If you're after a tan of any kind, the safest way to achieve one is by faking it. This is all well and good if you're a dab hand with fake tan, but it can be challenging to find products that will give a natural-looking glow and be streak-free with paler skin.
Finding the best fake tan for pale skin is no easy task. If you go in all guns blazing, you may end up with a colour that's too dark for you or one that leaves streaks and patches. The easiest route to go down is to forgo layers of fake tan and instead opt for a gradual tan, that not only hydrates your skin as you go but will gradually match your skin tone for a subtle golden glow.
What Are Fake Tan Drops?
There are numerous fake tan for pale skin options out there thanks to an expanding market with brands taking the time to cater for different skin tones. These now include fake tan drops, (we love the Tan Luxe Drops as well as the James Read Tan Drops).
Fake tan drops, a serum-like formula rather than a mousse or cream, normally come with a pipette top, that you can use to drop the formula into your everyday moisturiser or serum.
Start with one or two drops to make sure they suit your skin, and you can build up as and when you like. A few drops will turn it into a subtle gradual tan experience, a few more and you can expect a greater colour boost. It means you can create your own bespoke fake tan experience from your own home.
The world of fake tan has come a long way since the first tan mousse, tanning milk and instant bronzing incarnations that hit the shelves way back when, and we're pleased to say that there are a whole host of endlessly perfected formulas ready and waiting to give your skin a summer glow-up.
Whether you're trying to bespoke that all-over holiday glow or simply want to even up your skin tone, there's a product that will suit your skin tone and skin type.
Just remember to wash your hands straight afterwards, it's easy to get complacent when merging your fake tan favourites with your skincare!
Best Fake Tans For Pale Skin 2023
www.boots.com
Description
The best way to get started with a full-body fake tan is with a colour-correcting product. You can leave this on all day to develop without it transferring to your clothes. Afterwards, wash it off to reveal your gorgeously glowy skin.
Why we love it: The formula has added hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to nourish the skin and lock in moisture.
Our review: "St Moriz has long been providing some of the best fake tan products at an affordable price, and with this tanning mousse, you won't have to fear getting it wrong because it adds peach undertones for warmth on paler skin. It glides on easily and you just need to wash the guide colour off after it's developed to leave you with a gorgeous colour."
While we're obviously serving up our edit of the best fake tans for pale skin in the business for your viewing (and shopping) pleasure, we couldn't let a fake tan feature pass by without throwing in a few pieces of much-valued application wisdom here and there. Needless to say an even and long-lasting faux tan requires a little more know-how and prep than a quick and cursory application - no matter how good the product.
www.next.co.uk
Description
If you haven't already tried Sienna x, it's what most professionals use when they're doing at-home treatments. If you want to get that effortless glow, go for the Sienna X self-tan water mousse - or, take it from us, get an official Sienna X professional to come to your home and spray tan yourself for you. Effortless.
Why we love it: Sienna X has everything you could ever need from your tan, including Sienna X-trained professionals who can go mobile and come straight to your home.
Review from Caitlin Casey, Senior Beauty & Fashion Product Writer: "If you can't help but want a full and professional spray tan before a big event or going on holiday, you have to get to know the Sienna X brand. With hundreds of professionals who can come straight to your home and give you the full whammy spray-down, they're a go-to for getting your tan on. Choose a selection of colours based on your skin tone - all you need to do is exfoliate beforehand like you would if you were going to the salon. Don't knock it until you try it, because these tans look true-to-skin and will have you glowing."
Description
A spray dry-oil tanner? Yes, please. The spray applicator makes this oil self-tanner super easy to apply and get to those hard-to-reach places.
Why we love it: The dry-oil formula means it dries quicker than other products on the skin. Perfect for impatient tanners.
Our review: "Never have I ever had a more even tan than with this dreamy, soft-scented dry oil mist. Granted, I spritzed on A LOT, all over, from top-to-toe but once you massage it in and leave it for a couple of hours the golden-olive tan is just flawless."
www.lookfantastic.com
Description
Our review: "This stuff is amazing if you're not wearing white. It's more make-up for your skin than an actual fake tan – but if you want a quick touch-up on your legs, this is the stuff for you. It's super easy to apply, makes your legs look amazing and lasts all night."
If you've never used fake tan before, you could still just about manage to put this on with your eyes closed and emerge with a lovely, even tan. It's that easy to use.
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Description
Why we love it: As well as a self-tanner, it's also a colour corrector, so makes skin look a lot more even.
