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10 best facial tanning drops for a year-round glow
Sun-kissed without the streaks
Unfortunately, living in the UK means we have to rely on fake tan about 90% of the year. That means you need a trustworthy self-tanner that delivers natural, fool-proof results every time. Did someone say tanning drops?
You’re bound to have seen them taking over your TikTok feed, thanks to the customisable non-cheese-puff-looking tan they produce.
And yes, there's an array of self-tanning mousses, mists and creams out there. But whether you're a sceptical newbie or a well-practised tanning pro, we promise tanning drops are the more straightforward fake tan formula out there.
To find the tanning drops that provided the perfect bronze, we put them through the wringer and thoroughly tested them out. Scroll down to see the ones that passed the hype test and are worthy of your money.
Are tanning drops good for your skin?
You might be wondering why you can't just use your good old body tanner on your face. But facial tanning drops are specifically designed to deliver both glow and some skincare benefits, too.
Think of them as your go-to serum, just with some bronzing power. St. Tropez Tanning and Skincare Expert, Michaella Bolder, explains:
"Face tanners are designed specifically for the face as they contain skincare level ingredients targeted to help treat our daily concerns and strengthen the skin's barrier, as well as add a natural golden finish, rather than a deeper tan result found in body products."
Some of our tried and tested tanners pack some of our cult favourite ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C.
They also work on a variety of skin types. For those with post-acne texture who might be worried about cracks and patchiness when using fake tan, Bolder had this to say:
"Apply with a light oil-free moisturiser to buffer the depth of tanning colour, [for] a natural glow on the surface, and help with hydration on delivery of DHA" (AKA dihydroxyacetone, the ingredient famous for giving you a faux tan in a matter of hours).
"I like to recommend mixing drops with moisturiser on the top of a flat surface or between your fingers then blend with a large foundation brush for a matt finish," says Bolder. The more hydrating formula also makes tanning drops a great option for those with drier skin, too.
Fake tan brands are also steadily branching out with a wider shade range. Bolder believes there are some real benefits on darker skin tones when adding a few tanning drops into the mix:
"Yes, tanning drops can still benefit those with a darker skin tone to help even out pigment and any uneven tone. Self-tan can also pull out a beautiful golden hue on darker skins."
How do you apply tanning drops?
If your previous fake tan experience is buffing away with a tanning mitt for hours on end, tanning drops will be a real game-changer.
Here are Bolder's tips for a fool-proof application:
"Squeeze 2-6 drops into the palm of your hand, then sweep around your face using two fingers as you would your serum. Wait a few moments before applying your moisturiser. You can also combine the tonic drops with your daily moisturiser for a lighter finish."
While exfoliating with your trusted AHA or BHA toner is great for getting rid of any dead skin cells for a flawless application, it's important to wait a few hours – or overnight – before applying your tanning drops over the top.
"Avoid using any exfoliating products before applying tan. It is not advisable to use any tanning solution in conjunction with vitamin A or retinol," says Bolder.
If you're applying in the AM:
1 . Cleanse
2. Apply serum
3. Apply tanning drops
4. Apply day moisturiser
5. Apply SPF
See? Super easy.
The best facial tanning drops
Beauty Pie Beauty Pie Awesome Bronze Gradual Tan Drops
Beauty Pie Beauty Pie Awesome Bronze Gradual Tan Drops
If you're a Beauty Pie fan, it will be no surprise to you that these drops aced our test. They made it easy to create a streak-free faux tan, with no flakes in sight. It gave a natural tone too, with no hints of orange, and gradually faded over the week.
The lightweight texture blended evenly across skin, while the colour proved to be buildable, almost like you've just been tanning on a beach in Ibiza. We can dream...
St Tropez St Tropez Luxe Tan Tonic Glow Drops
A hybrid serum and fake tan, this non-comedogenic (meaning it won't clog your pores) formula mixes hyaluronic, niacinamide and vitamin C with a natural tanning active to leave you glowing on all levels.
It didn't leave any stickiness behind on skin, and blended easily into moisturisers, leaving skin feeling hydrated and looking dewy. The tan itself wasn't too tango, leaving behind a flake-free finish that didn't irritate skin.
Isle of Paradise Isle of Paradise Hyaluronic Self-Tan Face Serum
Isle of Paradise Isle of Paradise Hyaluronic Self-Tan Face Serum
Isle Of Paradise broke the internet when it first launched, and it hasn't disappointed us since. If you're both oily and dry (because why skin is the way it is, is a mystery), this managed to boost moisture without leaving t-zones looking shiny.
The tan stuck around for a while and faded super gradually. The shade was also spot on and didn't leave behind any tell-tale stains on clothes or sheets.
Skinny Tan Skinny Tan Face Tanning Wonder Drops
Skinny Tan Skinny Tan Face Tanning Wonder Drops
Because veganism isn’t just reserved for January, these vegan tanning drops were patch-free, flake-free and provided a Goddess bronze.
PSA: it does contain a bit of shimmer, but it's more of a golden glow, rather than leaving you looking like a disco ball. There's a guide colour too, so you can see any spots you missed.
Tan-Luxe Tan-Luxe The Face lluminating self-tanning drops, light/medium
Tan-Luxe Tan-Luxe The Face lluminating self-tanning drops, light/medium
If tanning drops had a hall of fame, these would definitely be in them. People rave about the illuminated look these provide, and we can definitely confirm.
Tans were free of any patchiness and we loved the buildable, long-lasting colour it left us with. There was no whiff of that signature fake tan scent either.
James Read James Read Gradual Tan - Click & Glow Tan Drops
James Read James Read Gradual Tan - Click & Glow Tan Drops
Created by tanning expert James Read (who counts Lady Gaga and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as clients), this provided an effortlessly blendable tan in just a few clicks.
The dispenser gave the exact number of drops needed to get the job done, with no dryness or irritation in sight as the tan developed. The shade didn't leave skin resembling a carrot, while very few bed sheets and towels were stained in the making of the tan – bonus!
Sienna X Sienna X Tanning Drops
Sienna X Sienna X Tanning Drops
Who doesn't love a bargain? Just like a natural tan, these drops made it easy to gradually build up glow – all without the sun damage.
It wasn't difficult to achieve our desired shade and faded *almost* invisibly. The tan it provided was free of flakes, while that signature biscuit-y scent wasn't present at all.
St Moriz St Moriz Advanced Pro Formula Face Serum
Not only are these drops cheap as chips, but they also provided a streak-free tan. It provided a crack-free tan too, lasting a lengthy amount of time.
The packaging might not be luxe, but it did the job, making it easy to get the exact amount of product needed for the task. There was no dryness or irritation in sight either, making a great one for the tanning beginners out there.
Makeup Revolution Makeup Revolution Glow Illuminating Hyaluronic Face Tan Drops
Makeup Revolution Makeup Revolution Glow Illuminating Hyaluronic Face Tan Drops
Filled to the brim with hyaluronic acid, this one aims to hydrate skin and strengthen its natural barrier, all while giving you a healthy bronze — for under a tenner.
It didn't cause skin to flake, while the shade itself wasn't too warm either. It mixed with moisturisers well too, and didn't make skin desert dry as the tan developed.
Coco & Eve Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops
Coco & Eve Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops
These drops are designed for a darker tan, and aim to make it a doddle to create a buildable shade with a few applications, while keeping skin hydrated.
It provided a healthy wash of colour and was almost undetectable as the tan faded. Earning itself a massive gold star from us.
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