9 Best Self-Tanners To Try At Home in 2025

With all the stats about sun damage, skin cancer, and ageing skin, are we still going to go for tanning this summer? Yes, darling, we are, cos no one wants to look pale or pasty while wearing our favourite bikinis. So, we are going to do a no-sun self-tanner right at home. You can easily do this by yourself if you have the right self-tanner product.

But do self-tanners truly do the job? Yes, they do. They give you a more natural-looking tan and also protect your skin from sun damage. But how do you know which self-tanner is good and safe for your skin? Well, you don't, and that's why you need a guide like this, with a list of the best 9 self-tanners that can level up your summer glow. If you're ready, let's go.

9 Best Self-Tanners to Try at Home in 2025

1. Coola Organic Sunless Tan Firming Lotion

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A good self-tanner to try at home is one that does the job of skincare, self-care, and self-tan, all in one. Just like the Coola Organic Sunless Tan Firming Lotion. It is a gradual tanning lotion that cares about your skin and not just about the tanning. And with its light tropical scent, you won't even believe you're applying a self-tanner.

This self-tanner doesn't work instantly; you'll need to give it a couple of days before the results start showing. But trust me, when it shows, your skin will be looking like it was naturally sun-kissed. As one of the best self-tanners, this Coola lotion comes with caffeine, pea extract, and Alaria Esculenta extract so your skin can be firm, smooth, and well-nourished. The only deal with it is that it comes with only one shade, but if the shade is what you want, then you should go for it. 

2. +Lux Unfiltered N°36 Tanning Mousse

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If you don't have the patience for a gradual self-tan and you'd prefer a tanner that works within hours, then you should use the +Lux Unfiltered’s N°36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse. Trust me, within two hours, you'll already be seeing the results. And by eight hours, your skin will be fully tanned.

This self-tan mousse is packed with so many natural ingredients like shea butter, Vitamin E, sunflower, jojoba seed, papaya, cocoa seed, and hyaluronic acid that make sure your skin is smooth, nourished, hydrated, and also tanned. To apply it is very easy, but you'll need to be very careful so you don't miss any spots on your body. But for an instant, self-tan that also cares for your skin, N°36  works just fine.

3. Isle of Paradise Medium Self-Tanning Body Drops

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As one of the best self-tanners, the Isle of Paradise Medium Self-Tanning Body Drops is not your regular traditional tanner. It isn't a mousse or lotion, one shade. In fact, you can even customize your drops depending on how deep you want your tan to be. And when you're done, just add some drops to your daily body lotion, and watch it work its magic.

This self-tan drops is made with caffeine, baobab, and oat extract that soothes, smooths, hydrates, brightens, and strengthens your skin. And within 4 hours of application, you start to get your natural tan, which can last for up to 5 days without fading. But since you're applying it with your cream, you should always remember to wash your hands immediately after, so your palms don't end up catching the color. Apart from that, this self-tan fits into your daily body routine perfectly.

4. Loving Tan Platinum 2 HR Express Tanning Mousse

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If you want the darkest, most flawless tan shade that looks like you spent your days wearing a velvet bikini in the Maldives, then you'll love this Loving Tan Platinum 2 HR Express Tanning Mousse. This mousse is lightweight and very easy to apply to your skin. And within two hours, you can rinse it off and enjoy your tan.

But it doesn't end there. As one of the best self-tanners, this Platinum shade continues to deepen for almost 24 hours even after you've rinsed it to give you that ultra dark bronze that looks so natural. Beyond the tan, this mousse comes with body care products like caffeine to help make your skin firm and stronger. If this is your first time tanning, I won't recommend this cos although it is easy to apply, the deep shade might be too much for you.

5. Saltyface Tanning Water

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You may have heard of self-tan oils, mousse, and even lotions, but have you heard of self-tan water? This tanning water by Saltyface is what you need to take care of your skin properly and still get the right tan. It doesn't even feel or smell like a tan, but if you use it consistently for three days, you're sure to see the difference.

This Tanning Water comes with Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Green Tea Extract, and Hyaluronic Acid, so it hydrates and protects your skin while gradually toning it. In fact, you can even use it in place of your moisturiser or add it to your daily lotion to make it easier to use. If you're worried about breakouts, there's no need to be with this product cos it is safe and doesn't cause irritations. As long as you remember to wash your hands when you're done applying, you'll get a tan that looks more natural than store-bought.

6. Self Tanning Milky Lotion - Face + Body Self Tanner

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If you're a true skincare girlie, then you'll need to turn your self-tan into a skincare routine. And that's why you'll need the Self Tanning Milky Lotion for Face + Body. It is a lightweight, nourishing body lotion that doesn't smudge or stain your clothes or sheets but still tans you perfectly. 

It comes with Aloe Vera, Organic Fig Extracts, Erythrulose, and a blend of naturally derived DHA to make your skin soft, smooth, hydrated, and golden. If you use it consistently for a week, you'll gradually get and maintain the golden tan shade you want. And if you already have a tan, you can still use this milk lotion to add more color to it. As one of the best self-tanners to try at home, this milky lotion gives you a truly natural and believable sun-kissed tan.

7. B.tan Too Tan To Give A Damn

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If you feel like you haven't found a tan deep enough for you, then check out this B.tan Too Tan To Give A Damn mousse. It is B.tan's darkest self-tanner, designed to give you that deep bronze tan within an hour. And if you want it to be darker, you just leave it for one more hour. This mouse is lightweight and spreads smoothly on your skin.

It is vegan-free and safe for almost every type of skin, so you won't get any reactions or irritations when you use it. The only thing you'll get is a clean, deep bronze tan. Once you rinse it off, it doesn't stain or transfer to your sheets or clothes, and it's bold; it still looks natural. But this Too Tan To Give A Damn self tanner is for only the girly who wants to get a dark bronze tan as soon as possible.

8. Self Tan Towelettes

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Self-tanners are getting better and better, so if you don't want the stress of using mousses or lotions, you can always go for the TanTowel® Self Tan Towelettes. You can use it on every part of your body. Each towelette is soaked in a clear solution that gives you that tan in about 4 hours. It won't stain your sheets if that's what you're worried about.

Just wipe the towelettes on your body and let them dry. By the way, it dries very fast, so you won't have to wait too long for it. As one of the best self-tanners, these towelettes come in three shades depending on your skin tone and the kind of glow you're going for. So you can apply and reapply it until you get the shade you want.  

9. Typology Self-Tanning Serum

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This Typology Self-Tanning Serum (L31) is a luxurious self-tanner you can use at home to get that natural-looking tan. It is lightweight and non-greasy, so you can apply it to your body directly or mix it with your daily moisturiser instead.

This Typology self-tanner is made mostly from plants, so it takes care of your skin as much as it colors it. It even comes with a 10% DHA derived from natural sugars and Carob Pulp Extract that gives a sun-kissed glow without you entering the sun. And within six hours of applying, your skin will be soft, hydrated, and well-tanned. If it's your first time self-tanning at home, this is the product you should be going for.  

Conclusion

You don't need to sit under the sun for so long just to get that sun-kissed glow when you have all these amazing self-tanners at your doorstep. It will save you that stress, and it is a more affordable and safer way to get that sun-kissed beach look without the beach trip or sunburn. But the secret to keeping your tan looking good is the aftercare.

Always nourish your skin with the right body oils, lotions, and moisturizers. Don't use any harsh scrubs so the tan doesn't fade faster. And if you don't mind the wait, stick to using a gradual tanning lotion; it gives you a more consistent look. But regardless of your choice, these best self-tanners will give you that healthy bronzed glow from the comfort of your home. So which one would you choose?