11 Self Tanning Drops For That Summer Glow Year Round

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If you love how your skin looks with a sunkissed glow, there’s a good chance you’ve already experimented with self-tanner sprays and other sunless tanning products like mousses, wipes, and mists.

But have you tried self-tanning drops yet?

Self-tanning drops are the latest (and some say greatest) sunless tanning products on the market. They’re effective, they’re easy to use, and, best of all, super easy to incorporate into your skincare routine. 

Here are 11 self tanning drops that will give you that coveted summer glow all year round, plus how to use them and tips for a streak-free tan!

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What Are Self Tanning Drops?

Self tanning drops are highly concentrated pigments in liquid form, packaged in a bottle with an eye dropper. Unlike other sunless tanning products that you apply directly onto the skin, tanning drops must be added to another skincare product first, such as a moisturizer or body lotion. Mix the pigments into your chosen product, and then apply the product to your skin as you normally do. Simonede Vlaming, beauty blogger at Beautymone, suggests starting slowly. “The more drops you add, the deeper the self tan will be,” she shared. “If you want it to look as natural as possible, start with 2-3 drops. You can always add more drops if you want a deeper tan.”

The Benefits of Self Tanning Drops

There are several reasons why people are ditching their old tanning mousse and tanning mist in favor of self tanning drops.

Here are just a few reasons why these have become such a fave!

Buildable Color

Self tanning drops work whether you want a dark fake tan or a subtle bronze glow. Because you choose how much to add to your favorite moisturizer or lotion, you can intensify the color simply by adding more drops.

Hydrated Skin

Whether you have dry skin or sensitive skin, it’s important to keep the skin hydrated at all times. Since tanning drops get added directly to your moisturizer or lotion, they help to hydrate rather than dry out the skin, like some self tanning products do.

Easy Application

Applying self tanning drops for a sunkissed glow is as easy as applying the moisturizer, lotion, or oil that you add them to. With even application, it’s an easy way to get a sunless streak-free tan! 

How to Use Self Tanning Drops

The key to applying any sunless tanner is exfoliation. Tanning products always absorb better into the skin if your skin is soft and smooth to start with.

If you need to shave or wax, do so before you apply self tanning drops. Then, cleanse your skin.

Now that your skin is prepped and ready to glow, decide which product or products you want to add self tanning drops to. You can add them to a face serum, to your favorite moisturizer, to a body lotion, or body oil.

Self tanning drops can be added to virtually any skincare or body care product, and the more you add, the more intense your tan will be. When using self tanning drops for the first time, start with a small amount, otherwise, you could end up with a bit more bronze than expected.

Like most self tanning products, drops won’t give you an instant glow. It usually takes a good six to eight hours for the product to get to work, so don’t be disappointed if you don’t look like a bronzed goddess within the first five minutes. 

Tips for a Streak-Free Tan

It’s better to have no glow at all than to have a streaky tan that makes your at-home tanning session an obvious fail.

When applying tanning drops to your face, take special care to apply it evenly and entirely. Self tanning products tend to settle into fine lines quickly, so pay attention to areas around the eyes and on the forehead.

Blend to make sure that you haven’t applied too much product around your hairline, under your nose, or around your eyebrows. And unless you’re planning on wearing a turtleneck, make sure you apply the product to your neck as well! 

When you’re done, wash your hands and fingertips thoroughly.

Related: Hyaluronic Acid: Is It Really A Secret Beauty Serum?

11 Best Self Tanning Drops

From inexpensive products that you can buy at Target or Amazon to luxe drops sold in high-end department stores, there are self tanning drops to suit every budget. Here are 11 of the best drops to check out now!

1. Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Glow Drops

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Glow Drops are the perfect way to get a sun-kissed glow year round. Available in dark, medium, and light options, these drops can give you a deep, dark skin tone or a subtle bronze hue.

Vegan and cruelty-free, these drops are made with glycerin to hydrate the skin and avocado oil is packed with Vitamin A and Vitamin C.  They also include chia seeds, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids that help protect the skin’s barrier.

2. Bondi Sands PURE Self Tanning Drops

With hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of hydration, the Bondi Sands PURE Self Tanning Drops make it easy to get a radiant glow! These drops are formulated with Vitamin C and Vitamin E, and they’re fragrance-free and non-comedogenic so they’re safe for use on sensitive skin types.

