FINDING the perfect fake tan isn’t always easy when you’re naturally fair, but fear not – we’ve done the hard work for you. These are the best fake tans for pale skin.
Now don’t get us wrong, porcelain skin is beautiful and there’s nothing wrong with rocking a pale complexion.
But for those days when you want a bit of extra glowiness – minus any sun damage – a fake tanning session will give you a sunkissed, golden hue and make your skin look extra radiant.
Of course, every skin tone takes differently to the varying products and shades on offer, so we’ve set about uncovering the best fake tans tailored specifically for pale skin tones.
From mousses to serums and liquids, we’ve put some of the most coveted tanning brands to the test and uncovered a selection of top contenders that deliver natural-looking radiance – without veering into Oompa-Loompa territory.
This way for golden hour…
Best fake tan for pale skin at a glance:
St Moriz Luxe Hydra-Glow Clear Tanning Mousse Fast
St Moriz Luxe Hydra-Glow Clear Tanning Mousse Fast, £18.99 £16.99
Pros: Super quick development, no transfer, natural glow, pleasant summery smell, luxe packaging, skin-loving ingredients
Cons: Harder application due to no guide colour
Most read in Product Reviews
Rating: 5/5
For a quick tan that gives a natural glow, St Moritz’s Hydro Glow Clear Fake Tan is the ideal pick as it takes one hour to develop into a subtle sun-kissed glow and just three hours to develop into a deep, dark bronze tan. For this reason, it’s exactly what I’ll be reaching for this summer when I’m in a rush to get ready and have forgotten to fake tan.
Not only does it develop very quickly, but it also dries very quickly. I was able to put some loose clothes on within five minutes, with no staining or stickiness. Plus, since it’s a clear mousse, there isn’t any streakiness.
However, it does mean that if you miss an area, it’s harder to notice until the tan is fully developed, which means you’ll need to apply it more thoroughly and carefully than other tans.
You also need to be careful not to get sweat or water on your skin when it’s developing, so this may limit what you can do, meaning it’s not as easy as using an overnight tan.
The tan is also filled with skin-loving ingredients, so it’s taking care of your skin rather than drying it out. For example, it contains organic rose water and goji berry extract to soften and smooth skin, and collagen-boosting ingredients to help reduce the appearance of imperfections as well as promote skin elasticity and reduce sagging.
It’s got a fragrance described as ‘moodscentz’, which is a fruity scent that makes applying this tan a delight – and helps to mask that classic biscuit smell if you’re heading out immediately after applying the tan.
Once it’s developed, you wash it off in the shower with just water. After leaving it on for three hours, I washed it off and it turned my skin from pale to a natural tan; my friends couldn’t believe that this glow was from a bottle.
The same tan is available in Medium and Dark. These will develop in three to eight hours, so it’s a little easier to get the precise colour you’re after.
Review by Isabel Deibe.
Formula: Mousse, Development time: 1 – 3 hours, Shades available: 3 Vegan: Not stated
Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops
Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops, £16
Pros: Dries quickly, affordable, buildable, skin-loving ingredients
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Garnier’s classic Summer Body Moisturizing Lotion is a fave here at The Sun, so when I heard there was also a face tan, I couldn’t wait to give it a go.
Infused with coconut water and hyaluronic acid and packaged with a convenient pipette, the brand’s face drops exude the qualities of a top-tier serum – and that’s before you get to their tanning properties.
Upon initial application, the clear serum immediately added some hydration and radiance to my skin so I was off to a good start.
I decided to apply six drops before bedtime, layering it beneath my regular moisturizer. And true to Garnier’s promise, I woke up to a beautiful glow. Result.
Just be sure to wash your hands post-application to avoid the dreaded giveaway of streaky palms.
Review by Isabel Deibe.
Formula: Serum, Development time: 6 to 8 hours, Shades available: 1, Vegan: Yes
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St Moriz Exotic Bloom 1 Hour Fast Tan Mousse
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St Moriz Exotic Bloom 1 Hour Fast Tan Mousse, £8.50 £7.50
Pros: Develops within an hour, can choose how dark you want your tan by leaving it on for more or less time, affordable, skin-loving ingredients, subtle summery smell
Cons: Needs time to darken
Rating: 5/5
St Moriz’s Exotic Bloom boasts rapid results, promising a bronzed glow in just one hour — a godsend for those rushed moments. Similar to a home hair dye kit, its bottle features a colour chart of the varying depths based on how long you leave the product on for, which was a handy guideline to follow.
