The best fake tans for 2021

• Best light/medium tan
• Best medium/dark tan
• Best express fake tan

• Best gradual fake tan
• Best fake tan for pale skin
• Best fake tan for the face

• Best fake tan oil
• Best fake tan for dry skin
• Best instant fake tan

1. Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam - Light/Medium

Where to buy: LOOKFANTASTIC, ASOS and Feelunique

Bondi Sands is one of the most well-known brands in the tanning game, and for good reason. Its stand-out product is the light/medium tanning foam.

It’s perfect for those who don’t want a super dark tan but do want a little bit of colour to spruce things up. The formula of this tanning mousse is incredibly easy to apply due to the foam texture – it means you can really control where you’re putting the product. It also contains hydrating properties, meaning it won’t dry out your skin as much as other products.

Oh, and one other thing – this tan has been commended for how long-lasting it is.

2. St. Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Lotion - Medium/Dark

Where to buy: LOOKFANTASTIC

If you like your tan nice and dark (guilty!), then you seriously cannot avoid the St Tropez Medium/Dark Foam.

This bad boy will take your skin to such a rich, deep tan colour (with no orange undertones in sight) and we’re betting that you’ll fall in love instantly. It will take 12 hours or so to see a real difference, with the best results 72 hours following application.

It’s a pick that works for a number of skin tones too, so we really can’t fault it.

3. Bondi Sands 1 Hour Express Aero Aerated Self Tanning Foam

Where to buy: ASOS and Beauty Bay

This is one of the hottest tanning products on the market right now. In just one hour you can achieve the most natural, beautiful looking tan you’ve ever seen. And if you leave it on for two hours, it’ll look like you’ve spent an entire summer lounging on a deck chair in the Maldives (now who doesn’t want that?)! But of course, in reality, all it took was a couple of minutes in your bathroom.

This foam also dries incredibly quickly, leaving you to pop your clothes back on soon after application. It’s pretty safe to sleep in the stuff if you like.

4. Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion

Where to buy: LOOKFANTASTIC

For those who don’t enjoy the process of using fake tan, or just want the smallest touch of colour, a gradual tan is definitely the way to go.

Gradual tans can often be tricky – some literally make no difference at all, but with others, well, let’s just say you may as well have picked up any old bottle. But don’t worry, this product is the Goldilocks porridge of gradual tans – it’s just right!

You get a beautiful natural glow and absolutely no streaks. Win! You can even apply it with your hands, but make sure to wash them afterwards, of course. It’s also a great shout for those with sensitive skin as it contains very few of the harsh ingredients harboured by others on the market.

5. Australis Ultimate Dark Tanning (Ash Base) Foam

Where to buy: eBay

If you have fairer skin, the chances are you’ve either given up on using fake tan, or you do take a whack at it every year, with mixed (often orange) results.

But fear not. The product you’ve waited your entire life for is finally here. The Australis Ultimate Dark Tanning (Ash Base) Foam has been created just for you. It really is the bee’s knees… just see for yourself.

6. Bali Body Face Tan Water

Where to buy: Beauty Bay

We’ve all been there. Bronzed legs, sun-kissed arms but a pale face really isn’t the one. So, you’ve probably tried putting fake tan on your face, right? This might do something about the colour, but it can cause breakouts due to clogged pores (hey, acne!).

And so fake tan for the face was invented, and we’ve never ever looked back. If you want to give your complexion a glowing lift try Bali Body Face Tan Water. It’s the perfect mix of colour for your face and it will leave you skin blemish-free, too.

7. Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil

Where to buy: ASOS

Fake tan doesn’t just come in spray, cream or foam, though. Tanning oil is a great alternative. Why? It’s a lighter consistency, making it an ideal purchase for those with dry or sensitive skin.

It will also help you develop a natural-looking tan, which is what we’re all here for right? Bondi Sands has done it again with their liquid gold oil (it really is liquid gold, people).

But the best thing about this product? It’s dry oil, meaning it won’t go sticky or greasy, and it won’t transfer onto clothes or bed linen. Conveniently, you don’t have to wash it off, either. It doesn’t get much better than that…

8. Australis Ultimate Dark Tanning Foam (Marula Oil)

Where to buy: eBay

Dry skin is super common during the winter and if you’re a keen tanner, this can be problematic. If you’re in this boat, you’ve probably noticed that the fake tan tends to attach itself to your dry skin? Hello, patches and streaks galore! Not only does this not help you achieve your desired look, but your skin is also likely to dry out even more.

This is where the Australis Ultimate Dark Tanning Foam (Marula Oil) comes in. It works to hydrate your skin at the same time as giving you a flawless tan in the process. It’s not greasy or sticky either – nope, the tan dries incredibly quickly and doesn’t transfer nearly as much as other products we’ve used.

9. St.Tropez Instant Tan Wash Off Lotion Light/Medium

Where to buy: LOOKFANTASTIC, Feelunique, and Beauty Bay

We know you’re always going to have a moment when you need a tan immediately, and that’s when instant tan is 100% the way to go. There are lots of options out there though, so how can you possibly choose?

Luckily you don’t have to. The St. Tropez Instant Tan is the only product you’ll ever need. You can even put this bad boy over an old tan and it will give you a glorious and noticeable glow. Or, use the product on fresh, exfoliated skin and see the results before your very eyes. The best part? It washes off so easily, which means you don’t have to scrub your skin forever and a day when it comes to removing your glow.