It often feels like the best accessory for any summer outfit is a golden, glowing tan. As much as we love the bronzed, radiant look of a natural tan, we know that long-term sun exposure and skipping daily sunscreen are not good for our skin’s health.
Some of us — myself included — also struggle to get any sort of natural color from the sun, having been blessed with sensitive skin that burns and peels if left unprotected. For over a decade, I’ve been relying on self-tanners as a safer, quicker way to achieve a beautiful tan, right from the comfort of my own home. They’re excellent for getting a seasonally sun-kissed look during the summer months, but you can also use them to amp up or sustain your skin’s glow year-round.
The options for at-home self-tanners have only grown in recent years, as new formulas and brands come to market every season. To find the best self-tanners currently available, I recruited 10 CNN Underscored staffers to help me test 20 tanning products across several categories. We found plenty of formulas we’d reach for again, but for our top spots, we focused on the products that delivered the best color payoff, user experience and longevity while also offering solid value. Ahead, we’ve gathered our testing results to help you decide on the best self-tanner to fit your needs.
