I don’t want to go into too much detail here, as I recently wrote up a whole guide on why moisturizing before using self-tanner is so important. However, I do want to cover the basics. Another, who prefers the brand’s medium to dark shades, agrees: “It’s the most natural looking and I love the scent! I use it all over and look like I have a nice glow.” Readers have spoken, this is one of the best self tanner lotion choices! Type: Mousse and water | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, jojoba seed oil | Shades: 1| Development Time: 1 hour (mist); 8 hours (mousse)

Type: Lotion | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E | Shades: 1 | Development Time: 8 hours Thermalabs Glow2Go contains Glycerin to hydrate skin as it tans. Promising to provide a worry-free tanning experience, one wipe should cover quite a bit of your body, as each contains a lot of product.Many buyers find these sunless tanning towelettes to be the easiest self-tanners on the market. And the best part is that, unlike some other tanning products, this one doesn’t leave your skin parched or dry.

Tan Towels effortlessly blend onto your skin, filling up the gap of essential nutrients. They work their way up by covering every inch of the skin. By the end of 4-6 hours of their development, you can see a very nice and promising tan running all over your body. Is Tan Towel cruelty-free? The self-tanner is also great for any skin type, and for any gender. Also, unlike some wipes on the market, these can be used for your entire body including your face. The self-tanner is also completely odorless and non-tinted, so your skin isn’t left with a weird smell, and color won’t be left on your sheet or clothes. Dihydroxyacetone is a simple saccharide, pulled from plant sources like sugar beets and sugar cane. It might have gone forever without making its way into tanning products if not for Eva Wittgenstein, who discovered DHA’s skin-tinting benefits by accident. Wittgenstein was working as a researcher at the Children’s Hospital at the University of Cincinnati in the 1950s at the time. She was studying the effects of large amounts of DHA on glycogen storage disease.Rhea Souhleris Grous is a New York-based certified esthetician and a member of Byrdie’s Beauty & Wellness Review board. She is the founder of La Suite Skincare, an aesthetic clinic that specializes in treatments such as facials, peels, and more. Sunless tanning has become a popular alternative to tanning beds and baking in the sun for hours. Consumers are looking for alternative ways to get that sought-after glow at home, including via the use of self-tanning towels. I have tried many brands and this is the only one that does not break out my legs with little bumps.”

The self-tanner from these wipes goes on very evenly and slowly develops over the next 2-4 hours. The formula is specifically developed to compliment any skin color, so you don’t need to worry about where you start, you’ll still end up with a beautiful tan. Editor Tip: This tanner is the brand's deepest color (Maximum) for an intense tan. If that's not your thing, they also offer the Deluxe Bronzing Mousse in three shades: Medium, Dark, and Ultra Dark.Editor Tip: Apply this directly to the face or body before the rest of your routine, go to bed, and wake up glowy and tan. Any chemical odor is a sign that the solution has likely gone bad and needs to be disposed of immediately. If a sunless tanner experiences any adverse reactions like itching, burning or stinging upon application, then the product should not be used since these are all signs of an inactive product. Long time fans have nothing but praise for this product. One reader, however, says it should be applied regularly to maintain a supple glow, as the color lasts about a week.

Certain active ingredients in self-tanning products–such as DHA–can break down with time and regular exposure to air or natural light. Sun Bum gets readers’ vote for best vegan and reef-friendly self tanner. Its Browning Lotion offers subtle color, but when it does build up it looks natural and smells great. Due to its moisturizing properties courtesy of argan oil, aloe vera, coconut oil, and avocado oil, you can wear it every day and leave your skin looking gently sun-kissed. Customers absolutely love the tan that develops and love the product for its large towel. And the length of the tan is remarkable. Some customers claim that even though they went swimming, the tan still lasted for a week! Why It's Worth It: For self-tanner beginners, the coconut-water-based Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops are as natural and easy-going as they come. Thanks to DHA, this mango-scented, 2021 Best of Beauty-winning bronzer gradually deposits a nourishing, non-drying wash of vacation-like glow.It’s the most natural looking and I love the scent! I use it all over and look like I have a nice glow.” Type: Liquid | Key Ingredients: Pink grapefruit, goji berry, and juniper | Shades: 1 | Development Time: 8 hours One reader, who has tried all types of tanners, including sprays from high-end salons, says: “Bondi Sands gives a nice, warm brown color. Not orange at all.” In other words, thanks to these self-tanning wipes, you can achieve the tan you’ve always wanted from the comfort of your home.