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Considering slathering your body bronzer all over your face? Hold that thought. The best face tanners will give you natural-looking color, and are meant to be safe for sensitive skin types. Similar to body self-tanners, they’re formulated with moisturizing ingredients like (vitamin E and hyaluronic acid) to nourish the skin, and sometimes even vitamin C for anti-aging purposes. However, “these products are also typically lighter in formula, because your face has a higher pH level than your body,” says Sophie Evans, a tanning expert at St. Tropez.
To help you find the best ones for your complexion we asked the pros—dermatologists, makeup artists, estheticians, and our own Glamour editors and contributors—for their favorite self-tanning products, then put the most promising ones to the test, (including some tried-and-true picks I always go back to). Our top pick overall is Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face Drops because it instantly absorbs into the skin, plays well with makeup, and gives you a veil of radiance in just a couple of hours. Below, we’re sharing the tanning drops, lotions, serums, and mists that really impressed.
The best face tanners, at a glance
How we tested face tanners
We tested face tanners by incorporating them into our everyday skin care routines to see how they fared when paired with other products. We looked at ease of application, transfer-resistance, longevity, and overall quality of glow. We checked to see if the product absorbed easily, left a residue or sticky feeling behind, and prioritized those that had little to no smell. The best tanning face serums, gels, mists gave us a golden glow within a few hours and kept the tan going for up to five days.
Best Overall: Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face Drops
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Isle of Paradise Sunny Serum
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face Drops
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Face Drops
- Pros: Lightweight, easy to mix in a moisturizer, lasts multiple days after application
- Cons: May not be suitable for sensitive skin
This product came out on top in our testing thanks to its versatility and ability to offer both an immediate radiance and a longer-lasting tan. Marisa Garshick, MD, a board certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, is a huge fan of these lightweight drops that give you glow and protect the skin with antioxidants. “I love that these can be mixed into your moisturizer or used on their own for a very personalized experience,” she says.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary is also a big fan and has been using these nonstop over the past month. “These drops are lightweight, easy to mix into moisturizer and they never pill when I layer primer and foundation. I instantly see a glow thanks to the additional vitamin C, which helps even out skin discoloration and uneven skin tone. My skin looks brighter, sun-kissed, and fresh after using these, and I’ll be faking my tan with them come summer and beyond.”
Best Drugstore: L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Facial Tanning Drops
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Facial Tanning Drops
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Facial Tanning Drops
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Facial Tanning Drops
- Pros: Fragrance free, non-sticky, easy to apply and instantly absorbs
- Cons: Takes a minute to fully dry down
This face tanner is so luxe in application and appearance that you’d have no idea it was from the drugstore. The formula is packed with hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and plump the skin, and it can be applied on its own or mixed into a moisturizer. Glamour’s Kilkeary calls them her favorite facial tanning drops ever. “You simply can’t beat the value compared to other facial tanners on the market. They’re so effortless to use—I use two to three drops into my facial moisturizer and apply it all over my face. By the next day, my skin looks golden, fresh and bronzy, as if I just spent a few days on the beach.”
Best Quick Face Tanner: Westman Atelier Sun Tone Hydrating Matte Bronzing Drops
Original video from Jenifer Calle testing Westman Atelier Sun Tone Hydrating Matte Bronzing Drops
Original photo from Jenifer Calle before testing Westman Atelier Sun Tone Hydrating Matte Bronzing Drops
Original photo from Jenifer Calle after testing Westman Atelier Sun Tone Hydrating Matte Bronzing Drops
- Pros: Not as permanent, more of a makeup option
- Cons: Washes off
If you want the look of a tan without the commitment, these bronzing drops are a great option. While they live more in the ‘makeup’ territory rather than self-tanner, they give you a very natural looking glow (that seriously looks like you have been spending time outside) in a matter of minutes. This formula also has prebiotics and carrot oil to support the skin’s microbiome and improve resilience and bounce.
“I’m very wary of face tanners because I’ve tested ones that stain instead of bronze. This Westman Atelier face tanner, however, gave me a quick glow with just a few drops of product. At first, I thought the tan shade would contrast too much on my skin, but it actually absorbed so well and gave me a subtle, luminous finish. I used it to contour my cheeks and even used it on my neck and chest,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
Best for Acne Prone Skin: St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
- Pros: Easy to apply; vegan; cruelty-free; suitable for all skin types; contains hyaluronic acid for additional hydration benefits
- Cons: Lighter shade than some others
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