20 Best Self Tanning Lotion For Pale Skin (Jan 2023 Update)

This is easy to apply, lasts a while and fades evenly. I've occasionally had the odd streak but that's only because I didn't blend properly. A lot of products can make me look a bit orange but this doesn't. I don't that you can build up the colour as I haven't tried to do this. I use to give a light colour. Very slight smell which is not at all overbearing even if you're sensitive (I am). I'd recommend this. Look out for the % discounts regularly on offer at John Lewis.Polly Bag

I brought this last summer after being told the hydra matte was gone forever, lucky for me my sister had a hydra matte she could not use so i got to finish hers before moving to this hydraessentiel recently. I went to a concession stand in a dept store as needed advice what to change to and lady recommended this. I was dubious when its call hydra for a start. What a badexpensive mistake this was. My skin is awful. It feels clogged and has broken out. Its oily than ever. I used a very small amount as with other products from Clarins. It is also very floraI in smell, which to me is a negative. I thought i would allow my skin to recover and try again as other factors effect my skin at difference times of month but no rechallenged and same thing. So disappointing.Anonymous

I’ve been trying out different self tanners and some smell so bad I won’t use them just for that reason. BUT This one actually smells nice! And it’s so moisturizing, I use it mostly on my legs in the summer because they don’t get sun like the rest of me. So this stuff is a must! Even for the pricier side of sunless tanner, it’s worth it. It’s gradual, so I apply after my evening shower, and by morning my legs have a nice tint. Would definitely keep buying this every year!Amanda

I have very fair skin and don’t tan often. I prefer a natural glow to a really heavy fake tan look and I am always weary of the outcome when trying new self tan products. I almost didn’t buy this product for fear of it looking too artificial on my pale skin, but I have used their tanning water products in the past and did enjoy them so I pulled the trigger. This is probably my favorite self tanning product now. I read many reviews before trying and found a lot of people said their tan looked best after 4 hours. I thought that being so pale, that would probably be a good guideline for me to go by so I set a timer but felt I didn’t have much color yet so I left it on longer. I ended up leaving it on for a full 24 hours and got the most beautiful, natural looking glow. I applied it with a tanning mitt, the one I used it the b.tan mitt from Walmart- I prefer this one because it has more of a flocked, plush texture that I feel gives a smoother blend. I prepped by exfoliating, shaving, and moisturizing dry areas with Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream. I feel this moisturizer paired really well because it has such a light and non-greasy formula. The areas I went over that I had moisturized prior looked well blended. After one use I got results that I absolutely love and I will be using it again today on my lower legs and upper arms to add a little extra warmth. This product also has a fine shimmer in it, giving the skin a healthy glow. As some others have mentioned, this butter does have a scent, I agree that it smells like cucumber, but I disagree that it’s too overwhelming or turns in scent. The scent didn’t bother me one bit and I felt like it wore off after about 6 hours. My hands and feet even looked natural. I just use whatever is left over at the end and graze over my hands and feet so give them some subtle color. Again, I feel like the specific mitt I use probably plays a big part in how smooth it looks overall. 10/10 would absolutely recommend!iamacmrn

I was very pleased with this product. I have tried countless self tanning products and this one I would definitely say is a self tanner and not just a gradual bronzing lotion. The only reason I give it four stars and not five is because it did not dry as quickly as I would’ve liked, I would say don’t put this on unless you have 2 to 3 hours to kill before leaving the house. I saw a lot of reviews that said that this product came out very uneven and I would say that’s probably because most people did not give it enough time before putting clothing on. As long as you exfoliate and shave this product will come out I’m good very evenly. As for the color it was a hint orange with one application. After the second application the color definitely got deeper and was more bronze. To fix the color after the first application I put on the Sally Hansen airbrush legs all over my body (I used “tan” color) which is my go to for a quick cover-up and the color was beautiful. The body butter was not completely dry so the lotion did flake off a bit in some areas but I was easily able to go over it and it was completely even. Doing this also helped the body butter dry a lot faster. For $25 this product is great and I will definitely be re-purchasing. What I also like about it is that the color fades very evenly, which is great because even when I shave and the color somewhat comes off it is still very even which is great for when you need to do another application. If anybody is going to try my trick with the Sally Hansen leg make up I would still do it when the body butter is still not completely dry so you see exactly how even it’s going to look when it’s completely dry. It honestly looks like I got a spray tan. So happy with this.Ohhviedo

For reference I have very pale Irish skin and I find the IOP light tanning water gives me the perfect colour. I decided to try this product as my skin is dry and I wanted to try a more moisturising formula. The first time I used it I hated it. The colour was too dark for me and the tan was patchy. I put it in the back of a cupboard and discovered it again a couple of months later and decided to give it another chance- the second time I was less heavy handed in my application and I worked it in well with a tanning mitt and I really liked the resulting colour. I liked it so much I would consider repurchasing. It was however very hard to squeeze the product out of the bottle. In summary- nice moisturising formula, not really a gradual tanner as the description would suggest and anyone with reduced function of their hands would not be able to get the product out of the bottleBronagh

I am a self-tan addict and I have tried many, many brands and product types over many years! I have high standards for how my tan looks and I hope my review is helpful! The body product is overall very nice but the price is less impressive when you realize how quickly you go through the bottle. The face lotion is nice too, but I'm not blown away and I don't like that it makes my face sweat profusely after application. The good: color result is beautiful and lasts a long time when compared to other brands (I swam in non-chlorinated water and it wore very well), non-streaking, no color guide is nice because it doesn't transfer onto fabrics, and it looks very natural. The bad: the product would only be a good price if there was double the fluid ounces in each bottle – I went through the entire bottle in only 2-3 applications and that was very disappointing (I'm not a large person). It does start to get splotchy on hands, between breasts, and elbow/knee ditches after a few days but I've never found a product that does not do that (I believe because skin cells naturally shed). I won't be buying the face lotion again but I will repurchase the body lotion. I will, however, continue looking for a product that is better because I'm not convinced that this is the best out there. Thanks for a great product tanceuticals, but please give us more lotion for our money!Lindsay

