16 Self-Tanners That Don't Leave My Fair Skin Orange or Streaky

This nourishing tanning water encourages you to choose the formula you want based on your skin tone, not how deep you want the result to be. Light/Medium is for people with red or pinkish undertones that burn easily, while Medium/Dark is formulated for olive or darker tones that tan easily. 

Pros: Customizable to your skin tone, provides a radiant glow

Cons: Expensive

Customer review: "I really enjoyed this product because it was easy to apply, and it smelled good as well. It didn't stain my hands or transfer to anything, but it gave me the desired result of getting more tan. I would recommend this."

Personally, I'm a big fan of this deeply nourishing and moisturizing body butter. I have dry skin, so any rich lotion immediately makes my skin feel more quenched, and a lotion self-tanner is super easy to apply (and doesn't require a glove). This formula also has color-correcting properties to make sure your tan looks natural, not orange. 

Pros: Doubles as a nourishing body butter, helps with dryness and uneven texture

Cons: Strong smell

Customer review: "It's incredibly easy to use. You can't mess it up! I'm really not very skilled at self-tanning, and I've used so many products that have left me splotchy and streaky, so I was so surprised and pleased that this one looked pretty amazing after my first use. It's subtle, which I like, but it's a buildable formula. It totally evens out your skin tone."

If there's one product I love above all others, it's in-shower body lotion. It's the easiest and smartest way to apply body lotion, in my opinion. That being said, I was skeptical of a wet-skin self-tanning body lotion because, in my mind, that translated to tons of streaks. In practice, though, this lotion delivers a buildable, gradual tan that looks so natural on the skin. It has over 7000 five-star reviews on Amazon for a reason. 

Pros: In-shower lotion and gradual tanner in one, provides a natural glow

Cons: Application can be uneven if you're not careful

Customer review: "After using this one time, I can immediately, and I mean immediately, see the difference. I love the way I look. It's subtle after one use, but it's a world of difference to me. I am very excited to keep using this, and I love how confident it's made me feel."

This bronzing water feels light and refreshing when you glide it onto the skin. After one application, it develops into a light, natural-looking tan. The formula also hydrates. 

Pros: Clear water-foam formula, hydrating formula

Cons: Not fragrance-free

Customer review: "I have fair to light skin, and this is amazing for a natural tan. Highly recommend." 

Who doesn't love a multitasking product? This self-tanner imparts a natural-looking glow while defending skin from environmental aggressors and pollutants. A blend of oils (like black currant seed oil) works with vitamin F to keep skin glowing and healthy.

Pros: Helps protect skin against environmental stress, contains a blend of hydrating oils, supports healthy skin barrier function

Cons: May not be suitable for acne-prone skin

Customer review: "I did not think D-Bronzi would work for me. I am the palest, pinkest person ever, and I thought this would turn me into an Oompa Loompa. Nevertheless, the instant it launched on Sephora, I ordered it anyway. This is indeed instant sunshine. Even on my porcelain skin, it imparts the most stunning, natural glow."

Self-tanning wipes can be tricky, but these are by far the best option on the market if you like the ease of a pre-soaked pad. Infused with exfoliating ingredients, it brightens skin while it delivers a streak-free, even tan. 

Pros: Pre-soaked pads are easy to use, brightens the skin

Cons: None

Customer review: "Great! Easy to apply. Dries quickly. Does not look like a fake tan."

Here it is—the most customizable way to self-tan. Add anywhere from two to 12 drops in your foundation, skincare, or body lotion for an all-over glow that is as tan as you want it to be. 

Pros: Great option for the face, contains other skin-brightening ingredients for a natural glow

Cons: Small bottle size

Customer review: "I am kind of obsessed with this stuff. I love self-tanner and have tried my fair share of them all. I mixed about three drops per lotion application. I did each leg, arm, and body part separately. Basically, how I apply lotion—just adding the drops each time. Two drops for my face and neck lotion. It left me with a beautiful, natural-looking tan."

This foamy mousse has a golden guide color and sinks in quickly. Since it's an express tan, you can shower off the guide color in one to four hours, depending on how deep you want your tan to be. The result is a super-even tan with a neutral undertone.

