The Best Self 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 Cheetos. However, tanning needn't always be a hit-and-miss situation – not when you've got a trusted team of experts on your side.

Fed up 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 rounded up the best self tan for pale skin to save you from another streaky orange mishap. Get your tanning mitts out, it's time to talk business.

Bondi Sands Self Tanning Lotion

$9.42 $18.84 (50% off)

The trick to successfully tanning pale skin is to start with baby steps. The Bondi Sands Self Tanning Lotion is the perfect tool for beginners as it is totally customizable and easy to build up. Imparting a subtle golden hue, the tanning lotion gently tints skin with a healthy glow that looks completely natural.

Sold out

St Tropez Self Tan Purity Water Gel

$42.66 $50.76 (16% off)

Infused with a tropical scent, this water-gel formulation eliminates any traces 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.

Sold out

Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze Gradual Tan Moisturizer

$6.43

Working intuitively with your skin’s biochemistry, the Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze Gradual Tan Moisturizer distributes an even tan within just a few hours. Its buildable nature is particularly popular amongst fair-skinned beauties as it can be customized to each individual’s needs.

Sold out

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water

$26.94

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.

Sold out

SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Glowing Steady Gradual Tan

$18.30

TheSOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Glowing Steady Gradual Tan is a luxury-on-a-budget solution that gently tints even the palest of skin, giving it a healthy pigment when it's needed most. Simply apply the product every other day to build up a stronger color.

Sold out

Loving Tan Bronzing Mousse

$38.82

Loving Tan Bronzing Mousse 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, transfer-proof and infused with a light fragrance, it’s your one-stop shop to sun-kissed skin.

Sold out

James Read Tan Sleep Mask Tan Face

$32.40 $38.00 (15% off)

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 Sleep Mask Tan Face. Doing exactly what it says on the bottle, it leaves skin with a subtle sun-kissed in the morning thats free from that dreaded biscuit-smell.

Sold out

Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam

$23.70

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 foam 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.

Sold out

Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Body Base Shimmer Instant Tan SPF 30

$9.69 $19.38 (50% off)

Get that 'just stepped off the plane' glow with the Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Body Base Shimmer Instant Tan SPF 30. 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 color and shimmer for even the most nervous of tanners.

Sold out

TAN-LUXE The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion

$31.86

Fusing the power of an oil together with the lightness of a lotion, the TAN-LUXE The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion Light is perfect for those that dread the thought of a sticky tan. The weightless formula glides on to deliver an impeccable glow that can be built up to your own personal preference. We've already bagged ourselves a couple!

Sold out

Bellamianta Tanning Lotion

$25.38

Got your eye on a more intelligent way of tanning? Bellamianta has you covered. This innovative formula contains natural extracts that soothe and nourish all skin types. It even features an ultra-smart hydration system that keeps skin from drying out or going patchy, whilst also sinking in and drying down within 60 seconds.

Sold out

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam

$24.20

They've taken the world of Instagram by storm, and now, it's time to see what the hype is all about. This hugely celebrated tanning brand rose to fame thanks to their vegan-friendly and cruelty-free formulations, all of which ensure a long-lasting and flawless glow. A little goes a long way with this product, meaning you get a good return on investment!

Sold out

Vita Liberata Body Blur With Tan

$39.42

If we're going to trust anyone to give us a faultless tan, it's going to be the experts behind Vita Liberata. This elite tanning brand has 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.

Sold out

Tanologist Self Tan Drops

$17.50

We can always rely on Tanologist to produce a trustworthy, skin-loving lotion that puts our needs first, and their tan-infused drops are no exception. The Tanologist Self Tan Drops are perfect for the winter months, teaming nourishment together with a very gradual hint of colour.

Sold out

Remember, the key to a model-like bronze is to exfoliate regularly and lock down that tan with an everyday moisturizer. Once you’ve built up a healthy-looking hue for your body, give our skin-friendly facial tanning range a browse for that tip-to-toe glow.