I, like many of you I'm guessing, have tried numerous self tanners. After a skin cancer scare a few years ago, I'm much more diligent about protecting myself from the sun but also love that tan glow. I bought the face tanning serum and the dark body tanning lotion. I have tried drugstore brands, Rodan & Fields, Beauty by Earth, Isle of Paradise, St Tropez, etc etc etc. I will say this self tanning lotion is my favorite. I'm still deciding on the face serum, but the lotion is a natural glow with less of an odor than others I have tried. I like that the face serum contains ingredients that actually help fine lines and wrinkles. I like that the body lotion isn't thick or "gooey" feeling and dries quickly. It doesn't stain clothes. And it seems to last longer and fade better than others I have tried. There's my review!Jennifer S.

I absolutely love this product! I am an avid self-tanner lover and have tested MANY different types and brands over the years. I discovered this brand and their products and decided to give it a try due to the great reviews. I can honestly say this has become the only self-tanner I use. I have used this product for about two years now and I kid you not, every single time I wear this I get a compliment on how good/natural it looks. I love the application, the smell, and how it does not transfer. This is the longest lasting fake tan I have tried and I will continue to re-purchase this time and time again.Carliece C.

i like this product. its the first one ive ever used. i applied it at night and by the morning the glitter was gone. there are a few places where it rubbed off so i need to be nore careful next time. also i probably wont put any on my feet next time. i used a makeup brush and that still wasnt a good idea. everywhere i used a mitt looks pretty good though. it is quite dark against my fair skin so for sure should have went down to light maybe but overall not bad. not a fan of the sticky ness while its drying but easy to get over when you just expect it. it didnt stay sticky. i do wish it dried a little faster. its very hard to get off though so while thats probably mostly a good thing.. its harder to get rid of mistakes.alucas

I'm so glad I found this at Walmart. I used this a couple yrs ago and loved it but have been unable to find it at the other drug store I shop at. The application is hard to mess up and if you exfoliate with both a scrub and a glove, it goes on so well and leaves an even glowy color to my skin. I use a cheap application glove to apply it. I've used soooo many sunless tanners and I am sick of the streaking ( mousse is notorious for streaking). I don't get the bad reviews on it being 'watery', mine is a thicker gel- like consistency. And this stuff is only $10. I would say this is Loreal's best product.KrisAz

If I could give this zero stars I would. I was excited to get this in the mail and try it I ordered it off Walmart.com. First of all I’m a pretty pale skinned person so I was looking for a little summer color without sitting in the sun all the time. This product does give pretty nice color I will give it that. I have no idea how this product has a majority of good reviews, in the instructions it says to wait until it dries before you get dressed and it literally takes so long to dry and while you’re waiting for it to dry you feel grossly sticky. The people that left these good reviews maybe they don’t mind feeling sticky, who knows. I hope I help someone else out before buying this product because it is a no go. I cannot sit around my house basically naked waiting for this stuff to take it’s good old time to dry and feel super sticky. I tried to stick it out for the second night but I couldn’t take it anymore I got in the shower and washed it all off. Please read this review before you buy this self tanner. I originally bought this because it had decent reviews and maybe a couple people said they didn’t like it and that’s it. Disappointed in this product…Tina

This self tanner really works nicely! It smells good. I have used self tanners in the past, but stopped because I felt silly walking around with streaks and it being visibly evident that I used a self tanner. Not this product- no streaks- really it blends in so well! I am fair skinned and this tanner looks fabulous! How to use this self tanner: 1. Shower and exfoliate (if you don't have a scrub you can make one out of bath salts and soap or use a loofah) 2. Apply lotion to rough areas- knees, ankles, and elbows 3. Strip down- and apply – be sure to rub all over (wash hands after about 2 minutes and then continue) 4. Let it dry and relax (***don't continue to rub it while it it working- after 10 minutes of drying let it do it's magic- hands off) 5. Reapply after three hours if you'd like 6. All done… now you look great! Try not to get sunburnt- it will peel off if you do. You will see how it bends quite naturally into the areas that you didn't tan. You will be buying more after you see how impressive you look! Stock up! This is my new favorite product! No more laying in the damaging sun rays!iHerb Customer

I've been using this self tanner for a few months now (my first time using self tanners) and I havent been happy with the results. It seems like there isn't a change in my color. After reading numerous reviews however, I think I need to start applying it 2-3 times a week until I see some color. I am pretty pale and went with the medium shade but I think I will try a darker shade. I do have to mention, after reading the numerous complaints about the change in your formula, I am confused. One of the selling points for me on this specific self tanner (besides banana boat being a long time traditional product brand for me) is that there is no guide color. I did a lot of research on self tanners and when companies use a guide color it seems to transfer onto absolutely EVERYTHING! I definately dont want that! I'm not a patient person and font have time to stand around sans clothing while my lotion dries! This product has yet to transfer onto any of my clothing, thank you for that! There isn't an unpleasant smell like some tanners have (although I wish this had a coconut scent) and the formula feels light and airy on my ski, huge plus as I cant handle thick, heavy creams. One i up my application amounts and get the darker shade I will leave another reviewNikki

I didn't even know it came with a tint since I just bought it this summer, so I can't comment on the lack of tint to guide the application ( would be nice tho). But I love that it's easy to apply without a lot of mess, it doesn't smell, it moisturizes my skin, has a nice color, and it's so affordable! I first use it on my face all over, then I use Lovingtan or Bondi with a foundation brush to highlight my forehead, cheeks, and along my jawline (especially along the jowls, lol) and bottom of my neck, as if I was applying bronzer. It beautifully contours my face but looks natural. Also, this hides my double chin and jowls, plus let's me look tanned without a lot of makeup…. very natural and pretty. Of course, proceed cautiously at first! But the best thing I like about this product is that I don't get that "suffocating" , heavy and sticky feeling other tanners give me. Nor do I look like a swamp creature! LolAmyG

This self tanner didn’t irritate my skin but it did make me orange and stained my nails! You need to wear gloves with this…in the directions it says simply wash your hands. Also it came out streaky and uneven. I don’t recommend sleeping with this on. I will never use this again. I had a horrible experience. The three stars are only because it didn’t cause me any allergic reaction. Maybe there is a special technique but this didn’t work for me at all. I’m blonde and have a fair skin tone.Monica

The color of this is nice, not Orange like some. Also it absolutely still have a scent but it is very mild and not bad – kind of like a coconut sunscreen type smell? Works well and I like how it’s not a drastic change, but gradual and subtle. I will continue using 🙂Heather H.

