12 Best Self-Tanners That We Tested for a Glowy, Streak-Free Finish

“To achieve a seamless tan, prepping your skin is key,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. “Start by thoroughly exfoliating your skin 24 hours before your tanning session to close your pores and remove dead skin. I recommend using a dry brush or an exfoliating glove with a body wash.” Next, Colt Paulsen, chief tanning officer at online skin care retailer Bondi Sands, recommends using a mitt because it will blend product evenly, he says. Lightly dampen the mitt with water and wring it out to help the tanner glide on smoothly. Then apply a small amount of tanner to the mitt and use gentle circular motions to work the product into the skin, section by section. “For a deeper tan, you can reapply as needed,” says Dr. Engelman.

As far as determining where you should start when you self-tan, Paulsen recommends beginning with your back. “I know it’s everyone’s least favorite part of self-tanning, but if you tackle it first, it’s out of the way and the rest is a breeze. Next, work in small sections on your legs, then move to your arms so you never miss a spot,” he says.

To apply tanner on your face, Dr. Engelman says to gently pat the product on, keeping your eyes and mouth closed. “Remember to care for your mitt properly. It can be reused for several months for a streak-free application every time.”

The best time to apply self-tanner for a natural-looking tan depends on your plans, but most experts suggest letting it develop overnight. Applying before bedtime allows the tan to develop without any interferences, plus your body temperature heats up during sleep, allowing the product to absorb fully into the skin and develop to its ultimate best, says St. Tropez tanning expert Sophie Evans.

Translation? If you have an event, apply your self-tanner the night—or about 24 hours—before. However if you hate sleeping with self-tanner on, Evans suggests opting for an express development self-tanner like St. Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse. “This allows you to tan, shower, and go in one hour for a light tan and up to three hours for your darkest tan,” she says. But keep in mind that if you get hot and sweaty or wear tight clothing during development time, you may experience some transfer.

If you recently got a tan at the beach and want to prolong your glow, the experts have a few suggestions. “Hydration—both inside and out—is key for maintaining healthy skin and helping extend your tan,” says Dr. Engelman. In addition to drinking plenty of water, make sure to moisturize several times a day with a body lotion or body oil to lengthen the life of your tan. “For an added boost, consider a moisturizer with a gradual self-tanner to subtly enhance your color, especially if you’re active or frequently swimming in the summertime.”

When the color starts to fade, exfoliate gently to avoid looking streaky or patchy, and build up your glow with a gradual tanning lotion. And don’t forget SPF! “A tan looks amazing, but sun protection is a must,” says Paulsen.

Evans has a few tips for keeping your tan in place while you shave. “Since shaving is a mild form of exfoliation, depending on the thickness of your hair growth, you may find it better to self-tan on stubble and then shave the next day. Once your self-tan has fully developed, this will prevent the self-tan from sitting in your hair follicles and creating a spotty look,” she says.

If you have very light hair growth, shaving before or after your self-tanning should not be a problem. “You should avoid waxing, however, or using hair-removal creams, as these will remove your tanner,” she says. All waxing should be completed 24 hours prior to self-tan application. “This gives skin time to calm down and will prevent an uneven look. If you have removed your self-tan with a hair-removal product, you’ll have to reapply.”

If you got some self-tanner on your clothes or sheets during or post-application, there are ways to remove it, according to Evans. “If it is cotton or a light fabric, most self-tans will wash out with normal soap and water. Wool, silk, and some man-made fibers can stain and unfortunately may take numerous attempts to remove.”

Opting for self-tanner is simply the safest—and possibly easiest—way to get a boost of color on your skin without exposing yourself to potential UV rays and/or sun damage. “UV rays are responsible for stimulating melanin production as a way to protect skin from their harmful effects, and they also contribute to accelerated aging by damaging collagen and elastin proteins in the dermis and the formation of skin cancers,” says Dr. Camp.

Sun exposure can cause tons of other negative effects, too, including wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Engelman. Using self-tanner is also safer than using a tanning bed: “Using tanning beds is the absolute worst thing you can do to your skin,” says Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology. “Tanning beds increase your risk for skin cancer tremendously and age your skin beyond repair.” Better safe than sorry, right?

Contrary to popular belief, self-tans do not enter your bloodstream. “They only penetrate the very top layers of your epidermis, which naturally shed over 7 to 10 days,” says Evans. “However, when you are in your first three months of pregnancy, we recommend consulting with your doctor.”

According to Evans, “Most doctors say it’s fine if you regularly use a self-tanner,” though if you’re new to it, it’s best to avoid. “Patch-testing self-tanners is also important while pregnant—even if you have used a product tons of times, your skin can change, and we want to avoid any allergic reaction.”

Dr. Camp agrees. “While dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the chemical in self-tanners that interacts with skin proteins to bronze the skin, may have limited systemic absorption when applied topically, there remains concern about its use in spray or aerosolized products because of the risk of inhalation,” he explains. “Always check with your ob-gyn prior to the use of skin care products with ingredients of concern, or skip it altogether to be safe.”

While there are plenty of at-home DIY remedies for removing self-tanner, Dr. Mudgil recommends the simplest solution: using a tan-removal product like St. Tropez’s Tan Remover Prep and Maintain Mousse.

“One can actually purchase a commercially available self-tan remover,” says Dr. Mudgil. “These products generally contain baking soda, a mild exfoliant. You’ll see other DIY methods out there like using baby oil, but I think a product specifically designed for this purpose is your best bet.”

Evans echoes this. “Not only will St. Tropez’s Tan Remover remove all old self-tanner, it will ensure your skin is at its best pH level for self-tan development. But with most tan removers on the market, you cannot apply new self-tanner for about 12 hours,” she says. To avoid the dreaded self-tanner hands, it’s also key to wash your hands right after your at-home self-tan to ensure that no residue is left behind.

To keep your tan realistic, the experts recommend avoiding using your hands as well as any straight-line motions, as this will cause streaks. “An application mitt is your BFF and a non-negotiable. Not only does it protect your hands from turning orange, but it also ensures the product blends evenly. Pump the product onto the tanning mitt and use circular motions to apply,” says Paulsen.

It’s also important to keep in mind that making your tan realistic comes down to letting it set. If you get hot and sweaty or wear tight clothing during development time, you may experience some transfer. “During the development time, exercise, swimming, or getting sweaty should be avoided for a good eight hours,” she says. “Once your tan has fully developed and you have taken your first shower, which will remove any built-in bronzer (guide color), you can do whatever you like without any fear of the tan transferring onto clothes or white fabric.”

If you’re looking to soften and blur lines, the experts we spoke with recommend opting for formulas with hydrating ingredients. This includes hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and other antioxidants that will help even out signs of aging like dark spots and wrinkles. You’ll also want to follow all of the experts’ steps to ensure a streak-free tan on mature skin types.

The truth is, some fake-tanning products might give you that just-got-a-spray-tan smell, but the best way to avoid this is to opt for a tanner that has a specific fragrance, like the Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self Tanner Mousse, which has a tropical mango and guava scent. St. Tropez also recently launched the Cherry Macaron Self Tan and Body Mist Set, which has notes of cherry, white florals, and vanilla. You can also opt for a gradual tanning lotion instead, since these are often fragrance-free or subtly scented.

• Karan Lal, MD, double board-certified dermatologist
• Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in NYC
• Sophie Evans, St. Tropez tanning expert
• Brendan Camp, MD, double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC and surrounding areas
• Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology in NYC
• Colt Paulsen, chief tanning officer at Bondi Sands