The Best Tanning Drops for a Skin-Safe, Sun-Kissed Glow

Tan Luxe's self-tan drops are packed with dermatologist-approved benefits, placing them at the top of the list. As Dr. Dowling notes, the formula comes in two shades for a customizable tan and contains ingredients to keep skin healthy and hydrated. (Those include antioxidants, like vitamin E, and hydrating aloe vera.) Don't stress about clogged pores; these drops are also non-comedogenic.

Pros: Smell pleasant; Customizable tan 

Cons: Expensive 

Customer Review: “A very easy and forgiving buildable tan! Looks pretty natural on fair skin, not an orange tan and the smell is much more mild than most tanners. Haven’t experienced any breakouts with it.” – Sephora 

“These tanning drops have antioxidants (vitamin C and D) and hydrating ingredients (hyaluronic acid and niacinamide) to keep your skin healthy, plump, and hydrated,” says Dr. Dowling. “They can give you a sunless tan and also help fight against fine lines and aging." Additional benefit: They're non-comedogenic for clean pores.

Pros: Brightening properties; Dermatologist-recommended 

Cons: Doesn’t have amazing color pay off 

Customer Review: “This product does not leave streaks, does not smell bad, and my favorite part…it doesn't stain clothes or sheets. Just follow the instructions and you'll get a beautiful bronze glow. Only thing is if you wanna go super dark I would choose a different product.” — Ulta

Jergens' self-tanning moisturizer is the OG self-tanner; the brand knows exactly what it's doing in the sunless tanner department. Cut to: Sol by Jergens, a new launch that comes in dropper form. All you have to do is mix your desired number of drops in with your face or body lotion and allow your tan to develop over the course of a few hours. It may take a little trial and error to figure out your ideal dosage, but once you do, you’ll be in business. 

Pros: Affordable; Can be used on body 

Cons: Contains fragrance, which isn’t great for sensitive skin types 

Customer Review: “Love the bronze glow this gave me! I already had a bit of a tan from the summer, but it was fading so I applied this product and it gave me my summer glow back and then some! I paired it with the face serum and I have a beautiful, bronze tan! Make sure you exfoliate and moisturize your dryer areas like your knees, ankles, and elbows and you’ll be set!” – Target 

With three different options to match to your skin tone, these tanning drops are ideal for achieving a bronzed complexion that doesn’t look orange. While a lot of other products require a little bit of dosage guessing, this particular formula makes the process fairly straightforward. Plus, it's packed with skin-brightening ingredients like vitamin C to ensure your skin looks both tan and radiant. The color will last up to five days, but you should start to notice a lasting glow with regular use. 

Pros: Different shades; Packed with vitamin C 

Cons: Noticeable scent

Customer Review: “This is amazing! I am an olive skin Tone and used the medium. I mix this as per the instructions with lotion. I take a large dollop of lotion and apply 2 drops , mix it in my hands and apply evenly everywhere. It doesn’t streak or make me look orange.” – Sephora 

With all natural ingredients, this serum prides itself on its vegan yet highly effective composition. It uses bio-engineered DHA, alongside carob pulp, an active molecule that stimulates the skin’s natural tanning process. In the end, you’re left with a serum that creates a longer lasting, deeper tan in a quicker timespan. You have the option of mixing it in with a moisturizer (more natural effect) or applying product straight to the skin (more intense effect). Either way, just make sure you apply an even amount to every area of your face. 

Pros: Vegan; Can be used straight on the skin

Cons: Some say it can be blotchy 

Customer Review: “I regularly apply self-tanner (body, face) and this one is a favorite : it doesn't have the unpleasant smell of classic self-tanners. On the other hand, I apply two pipettes in the evening without diluting my cream for a natural look. This product is very light but perfect for maintaining a healthy glow.” – Typology

While most self tanners will change the tone of your skin for a few days, these Drunk Elephant drops let you wash off the tint whenever you want. In practice, it’s a product that applies more like makeup, bestowing a temporary bronze glow to the skin. Take a close look at the ingredients and you’ll see that it’s straight skincare. You’ll find vitamin D, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and soothing properties in the mix, so your skin is left protected and hydrated. 

Pros: Gives a golden finish; Skincare ingredients 

Cons: Not good if you want a lasting tan 

Customer Review: “These drops have such a beautiful natural glow that adds the perfect bronze to my look!” – Ulta 

Fragrance-free and packed with antioxidants, it’s no surprise that Lux Unfiltered is my personal tanning drop go-to. I mix a casual two drops into my moisturizer (I like a very subtle tan—and I’m pale) and proceed with my routine as normal. There’s never pilling or irritation; I simply start to notice a soft bronze tone take up residence on my complexion. Another huge plus? It doesn’t smell at all, either. 

Pros: Customizable; Buildable; Doesn’t smell

Cons: Fades quickly 

Customer Review: “Always a perfect glow without being orangey, even on my fair skin! This stuff does an amazing job disguising winter redness.” – Lux Unfiltered 

If blotchiness is your main pain point with tanning drops, I challenge you to try this Clarins booster. A little goes a long way, and so long as you completely rub your moisturizer into your skin, you’ll end up with a completely even “tan.” It magically matches your skin tone, creating the perfect bronze for your complexion. The color lasts a decent amount of time; I typically reapply twice throughout the week for constant color. 

Pros: Even color; Not orange 

Cons: Expensive 

Customer Review: “I rarely write reviews but must do one on this. There is nothing else out there that gives me a subtle glow as Radiance does. I mix 2-3 drops in my day cream in my hand and smooth it on my face. I use no foundation because of this product. Less is more!!!” – Nordstrom