I was super excited to try when I got this product. I’ve used it a total of 4 times, I like the color however after only using it 4 times my skin started to react to the product. I broke out in hives. I became super itchy, it started on my legs, continued up my belly and then to my arms. I liked the “tan look” but it came off in the areas where I had intense itching. I have small scabs on my legs from itching so bad, I had to use hydrocortisone cream to help relieve the itching.Kat B.

I am pale skinned and discovered the old branded version of this product (in the bronze bottle) a year or two ago which was the perfect colour and always streak free. Was more like a body lotion in consistency so easy to apply. Saw the promotion on the new branded bottles so assumed was the same but just different packaging and snapped two up as I use regularly. Unfortunately I was very disappointed to find St Tropez have *completely* changed the formula as well as the packaging and lotion is now thinner, much darker and like the old school fake tans from years back☹️Applied it anyway to try it out and found it is really strong smelling, thin and watery to apply and worst of all goes on with a noticeable green tinge-had my family calling me Shrek for the evening whilst I waited for it to dry!!!! Unsurprisingly the next morning I washed the guide colour off (thankfully the green didn’t stay on my skin!) but I was left with streaky arms and legs…I m a seasoned pro at tan application due to the need to apply frequently in the summer as I don’t tan easily and despite this I still had noticeable whiter patches which means I can no longer rely on this as my ‘go to’ tan. Sadly I would no longer recommend-avoid!!!Ruby

This is the worst product I have tried from St Tropez. They discontinued the old gradual tan firming lotion and replaced it with this one. It instantly sets and stains, there is nothing gradual about it. I used my hand first as this is the way I used to apply the old formula. It instantly turned my hand a greenish black seven after repeated washes. I used my mitt to apply the rest and I didn’t rub in one area of my leg fast enough and same problem instant blotchy streaks. After letting it dry for 30 minutes I got dressed and it stained my clothes. WORST TANNER I HAVE EVER USED! If I could give it zero stars I would.milkey

Really loved using this product as i love using St Tropez gradual self tans and was interested in using this firming gradual tan . It smelt gorgeous on application and application was fairly easy to apply it to my arms and legs. It absorbed fairly quickly and dried pretty quickly and it developed over the next 6-8 hours and I noticed the tan was a beautiful deep tan colour but also very natural. Loved that one application was enough for a gorgeous glow. It was also streak free especially around my wrists and ankles and was really natural and not orange. It also didn’t have the strong biscuity smell of most fake tans. Loved that you can build up the intensity day by day and incorporate this into your daily routine. I knocked off one star because the lotion is very emollient and if you use too much of the product it takes a good 3-5 mins to rub into the skin as it turns white on application! I noticed the second time I used less product this didn’t happen, so use less and gradually build up the application to avoid this happening in future! But I loved the results and would highly recommend to my friends and family.EmmaC77

I have a VERY light complection so the sun and I are not compatible. I wear shorts and my legs glow in the dark so I really like to use a sunless tanner. I've tried all different kinds of sunless tanners and orange is not my color. This tanner does not leave me orange and I've even got compliments on it from good friends that aren't afraid to tell me like it is. Lol. You HAVE to exfoliate your skin before using ANY sunless tanner or you will have streaks. I followed the directions and used latex gloves for application. A small amount goes a long ways. It takes two to three applications to get the darkness I want. (Light to medium darkness) and then a small amount after showers to maintain it. It is pricey but I think it's worth it since everything else turns me orange. I really like this product.pinkwater62

I love this product. I am a fair skinned red head so finding a natural product has been tough… and I have tried! The product smells fantastic during and AFTER application, leaves few streaks with common sense application and last 3-5 days. Just perfect for a sun kissed look!jodi.s

This is my favorite tanning lotion I've tried yet. Have already bought 3 bottles. It doesn't leave you streaky or orange at all. Good for your face as well . It doesn't smell bad either. Has a light citrus kind of smell.it delivers awesome and even color. I won't buy any other tanning lotion but tan physics.angie.m

I love this product for its clean beauty and the light even normal non orange color it produced . I am pleasantly suprised. I don’t lay out in sun, my skin naturally becomes tan in late spring summer just walking my dog. I bought this to use for arms and legs before bathing suit season starts . Ease of use, no transfer , it drys in a few minutes and on first application it was very light . You shoukd exfoliate day before use and the best results . I did this and did a light spray on my arms and lower legs and chest. I wear my nails manicured and I even put on hands with a makeup sponge. Perfect.. just don’t keep spraying I find you spray in your hands and spread on fronts and backs of arms and legs . I wash my hands with a loofa type sponge so my palms are not orangey. If you use this and take your time , the results are so much better than other colored self tanners. I def recommend if you want some light sun kissed skin with capris and shirtsleeves try it. I have used the drops before but I like this for my face also. I spray with a headband on and spread with clean blending sponge, let dry and serum eyecreme moisturizer etc. it looks very natural and I only use an eye brightener and tinted sunscreen , look tan and no base needed for myself. I recommendStyleconcious