I decided to trial one-hour and overnight applications on separate legs to see how much the tan varies. My hour-long limb sported a subtle golden hue, while its overnight counterpart flaunted a much deeper shade of bronze.
I’d say the tan proves to be nearly streak-free, provided you thoroughly massage with a mitt and prepare with a pre-application exfoliation. If applied before bed, you can expect some transfer unless allowed to dry completely for at least an hour, so if you don’t have time to wait – make sure you have some old garments on hand to avoid staining your clothes.
Scent-wise, it’s available in two summery fragrances. Exotic Bloom boasts zesty citrus and white floral notes, while Coconut Paradise is all tropical coconut aromas. While the scents are lovely, I did find that a faint biscuity undertone still persists, though that’s pretty standard with tanning products.
On the plus side, absorption is really good, especially with consistent massaging into the skin. There are also Medium and Dark versions of the product.
I felt like a slight stickiness lingered after applying, similar to professional salon tans, but it wasn’t anything too annoying. Plus I loved that it’s infused with aloe vera and vitamin E, so it hydrated and softened my skin, unlike the drying effects I’d usually associate with fake tans.
Review by Sophie Swietochowski.
Formula: Mousse, Development time: 1 to 3 hours, Shades available: 3, Vegan: Yes
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
7
Coco & Eve, Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam, £26
Pros: Easy to apply, beautiful scent, long-lasting, not sticky, variety of shades, looks natural
Cons: Pricier
Rating: 5/5
While Coco & Eve first made its mark with viral hair masks, its product range now extends to include fake tan and SPF.
I was intrigued to try the brand’s Bali Bronzing Foam in both medium and ultra-dark shades. Claiming to balance skin pigmentation with its unique grey-green base, I was initially doubtful. However, packed with Vitamin C and natural ingredients, Coco & Eve has struck gold with this product.
Straight off the bat, the fragrance is incredible: infused with tropical mango and guava notes, it transports you to a beachside cocktail bar.
The application was effortless, requiring just a small amount on the mitt. After washing away the base colour the following day with warm, soapy water, I was left with a radiant glow.
After applying the medium version all over and sleeping in it overnight, I realized I had forgotten to tan one leg (no idea how I managed that). However, I was able to even out the discrepancy with the ultra-dark shade in just an hour – so I can definitely vouch for the fact that this product works fast and is perfect for tanning emergencies!
Its longevity is also impressive. After five days, my tan still looks flawless.
The colour is even designed to reduce the appearance of cellulite, thanks to ingredients like orange and lotus flowers in the formula – and I’d say I did notice a slightly smoothed look on the backs of my thighs.
All in all, the foam worked perfectly at achieving the coveted even-toned, bronzed summer skin I’d hoped for. It’s a yes from me.
Review by Natalie Chui.
Formula: Mousse, Development time: From two hours, Shades available: 3, Vegan: Yes
Isle of Paradise Gradual Self-Tan Lotion
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Isle of Paradise Gradual Self-Tan Lotion, £8.99
Pros: Super hydrating, subtle glow, easy to use, no streaks and no transfers, natural look
Cons: No guide colour
Rating: 4.5/5
Gradual tans are great for obtaining a more natural-like glow to the body and are much easier to integrate into your daily routine, making it the most popular choice for beginners.
Isle of Paradise’s new gradual tan comes in the form of a lotion and provides additional hydrating benefits so that your skin doesn’t feel dried out.
It’s easy to use, you can apply it in place of your regular body lotion after a shower. When I tested it, I first applied my typical body lotion to dryer parts of my body, like my elbows and knees, to avoid any streaks.
I then used a tanning mitt to apply the tan lotion all over my body for even coverage, which I’d advise doing as the lotion comes out in white so it can be hard to see where it’s been applied as there’s no guide colour. Plus, it does tell you to wash your hands after using it to avoid orange marks.
Once it had been absorbed, which took no time at all, I simply put my clothes on and went about my day – no need to wash off.
After four to six hours, I noticed that a subtle, warm glow had developed over my body and while not immediately identifiable as a tan, I liked the natural effect it had.
On my second use, I noticed it had developed into a darker tan that would be similar to the shade a tanning mousse would provide.
The lighter shade would also be a great option for topping up an existing tan throughout the summer months.
Overall, I think this is a very easy and simple gradual lotion that gives you a warm colour and is a perfect option if you’re after a more sun-kissed look.
