If you want a natural, sun-kissed glow any time of the year without spending hours in the sun, sunless tanning is a great solution. With just a few drops, a mousse, or a gradual lotion, self tanners make it simple to warm up your skin tone — whether you’re getting ready for a vacation, a special event, or just to have a little color day to day without wearing a lot of makeup.
And sunless tanning is budget-friendly and convenient — something you can do right at home. With the right types of sunless tanning products, you can even out your skin tone, add a touch of warmth and get that “no-makeup look” in minutes.
Living in Arizona with fair skin, I love how easy it is to maintain a natural glow without relying on constant sun exposure. Below, I’m sharing my favorite sunless tanning products and moisturizers, along with some easy tips to help you get a natural-looking glow year-round.
Types of Sunless Tanning Products (Lotions, Drops & Mousses)
Self-tanners generally fall into a few categories:
- Lotions – Gradual color that builds with daily use (also great for “beginners”)
- Mousses – Foam formulas that give quicker, noticeable results
- Drops – Concentrated tanner mixed with your moisturizer for a custom glow
- Instant – Immediate color that continues to deepen over time
Best Sunless Tanning Products I use and recommend
There are so many different types of sunless tanning products available, and choosing the right one really depends on how often you tan, how much color you want, and the time of year.
I like to switch between formulas depending on my routine and the season. For my face, I typically use tanning drops mixed into my moisturizer every few days for a subtle, natural glow. During the summer months, when I want faster and deeper all-over color, I reach for an instant tanning mousse. In the winter, I prefer gradual tanning lotions to maintain a light, natural-looking color.
Below are the self-tanning products I use the most, with some budget-friendly and premium price options.
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Lotion
- Type: Gradual lotion
- Result: Builds subtle color over several days
- Best for: Beginners and everyday use
- Price: Budget-friendly
- Scent: Light and clean
- Why I like it: Easy, goes on like lotion, streak-free for maintaining a soft glow.
L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse
- Type: Water mousse
- Result: Instant bronze that develops into a deeper, natural-looking tan
- Best for: Quick, streak-free full-body application
- Price: Mid-range
- Scent: Fresh and lightweight (much less “tanner smell” than traditional formulas)
- Why I like it: The airy water-mousse texture blends easily with a mitt, dries fast and can see the results the same day. It’s perfect for last-minute plans, vacations, or when you want fast, even results without waiting days for color to build.
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops
- Type: Drops (Light, Medium, Dark) – Favorite drops for my face! In summer I use the medium drops mixed with my moisturizer and the rest of the year I use the light drops.
- Result: Fully customizable tone
- Best for: Shade matching and year-round use
- Price: Higher-end
- Scent: Fresh, non-lingering
- Why I like it: Shade options make it easy to get a natural match.
e.l.f. Sunless Tanning Drops Duo
- Type: Drops for face and body
- Result: Adjustable color
- Best for: Budget-friendly option
- Price: Affordable
- Scent: Light
- Why I like it: Simple, affordable way to customize your glow.
Jergens Instant Sun Mousse
- Type: Mousse
- Result: Instant bronze with deeper development over time
- Best for: Quick color before events or trips
- Price: Affordable
- Scent: Light tropical
- Why I like it: Easy to see where you’ve applied the product.
Tan Physics True Color Sunless Tanner
- Type: Lotion
- Result: Natural, even tan with hydration
- Best for: Skincare-focused users
- Price: Premium
- Scent: Light and fresh
- Why I like it: Feels like skincare with tanning built in.
How to get a No-Makeup Glow with Tanning Drops and Minimal Makeup
One of the biggest benefits of sunless tanning is how it simplifies your everyday makeup routine. When your skin already has warmth and even tone, you don’t need much makeup at all to look polished — especially for quick errands, casual days, or warm-weather outings.
My simple no-makeup glow routine includes:
- Moisturizer + SPF: I use Neutrogena Daily Defense Sunscreen every morning to protect and hydrate.
- Tanning Drops: A few drops mixed into moisturizer for a subtle, even glow.
- L’Oréal Lumi Glotion: Lightly applied for an all-over radiant base.
- Concealer (as needed): Just under the eyes or on small blemishes.