I have really pale skin and self tanning lotions or sprays have never looked good on me. Needless to say I didn't have very high hopes for these drops, but I am surprised to say I was proved wrong! These are a great choice for someone who has trouble getting an even look that doesn't look too orangey. Even though the bottle isn't very big it lasts quite a while. I found going conservative keeps you looking much more natural and gives the sun kissed look without an unnatural orangey appearance. If you use too much you may end up with the dreaded orange look. It's really easy to apply-just add a few drops to your normal body lotion or facial lotion and mix it up and apply like usual. For an even look I'd highly suggest to exfoliate properly beforehand, but even if you don't it applies pretty well and looks good when it's absorbed. The only downside to this product is that the tan doesn't seem to last a long time. It's there for about 3 days or so and then it's time to reapply. But because it's so easy to apply it's not too much of a hindrance. I also did have a slight amount of acne that popped up after use-although it may have just been my face reacting to a new product and it has since subsided just fine. Overall I'm happy with the product and will continue using it and will repurchase it.snarkshark

This is a great product! I got the exact tan I wanted, and it was simple enough to add to my lotion after my shower. It does have that typical fake-tanner smell, which I don't mind. It's not overwhelming, and it fades in a couple hours. Don't be convinced by the people who say this product streaks; that's just user error, and they don't know how to apply it properly. After showering and exfoliating my body, I used rubber gloves to apply it so my hands didn't stain. I squirt some lotion onto my finger, put about 5 drops (per area on my body) into my palm, then took my free hand to mix them together, and finally applied to each area just like I'm putting lotion on. No streaks, no patches, just a flawless, beautiful golden tan. This product does everything it claims, when used properly. BACKGROUND: Having said all that, I am not a fake-tanner. I don't have a lot of experience with it, I've never even been to a tanning salon (I'm 30). The most experience I have with fake tanning is a bottle of Jergen's natural glow I used at least ten years ago. I prefer the natural tan I get from being outdoors. However, I haven't had time to get outside as much as I'd like lately, and I've been craving that beautiful sun-kissed look. (Although, self tanner is just as harmful to your body as a sun tan due to the DHA or erythrulose in it, if not worse since you're not getting any vitamin D, in fact, it's depleting your body of the vital nutrient. I believe using it in moderation is ok, just as time in the sun in moderation is ok.) Now, I have a jump start on my summer bod! 🙂Liz6917

I have ridiculously pale skin. I am like a ghost. I am practically transparent like a deep sea fish. I don’t like tanning beds because I don’t want wrinkles. So rather than look like a starving Victorian child, I’ve used this in the past and I purchased it again last week. 1) be sure you wash your hands after you apply it or your nails will look orange af. 2) the dirty-sock smell only lasts a couple hours. 3) wait until the lotion dries before putting on clothing. It smells great upon initial application. My boyfriend kept commenting on it from across the room. He was very happy to make sure I got an even coat on the back of my body. However, after about an hour or so, I thought I was getting phantom dirty-sock smell. My boyfriend and I were driving ourselves crazy before we discovered that it’s the lotion that smelled like a middle school locker room. Perhaps I exaggerate, it wasn’t that bad. Just surprising is all. It ended up smelling just fine after a few hours. We suspect there are some chemical changes that effect the smell while the color itself develops. Otherwise, I love this product and it’s given me a very natural color. Hardly noticeable. Maybe some small patches in some areas but it’s kind of my fault for not being super even about the application. I feel kind of sunkissed, less Ike an orphan.bajabongwater

I’ve been using self tanner for years. In the past, the other Brand’s 1 hour tanner I had used required a lot of technique to look natural without streaks or dark patches. I had to work quickly and used regular lotion to dilute the areas that tan darker like the heel or knee area. I had to rub in vigorously, allow at least 15 minutes of drying time and wash the hands as quickly as possible. The process was stressful and I usually worked up a sweat doing it. The worst of it was the horrible smell my skin had as it processed the self tanner. I did this for years and got pretty good at it but finally gave up as I couldn’t handle the smell and the pressure to do everything perfectly for fear of embarrassing splotchy skin.I kept seeing this Jergens and the reviews. My legs aren’t my best feature now that I’m close to 50Years old so I decided To help the legs out with a tan. I chose Jergens because of the slow, buildable tan. I pleased to report the buildable formula is great. I was able to apply it without the pressure for perfection because the results were lighter. As long as I didn’t make the same “mistakes” repeatedly my skin developed a natural looking tan. It’s important to exfoliate every shower to prevent dark spots on old skin but that also means the tan comes off and you have to apply after every shower to keep up your color.The lotion itself has a nice feel and it rubs in smoothly and easily. The smell was similar to the tropical suntan lotions.As for the “firmer” skin claims… hogwash! Not true. Use this as a self tanner and don’t fall for magical claims of firmer skin.sheri.g

i like this product. its the first one ive ever used. i applied it at night and by the morning the glitter was gone. there are a few places where it rubbed off so i need to be nore careful next time. also i probably wont put any on my feet next time. i used a makeup brush and that still wasnt a good idea. everywhere i used a mitt looks pretty good though. it is quite dark against my fair skin so for sure should have went down to light maybe but overall not bad. not a fan of the sticky ness while its drying but easy to get over when you just expect it. it didnt stay sticky. i do wish it dried a little faster. its very hard to get off though so while thats probably mostly a good thing.. its harder to get rid of mistakes.alucas

I'm so glad I found this at Walmart. I used this a couple yrs ago and loved it but have been unable to find it at the other drug store I shop at. The application is hard to mess up and if you exfoliate with both a scrub and a glove, it goes on so well and leaves an even glowy color to my skin. I use a cheap application glove to apply it. I've used soooo many sunless tanners and I am sick of the streaking ( mousse is notorious for streaking). I don't get the bad reviews on it being 'watery', mine is a thicker gel- like consistency. And this stuff is only $10. I would say this is Loreal's best product.KrisAz

