Dull, Ghostly Winter Skin? Same. Try These 5 Face Tanners for an Instant Glow-up
Jas is the Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimised by self-tan.
We’ve all been there. You're feeling bold, you're feeling adventurous, and think, “Why not use my body self-tanner on my face? How bad can it be, really?”
Allow me to save you the morning meltdown: really, really bad.
Awkward streaks, dry patches, and breakouts—oh my! All the hallmarks of a tan-tastrophe.
Fear not, my friends, because that's why face tanners exist.
To save your skin, sanity, and the scared looks on your friends' faces.
Here are five to try for a healthy, natural-looking glow.
Why Should I Use a Face Tan?
Unlike regular body self-tanners, face tanners are specifically formulated for the delicate skin on your face.
They typically contain milder ingredients less likely to cause irritation or breakouts and are non-comedogenic (aka, they won’t clog your pores).
What’s more, face tanners are often enriched with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid to boost hydration or vitamin C to dial up the radiance.
They extend their benefits beyond the skin’s surface to what's underneath, too.
Since the skin on our face naturally exfoliates more quickly than the skin on our body, face tanners are usually formulated to fade more evenly, avoiding uneven patches.
In terms of the types of face tanners on offer, nowadays there’s a formula and finish for almost every skin.
Bronzing drops that mix with moisturisers, micro-mists for a gradual glow, or tinted creams for an instant pick-me-up.
Tune in below to hear me yapping IRL about these face tans and tips, plus others.
To Get the Most Out of Your Face Tan.
Here are some tried-and-tested tips:
- Start with less product and build up gradually.
- Apply at night to allow the tan to develop undisturbed.
- Moisturise daily to prolong the tan and ensure even fading.
- Apply moisturiser to dry areas like eyebrows and hairline to prevent over-darkening.
- Prep your skin properly by cleansing thoroughly and exfoliating 24 hours before for a smooth base.
If your skin requires a little extra hydration like mine or you’re applying a gradual face tan during the day, you may wish to apply your regular skincare routine first.
This is completely fine IMO. Just be sure to let the products fully absorb into your skin before applying self-tanner.
Those with normal to oily skin types may choose to skip their regular skincare routine altogether, allowing the formula to develop without interference.
As long as you’re following with SPF if you’re tanning with the day, you’ll be A-OK!
1. Bali Body Face Tan Mist.
What: Bali Body Face Tan Mist
Fast facts:
- Hands-free micro tan mist.
- Develops a natural-looking tan in 4-6 hours.
- Designed to be applied every three or so days to top up tan.
My mini Bali Body Face Tan Mist review:
ICYMI, you can now pick up Bali Body when shopping for all your other beauty goodies at Adore.
I’m already a big fan of their one-hour express tan, so it's no surprise that I loved their mist, too.
It has a super-fine formula that dries fast and soothes the skin with every spritz.
Its inclusion of hyaluronic acid, Jojoba oil and rosewater ensures skin is looked after, and prevents the tan from grabbing to dry or creating streaky patches.
The Bali Body Face Tan Mist is also water-based, cruelty-free and vegan, and comes in two shades, making it a suitable choice for most skin tones and types, including sensitive.
2. Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Face Drops.
Fast facts:
- Concentrated, colourless tanning drops.
- Helps build a gradual, natural-looking tan.
- Designed to be mixed in with your face cream.
- Enriched with hyaluronic acid, coconut water, and fruit extracts.
- Made with 100% Natural DHA, vegan, and alcohol and cruelty-free.
My Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Face Drops review:
This is another great option for a face tan, particularly if you have dry skin as you can mix it with your regular moisturiser.
These bronzing drops develop a healthy, natural-looking glow in just a few hours. One that’s customisable to your desired colour, simply add more drops for a darker tan.
Its juicy, transparent texture not only feels hydrating on the skin, but is enriched with hyaluronic acid and coconut water to keep it fresh, dragonfruit to illuminate it, and fig to shield it from free radicals.