Review by Natalie Chui
Formula: Lotion, Development time: 4 – 6 hours, Shades available: 2, Vegan: Yes
Skinny Tan Notox Face Tanning Drops
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Notox Face Tanning Drops 30ml, £16.99
Pros: Smells amazing, can adjust colour to your liking, natural-looking results
Cons: Mixing instructions are slightly unclear if you’ve not used drops before, no colour when applying
Rating: 4/5
Ok so full disclosure: I’m not exactly what you’d call a fake tan connoisseur. In fact, the last time I dabbled with colour in a bottle, I was a teenager and the results were pretty questionable – so it’s fair to say that on receiving these face tanning drops, I was a tiny bit nervous.
However, with the tagline boldly stating ‘the face tanning drops that BROKE the internet!’, I was intrigued to see what all the fuss was about – and Notox did not disappoint.
On opening the bottle, I was hit straight away with a gorgeous coconutty fragrance that transported me straight to a beach holiday – and hopefully soon, with the tan to match.
What I like about this product is that it’s infused with collagen, castor oil, aloe vera and guarana so it felt like I was applying something hydrating and firming to my skin – as well as it being a colour.
As a novice, I would have preferred instructions that spell out how to apply the product in a bit more detail: I wasn’t too sure how to mix the drops with my moisturiser (on my hand?) nor how big or small the drops should be for each colour depth.
I had a little travel pot spare, so I figured that would do for mixing and settled on five generous drops – which on reflection, was maybe slightly too dark for my first go. However, the colour was really even and natural (I applied before bed and washed my face the next morning) and seems to be fading nicely, so overall I’m really pleased with the result and will definitely be using these drops again in future.
Review by Lucy Atkins.
Formula: Drops, Development time: 6-8 hours, Shades available: One, Vegan: Yes
Revolution Whipped Tanning Mousse
7
Revolution Whipped Tanning Mousse, £7.99
Pros: Goes on coloured so you can see what you’re doing, natural results, easy to apply, cheap
Cons: Not for you if you’re after a deep instant tan (but comes in two darker shades)
Rating: 4/5
I have to admit that I hadn’t looked at Revolution’s Whipped Tanning Mousse online before receiving the product and trying it out – so now that I’ve seen the price, I can’t believe how much of a bargain it is.
It’s been forever since I applied fake tan, so I was a bit apprehensive about ending up with streaky legs – but I needn’t have worried. The product was really straightforward to use, and being a mousse, it didn’t drip at all.
I used the St Moritz Velvet Tanning Mitt to apply and it went on like an absolute dream on my legs: so quick and easy. The colour looked quite dark at first but it quickly settled into my skin and I really appreciated the fact there was no stickiness – or transfer onto my sheets. It’s also infused with vitamin E, so my legs didn’t feel like they were super dry with the product left on overnight.
The instructions say to leave it on for 4-6 hours to develop but I applied a bit before bed so it was more like 8 hours. I didn’t know whether this would result in a colour I’d regret, but actually, it was only very subtle: like a healthy glow, perfect for pale skin.
I’ll be trying this on my arms and face now that I know it’s so good!
Review by Lucy Atkins.
Formula: Mousse, Development time: 4-6 hours, Shades available: 3, Vegan: Yes
Tan Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tanning Drops
Tan Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tanning Drops, £36
Pros: Can customise tan, natural finish, easy to use, travel size
Cons: The amount of drops depends on skin tone, may split with thick moisturiser
Rating: 4/5
If you’re not in a hurry for instant results, Tan Luxe’s The Face Illuminating Self-Tanning Drops are best applied overnight due to their eight-hour development time – perfect for some pampering before bedtime.
I applied the tan as I was winding down for the evening and found the product to be remarkably quick-drying. These fake tan drops seamlessly blend with your moisturizer, matching its drying speed.
Unlike some reviews’ claims of a biscuity scent, I only detected the pleasant aroma of my moisturizer. I was happy with the streak-free result and thought it blended well, although I did notice that it blended more seamlessly with lighter moisturizers compared to thicker night creams.
Thanks to its rapid drying, I also think this would be easy to apply makeup on top of after you’ve finished applying. Just remember that it’ll keep darkening throughout the day, so your skin tone might look different as the tan develops.
Review by Sophie Swietochowski.
Formula: Serum, Development time: 8 hours, Shades available: 2, Vegan: Yes
Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face
Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face, £23
Pros: Easy to customise, good for sensitive skin, easy to dispense, natural
Cons: Small packaging, orange hands, if used too much can look orange around eyebrows etc.
Rating: 4/5
Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face has been on my list for a while, so I was keen to try it – and am pleasantly surprised, now that I’ve given it a go.
