Her Summer Beauty
Top 5 Best Self Tanners For 2025 - [Ranked & Reviewed]
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We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: there’s nothing quite like the power of a nice bronzed glow to help give us a confidence boost. Especially when it comes time to drop the skivvies and bear it all (even if it’s just for ourselves).
Thankfully, self-tanners have come a long way in the past few years, and the formulas are cleaner, go on more evenly, and don’t completely reek.
So pour one out for all the white sheets we’ve lost along the way, and then try one of these super clean self-tanners that give skin an even, radiant, sun-kissed glow without making you smell like a walking tanning salon.
1. Soleau Self Tanner - Best Overall Self Tanner, Cleanest Formula.
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Why Is Soleau The Best Overall Tanner?
Yes, it gives you a stunning tan. But what really makes Soleau the best overall tanner is how clean its formula is. It's not full of harsh chemicals like 99% of other tanners out there.
In fact, the people behind the Soleau tanner spent over 3 years developing this formula to make it as clean as possible. They didn't want any harsh chemicals going into the product.
As a result, they've just launched the cleanest tanner on the market (that doesn't smell btw) and is actually great for your skin. It's one of the first self tanners that actually moisturizes and nourishes your skin while it tans, and after using it Soleau easily has our vote for best self tanner of the year.
Key Features:
- Moisturizes While Tanning: Most tanners aren't great for the skin, but Soleau has created a formula that nourishes the skin while it tans.
- Fragrance Free: Out of all the tanners we've tried, this one has the lowest smell profile. You can barely smell it.
- Super Clean Formula: When comparing the ingredients to other tanners on our list, Soleau has the cleanest, highest quality ingredients for your skin.
- Silicone Free: No silicone in the formula
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Alcohol Free: Alcohol dries out your skin and does the opposite of making you look beautiful
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Paraben Free: Parabens are preservatives found in many lotions that can disrupt your hormones and cause fertility issues. Soleau has totally eliminated these from their formula
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PEG Free: PEGs are petroleum-based compound that are often used as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers that aren't good for your skin or your body. Soleau has eliminated these from their formula
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Cruelty Free: From start to finish, Soleau guarantees no testing on animals whatsoever. We love this
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Beautiful Packaging: A lot of products show up in the mail poorly packaged. Not Soleau. They've put A LOT of effort into making it a beautiful experience when receiving your order.
I Tried Soleau, Here's My Review
We tried the Soleau tanner, and there's just something special about the tan you get. Yes it goes on perfectly even, but the glow you get is just better. Maybe this is due to the fact you're not burning your skin with alcohol and other harsh chemicals that are found in other tanners. We're not sure what the magic formula is, but it works and it looks amazing.
Likes & Dislikes
Likes
- It's Boyfriend Approved: My boyfriend loves this tanner because not only does it make me hotter (his words not mine) it doesn't smell like all the rest.
- I'm Not Sacrificing Health For Beauty: Thanks to Soleau's super clean formula, there's finally a self tanner where I don't feel guilty about lathering it on my body.
- They Don't Test On Animals: I'm a big animal lover, so this is really important to me. Love this.
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They're Not A Big Brand: Soleau is a new, boutique brand that hasn't been corrupted by a big box buyout yet. Once a big brand gets involved, formulas change and the product is never as good.
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It's Made Here In The U.S.: Call me old fashioned but I'm not a fan of lathering myself in lotions made in China. Soleau is made and shipped from here in the US.
Dislikes
- Only Available Online: Because Soleau is a new company they're not available in any major stores like Sephora yet.
Bottom Line
Soleau is currently the best self tanner on the market, and in my humble opinion the best kept secret in the beauty industry right now. An odorless, super clean tanner at this price point just doesn't exist. It's a tanner you can actually feel good about putting on your body. Keep your eye on this brand because they're going to blow up soon.
2. Tan Luxe - "The Gradual"
A lightweight body moisturizer with a gradual glow. This oil/lotion hybrid has become a cult favorite, melting into skin upon application and delivering radiant, buildable color.
The weightless, nourishing formula smooths and conditions skin while subtly dialing up a natural glow in just one hour. Formulated with hydrating and skin-boosting ingredients such as Raspberry Seed Oil, Vitamin E, and Aloe Vera, plus Caffeine-rich Cellutone Complex to help skin appear firmer.
3. Lux Unfiltered - N°32 HYDRATING SELF-TANNING CREAM
Rather than baking in the sun, damaging your skin, or looking orange and streaky, we bring you a hydrating, gradual self-tanning cream that will give you a natural-looking glow and color.
Infused with shea butter, cocoa butter, squalane, avocado oil, and passion fruit oil, this gradual self-tanner will leave your skin dewy and bronze.
Easy to apply, no funky smells, no build-up, no sticky residue. Forget filters, now you can look just as tan IRL!
4. Vita Liberata- Self Tanning Gradual Tan Lotion
Fabulous Gradual Self Tanning Lotion is the perfect daily moisturiser for your face and body. Delivering a gradual buildable tan whilst hydrating and moisturising the skin.
5. Bondi Sands- Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Enjoy a year-round tan with Bondi Sands innovative dual action Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk. Enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E for healthy, glowing skin it glides on effortlessly for a long lasting golden tan every time.
The Bottom Line
There are a lot of tanners out there, but only a small handful of GREAT self tanners. If you're looking for the best one on the market, it's going to be Sol Bar. Ideally your self tanner works, but you also want it to help keep your skin healthy and beautiful year after year, which is why there's been such a dramatic shift in the industry to clean tanners. So stop rubbing those harsh chemicals on your body, and switch over to a clean tanner!
About The Author
Catrina Bernard, Health & Beauty Journalist