These drops come in one color option, so just add more drops if you want a darker tone!

3. St. Tropez Lux Tan Tonic Glow Drops

The St. Tropez Lux Tan Tonic Glow Drops do more than give your skin a bronzy glow – these drops also reduce redness, plump the skin, and help to smooth fine lines.

St. Tropez glow drops are made with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, a detoxifying flower complex, and Vitamin E and Echinacea. Safe for use on all skin types, including sensitive skin, these drops are vegan, cruelty-free, and approved by dermatologists.

4. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops

The Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops combat redness, reduce dullness, and minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles. These powerfully pigmented tanning drops include cocoa extract that soothes the skin, platinum peptides to improve elasticity and chronocyclin with antioxidant properties to give you a more youthful glow.

5. Trish McEvoy Instant Solutions Tanning Drops

With the Trish McEvoy Instant Solutions Tanning Drops you can achieve a bronzy glow in as little as four hours! These weightless self tanning drops are free of parabens and sulfates, and they’re safe for use on all skin types.

As with all self tanning drops, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before application. These particular drops should not be mixed into skin care products with retinol or Vitamin C formulas.

6. TAN-LUXE THE FACE Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

With an Allure Best of Beauty Award, you can be sure that the TAN-LUXE THE FACE Illuminating Self-Tan Drops work! Available in different tones to give you your desired bronze glow, these face drops can be combined into any facial moisturizer, serum, or face oil.

TAN-LUXE drops are super hydrating with aloe vera, Vitamin E, and raspberry seed oil, making them a perfect choice for anyone with dry or dull skin.

Want to tan your body too? Use in conjunction with the TAN-LUXE THE BODY Illuminating Self-Tan Drops for a head to toe glow!

7. L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self Tan Drops

L’Oreal Paris has been making their “Sublime Bronze” sunless tanning collection for years, but the Sublime Bronze Self Tan Drops are a game changer. If you’re already a fan of L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze moisturizers, mists, or mousse, you’ll surely love the way your skin looks with these drops.  

With a clear, lightweight formula, these are some of the most effective and most affordable drops available. They’re a perfect choice if you want to achieve a beautiful bronze glow on a budget.

8. Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster

The Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster drops provide a perfectly sunkissed glow and super hydration!  Made with aloe vera, these drops offer long-lasting results and you won’t have to worry about your tan transferring to your sheets, pillowcases, or clothes.

9. Tanologist Face and Body Drops

Non-comedogenic so they won’t clog your pores, the Tanologist Face and Body Drops include ingredients to bronze, hydrate, brighten, soothe, and even your skin tone.

These drops are formulated with goji berry antioxidants, hydrating aloe vera, pink grapefruit to brighten the skin, and juniper to create a more even skin tone.

10. SOL by Jergens Deeper By the Drop Face and Body Serum

The SOL by Jergens Deeper By the Drop Face and Body Serum is a fast-acting product so you’ll see the first sign of a glow in as little as four hours. Infused with coconut water, the tanning active in this serum is made from natural sugars. With just a few drops added to your favorite moisturizer or lotion, you’ll enjoy a sunkissed glow for days.

11. James Read H2O Tan Drops

Suitable for use on all skin tones, the James Read H2O Tan Drops are the perfect way to achieve a natural, healthy glow. They’re made with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, so they’re extra-hydrating. Add as little as one drop to your moisturizer and you’ll glow all day.

Do Self Tanning Drops Work?

Yes, self tanning drops work, and they’re an easy and effective way to rock a sunkissed look all year long. And, because you can decide how many drops to use, it’s easy to get a dark, intense color or enjoy a slight natural tan that looks like you spend an afternoon in the sun. 

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11 Best Self Tanning Drops:

1. Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Glow Drops
2. Bondi Sands PURE Self Tanning Drops
3. St. Tropez Lux Tan Tonic Glow Drops
4. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops
5. Trish McEvoy Instant Solutions Tanning Drops
6. TAN-LUXE THE FACE Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
7. L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self Tan Drops
8. Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster
9. Tanologist Face and Body Drops
10. SOL by Jergens Deeper By the Drop Face and Body Serum
11. James Read H2O Tan Drops