Offering customizable intensity, simply add two to three drops to your moisturizer — an ideal solution for those with sensitive skin, as you can use it with the skincare that you know works for you.
Despite its petite size, the bottle features a clever design: an inverted pipette dispenses precisely, minimizing waste. However, be cautious during mixing, as careless blending may leave orange stains on your hands, as I quickly found out.
It was odourless and felt lightweight upon application, seamlessly mixing into my moisturizer. Within hours, I noticed a subtle glow, giving me a natural, sun-kissed complexion.
If you plan to tan regularly, I’d suggest going for alternate-day use to evade any giveaway hints of orange skin. Luckily, I’m pleased to say that pillowcase stains were nonexistent, and the tan gracefully fades with daily cleansing, making it an effortless method for maintaining a radiant complexion, whether au naturel or faux.
Review by Harriet Flook.
Formula: Liquid, Development time: 4 hours+, Shades available: 1,Vegan: Yes
Bondi Sands Technocolour 1 Hour Express Tanning Foam
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Bondi Sands Technocolor Magenta 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam, £19.99
Pros: Natural colour, quick development, streak-free, easy-to-apply
Cons: Not buildable, colour doesn’t deepen
Rating: 4/5
Bondi Sands’s Technocolor requires just one hour of development time, ideal for those spontaneous tanning sessions.
I decided to give it a try the night before, and to my surprise, I noticed a difference pretty much straight away. Unlike other tanners, it doesn’t deepen beyond the initial one to three hours of development. However, it delivers a natural-looking shade and a flawless finish.
Its quick absorption and instant dryness make application effortless. Plus, its tinted formula ensures you can easily spot any missed spots. Though it initially feels slightly sticky, it quickly settles into a lightweight texture that feels comfortable on the skin.
Included in the Technocolour collection is a mitt, though I found the design with the separate thumb compartment a bit inconvenient.
There’s minimal transfer onto fabrics, but the tell-tale self-tanner scent lingered on my pyjamas come the morning. A quick shower was all it took for the product to effortlessly wash off, revealing a natural sun-kissed hue to my skin.
Shade-wise, I tried Magenta for ‘a rich deep tone’ but there’s also Emerald for ‘a deep olive tone’, Sapphire for ‘a cool tone’ and Caramel for ‘a golden tone’.
For those seeking a more intense tan, I’d suggest opting for a shade darker than usual or layering with another product.
Review by Zoe Bennetts.
Formula: Foam, Development time: 1 hour, Shades available: 4, Vegan: No
How we tested
In our quest to discover the best fake tans for pale skin, we had six testers – all with varying pale skin tones – try out products on both their faces and bodies.
Each tester considered factors like ease of application, how natural the colour result was, any streakiness, value and longevity. Through this, a score out of 5 was determined, with our standout product picks impressive for their natural, sun-kissed results – without any unsightly orange undertones.
So if you’re looking for the best fake tan, then look no further as recommendations cater specifically to those with pale skin.
Where can I buy fake tan in the UK?
With the unpredictable British weather often leaving skin devoid of a natural sun-kissed glow, fake tan is a must for achieving a bronzed complexion year-round – so if you’re in the UK, there’s luckily a myriad of options available both in-store and online.
High street retailers such as Boots, Superdrug and major supermarkets stock a wide range of self-tanning products, catering to different preferences and budgets.
Additionally, specialist beauty retailers like Sephora and Lookfantastic offer an extensive selection of luxury fake tan brands if you’re looking for a more indulgent experience – or simply more choice.
We’ve listed some of our favourite spots below:
How much does fake tan cost in the UK?
Buying fake tan in the UK can vary in price depending on brand, formulation, and size of the product – so whatever your budget, you’ll definitely find a suitable option.
Generally, basic self-tanning lotions or mousses from popular brands can start at around £5 to £10 for smaller sizes, while larger bottles – or those from premium brands – can range from £15 to £30 or more.
In our roundup, the cheapest fake tan we put to the test was the St Moriz Exotic Bloom 1 Hour Fast Tan Mousse which retails for just £8.50 and is on offer at Boots for £7.50 currently. Our reviewer gave it a 5 out of 5 rating, so it just goes to show – you don’t need to spend a fortune.
Meanwhile, the priciest fake tan we tried was the Tan Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tanning Drops at £36. The drops are formulated to work with your existing skincare routine, ‘transforming your favourite moisturiser, serum or oil into a custom self-tanner’ – which is great news, as it means this product goes far for the money spent.