5 Self-Tanners for Fair Skin That Won’t Turn You Orange

April 21, 2022

By: Ariel Wodarcyk | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

We’re not going to lecture you about the dangers of laying out in the sun to catch a tan — you already know the consequences UV rays have on your skin. The safest way to achieve a golden glow for summer is to use self-tanner. If you have pale skin, it’s important to pick a buildable formula that gives you a gradual, believable bronze, with no orange patches or streaks in sight. Below, find five of our favorite self-tanners for fair skin.

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Self-Tanning Facial Drops

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self Tan Drops for Face

Customize your faux glow with these fragrance-free self-tanning drops formulated for the face and neck. All you have to do is add five to seven drops to your favorite moisturizer and reapply as needed to build your tan. Just remember to exfoliate your face before application for the most even results.

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Self-Tanning Facial Mist

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Mist

This refreshing water-based mist makes it easy to bronze a large surface area (your face, neck and chest) without overdoing it. The color is buildable, and Amazon reviewers rave about how believable it looks on even very fair skin.

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Light Self-Tanning Body Mousse

Isle of Paradise Glow Clear Color Correcting Self-Tanning Mousse

Formulated specifically for light skin tones, this water-to-foam formula is easy to apply for streak-free and long-lasting color. Before tanning your body, remember to exfoliate and apply lotion to areas that tend to be extra dry, such as the elbows, knees and knuckles.

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Deeper Self-Tanning Body Mousse

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse

For a slightly darker bronze than the other self-tanners on this list, we love this water-based mousse. It develops within four to eight hours and is completely transfer-proof. We recommend applying your body self-tanners with a mitt to avoid streaks. If you’re bronzing your hands, remember to wipe the inside of your palms with a makeup wipe for the most natural look.

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Self-Tanning Body Lotion

Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner Lotion

Get the benefits of a body lotion plus a sun-kissed tan with this body bronzer. It’s enriched with shea butter, sweet almond oil and safflower oil to keep skin soft and hydrated, plus the subtle golden tint is perfect for fair skin tones.

Photo: Matthew Kelly