If you're after a natural, believable bronze, look no further than our round-up of the best gradual tanners.
Far more forgiving than many one-off fake tans, gradual tanners slowly build up colour each time you use it. This way you can start off with less and gradually apply more to build up intensity without a streak in sight. The result? A sun-kissed golden glow. Fake tan, in comparison, creates instant results that are often more noticeable than a gradual tan.
Now that the weather is hotting up, and skin is now on show we wouldn't blame you for wanting to get bronzed, especially if you have naturally very pale skin. But reaching for a bottle of the fake stuff is always key.
Jules Von Hep, tanning expert and founder of Isle of Paradise says, 'Having a tan is like having an injection of confidence. Limbs look leaner and a sun-kissed glow makes everyone look healthier. Tanning can be daunting for novices, but there is no need to be reluctant with a gradual tan.'
Acting Beauty Director Verity Clark credits Tan Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self Tan Serum, £36 as the best gradual self-tan for face.
The Best Gradual Tan: At A glance
Best all-round gradual tan: Tan Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion, £25
Best gradual tan for pale skin: Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk, £14.49
Best budget gradual tan: Dove DermaSpa Summer Revived Self Tan Mousse, £11.49
Best luxury gradual tan: Sisley Self Tanning Hydrating Body Skin Care, £108
Best gradual tan for face: Tan Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self Tan Serum, £36
How Should You Apply Gradual Tanners?
'Always exfoliate and moisturise before tanning, but not right before – give your moisturiser time to sink into the skin before applying your tan, otherwise, it will just sit on the surface,' advises tanning pro Amanda Harrington.
'Apply a heavy-duty moisturiser or a little Vaseline on areas like the inside of your arms, elbows, knees and ankles that are susceptible to a build-up of colour and are usually the problem spots for at-home tanning.'
And finally, don’t forget to use a mitt to apply your gradual tanner or wash your hands well after application – nothing says ‘This colour’s from a bottle!’ like tell-tale orange palms…
Grazia's Rachael Martin swears by Tan Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion, £25 for holidays.
How we tested them
Formula: When it comes to gradual tanning, considering the formula is where we like to start. Texture is everything, for starters. If it's sticky on the skin, we won't include it here. We want our gradual tan to feel nourishing and moisturising but never tacky. We also ensure that we consider all ingredients, and have flagged any that might not work with more sensitive skin types.
Value for money: We've said it before, and we'll say it again. We truly believe that a premium price tag won't always equate to a premium product. Here, we've sought to include a balance of excellent gradual tanners suited to all budgets.
Results: It's obvious, but when it comes to testing gradual tan we something that will mimic a beautiful, natural looking glow. That means no streaks, and no orange tone.
Longevity and wear: To make this list, each gradual tan had to last at least five days before it starts to fade. When fading, we wanted to ensure there was no tiger-bread finish and no patchiness. When the time came for removal, it was vital that any remaining product scrubbed off easily without irritation.
Other reviews: We also took other online reviews from independent buyers into consideration, too. This allowed us to fully consider potential pros and cons of each gradual tanner.
SHOP: Best Gradual Tan 2024
Best all-round gradual tan
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
This gradual tan is, unusually, a lotion and oil hybrid. Just a small amount delivers a natural, buildable colour, plus the texture is featherweight and silky making it comfortable to wear.
Why we love it: 'This is my favourite gradual tan of all time,' says Grazia's Rachael Martin. 'As a beauty editor I've tested a lot of tans, but this one is always the one I revert back to. Just one application is enough to leave me with a subtle my-skin-but-better radiance. A second layer? Well then it's an all out golden tan. Take the time to blend it in and it's fool-proof. Trust me.'
Site review: 'Love this for light, daytime everyday tanning… goes on easy and no streaks and smells amazing. I also use this sometimes over the top of my normal fake tan through out the week… prolongs my tan as it’s moisturising and also tops up the colour a little. Love the raspberry scent!'
Pros
- Non-sticky
Cons
- Formula is milky so pours out quickly - be careful
Best for a deep tan
www.boots.com
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze creates a soft glow for all year long.
Why we love it: Palmer's formula gradually builds a subtle tan within a few days, while nourishing your skin, it is perfect for all year round. And it smells like chocolate!
