absorbs instantly. The thing that makes it the best I've ever used is the color and the way it fades. I have had zero streaking or splotches, and when it fades, it does it evenly and undetectable." — Sephora customer
Vita Liberata makes some of my favorite self-tanning products. Its mist develops quickly, is ultra customizable, and imparts a golden glow. Aloe vera and hyaluronic acid also soothe and hydrate skin.
Promising review: "This Vita Liberata Clear Tanning Mist is a great self-tanner that provides a natural-looking tan with a radiant glow. It is hydrating and moisturizing and does not cause irritation or breakouts. It is easy to apply and dries quickly with no mess or streaking, and has a mild scent that is not too strong." — Amazon customer
St.Tropez also has a tanning water that comes in a mist for your face. It smells good and works to soften the skin. You don't need to rub it in after spritzing.
Promising review: "I sprayed this on my face, neck, and chest after showering. The directions say not to rub it in, so I didn't. It absorbed completely after a few minutes and turned into the best, most natural, most even tan! It's amazing!" — Sephora customer
This is my favorite drugstore option, and it's gotten me through many summers. Vitamin E and coconut water nourish the skin, while the formula feels lightweight and doesn't streak on the skin.
Promising review: "I love how light this self tanner is. It doesn't have a stinky smell. I mostly use it on my face and arms. I have received a lot of compliments on it and how natural it looks. I have recommended it to many, and they also love it. I'm on my 3rd or 4th bottle." — Walmart customer
This tanning water comes with a glove, so you have everything you need right off the bat. It's infused with passion flower to help hydrate skin.
Promising review: "This is the best self tanner I've ever used. Looks natural and lasts. I apply it only once a week. Easy to apply. No streaks or orange appearance." — Amazon customer
Tanning water that foams feels extra luxe and applies smoothly and evenly. This one is chock-full of skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which work to give skin a hit of moisture while improving skin tone.
Promising review: "It's easy to use, easy to put on, but it will be clear, so be mindful of where you have already applied. But it doesn't transfer, which is especially nice if you don't want to sleep in a sweatsuit while it develops." — Ulta customer
Sally Hansen's tanning water adapts to your skin tone so you get the best tan for you. It develops in an hour, so the formula is perfect if you need a quick bronze but don't have a long time to wait for it.
Promising review: "Because this goes on so lightly & easily, I assumed I needed a second "coat". Wrong! One spray coat results in a light, realistic tan. And it lasts a surprisingly long time. Using primarily on legs....great, affordable product. Less intimidating than creams or lotions. Just take your time and give it time to develop." — Amazon customer
At this point, Jergens is practically the drugstore tanning authority, and its tanning water confirms that. It's derived from natural sugars and develops gradually and evenly.
Promising review: "I get so many compliments with this tanning mouse. It's so easy to use." — Walmart customer
This article was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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