The sun is one of the leading causes of aging. Well, the sun doesn’t actually add 10 years to your life, but it can add 10 years to your face if you’re not careful! This is because UV rays from the sun “penetrate into the skin” and “damage the elastic fibers that keep skin firm,” allowing wrinkles to develop,” according to WebMD. This doesn’t mean you can never get a tan again, though. Thankfully, there’s a much safer alternative in the beauty industry — behold, the best self-tanning products:
1. Beauty by Earth’s Self Tanner – With Organic Aloe Vera & Shea Butter
With ingredients like organic aloe vera leaf juice, shea butter, extracts, and DHA (which is an omega-3 fatty acid), this self-tanner will truly give you a sun-kissed glow since your skin will be nourished and moisturized! Your tan won’t come at the sacrifice of an innocent animal, either; this product is vegan and cruelty-free. While you can buy this self-tanner alone, this kit comes with an exfoliating glove, body applicator, and face applicator (which you’ll want for a mess-free experience). More than 2,000 people have given this self-tanner an average rating of 4.3 stars! $38, amazon.com
2. Bondi Sands PURE Self-Tanning Foaming Water
Bondi Sands is arguably the most famous company in the self tanner market. However, did you know the company sells self-tanner that’s formulated with hyaluronic acid — yes, as in that popular ingredient in facial serums that helps your skin retain water and thus make it glow? The Vitamin C in this self-tanner will also help boost that glow, while Vitamin E will help repair sun damage (which is the whole point of using self-tanner instead of baking under the sun). Application is easy, too: apply the product all over your body with a self-tanner mitt, and you’re done. No need to rinse off! This self-tanner, which is vegan as well, is listed as a best-selling item on Amazon. $24, amazon.com
3. Golden Star Beauty’s Self Tanner for Face
If you’re wary about applying an all-purpose self-tanning product all over your face, here’s one from Golden Star Beauty that is specifically designed just for that area. You won’t have to worry about clogging your pores with a self-tanner anymore. Instead, you’ll actually be NOURISHING your face with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin b5 (great for calming inflammation), rosehip oil (this is packed with omega 3 fatty acids), evening primrose oil, and macadamia oil. Also, you probably guessed what we’re going to say next: this self-tanner is vegan too. $25, amazon.com
4. St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse, Vegan Self Tanner for a Sunkissed Glow
Like Bondi Sands, St. Tropaz is another go-to company for self-tanning needs. If you’re looking for that classic, “medium gold” tan for summer, you’ll want to add this to your Amazon cart. St. Tropaz’s self-tanning mousse is renown for being lightweight, hydrating (thanks to Jojoba), and effective. After applying the self-tanner with a mitt, St. Tropaz says that results will show in four to eight hours, which will last for “up to 10 days with even fade.” This vegan self-tanner is all the rage on Amazon, too, with over 7,700 reviews and an average rating of 4.6 stars. $42, amazon.com
5. Just Nutritive’s Sunless Tanning – Anti-Aging
If mousses aren’t your thing, here’s a self-tanning lotion from Just Nutritive! You don’t even need a mitt: just pump and spread away. You’ll love how soft this sunless tanning lotion will make your skin feel, too, since it’s formulated with grapeseed oil (which “moistures and tightens the skin”), coconut oil (which “protects the skin from irritation and inflammation”), and sweet almond oil (which “removes impurities and smoothes the skin”). $32, amazon.com.
6. Skinerals Self Tanner Sunless Bronzer
Extra particular about what you’re coating onto your skin? Consider this “green-based” self-tanning mouse for ease of mind, which is made with organic ingredients like orange peel and antioxidants like acai berry and fig extracts. It’s also made in the USA and certified for being “cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, aerosol-free, and vegan.” Skinerals says that one application of its tanning mouse lasts four to seven days; you can also check out fans’ testimonies in the reviews. More than 3,6000 people left reviews, where they left an average rating of 4.3 stars. $27, amazon.com