- Summer Option: In the warmer months, I like using Australian Gold SPF 50 Tinted Lotion for a little extra color with built-in sun protection.
This routine gives me a fresh, glowing look in minutes without heavy foundation and works beautifully year-round with small seasonal swaps.
How to Apply Self-Tanners and Bronzing Drops for Streak-Free Results
The key to a smooth, natural-looking self-tan is with some easy prep and how you apply the product.
Step 1: Exfoliate & Prep
Before you put on the self-tanning product, you want to remove dry skin, especially on elbows, knees, and ankles — dry skin can cause uneven color.
In the shower, start by exfoliating with a sugar scrub like Tree Hut Vitamin C Sugar Scrub, or a mineral scrub, or exfoliating body wash. Make sure to dry off completely before applying the sunless tanning product.
Step 2: Face
For tanning drops:
- Add drops into your moisturizer in your hand
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling, put a few drops in your moisturizer container.
- Mix well
- Apply evenly to face and neck
Never apply tanning drops directly to the face or you’ll get streaks.
Step 3: Body
- Use a tanning mitt for mousses and lotions
- Work in sections
- Blend carefully around joints
- Lightly moisturize hands, wrists, ankles, and knees before tanning
Step 4: Dry Time & Color development time (to shower)
Allow the tanning product to fully dry to the touch before dressing (about 10+ minutes).
While the color develops – which is usually about 4-8 hours before you should shower – wear loose, dark clothing to prevent stains. Express tanners develop faster, so check the instructions.
Tip: You can apply self-tanner at night and rinse it off in the morning.
Quick 4-Step Self-Tanning Guide for Beginners
Step 1: Exfoliate first
Step 2: Mix drops with moisturizer for face
Step 3: Apply mousse or lotion with mitt for body
Step 4: Let dry before dressing
Favorite Daily Moisturizers for dry weather and sun protection
Keeping skin moisturized helps your tan look more even and last longer. Living in Arizona with the dry climate year-round, I use moisturizer daily and I have found a few favorites that absorb fast and help keep my skin from feeling dry and dehydrated.
All of these are lightweight, absorb quickly, and don’t feel greasy — perfect for everyday use. And depending on what I’ll be doing for the day, I like to use a body lotion that has SPF for sun protection like Eucerin Daily Hydration lotion.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream
- Best for: Deep hydration without heaviness
- Texture: Gel-cream, fast absorbing
- Why I love it: It instantly quenches dry skin and leaves it smooth without a sticky feeling — great under self-tanner too.
Eucerin Daily Hydration Lotion with SPF
- Best for: Everyday body moisture + sun protection
- Texture: Light lotion
- Why I love it: It’s moisturizing but still lightweight, and the added SPF makes it perfect for daily wear in the Arizona sun.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Cream
- Best for: Daily facial hydration
- Texture: Lightweight gel cream
- Why I love it: It layers beautifully under makeup or tanning drops and keeps my skin looking plump and fresh.
Neutrogena Invisible Defense Face Lotion (SPF)
- Best for: Daily facial sun protection
- Texture: Sheer, fast-absorbing
- Why I love it: It doesn’t leave a white cast and works well under moisturizer, tanning drops, and makeup.
Hempz Citrus Blossom Moisturizer
- Best for: Added moisture with a fresh scent
- Texture: Lightweight lotion
- Why I love it: Mix with some daily moisturizer for the fresh citrus scent — it makes moisturizing feel like a treat.
Hydrated skin is one of the best ways to keep both your natural skin and your sunless tan looking smooth, even, and healthy year-round.
Is Sunless Tanning Worth It?
Sunless tanning is one of the easiest ways to keep a natural glow any time of year — whether you’re prepping for a vacation, getting ready for a special event, or just want to feel a little more polished day to day without a lot of makeup. Self tanners make it simple to warm up your skin tone, even out complexion, and help create that fresh “no-makeup” makeup look.
With today’s drops, mousses, and gradual lotions, it’s simple to customize your color, keep things natural, and avoid the damage that comes with too much sun exposure.
For me, it’s become part of my regular routine for looking refreshed with minimal makeup. With the right products and a few simple steps, you can enjoy that soft, sun-kissed glow year-round.
