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Whether you\u2019re a self-tanner devotee or just dipping your toes into the bronze life, the best facial self-tanners will have you glowing in no time. Throughout our extensive research, we found six formulas that won\u2019t turn you into an Oompa Loompa, disappear after a single rinse, and don\u2019t have that dreaded chemical smell. Yes, they exist! Many of these formulas are also infused with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, so you get added benefits along with your glow. During testing, we assessed each pick for ease of application, how well it layered with existing skincare, shade development, and overall finish. Keep reading to see the Allure<\/em> editor\u2013approved favorites worth adding to your routine now.<\/p>\nOur Top Facial Self-Tanners<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Overall:<\/strong> Dolce Glow Goccia di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum<\/h2>\n\n
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Dolce Glow<\/p>\n
Goccia di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why we love it:<\/strong> It\u2019s no surprise that Dolce Glow tops our list\u2014between its Best of Beauty Award wins and its top spot on our list of the best self-tanning mousses, the brand knows what it takes to deliver a believable glow. The Goccia Di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum is another just-left-the-beach trickster we keep in constant rotation. Powered by hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening vitamin C, and smoothing niacinamide, it leaves skin looking bronzed while staying soft, smooth, and plump\u2014so you never have to choose between tan and hydration. Beyond the skin-care perks, it delivers a natural-looking, lasting glow\u2014one that stood out as the most believable throughout our extensive testing. The scent is subtle and fresh, not overpowering at all, and doesn\u2019t linger as it develops, making it easy to stay consistent with application. When one of our testers applied it at night, her tan lasted about five days before fading evenly, and her skin felt hydrated the entire time.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> commerce editor Sarah Han before applying Dolce Glow Goccia di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/p>\nHan four hours after applying Dolce Glow Goccia di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum<\/p>\n
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Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m very much a self-tanning newbie, and what better time to start experimenting than the dead of winter when my face is looking its palest and most dull? Plus, facial self-tanners seem far less intimidating than body self-tanners. (We\u2019ll cross that bridge\u2026maybe never.) These Dolce Glow drops are by far the easiest product I\u2019ve tried so far. They feel like a usual face serum that\u2019s super easy to spread evenly, thanks to its slip, so I get a nice, even tan after a few hours. I initially went the route of mixing the drops into my moisturizer but I prefer applying them directly to my face for much more noticeable results. Again, I\u2019m at my palest right now, and want that extra boost of color\u2014but maybe, in the summertime, I\u2019ll revert to the moisturizer method to help \u2018maintain\u2019 my naturally warmer color. I love where I landed: a subtle glow that so clearly livened up my complexion\u2014and honestly, I feel like I don\u2019t even need makeup on these \u2018tanner\u2019 days because my skin looks less red.\u201d \u2014Sarah Han, commerce editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\u201cI always find that when I self-tan my face over any active acne, the blemish spots come out darker than the rest of my skin, but the niacinamide in this serum helps even it all out so there\u2019s no patchiness, which is such a huge bonus for me.\u201d \u2014Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nType:<\/strong> drops<\/li>\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide<\/li>\nShades:<\/strong> 1<\/li>\nDevelopment time:<\/strong> 4 to 8 hours<\/li>\nFragrance:<\/strong> fresh, subtle scent<\/li>\nLasts up to:<\/strong> 5 days<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Color Payoff:<\/strong> Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops<\/h2>\n\n
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Tan-Luxe<\/p>\n
The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why we love it:<\/strong> Listen, the Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops are it if you want a customizable glow that makes you look like you just returned from a Mediterranean getaway. They have everything a great facial self-tanner should have: skin-loving ingredients (hi, hydrating raspberry seed oil and vitamin E), two shade options, and a fresh scent.<\/p>\nAs far as application goes, we like mixing a few drops with our night cream (as we normally do with self-tan serums), and by morning, we\u2019re left with a natural-looking warmth\u2014no streaks or weird orange tint here! The smell? Almost nonexistent, which is a huge win in the self-tan world. Our testers noticed the glow lasted a solid four days, which is impressive, given how often we test the best face washes, exfoliants, and the list goes on.<\/p>\n