Oh, and it doesn’t have that stale biscuit smell some other tans do! Winning.
3. Bondi Sands Self Tan Drops.
Fast facts:
- Blend seamlessly with your chosen moisturiser.
- Leaves skin nourished, smooth, hydrated and glowy.
- Made in Australia, vegan and fragrance, dye and cruelty-free.
- Dermatologically-tested, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and suitable for sensitive skin.
- For an enhanced tanning experience, mix with the Bondi Sands Sweet Dreams Moisturiser for a customisable tan and up to 72 hours of hydration.
My mini Bondi Sands Self Tan Drops review:
When I want a deep, I-just-got-back-from-Bali tan, I reach for these Bondi Sands drops.
Like the Coco & Eve ones, these are designed to be mixed with your face cream.
The main difference between the two is that the Bondi Sands Self Tan Drops come in two shades: Light/Medium and Dark.
If you already use the Bondi Sands body tanners, a safe bet is to shade-match your face drops. Even though I’m a pretty pale gal myself, I still prefer to use Dark.
If I’m making the effort I might as well go all in, ya know?
The Bondi Sands Self Tan Drops are also formulated with a special ingredient called Rainforest Harvest™ AF, derived from the antioxidant-rich Lilly Pilly, Lemon Aspen and Davidson Plum.
So not only are you enhancing your skin, but you're protecting it too!
4. Liberty Belle Rx by Dr Moss MIRACLE TAN.
What:
Fast facts:
- Hybrid face tanner and moisturiser.
- Vegan-friendly and not tested on animals.
- Aims to replenish, hydrate and smooth the skin.
- Options for normal to dry skin, and normal to oily skin.
- Develops within 2-4 hours or overnight for a darker tan.
- Supports the skin barrier while targeting visible signs of ageing.
- Enriched with rejuvenating actives including hyaluronic acid, panthenol, zinc PCA, squalane and more.
My mini Liberty Belle Rx Miracle Tan review:
This is one of those quiet achievers that if you know you know.
I was first introduced to Liberty Belle Rx Miracle Tan when invited into their clinic for a skin treatment.
Liberty Belle Rx’s Co-founder and Owner Andrea told me how they’d originally created it for their daughter Sophie who was getting dermatisis flare-ups from fake tan (sounding familiar, anyone?).
It’s since become one of the brand’s best sellers. Having taken one home with me, I can see why.
It has a plush formula that supports the skin barrier while building a natural-looking tan.
In addition to hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing panthenol, Miracle Tan is also infused with clarifying actives that work to balance skin while managing excess oil for a clearer complexion.
With that in mind, it’s a top choice for acne-prone or sensitive skin, as well as anyone looking for multi-tasking beauty products to simplify their routine.
5. Eco Tan Organic Face Tan Water.
Fast facts:
- Gradual face self-tanner; vegan and cruelty-free.
- Minimises imperfections and visible signs of aging.
- Non-comedogenic formula is safe for all skin types and won’t clog pores.
- Formulated with natural and organic ingredients; free of harmful, harsh chemicals.
- Antioxidant-rich formula stimulates collagen production and protects skin’s collagen reserves from free radical damage.
Eco Tan Organic Face Tan Water reviews:
Truthfully, I am still yet to try this one–so many tans, so little time. And skin.
However, considering it’s one of our best-selling and most-reviewed face tans, I would be silly not to include it. Here’s what some of our Adore customers thought of it:
“I've been using this for years! I don't wear makeup and love that this can be part of my skincare regimen. So easy to apply but I have just started using a brush instead of my hands because I find it easier to blend into my hairline and I use less product this way. One bottle lasts aaaaages. I recommend it to everyone.” - Lindy.
“I love this face tan and have used it for years. I pop this on my face whenever I fake tan with other products. I find that my skin actually clears up after use too! This bottle lasts forever too! Awesome for holiday use! Just use daily and it's easier to go makeup free!” - Carmen.
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