Get The
Best Price
1,500+
Brands

The Best Fake Tan for Pale Skin

By Ellie Child - 2 years ago | Updated
fake tan for pale skin

Time and time again, we’ve put our faith in a prettily packaged self-tanner in the hopes that it will transform our sun-deprived skin, only to have it leaving us looking slightly Tango’d. Even the pro tanners among us have fallen victim to those dreaded streaky lines, or woken up to an orange hue that is reminiscent of a packet of Wotsits. However, tanning needn't always be a hit-and-miss situation, not when you've got a trusted team of experts by your side.

Tired of wasting money, we decided to put some of the beauty industry’s most renowned tanners to the test to see which came out on top.

Below, we’ve curated a round-up of the best fake tan for pale skin to save you from another streaky orange mishap. Get your tanning mitts out, it's time to talk business.

Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion 50ml

Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion

£4.09 £4.38 (7% off)

Got your eye on a more intelligent way of tanning? Vita Liberata have you covered. This innovative formula contains organic extracts such as aloe vera and shea butter that soothe and nourish all skin types. It even features an ultra-smart hydration system that locks hydration in for up to 72 hours, whilst also sinking in and drying down to provide a smooth and even tan.

James Read Tan Glow20 Tan Mousse 200ml

James Read Tan Glow20 Tan Mousse

£35.40

If it’s your first time tackling the art of fake tanning then you’re going to want to snap up the James Read Tan Glow20 Tan Mousse. Doing exactly what it says on the bottle, it leaves skin with a beautiful bronzed glow that’s free from streaks, patches and that dreaded biscuit-smell.

Bondi Sands Aero Self Tanning Foam Liquid Gold 225ml

Bondi Sands Aero Self Tanning Foam Liquid Gold

£15.45 £18.99 (19% off)

We promise that you won't be disappointed with this golden solution. The Bondi Sands Aero Self Tanning Foam Liquid Gold is an easy-to-use, aerated mousse that glides across the skin to impart a slow-build, golden tan. Simply smooth this hydrating mousse on and wait for nine hours (12-15 for a deeper tan). The result? Glowing, tanned skin that looks oh-so natural. We love this tanner for its golden undertones that banishes any nasty orange hues from tainting your skin.

TAN-LUXE Hydra Mousse Hydrating Self Tan Mousse Light/Medium

TAN-LUXE Hydra Mousse Hydrating Self Tan Mousse

£34.29 £38.05 (10% off)

If we're going to trust anyone to give us a faultless tan, it's going to be the experts behind TAN-LUXE. This elite tanning brand have bottled up a mix of feel-good ingredients to provide us with a fail-safe, professional tanner that gives us that runway-ready glow up!

Lancaster Sun 365 Instant Self Tanning Gel Cream

Lancaster Sun 365 Instant Self Tanning Gel Cream

£19.50 £21.00 (8% off)

Get that 'just stepped off the plane' glow with the Lancaster Sun 365 Instant Self Tanning Gel Cream. This cleverly formulated product is perfect for those that are embarking on a mission to find the perfect natural-looking tan. And yes, it provides just the right amount of colour for even the most nervous of tanners.

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water Light

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water

£22.08

When it comes to finding the best fake tan for pale skin, we simply can't forget Isle of Paradise. This brand has been gracing the Instagram accounts of beauty influencers everywhere – and rightly so. The easy-to-use tanning water gives you a glowy, hydrated hue without any mess. The golden tanner allows the user to gradually build up a natural-looking tan that mimics the effect of a week spent lounging in the sun.

St Tropez Self Tan Purity Water Gel

St Tropez Self Tan Purity Water Gel

£34.96

Infused with a tropical scent, this water-gel formulation eliminates any trace of that fake tanning smell whilst subtly tanning fairer skin tones. A golden hue can be achieved within just three hours, ensuring that there is no transfer or sticky finish. Better still, the gel provides up to 72 hours of hydration for the perfect post-holiday glow up.

Balance Me Gradual Tanning Drops

Balance Me Gradual Tanning Drops

£26.40 £33.00 (20% off)

Balance Me’s Gradual Tanning Drops are undoubtedly one of the best light fake tans out there. Not only are they streak and odour-free, they also bring the key antioxidant vitamin E together with calming aloe vera to leave complexions as healthy as they are gorgeously bronzed. Even better yet, you can build up your coverage with each drop to find the perfect shade to suit your fair skin.

Rose & Caramel Tan Skinstant Bronze Tanning Stick 30g

Rose & Caramel Tan Skinstant Bronze Tanning Stick

£4.12 £25.00 (84% off)

Looking to go that extra mile with your tanning routine? We've found a tanner that tops up your tan whilst blurring out those unwanted imperfections. The Rose & Caramel Tan Skinstant Bronze Tanning Stick is a real-life Instagram filter that utilises tanning actives and protective properties to keep your skin looking its best all year round.

Sienna X Sleep Q10 Tinted Self Tan Mousse

Sienna X Sleep Q10 Tinted Self Tan Mousse

£13.55 £22.97 (42% off)

Take your beauty sleep to the next level with the Sienna X Sleep Q10 Tinted Self Tan Mousse. Wake up to a gorgeously golden glow that banishes the likes of streaking, greasiness and orange hues for your easiest tan yet. Green tea and calendula are added to perk up duller skin types.

St Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Daily Firming Lotion Light/Medium

St Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Daily Firming Lotion

£17.49 £19.42 (10% off)

The trick to successfully tanning fair skin is to start with baby steps. And of course, we can't curate a list of the best fake tan for pale skin without another feature from tan experts, St. Tropez.

The St Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Daily Firming Lotion is the perfect tool for beginners as it is totally customisable and easy to build up. The formula is made using a blend of firming ingredients that distribute an even tan within hours. Its buildable nature is particularly popular amongst fair-skinned beauties as it can be customised to each individual’s needs.

Bondi Sands Self Tanning Mist Light/Medium

Bondi Sands Self Tanning Mist

£8.18 £15.99 (49% off)

Of course we were going to feature Bondi Sands more than once! After all, we are striving for that authentic Australian tan...

This time, Bondi Sands are saving our fair skin by providing a fool-proof mist that is specifically tailored to lighter skin tones, ensuring that we aren't totally overwhelmed by a new and deeper tan. And, as usual, the formula contains a mix of feel-good ingredients that include the likes of coconut and aloe vera.

SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Luxury Tanning Mousse Dark-90ml

SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Luxury Tanning Mousse

£13.50 £15.00 (10% off)

SOSU by SJ will have you looking like you’ve spent a week sunning on the beach. This self-tan boasts a fluffy mousse formula that’s super easy to apply and leaves you with a golden glow. Streak-proof and transfer-proof, it’s your one-stop shop to sun-kissed skin.

The Organic Pharmacy Self Tan 100ml

The Organic Pharmacy Self Tan

£20.00 £40.00 (50% off)

Wave goodbye to pasty skin once and for all as this self-tan from The Organic Pharmacy offers an all-year-round bronzing. The cruelty-free and organic formula is derived from sugar beet, which allows you to achieve a natural sun-kissed colour in no time at all.

Cocoa Brown Tan Love 1 Hour Tan Mousse Dark

Cocoa Brown Tan Love 1 Hour Tan Mousse

£8.81

Cocoa Brown serves up a budget-friendly formula that doesn't skimp on results, in fact, it brings the results quicker than ever before. Developing in an hour, this tanning mousse is your fast pass to a golden glow. It leaves behind a perfect natural colour, but can also be left on the skin for longer if you're looking for a real dark bronzing.

Swiss Clinic Self-Tan Drops 15ml

Swiss Clinic Self-Tan Drops

£49.00

Swiss Clinic Self-Tan Drops are the perfect tanning tool for those who aren’t looking to ditch their everyday moisturiser. The paraben-free formula provides an even, all-over tan whilst vitamin E boosts the skin’s vitality and nourishment levels.

Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Body Base Matte Instant Tan SPF 30 Medium

Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Body Base Matte Instant Tan SPF 30

£8.42 £15.88 (47% off)

Fusing the power of rich tanning actives together with the lightness of a lotion, the Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Body Base Matte Instant Tan SPF 30 is perfect for those that dread the thought of a sticky tan. The weightless formula glides on to deliver a matte finish and an impeccable glow that can be built up to your own personal preference. We've already bagged ourselves a couple!

Green People Self Tan Lotion 150ml

Green People Self Tan Lotion

£17.90

A tanner that's wallet-friendly AND results-driven? We're sold. This organic must-have is perfect for those looking to tan on a budget without compromising any quality. The best part? This everyday tanner boasts a scent-free formula that eradicates any typical fake tan aromas (...that biscuit smell is not on our lust list this year).

Bellamianta Tanning Mousse Ultra Dark

Bellamianta Tanning Mousse

£17.49 £19.42 (10% off)

Bring the professional salon spray tan to your bathroom with the Bellamianta Tanning Mousse. A luxe blend of top quality DHA and hydrating ingredients deliver a natural-looking holiday tan in an instant. Suited to all skin types and super-easy to apply, it's a must-have for fake tanners of all abilities.

Dr Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint 18ml

Dr Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint

£19.95 £21.00 (5% off)

Sourcing the best light fake tan is no mean feat. Fortunately, we can always rely on Dr Hauschka to produce a trustworthy, skin-loving lotion that puts our needs first, and their bronzing tint is no exception. The Dr Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint is perfect for the winter months, teaming nourishment together with a very gradual hint of colour.

Remember, the key to a model-like bronze is to exfoliate regularly and lock down that tan with an everyday moisturiser. Once you’ve built up a healthy-looking hue, give our skin-friendly guide to facial tanners a read for that head-to-toe glow up. Visit our sun and tan hub to discover our full range of tanning products featuring everything from body tanning to face tanning and tan removers. Also, make sure to check out our fake tan offers to find a bargain!

Ellie Child

Written by Ellie Child

With five years’ experience under her belt, Ellie has worked alongside a range of highly regarded makeup artists, giving her a real insight into what consumers should be spending their money on.

Sign in or register

Sign in or register to save your wishlist permanently and view them on other devices.

  • View your wishlist across all your devices
  • Manage your price drop and stock alerts
  • Get access to exclusive promos
Select Site
Cosmetify

Sign up for an extra 5% off!Treat yourself with an extra discount on your first purchase over £30.

Added to your bag