Site review:'I bought this a couple of months ago and I'm so glad I did! Tans always look patchy on my dry skin so I thought I'd give this ago and it was amazing. It applies like a normal moisturiser when left over night it gives you a healthy glow after 3 nights a good tan highly recommended.'
Pros
- Grazia's Rachael says, 'This one gives me a great glow after just one application.'
Cons
- The chocolatey smell is far from subtle - so it might not be more everyone
www.libertylondon.com
For a real skin treat, try this rich self-tan cream that smells sensational, sinks in speedily and develops into a golden (not orange) even tan.
Why we love it: This tan by Sisley is perfect for those of us who want a tanner with both essential oils and active ingredients to provide rapid and long-lasting hydration and improved moisturisation. Comes with macadamia oil.
Site review: 'I loved everything about this product. This is the best self tan I have ever had. Moisturises and goes on smoothly.'
Pros
- Nourishing and rich without being sticky
Cons
- Expensive
Best budget option
www.boots.com
This lightweight tanning mousse hydrates and moisturises while it adds a gradual glow. It also blends incredibly easily and gives a gorgeous glow that will be mistaken for a natural tan.
Why we love it: The product has a non-greasy formula meaning that it won't lay on your skin heavily after application. Its moisturising properties soak into the skin for up to 48 hours after application.
Site review: 'I only bought this today and already I can see the difference, it's true what it says on the description no streaks, grease or stains on anything. Absolutely love this product already.
Pros
- Fast absorbing
Cons
- Some reviewers say the medium-dark option still requires two layers
Best for pale skin
www.lookfantastic.com
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."
Pros
- Brimming with soothing ingredients - great for longevity
Cons
- Also has a chocolatey smell - might not be for everyone
Best for dry skin
www.boots.com
You can skip moisturiser altogether when your gradual tanner has this many skincare benefits
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Why we love it: Featuring an innovative moisture-locking system, the lotion keeps skin hydrated for up to 72 hours while delivering a radiant tan.
Site review: 'I am fair-skinned but tan over time and have always used a gradual tanner to begin the summer. This product is the best I have used in terms of colour, fragrance and longevity. I use a tanning mitt, which is important to the overall outcome on my skin, but this is forgiving and blends very smoothly even when applied in a rush.
Pros
- Brimming with skincare benefits
Cons
- Some say it will take a double exfoliation session to remove it suggesting it may cling to some skin types more than others.
Best for travelling
A luxurious gradual tan that deeply moisturises skin and can be built up for a more intense finish.
Why we love it: It creates a streak-free, luminous and golden tan that lasts for days. The jelly formula is extremely easy to blend in to create an even layer and the sweet almond oil moisture skin and smells amazing.
Site review: 'Purchased yesterday and delivered today. Excellent product and I have used it for some time. First class service highly recommend.'
Pros
- Smooth, creamy texture
Cons
- Some reviewers say the biscuity smell is quite strong while the tan is developing
Best for sensitive skin
www.boots.com
The latest launch from Isle of Paradise, the brand's gradual self-tan already has the seal of approval from TikTok influencers.
Why we love it: Beautifully lightweight and never sticky, it's fast absorbing and infused with a myriad of skin loving goodness - think a hefty dose of Vitamin C, Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid.
Site review: 'I saw this was new in store so I tried it instead of my usual moisturiser tan and I’ve got to say this is my new favourite!!! I never leave reviews but the gorgeous tan this gives me is just too good not to share. Also its such a big bottle for the price, I love ittttt.' High praise, indeed.
Pros
- Non-sticky
- Available in a light option
Cons
- The clear formula means you should spend some extra time blending
Best new gradual tan
ellaandjo.co.uk
Whether you're after a subtle radiance or a deeper, darker hue, this gradual tanning moisturiser works a treat. Expect beautiful, sheen-laden skin.
Why we love it: Ella & Jo's newest launch is brimming with skin loving goodness - think hydrating glycerin, plumping hyaluronic acid and nourishing squalane for a tan that leaves skin looking glorious long after that golden tan has developed. It's impressive stuff.