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\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis applying the Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops<\/p>\n<\/span>Angela Trakoshis<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/p>\nTrakoshis 9 hours after using the Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops<\/p>\n
<\/span>Angela Trakoshis<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Tester feedback from Trakoshis<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
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\u201cThis serum actually feels like skin care, so it\u2019s so easy to implement into your routine. There are no streaks or weird orange payoff, so it looks like a believable tan, and its long-lasting wear is also impressive.\u201d \u2014Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nType:<\/strong> drops<\/li>\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> raspberry seed oil, aloe vera, vitamin E<\/li>\nShades:<\/strong> 2<\/li>\nDevelopment time:<\/strong> 4 to 6 hours<\/li>\nFragrance:<\/strong> minimal, fresh scent<\/li>\nLasts up to:<\/strong> 4 to 5 days<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Exfoliating:<\/strong> Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face<\/h2>\n\n
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Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare<\/p>\n
Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face<\/p>\n<\/span>Lily Wohlner<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhy we love it:<\/strong> Dr. Dennis Gross\u2019s Alpha Beta Glow Pads really are as simple as swipe and go\u2014but they\u2019re doing much more than just delivering color. The pads exfoliate and tan at the same time, so skin looks instantly smoother and noticeably glowier within the hour. While exfoliating and tanning might sound counterintuitive, the formula uses a blend of alpha and beta hydroxy acids to polish skin while the encapsulated DHA takes effect and develops into a natural-looking tan in under an hour\u2014no rinsing required. Vitamin E rounds out the formula, keeping skin hydrated throughout the process. Think of it like exfoliating before a body tan, except this is a true two-in-one (and yes, there\u2019s a body version, too). We like using the pads twice a week as part of our exfoliation routine for a sun-kissed glow, no matter the time of year.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nWohlner before applying Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face<\/p>\n
<\/span>Lily Wohlner<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/p>\nWohlner four hours after applying Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhenever anyone asks me about my favorite facial self-tanner, I always point them to these. I usually use a mousse on my face when I do a full-body tan, but because I\u2019m constantly washing my face, it fades much faster\u2014these help keep my face just as tan as the rest of my body between full sessions. About three days after a full tan, I swipe one on to refresh my glow (I seriously get compliments every time) and keep everything looking seamless, without that harsh line. Major bonus points for how incredibly easy they are to use.\u201d \u2014Lily Wohlner, commerce writer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nType:<\/strong> wipes<\/li>\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> alpha hydroxy acid (lactic, glycolic, and phytic), beta hydroxy acid, DHA, vitamin E<\/li>\nShades:<\/strong> 1<\/li>\nDevelopment time:<\/strong> 1 to 6 hours<\/li>\nFragrance:<\/strong> minimal<\/li>\nLasts up to:<\/strong> 3 days<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Beginners:<\/strong> Saltyface Tanning Water<\/h2>\n\n
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\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> senior art director Ingrid Fowler applying the Saltyface Tanning Water<\/p>\n<\/span>Ingrid Fowler<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhy we love it:<\/strong> You\u2019d swear you were misting your face with a hydrating spray, but it\u2019s actually Saltyface\u2019s Tanning Water\u2014a no-fuss staple we reach for when we want an effortless glow. The fine mist delivers a natural-looking, streak-free tan, with two shades to choose from (Light to Medium and Medium to Dark) for a more customized finish. It\u2019s packed with skin-loving ingredients like aloe leaf and cucumber flower for hydration, plus calendula flower and linden leaf extract to support smoothness and firmness\u2014all without clogging pores (yes, it\u2019s acne-safe). We\u2019ve even spritzed it on our face and neck before heading to the office\u2014and at our desks for a midday refresh\u2014and come home looking like we just landed from a Caribbean vacation.<\/p>\nEditor’s note: This product recently got a packaging upgrade. It previously had both mist and dropper options (the latter shown in Fowler’s video), but now comes in a sturdier glass bottle with a singular fine-mist spray top.<\/p>\n
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\n<\/p>\nFowler before applying the Saltyface Tanning Water<\/p>\n
<\/span>Ingrid Fowler<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/p>\nFowler after applying the Saltyface Tanning Water<\/p>\n
<\/span>Ingrid Fowler<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n