If I could give this zero stars I would. I was excited to get this in the mail and try it I ordered it off Walmart.com. First of all I’m a pretty pale skinned person so I was looking for a little summer color without sitting in the sun all the time. This product does give pretty nice color I will give it that. I have no idea how this product has a majority of good reviews, in the instructions it says to wait until it dries before you get dressed and it literally takes so long to dry and while you’re waiting for it to dry you feel grossly sticky. The people that left these good reviews maybe they don’t mind feeling sticky, who knows. I hope I help someone else out before buying this product because it is a no go. I cannot sit around my house basically naked waiting for this stuff to take it’s good old time to dry and feel super sticky. I tried to stick it out for the second night but I couldn’t take it anymore I got in the shower and washed it all off. Please read this review before you buy this self tanner. I originally bought this because it had decent reviews and maybe a couple people said they didn’t like it and that’s it. Disappointed in this product…Tina

I love Bondi Sands. Fantastic application. I am half Greek and have always tasted easy. I am an archaeologist, geologist and paleontologist. So for years have worked outdoors. Like my Dad I have a love of the sun. However, I try to be careful and supplement my natural tan with color from your products. As I age, unfortunately, I see sun damage, loss of pigment or white spots. Your products keep me looking good and feeling good and camouflage my flaws. None of us are perfect and I cannot live without color. Keep up the good work. Can you invent a more waterproof version????Tara P.

Best results I've had from a self tanner. I've always hated the foam versions because they're extremely sticky & you have to sit like still otherwise it'll streak. This product is cream based so it's very minimally sticky, smells nice, and easy to apply. I exfoliated then applied once out of the shower, then a second later 30 min after as suggested on directions. Went to bed and woke up with the PERFECT tan. Get the ultra dark version. I didn't use gloves as suggested, and woke up with very black hands but it washed away easily with a little scrubbing in the shower. You gotta try this bestiesTabby

Like heck this is a "gradual" tan. I got this brand because it seemed the most mild and gradual, would only apply a very small amount of tint each application, and that I would just very slowly start to see results to ensure that I could be streak free and natural looking. Let me tell you – I blended ultra thoroughly, waited 10 minutes to dry, and now my arms look like a watercolor painting. Maybe I blended too thoroughly and it made the tinting agent clump or something? I'll see if I can dilute it for a more even application…Courtney

I would not recommend this product to anyone with sensitive skin. Please do the skin test before applying all over and wait up to 48 hours before washing off. I used this all over and now I have hives from head to toe after 24 hours. I'm on 2 different antihistamines and I had a steroid shot this morning. I also have 2 steroid prescriptions, one oral and one topical. The nurse said that I may have to go back for another steroid injection in two days. This is so bad, please do the skin test.

Aside from the hives, the results were orange and streaky. Once I showered I was pale again. You should look elsewhere if you are looking for a long lasting natural looking even bronzed skin tone.Lynnea Massey

Grabbed this off the shelf at my local pharmacy. I tried to like this product I really did. This is a very thick formula It took a lot of effort to work it into the skin, mind you I have extremely dry skin that absorbs everything …except for this. The smell wasn't too unpleasant and I haven't noticed any staining on my clothing. After applying the product it took some time to dry down and when it did It was sticky for quite a while. The end result was very streaky and artificial looking, very orange on my already tan skin especially in the daylight. I also noticed that it made the bottom portion of my legs look very splotchy accentuating the razor stubble, I have tried it on freshly shaved legs with the same result.. Is it buildable? Yes. But the question is, do you really want to build on an already orange looking tan? There are much better sunless tanning products out there, (Please see my other review for L'Oreal). I will not repurchase this. I have always enjoyed Neutrogena products but this one is a swing and a mess I mean miss. Save your money!jackie.c

It smells so bad and no matter how much you wash it the smell wont go away. Cover it all you want, the smell still comes through. I usually use Australian Gold sunscreen, which smells so good I wear it as perfume, so I thought this would be similar. My head is throbbing from enduring this products smell for so long. Absolute nightmare.Sasha Crosthwaite

I have to say the people who gave one stars are clueless about self tanners! You have to get a mitt and rub it in!!! it isn't rocket science, you don't just spray it on and go, come on people! It rubs in VERY well with no streaking or staining to hair follicles like so many that I have used. I have bought so many expensive tanners and this actually is now my favorite! The reviews are ridiculous that are one star as you can tell the people are clueless about self tanners!Themillerfamily

I saw the lower reviews for this tanner so I had to add my review. Hopefully it will help! Ok I have used almost every self tanner and this is my absolute favorite. Here’s a quick rundown of my process… 1. Exfoliate A LOT in the shower. 2. I apply a sunless primer gel in the shower( the kind that corrects your ph before spray tans), let it sit for two minutes 3. After toweling off, I use my regular lotion all over ( Jergens 48 hr smooth) 4. I lounge around for maybe 20-30 minutes to cool off and let the lotion soak in. Sweating will be a big problem after tanner application, so I make sure to cool down completely. 5. I lay down an old sheet so I don’t make a mess. 6. I start at my feet, spray one leg at a time… right after I spray my leg, I use my tanning mitt to rub everything in really well. 7. I do the same for each body part 8. Once everything has a first coat, I spray some tanner straight onto the mitt and pat it into areas that need a bit more, like tan lines from natural sun, down the sides of each leg to contour a bit, etc. all you need to do is spritz some onto the mitt and pat it around in a circular motion. 9. Then I stand in front of a fan or under the ceiling fan until I’m totally dry. That’s it! Yes it’s a lot, but all the steps take a lot less time than scrubbing off a botched tan. This product fades so evenly I only have to do it once a week. For me, the color match is so close to my natural tan I use it to even out my color from my jawline down to my cleavage ( am I the only person with a neck that refuses to tan?!?) For reference, I do tan pretty dark and have yellow/olive skin tone. There’s no gross smell that lingers, and be prepared that the bronzer will rinse off the next time you shower. I love this stuff so much I will never buy another brand. Period.Rivrottr