Pros
- Available in light-medium and medium-dark
- Vegan
- Pregnancy-friendly
Cons
- We're still waiting for customer reviews as it's just launched
Best Gradual Tan For Face
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Made with patented 'Transparent Tanning' technology, users of this serum can expect a sun-kissed radiance that never feels 'mucky.'
Why we love it: 'Self-tan is not my beauty forte,' says Acting Beauty Director Verity Clark. 'Too much faff, too high stakes. However, I make an exception for Tan Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self Tan Serum which I can kid myself is just an extension of my skincare routine. A few times a week I switch out my usual serum for this. A couple of drops applied pre moisturiser gives my skin the same hydration I expect from my serum but there’s an added tanning agent so over time a lovely, and crucially, natural glow appears. If you’re in the market for week-in-the-sun-colour skip to something stronger but if subtly sunkissed is you’re jam then this is fuss-free and fool proof. Even for the most tanophobic.
Site review: I swear by these face tan drops I always look healthier when I’ve been using them and they don’t irritate my acne prone skin.
Pros
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Sometimes the dropper can be tricky
FAQs
Makeup Artist and Ella and Jo Co-Founder Charlene Flanagan comments on the Do’s and Don'ts of Fake Tanning:
Do Prep 24 hours before: Before applying fake tan, we would recommend doing all your prep work in the lead up to application, hair removal, hydration & exfoliating all to be done at least 24 hours before you apply your Hydrate & Glow for a flawless and even looking tan every time.
Do Use a Tanning Mitt: Invest in a tanning mitt. This handy tool ensures a smooth and even application, while also protecting your hands from staining.
Do Blend Well: Take your time to blend the product evenly across your skin, take it section by section starting from the legs upwards. Use sweeping motions to ensure a seamless finish. Leave hands, feet & face until last.
Do Wait to Shower: While all gradual tans develop at different rates, (our gradual lotion requires at least 4-6 hours to develop fully, for example) resist the urge to shower or sweat excessively during this time to prevent streaking or uneven fading.
Don't Skip Patch Testing: Before applying fake tan all over your body, perform a patch test to check for any adverse reactions. Apply a small amount of product to a discreet area and wait 24 hours to ensure compatibility with your skin.
Don't Forget to Prep: Rushing through the preparation process can result in a patchy or uneven tan. Take the time to exfoliate, moisturise, and remove any unwanted hair before applying fake tan for best results.
Don't Neglect Your Hands and Feet: The hands and feet are telltale areas that can give away a fake tan. Use sparing amounts of product on these areas and blend carefully to achieve a seamless finish.
Don't Panic if Mistakes Happen: Even the most experienced fake tanners make mistakes from time to time. If you notice streaks or uneven patches, don't worry! You can just reapply your gradual lotion onto these areas & you'll see a blend within 4-6 hours.
Don't Wear Tight Clothing Immediately: Tight clothing can rub against freshly applied fake tan and cause streaking or smudging. Opt for loose, breathable clothing until your tan has fully dried and developed.
Don't Forget SPF: Fake tan does not provide protection against harmful UV rays. Always wear minimum SPF30 when spending time outdoors to protect your skin from sun damage and premature aging.
How Long Does Gradual Tan Take To Develop?
It depends on the product. Some take a couple of hours while others may take a full day.
Does Gradual Tan Wash Off?
There’s no need to worry about your golden glow disappearing after a shower or dip in the pool, as long as you’ve left your gradual tanner on at least 4-8 hours before. We recommend applying after a shower so the product has a good amount of time to sink in and work its magic before you wash again. If you’re on holiday and in and out of the pool or sea it is probably best to apply in the evening or before bedtime. To keep up a solid tan you can use your gradual tanning moisturiser on a daily basis.
Can You Use Gradual Tanners On Your Face?
Gradual tanner can be used all over including your face, however, you might want to consider using a gradual tanner designed specifically for the face. These tend to come with added skincare benefits tailored specifically for the skin on our face like hyaluronic acid and vitamins.
Can You Tan Through Gradual Tan?
Yes, you can. Gradual tanners have no SPF protection (unless otherwise specified) which means your skin is fully exposed to the sun. It is, therefore, crucial to wear a full spectrum SPF suncream on top of the gradual tanner if you're planning on going outside.
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Junior Beauty Editor. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism.