We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
12 Of The Best Face Tanners For A Naturally Golden Glow In 2025
Summer is well on its way and with it (hopefully) some sunshine. We all know the perils of sitting in the sun and that we should be wearing our SPF, yet many of us still yearn for that hit of golden glow that the sun brings our skin. While not a total solution to all skin woes, a bit of bronzing also goes a long way to making skin look radiant and rested, not to mention helping to disguise uneven skin tone and imperfections.
Luckily, a glowy, more flawless face can be yours without the damage, thanks to the array of face tanners on offer. If you’ve never tried one, or have had a less than ideal experience, now’s the time to give it another go. To help give your skin a bronzed boost just in time for summer, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best face tanners the market has to offer, with many of them tried and tested by Vogue experts. Read on to discover more.
The best face tanners at a glance:
- Best for a skin treat: Sisley Self Tanning Hydrating Facial Skincare, £120
- Best for a no make-up make-up look: Isle of Paradise Day Dew Gradual Face Mist, £16.95
- Best for darker skin tones: Tan-Luxe The Face Self-Tan Drops Medium/Dark, £28
- Best for a fast fix: Bare By Vogue Face Tanning Mist, £17
- Best for oil-prone skin: Bondi Sands Technocolor Emerald Serum, £17.99
In this article:
1/12Best for added luminosity: St Tropez Sunlit Skin Self Tan Express
Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you’re looking for an imperceptible hint of sunshine on your skin, you can’t go wrong with this impressive new formula. Fast-developing and quick-drying, it can be blended into skin and just three hours later you’ll have a luminous, subtly bronzed complexion. The addition of hyaluronic acid means it helps keep things plump and hydrated.
Added ingredients: hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, glycerin
Type of formula: liquid with precision dropper
2/12Best for a fast fix: Bare By Vogue Face Tanning Mist
Why it’s Vogue-approved: It’s virtually impossible to go wrong with this easy-to-use tanning mist. Fortified with calming ingredients like oatmeal, a few spritzes across the face and décolleté ensure a natural-looking warmth to the skin. It’s also worth noting that it fades as seamlessly as it’s applied so you won’t be left with any tell-tale patchiness.
Added ingredients: oatmeal, chamomile
Type of formula: clear mist
Vogue review: “It’s probably fair to say that this is one of my most recommended beauty products of all time. It’s the best if your skin is looking a bit grey and you just need a bit of perking up, because it’s fast and it really works. I spray it on a big powder brush that I keep exclusively for face tanner and then buff it into clean, dry skin before bed. I wake the next day looking human again,” – Georgia Day, contributing beauty editor
3/12Best for darker skin tones: Tan-Luxe The Face Self-Tan Drops Medium/Dark
Why it’s Vogue-approved: With a flattering golden olive rather than orange-y undertones, these drops are a great way to add rich, natural colour to all skin tones but especially deeper ones. The dropper applicator means the tan is customisable so go as dark as you want by building up the number of drops you add into your daily moisturiser or serum. There’s no need to worry about self-tan scent either as every product in the range is formulated with the brand’s Odourlite Fragrance Technology.
Added ingrdients: raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera
Type of formula: liquid with precision dropper
4/12Best for affordability: Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops
Why it’s Vogue-approved: A great option for a dewy, radiant skin finish, these tried and tested bronzing drops are easy to use and can be built up depending on how tan you want to go. The formula is gradual, so it develops slowly, and naturally, over a few hours, and the finish is streak-free so no one need know you’ve cheated.
Added ingredients: coconut water, hyaluronic acid
Type of formula: liquid with precision dropper
5/12Best for a no make-up make-up look: Isle of Paradise Day Dew Gradual Face Mist
Why it’s Vogue-approved: This gradual tan not only delivers a pretty sun-kissed glow to skin, but it effectively hydrates throughout the day too, so skin won’t feel tight or dry while it’s developing. Once you have the colour locked in, you may find that the glow is so even and flawless that you can forgo your foundation.
Added ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, lemon, rosemary, and sage oils
Type of formula: facial mist
6/12Best for breakouts: utan x Jamie Genevieve CBD Tanning Water Facial Mist
Why it’s Vogue-approved: This innovative serum formula is great if you want the look of a more bronzed complexion but struggle with breakouts that traditional formulas often cause. Co-created by make-up artist and Vieve founder Jamie Genevieve, the light-as-air formula contains Scottish lavender and CBD both of which have potent antibacterial properties. It’s also dermatologist-approved and easy to use.
Added ingredients: CBD, lavender
Type of formula: mist
Vogue review: “As someone who has been nervous about dipping their toe in the world of face tanners, Utan’s water facial mist is a game-changer. You can opt for super light, medium or darker tan by simply misting your face once over, or more. I layer it over my favourite evening skincare products before bed and wake up with a light glow. A couple of light sprays over your make-up in the morning also helps the glow to develop during the day, just like an authentic tan. This CBD iteration has added calming qualities, making it a great relaxing addition to your skincare routine!” – Mia Portet, Vogue shopping producer
7/12Best for oil-prone skin: Bondi Sands Technocolor Emerald Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Traditional face tanners can sometimes cause oily skin to act up, whether it’s ramping up excess oil or causing blemishes and breakouts. As well as containing a blemish control complex to balance sebum production, this contains brightening vitamin C and soothing chamomile to work on blemishes and imperfections, and all while delivering a golden tint to skin.
Added ingredients: blemish control complex, vitamin C, chamomile
Type of formula: serum
8/12Best for a natural glow: Self Glow by James Read Dusk to Dawn Facial Overnight Tan
Why it’s Vogue-approved: With an innovative formula that comprises plant-based DHA as its active tanning ingredient, alongside multi molecular 4D hyaluronic acid and microalgae, this silky colourless face tanner delivers a warm glow to all skin tones. Fermented mushroom is also on hand to support your skin barrier which is especially good if other face tanners tend to upset the balance and cause sensitivity.
Added ingredients: hyaluronic acid, microalgae, fermented mushroom
Type of formula: serum