Honestly, I don't understand how some people do not like this self tanner. It is THE best color and doesn't streak for me. People, USE the mitt, do not try and apply this with gloves or bare hands. As long as you shower, exfoliate and apply this to completely dry skin you will not have any issues. I am olive toned complexion so the color guard works better for me than most. Try a little bit at a time and really learn to buff with the mitt. Overall, I always come back to fake bake. Absolutely love this original lotion and the smell is very bearable compared to other self tanners.PKG

I received this product to review. I was very nervous about using a Fake Bake after an awful result many years ago with a different self-tan branded product and yuk the smell! I took the plunge and tried Fake Bake on my legs using the gloves provided. There was a guide colour but this faded after a while so I wasn?t sure if I had applied it properly. After a few hours, I was delighted to see a very natural light tan. The smell wasn?t too bad and easily washes away. Now I have seen the results, I will be trying more to deepen the colour. I?m extremely impressed! No wonder this product is out of stock at the moment, especially on special offer. I would gladly purchase in future and consider other products in the range.weloveocado!

I have tried tanning in tanning beds but I do not tan very well and I do not like the spray tans. They stain my feet too bad. I have also tried many different sunless lotions and some were okay but nothing I really wanted to continue using. A friend recommended this lotion so I thought I would give it a try. It is wonderful! It smells bad at first but the smell quickly fades. I love that the color of the lotion is really dark. This helps with rubbing it in really well so you can see where you missed or where you left too much. I also like that you can use a baby wipe to wipe an area you didn't mean to get the lotion on. The coloring the next morning is wonderful. It's definitely not orange looking (at least on me). It's a more deep golden tan. It's hard to describe but I am loving it. I can even put this on my feet and it doesn't stain or splotch up the ankle area. Great stuff!!!cashley1016

This self tanner really works nicely! It smells good. I have used self tanners in the past, but stopped because I felt silly walking around with streaks and it being visibly evident that I used a self tanner. Not this product- no streaks- really it blends in so well! I am fair skinned and this tanner looks fabulous! How to use this self tanner: 1. Shower and exfoliate (if you don't have a scrub you can make one out of bath salts and soap or use a loofah) 2. Apply lotion to rough areas- knees, ankles, and elbows 3. Strip down- and apply – be sure to rub all over (wash hands after about 2 minutes and then continue) 4. Let it dry and relax (***don't continue to rub it while it it working- after 10 minutes of drying let it do it's magic- hands off) 5. Reapply after three hours if you'd like 6. All done… now you look great! Try not to get sunburnt- it will peel off if you do. You will see how it bends quite naturally into the areas that you didn't tan. You will be buying more after you see how impressive you look! Stock up! This is my new favorite product! No more laying in the damaging sun rays!iHerb Customer

I've been using this self tanner for a few months now (my first time using self tanners) and I havent been happy with the results. It seems like there isn't a change in my color. After reading numerous reviews however, I think I need to start applying it 2-3 times a week until I see some color. I am pretty pale and went with the medium shade but I think I will try a darker shade. I do have to mention, after reading the numerous complaints about the change in your formula, I am confused. One of the selling points for me on this specific self tanner (besides banana boat being a long time traditional product brand for me) is that there is no guide color. I did a lot of research on self tanners and when companies use a guide color it seems to transfer onto absolutely EVERYTHING! I definately dont want that! I'm not a patient person and font have time to stand around sans clothing while my lotion dries! This product has yet to transfer onto any of my clothing, thank you for that! There isn't an unpleasant smell like some tanners have (although I wish this had a coconut scent) and the formula feels light and airy on my ski, huge plus as I cant handle thick, heavy creams. One i up my application amounts and get the darker shade I will leave another reviewNikki

I didn't even know it came with a tint since I just bought it this summer, so I can't comment on the lack of tint to guide the application ( would be nice tho). But I love that it's easy to apply without a lot of mess, it doesn't smell, it moisturizes my skin, has a nice color, and it's so affordable! I first use it on my face all over, then I use Lovingtan or Bondi with a foundation brush to highlight my forehead, cheeks, and along my jawline (especially along the jowls, lol) and bottom of my neck, as if I was applying bronzer. It beautifully contours my face but looks natural. Also, this hides my double chin and jowls, plus let's me look tanned without a lot of makeup…. very natural and pretty. Of course, proceed cautiously at first! But the best thing I like about this product is that I don't get that "suffocating" , heavy and sticky feeling other tanners give me. Nor do I look like a swamp creature! LolAmyG