Pros: Hydrating formula, streak-free, develops quickly

Cons: None

Customer review: "Tanologist's Express Tan is extremely fast-acting and long-lasting. Easy to apply, and the effects are fast. I have had nothing but positive results. No issues of it smearing, transferring onto clothing, no irritation. An amazing product with spot-on results and no orange tint."

Swap your usual body lotion for this tan-boosting one, and watch a subtle glow develop as you continue to use it. As your skin gets more tan, aloe vera and vitamin E also help soften and nourish, which in turn gives your tan more longevity. 

Pros: Doubles as a nourishing body lotion, great for everyday use

Cons: Not fragrance-free

Customer review: "I'm a very pale woman. I was looking for something that wouldn't turn me orange, and this stuff is perfect! This is a nice subtle glow with a light tan."

The secret to this formula's flawless tan is all in the base color. It's developed with a green-gray base to curb orange tones, ensuring you look naturally bronzed. 

Pros: Hydrates and firms the skin, unique base color ensures a flawless tan

Cons: None

Customer review: "I bought this after doing a bit of research on self-tanners (I was pretty nervous to try self-tanning again after many failed attempts from the mid-2000s). I am fair-skinned, redheaded, freckled, and super freaked out about streaking and orange-looking self-tanners. Having said all that, this one is a winner."

Many express tanning products can end up looking too harsh on extremely fair skin, but St. Tropez's formula delivers a seamless glow. If you want a subtler and natural-looking color, shower after just one hour of letting this self-tanner develop, and wait up to three hours for a deeper (but still natural-looking!) bronze. 

Pros: Lightweight formula, controllable development results, great for all skin tones

Cons: Heavily fragranced

Customer review: "This is the best self-tanner I've found. Been using this one for years. Goes on easily as a mousse texture does, dries fast, and doesn't stain clothes after you let it dry a short time, about five minutes. Leaves a nice dark brown tan."

Don't let the words "oil mist" scare you—this self-tan won't leave your skin feeling greasy or oily. In fact, it absorbs nearly instantly and leaves skin with an even-looking glow. 

Pros: Contains nourishing plant oils, gives you an even-looking glow

Cons: Expensive

Customer review: "Amazing, buildable, even color. Doesn't smell. Doesn't dry out your skin and is actually moisturizing."

After applying this tanning mist, it dries within minutes. Not only is this perfect if you're tanning before putting clothes on, but it's also helpful if you decide you want your color to be a bit darker—you can apply more right away.

Pros: Quick-drying formula, great for a quick tan

Cons: Strong smell

Customer review: "I absolutely love this product. Drying time is very quick, so you are basically able to mist and go. The color is on point, and there are no streaks. Definitely my new go-to tanner."

Shea butter, sweet almond oil, and safflower oil work to hydrate and nourish skin, while this self-tanner imparts a non-streaky, natural-looking bronze. 

Pros: Affordable, no streaks, provides a natural-looking bronze glow, hydrating

Cons: Can turn hair orange if you aren't careful

Customer review: "As a natural redhead, my skin is pasty, and there is no amount of sun that's going to make me tan. I just get really dark freckles. A lot of sunless tanners are a bit much because my skin starts so white, but this stuff isn't dramatically dark and is more like a little tint you can build on, which makes mistakes less noticeable too!"

Get a (faux) tan while shielding your skin from the sun's harsh rays. This sunscreen is SPF 30, but thanks to self-tanning ingredients, you'll end your day in the sun with a safer tan.

Pros: Contains SPF 30 sun protection, hydrating formula, formulated for daily use

Cons: Expensive

Customer review: "This is a must-have in your skincare collection. I always use it and have never been disappointed. I have tried so many others in my 30 years but never anything as good as this product."

This Clarins gel has long been a favorite among the beauty editor cohort. It's easy to apply, is long-lasting, and makes you look tan instantly while never appearing orange or blotchy. 

Pros: Easy to apply, quick-drying, plant-based formula

Cons: Expensive

Customer review: "I have been using this product for about eight years and have been very pleased. It is easy to use, and you get a really nice tan without an awful odor."