PSA: You can elevate your bronze while getting all the benefits of your regular skincare routine. Yep, you read that right. The best tanning drops for your face and body are serious multitaskers, imparting amazing skincare action, all while gracing you with a gradual golden glow. Not only do tanning drops give you a bronzed hue, they also allow you to create a made-to-measure shade that caters to your specific skin tone. Choose the number of drops by the desired depth of self-tan. The more drops, the darker you will go. Once you're set on a shade, mix into other skincare products like your day or night cream. Some formulas can even be blended with serums and oils. Before applying any fake tan, it's important to prep your skin by exfoliating and cleansing before applying. Washing your hands immediately after is integral to avoid any unsightly orange patches.
By Gabrielle Dyer, 29 March 2022
How we choose the best tanning drops
Our foray into finding the very best fake tan drops left no stone unturned. With so many formulas to get through and so many features to consider, we had to cross our Ts (for tan, obv) and dot our Is before shortlisting our favourites. Contrary to what many believe, fake tan is not simply a one bottle fits all situation. Different skin types require different things. For example, sensitive skins need minimal irritants and calming ingredients. The best face tanning drops are not necessarily the same as the best tanning drops for your body. Of course, we've evaluated all the key elements of a great fake tan: whether or not it fades quickly, if it goes streaky or if it has that tell-tale biscuity smell. Rest assured, we've also assessed the variation of shades and considered customer reviews and beauty expert opinions. Here are the ones that came up trumps.
What are tanning drops and how to use them
Now that you know how we select our top performers, it's time to discover a bit more about the glow-giving solutions. First things first: what are tanning drops? Unlike traditional fake tan, tanning drops are to be used in conjunction with your skincare. The beauty of these solutions is that they allow you to customise your colour. Knowing how to use self tanning drops is simple. Rather than applying directly to your skin, mix them into your go-to moisturiser. The less drops you add, the lighter your tan will be. Blending the drops into your skincare also saves you time and lets you gradually build up a seamless tan. As with all fake tan, be sure to wash your hands immediately after use.
Self Tanning Drops Medium
Best for: A buildable glow
These cult, multi-tasking tanning drops boast colour correcting benefits that cancel redness and even out your complexion. Suitable for all skin tones, the universal shade is enriched with nourishing Avocado, Coconut and Chia Seed Oil. Plus, the formula is 100% vegan, safe for use on the face and body and can be mixed with serums, oils and even your foundation. Two to four drops will give you a subtle glow, or build up for a deeper colour. If the medium shade doesn’t suit, choose from two others.
The hype: “I'm on my second bottle of these and absolutely love them! I fake tan all year round and use these mostly for my face - mixing a few drops in a light moisturiser before bed. But it's also brilliant to mix with body lotion to give your tan a boost. They are quite strong so two to three drops do the job.” - Ilze, customer review
Adaptive Self Tanning Drops
Best for: Investment buy
Don’t let the price deter you, the long list of five-star reviews really do speak for themselves. Oskia’s all-natural offering is brimming with antioxidants and an impressive range of restorative ingredients, including Vitamins B5, C, and E, along with Amino Acids and Peptides. The pro-standard formula utilises microencapsulated DHA and a clever melanin complex to deliver a longer-lasting natural looking glow. The small bottle makes it easy to transport and top up your tan on the go. For best results, apply before bed to wake up golden and glowing.
The hype: “Best of the best. Definitely the best self tanning drops that I have ever tried. I look so healthy with these. I put three drops into my moisturiser at night.” - Charlotte, customer review
Hyglo Hyaluronic Face Serum
Best for: Dry skin
Ageing and dry complexions will love this ultra-nourishing formula. Hero hydrator Hyaluronic Acid plumps the skin upon application, while botanical oils Chia seed, Coconut and Avocado add an extra conditioning kick to lacklustre faces. This serum can be used without the addition of other skincare. If you’re looking for a more obvious glow, apply directly onto the skin. For a more subtle hint of colour, blend with an equally lightweight textured cream, oil or serum for quick absorption and intensive hydration. Like all Isle Of Paradise products, this serum is vegan, cruelty-free and one of the best tan drops around.
The hype: “This is a lovely serum. No fake tan smell, it actually smells nice instead. It applies perfectly evenly and I love that I can add my moisturiser and SPF on top. The colour builds up nicely and I reach my desired shades after applying twice.” - Alice, customer review
The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops in Medium/Dark
Best for: A darker tan Concentrated enough to tailor your colour without adding another step to your body care routine, this one’s our weapon of choice for building up a seamless, streak-free tan. It contains stimulating Caffeine to tone and firm, along with skin-loving Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and hydrating Raspberry Seed Oil. A pH-balanced formula means these little drops develop without an unpleasant scent. Mix anywhere from one to 12 drops into your serum, moisturiser or body oil and apply all over. Add extra drops to top up your colour in specific areas like the décolletage. The hype: “These drops blend well with my body moisturiser and give a really smooth, nice colour to my skin. No blotches and no nasty fake tan smells!” - Cecilia, customer review
The Face Self-Tan Drops in Light/Medium
Best for: Light skin
Fairer complexions should stick to lighter tans like this one, although it’s available in a medium/dark shade, too. Naturally derived DHA ensures a uniform colour every time, while the combination of Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Raspberry Seed Oil condition the skin. These drops help even out skin tone and blur imperfections, so you can wear it beneath your makeup or go without. The best part? There’s no fake tan smell, so your faux glow will remain a secret. Disperse between one and 12 drops into your daily moisturiser, oil or serum and massage evenly onto the face.
The hype: “This product is great to add a little bit of colour to your skin daily. Fake tan naturally comes off the face quicker than the body so this is a great top up throughout the week and also doesn’t break you out or go patchy. The bonus is that you can mix it with your moisturiser so you can still use all your skincare products. The colour is perfect and if you want it darker you can customise it by adding more drops. An all-round great product.” - Hannah, customer review