In reference to my title "why are you so orange?" this was a question posed to me by my grandmother when she saw me this morning and sadly I'm in agreement with her HOWEVER it doesn't mean this is an entirely bad product and I will explain why. Firstly and perhaps most importantly (for me anyway) is Bondi Sands stance on what it means for a product to be pure… with the rise in products containing natural ingredients, being vegan friendly and containing responsibly sourced ingredients brands have started demonising chemicals such as parabens and fragrance which are perfectly safe for use on skin by calling them "nasties" and "toxic". Bondi Sands Pure pertains mostly to it's responsibly sourced and recyclable packaging saying that you can pop the bottle straight in the recycling bin when it's done, they've also made it clear that the ingredients they've left out are ingredients that are troubling for some individuals such as fragrance- some people find fragrance triggers migranes for them for example but fragrance is of course skin safe. It was refreshing to see a well known brand being responsible with the word Pure and what it means for their products. Now a little disclaimer before I talk about application, I did a weeks worth of preparation, I moisturised daily, exfoliated a couple times, shaved and made sure dry areas were moisturised prior to tan application but I do have an ongoing issue with Keratosis Pilaris (KP) think chicken skin but as a skin condition. I've had this since having my baby last year and I'm trying to tackle it but this can be an issue when it comes to the overall finish of a self tan. The instructions are printed crystal clear on the back of the product's very attractive bottle, nice easy steps, just squeeze straight onto the skin and distribute in sweeping motions using a mitt. The thing is the formula doesn't contain a guide colour so it's very tricky to judge where you've been and whether you've put enough on certain areas, this was a particular problem when it came to my wrists, typically I would use a large buffing brush and using a small amount of product I would blend the product into my wrists, hands, ankles and knees, this has always worked well for me but I kind of felt blind with this product. The formula has no artificial fragrance it just smells of chemicals but in a good way, initially I couldn't detect the typical stuffy self tan smell but as it developed and even now a few days later I get little a whiff of it here and there- nothing on the level of a typical self tan though. Alas I was satisfied that I had covered the whole of my body and waited about 5 minutes before I felt it was "touch dry" a vast improvement on the 15 minutes I would wait with a typical self tan. About 3 hours into development I didn't really notice much of a change, I'm quite pale normally and I still felt quite pale, I could detect something of a glow on my arms but nothing much was happening below my shoulders. After about 6 hours it's like I went from subtle glow to errrr… tanned we'll say- LOOSELY. The colour didn't develop very evenly, there were the tale tale signs on my wrists and my knuckles, my knees were a bit of an obvious giveaway, the colour didn't take to some of my mid section particularly well, there are bands going across my tummy that took the tan and there are bands that are paler. I didn't take the product to my face, instead I opted to use the spray and I'm pleased to say both formulations worked in cohesion with eachother, there were no obvious signs on my neck that show any sort of shade intensity change from where I used the spray, it just blended together nicely. The thing is though I could be quite happy with the faults this product has presented, from the tale tale signs on my wrists, knuckles and knees to the awkward banding on my torso, but the developed shade is not suited to my skin tone. I'm pale, there's no two ways about it, I'm usually one of the first three palest shades in any foundation with a tiny bit yellow warming me up and this product is quite obviously orange on me, not offensively orange where I dare not go out in public but enough to know I'm getting ribbed about it by the family, I'm more than happy to see this application through to the end without hiding though. The tan started to crack on my hands within the first day due to covid hand washing, this can't be avoided but I'm pleased to say that the tan is holding up well, it didn't obliterate into scales despite the continued washing, and as promised by the brand who says the transparent formula means it won't transfer onto fabrics I can hand on heart say this has been true for me, I sleep in white bedding, wear white sports bras and white tops and haven't found any transfer. If you're already somewhat naturally tanned this will be a great product for you, but for me the shade was off and that's quite a significant factor in a self tan, it also made my KP appear a lot more red than usual. Forelorah-jayne.d

I received these products for free from Influenster and Bondi Sands in exchange for my honest review. The packaging is very innovative and represents the brand well. The smell is very pleasant not overpowering like many self tan products. There is no pump as such and so I found the liquid didn’t turn into foam each time I tipped it down so need to be quite careful when applying but the bottle is quite handy and easy to hold. There’s no colour guide but I don’t believe it’s needed with this product, it makes it easier to dress up straight after the application without colour transfer. Big plus! The application was easy, I used a mitt and buffed the product in circular motion. It dries very quickly which is amazing, there is no sticky feeling like with some other tanning products. Colour was nice I have far version but it’s very golden and natural. It doesn’t dry out the skin, there is a little smell the next morning as it develops but nothing major or disturbing. Definitely can tell the ingredients are skin friendly and skin care like. Overall I recommend it the only con is the applicator as the water is runny so you need to keep tipping it up and down to get the right amount of foam. I did use one coat only and I feel that’s more than enough. I love the packaging is fully recyclable. I would probably prefer it to be c-through so you can see how much product is left but it’s not a big issue. I’m impressed with the results. In comparison the other Bondi Sands range I find this range the best as it’s not as drying and the results are more even and natural. Highly recommend.iwona.h

I followed the directions on the bottle exactly, between using the right hand motions to spread out the product, how to prepare skin beforehand and how long to leave it on. 1. while putting it on, it was impossible to tell where I had already applied the product (like, if I had any missing spots) because it goes on clear. 2. I used the same level of darkness I always use in the foam version. This product turned me carrot orange, and literally is impossible to scrub off my skin. I've been using self-tan remover every single day for a week, and its still super patchy, ugly and not budging. I work in a hospital, so I'm constantly washing my hands and using heavy-duty sanitizer. I have a nickel-sized spot of tanner that somehow ended up on my palm. I have no idea how its still there. 3. it said to wait until the product was touch-dry before putting on any clothes. It took me 45 minutes to an hour, standing in a well-ventilated room, in front of a box fan, before I was able to dress. The bottle said 15 minutes.. I swear I didn't over apply any product, I have no idea why it took so long! Very disappointed in this product. I always loved all of their other ones, but this stuff is useless and a waste of money. For the love of God, please, please, do not buy this.A Cheetoh Woman

If you have fair skin like me and want a natural looking tan, this is the product for you. If you want a super dark tan, this is not for you. There is a green tinted guide color in the mousse to help you apply evenly so you will look extra dark and streaky until you rinse off in the shower. Once it washes off it's obviously lighter but more natural looking. Then it gets a little darker over the next 8 hours or so. The people complaining about it being streaky when first applying and color washing off in the shower didn't read the description on the bottle because it's supposed to do that. Also yes, I agree it is sticky and has a smell until you rinse off but I've never tried a self tanner that doesn't have that. I put on loose clothes after a couple mins despite the stickiness and have never had issues with transfer. I always apply it when I plan to not leave the house for a few hours. I've tried a lot of self tanners and have stuck to this one for the last year because it's the easiest to apply (because of the guide color), has the best end result color (not orange), and I like that I only have to have it on for 3 hours. I apply once a week and the big bottle lasts me over 2 months.Ali429

