Which Self-Tanners Are Really Worth It
I am naturally a very pale person and even though I live in Southern California, I try to stay away from tanning outside because it can lead to skin cancer and premature aging. With that being said, I am no stranger to self-tanners, I have tried so many different brands and formulations so I feel I can tell you which ones are worth it and which ones are not. I felt it was easiest to just rank them on a scale from 1 to 10 and give my honest review.
St. Moriz 10/10
This is my all-time favorite self-tanner that I have tried! I have used both the medium and dark shades and love them. These are more red-based tanners so I find they look the most natural on my skin. The color stays for about a week and fades very gradually.
Bonus: This is only $12.99 which is amazing for a self-tan mousse so I would 100% recommend this tanner.
Jergens Natural Glow Healthy Complexion Daily Facial Moisturizer 10/10
This is honestly just a great moisturizer in general, I have really dry skin and this always makes me feel super hydrated. The tanning effect is super minimal so it won’t give you that orange tint that is just dreadful. With that being said, I personally don’t notice a huge difference in the color of my skin but, every time I am consistent about wearing this I get so many compliments about my skin and people telling me I look tan. Maybe it’s because it is so gradual that I personally don’t notice a difference on myself but it clearly must be working. Jergens is a staple drugstore brand so it can be found anywhere and at a great price.
St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse 7/10
This may be an unpopular opinion because so many people swear by this but I do not believe this is worth $42. My biggest issue with this tanner is that it is a green-based tanner and doesn’t give the most natural color. This tanner will give you a dark tan color but it looks like a fake tan it doesn’t look natural like you were laying out in the sun. I also do think that this fades a bit on the patchy side but it does last you about a week. I give this a 7 out of 10 because it does work and gives you a good tan but I don’t think it is worth it for that price.
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist 7/10
The St. Tropez facial spray is actually a pretty decent product, it smells like a tropical destination so it is quite pleasant to use. The spray bottle produces a very fine mist to ensure an even distribution instead of droplets on your face. The color is very slight and subtle so you would need to use this every day to notice a difference. Although I have not tried this myself, I have heard that people recommend using this as a makeup setting spray as well. Along with other St. Tropez products, it is a bit more expensive for a self-tanner but it will last you forever.
b. tan tanned AF Self Tan Mousse 6/10
This tanner is one that I have mixed feelings about because I really want to love it but I always have issues when wearing it. This does give me the darkest tan out of all of them but it fades very quickly and when it does it is extremely patchy. Even though the bottle says it is a one-hour express, you will not notice anything after an hour so be sure to wear it overnight. If you are only needing a tan for one day then I would recommend this because it does give you a great tan for a brief period of time.
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer 5/10
This is an okay product, it does give you a gradual tan as it says but it does take a few days to appear. The lotion also has a pretty intense smell, nothing crazy but it does have a chemically smell. Be careful when applying this because if you don’t wash your hands right after or wear gloves, your hands will turn orange. This product is good if you want to get a slight glow or maintain a tan you already have.
Ulta Self Tanning Express Tan Tinted Mousse 4/10
I am not a fan of this tanner and although it is a good price, at only $12.99, it is just meh. This tanner takes quite a while to dry down so it feels uncomfortable wearing it and it also has a very strong coconut oil scent. Once you have left it on long enough for the color to develop, it does look like a nice tan but the color is practically gone after you rinse it off in the shower. I would not recommend this just due to the scent and how the tan does not stick and soak in.