Beauty Bay review: "I’m extremely fair and it’s the perfect colour tan for me, it smells lovely, and isn’t sticky, though because it’s a spray-on water, it’s hard to tell where it’s been applied to and where it hasn’t so it was a tiny bit patchy for that reason." (we recommend still using a tanning mitt even with a spray product to avoid problems like this!)
www.sephora.co.uk
Description
This luxurious self-tan cream is expensive but lends limbs a gorgeous golden glow while deeply moisturising skin.
Why we love it: As well as the deluxe tanning formula, the scent is a total treat. It's fresh and floral - and totally void of any biscuit smell.
Sisley site review: "I loved everything about this product. This is the best self-tan I have ever had. Moisturises and goes on smoothly."
www.lookfantastic.com
Description
This gradual tanner is beautifully lightweight and quick-absorbing. It's a great option for those with pale skin still wishing to harness a golden glow.
Why we love it: Fear patchiness? This tanning milk blends aloe vera and vitamin E to help nourish and hydrate skin - no flakes in sight.
Sephora review: "Never really liked the idea of faking tan.. but after seeing reviews on this one I tried to give it a go! Best decision ever as I have the tan glow without looking orange."
www.lookfantastic.com
Description
This express self-tanning mousse develops in as little as 30 minutes - meaning no dirtying your sheets.
Why we love it: It's brimming with skin-loving ingredients. Think ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, to the skin feeling soft and supple for up to 24 hours. Dreamy
Look Fantastic review: "Smells amazing! You only leave it on for 30 mins and it leaves a lovely golden colour, no green in sight! None of that horrid biscuit smell! "
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Description
This face tanning mist is brimming with antioxidant to brightens - expect a light, holiday ready radiance in under six hours.
Why we love it: It's a holiday must have. It's dinky in size meaning you can pop in your purse and glow on the go.
Cult Beauty review: "Smells amazing! You only leave it on for 30 mins and it leaves a lovely golden colour, no green in sight! None of that horrid biscuit smell! "
www.lookfantastic.com
Description
Dry, lacklustre skin? Massage this luxurious serum into your skin for your most dewy, hydrated glow yet.
Why we love it: It is packed with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, which locks in moisture and softens skin.
Lookfantastic review: "I really like this and have recommended it to friends. It’s easy to apply and the added bonus is it is moisturising. It’s quite dark and the first time I used it I wasn't that careful so I ended up with a few streaks but now I know that it’s a deeper colour, a little bit of care and attention to wrists and hands and it’s all fine."
www.spacenk.com
Description
These luxe drops of golden joy are SO good - expect lots of 'where have you been?' comments after application.
Why we love it: They contain raspberry seed oil and Vitamin E to keep skin soft and hydrated whilst delivering that natural, sun-kissed tint.
Space NK review: "I am new to the whole self-tanning malarky - having been put off by various disastrous attempts in my youth! But self-tanning technology has really evolved. These drops are so easy to use, particularly as you just add them to your body lotion. I only use on my body and also only use a couple of drops to start with and build from there and the effect is a lovely, natural-looking sun-kissed glow.
Behold our foolproof fake tanning tips. Ready, set, glow!
How To Apply Fake Tan On Pale Skin
Always Prep
Don’t wax before tanning as this will open pores and leave you looking more plucked chicken than chic.
Always remove makeup, deodorant and perfume.
Exfoliate 24 hours before - concentrating on feet, knees and elbows.
Use a cotton bud to apply Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £29, around nails, brows, lips and hairline to stop the tan taking.
Treat Your Face Separately
The skin on your face is a lot more sensitive than the skin on your body. A lot of fake tans for your body will irritate your complexion, whether it's because of the level of DHA in there or even a heavy fragrance. There's also the fact that you tend to wash your face more frequently and more thoroughly than your body, so the fake tan will fade much more quickly, and you'll often end up topping up separately anyway.
There are of course so many options out there when it comes to fake tanning your face, from our beloved drops to wipes and mists - and even formulas you apply with a kabuki buffing brush - it's all about finding what works best for you.
How To Keep Your Fake Tan From Fading
What's the use in cracking the art of fake tan application if you can't keep your new, even glow for more than a day or two? Maintaining that stellar work is key, and it also keeps your skin prepped for your next application. Here's what to keep in mind.
1. Tans become uneven due to dehydration, so moisturise daily to reduce patchiness and ensure an even fade. Drinking your recommended daily amount of water helps, too.
2. When wearing fake tan, steer clear of oils. That means no essential oil-packed shower gels, no body oils, no face oils etc. Oils break down fake tan quickly and can strip you of your glow in no time.
3. Avoid chlorinated pools or hot tubs. The chlorine found in swimming pools can also rapidly dissolve your tan so head to the ocean for a dip instead.