The self-tanner itself is a fantastic product. Beautiful and easy to blend. And simple to put on. The smell is passable-neither its fantastic not awful, but it doesn't matter. I have really sensitive skin and its gentle on it. Neither a burning not itchy sensation. Didnt produce any inflammation or pain. The tan has a nice, silky mousse consistency. Sharp lines are simple to perceive, and you can tell where you have applied it. Many additional tanning treatments,including ad moisturizers, make it difficult to detect where you have applied them, preventing the formation of sharp lines once you have browned. You have varied time restrictions while using self-tanner depending on the shade you want. If your skin is very fair, one hour will give you a faint tan. It takes 2 hours to achieve a lovely medium look, and three hours to achieve your distinctive look if you have dark skin. Other then that, the self-tanner is a simple and quick product. I would definitely advise you to purchase!!!Taniesha10

I first tried St Tropez about 15 years ago when self tanning at home started to trend more, it was the best then and it's the best now. I've tried all the major brands over the years, the expensive £30 ones and the cheap £5 ones and none of them compare to the OG – St Tropez. The formula is so silky it simply glides onto your skin and blends so well with a mitt, it really is fool proof. It smells nice as you apply, it's not overwhelmingly fragranced. I won't deny there is the tell tale fake tan smell as it develops but I just think whatever brand and whatever the packaging boasts you cannot get away from the smell, however with the St Tropez it isn't as strong. I leave it on overnight as I like a darker tan which this achieves without looking orange. It develops to suit my skin tone. It fades pretty evenly without going patchy, but you often get a build up in the creases of your body, again that's the same with all tan so I often scrub these areas a bit harder of loosen with a body oil. I highly recommend it.Charlotte

I was promised amazing things with this tan, so I’ll start with the good… The colour is nice – the green/grey base stops it getting *too* orange (though there are less orange tans out there), and as promised the smell is pleasant. I’m naturally very pale and the medium was plenty dark enough. That seems to be where the good stuff ends. I always ensure I prep properly for tanning with my shaving/exfoliating/moisturising routine, so that was not the problem. I do have dry skin, so I always make sure to moisturise every day as instructed on the bottle. However, 2 days into wearing this tan, my arms and legs looked absolutely RIDICULOUS. So so SO patchy, I looked like bubble wrap with the amount of white holes that were appearing all over me. So I knew it had to come off… fat chance of that happening. Soaked myself in baby oil for an hour, had a long, hot bath and then scrubbed in the shower. Did not budge. It took THREE showers worth of scrubbing just to take *some* of the colour off – good if you don’t want it to come off, but terrible if you do. I had to wear long sleeves/trousers in hot weather for a week whilst I tried every day to eventually scrub it off. It stained my bedding like no other tan has – baring in mind I didn’t sleep with it developing as I don’t like to stain the sheets with my tans. But even after the first several rounds of scrubbing it was still turning my sheets bright orange. Sadly would not recommend this tan and disappointed that I wasted so much money on it.Emily B.

My daughter and I were willing to spend top dollar on an excellent self tanner to ensure we had a nice, sunkissed glow prior to heading on vacation. The reviews online were great but, we were skill a bit skeptical. Our skin hadn't seen the sun in a while (although we weren't completely pale) so, we spent days trying to decide on medium or dark. It was a tough choice but, we settled on Medium to error on the side of caution. I also added the bronzing face drops in Medium as well. Much to my surprise, the product lives up to all the wonderful reviews. We succeed in achieving our sun kissed glow and I've had several people ask where we spent our vacation and compliment my tan. I even catch people checking out my bronzed legs (because the tan looks that good, not just my legs)! I've managed to convince several others to try Coco & Eve and feel like I should be a rep for the brand. I'm sold and if you arent yet then, you're missing out! Happy brushing and bronzing!Stephanie L.

I got this a month ago and wanted to give it a good proper testing before writing my review. I have tried a lot of tanning products, some work well, some not so much. So i wanted to test this on its build up and its lastability. OK, so applying is simply, just like any moisturiser, rub it in to the skin, preferably after a shower in my case. Please remember to wash hands after as otherwise leaves a slight stain, also it can stain clothes, so avoid light colours while still damp, but for my legs this was good. Nice even glow after a night of developing. No streak like you find with fake tan. I used it again a couple days later, again leaving over night to sink in and the tone darkened slightly. I like how it left me with a dark gold tone. Meaning my legs are now matching my arms!! So I repeated these steps for about two weeks to build up the colour, before leaving it altogether, to see what the fade was like. Considering I use an expoliating sponge when showering, the fade wasn't a dramtic drop to pale. It lightned up after each wash, but took about a week and a half for it to completely wash out. So fair to say the build up and fade takes about an equal length of time. At least for me. P.S. I'm of mixed heritage, but edge more towards the pale/fair side of the scale. Unlike the warm gold of my mother. Hence the choice of the darker of the two tones.Kimmie9002

!ought this the other week and tried it on the same day. Noticed my skin looked a tiny bit darker by the end of the day (applied late morning). Then on that same night after a shower i applied two layers of it and went to sleep. Woke up and it was already quite dark which is what i wanted so it works super fast, i thought i would have to apply it for like two weeks straight to build up a tan. Although when first applied it smells good, it will eventually smell like regular fake tan no matter what. When it fades, it fades slightly patchy but overall pretty decent.ilovedilfsandmattyhealy

This product is my go to subtle tan. Im dark skinned anyway so sometimes a deep or dark tan just looks too much on me Its not as in your face such as other tans on the market so its great if you want a natural look especially on your face. I find using tanning mousse or instant tans too much when I use on my face Ive used this for years and it goes on so easy like a moisturiser. Its also white like a moisturiser Only thing is wash your hands straight after applying as itll leave residue and make your hands a dark colour over the space of a day. Theres a slight tan smell but smells OK tbh. Its a gradual tan so will keep working throughout the day use daily to keep it topped up. One thing I have noticed is that if I use on my legs which are quite dry anyway, it doesnt keep them moisturised which is why Ive given 4 star. All in all a great product from dove and Id highly recommend itAnonymous