The best self-tanners for a bronzed glow in 2024, according to celebrities
Whether they’re posing for swimsuit snaps or hitting the red carpet, stars love to show their glow.
And when it comes to looking sun-kissed — while kissing harmful UV rays goodbye — plenty of celebrities count self-tanning sprays, drops and mousses as a part of their beauty routines.
Wondering which products have earned a gold star by bronzing the biggest names in Hollywood?
Below, we’ve broken down five self-tanning products tested and approved by celebrities — from Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala glow potion to the spray that helped Ryan Gosling transform into Ken on the “Barbie” set.
- Best Overall: Dolce Glow Self-Tanning Mist
- Best Mist: St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
- Best for Face: Tan-Luxe The Face Self-Tan Drops
- Best Budget: Sol by Jergens Deeper By The Drop Serum
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Water
Best Overall: Dolce Glow Self-Tanning Mist
Pros:
- Can be sprayed upside down for 360-degree coverage
- Smells great
- Hydrating formula
Cons:
- Exfoliating mitt sold separately
Dolce Glow founder Isabel Alysa is the pro behind countless stars’ bronzed complexions. Miley Cyrus invested in the company in early 2023, and the Kardashian-Jenners, Selena Gomez, Lauren Sánchez, Brittany Mahomes and Jennifer Lopez all swear by Dolce Glow’s spray tans for Met Gala appearances, Instagram shoots and more. Sofia Richie even went to Alysa to get tanned before her April 2023 wedding.
For those looking to get glowing at home, the brand’s tanning mist features a special sprayer that allows you to turn the can upside down or sideways, meaning — as Alysa once told Page Six Style — “if you can use an SPF product, you can use the self-tanner.”
“It dries instantly and it’s just really hydrating,” added the glow guru, who also recommended prepping the skin with an Exfoliating Mitt ($9) 24 hours before and told us “you can rinse off [the spray] in as little as two to six hours depending on how dark you want the tan.”
Page Six Style’s Review: “Alysa’s signature formula was so comfortable and hydrating, it felt like applying luxe skincare all over (plus, it didn’t stain my white bed sheets or clothing),” Page Six Commerce Writer Hannah Southwick wrote after trying a professional spray tan from Alysa.
Best Mist: St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
Pros:
- Fast drying
- Made with clean ingredients
- More than 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon
Cons:
- Can be challenging to apply evenly
Kim Kardashian reportedly name-dropped St. Tropez on her now-defunct app, while Ashley Graham collaborated with the brand on a special tan kit.
The latter told Who What Wear in 2021 that after applying a face mask and balm, she “[likes] to spray St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist over it to keep me tan.”
The brand’s bronzing formulas are also part of her red carpet routine, as she prepped for the 2024 Met Gala using its Self Tan Suprême Violet Bronzing Mousse.
Best for Face: Tan-Luxe The Face Self-Tan Drops
Pros:
- Paraben-free
- Doesn’t streak
- Gives a natural glow
Cons:
- Fades quickly
A favorite of Bachelor Nation stars and morning show hosts, Tan-Luxe products promise a camera-ready glow. Kelly Ripa’s reportedly called this face-focused formula “kind of remarkable” and “literally like applying moisturizer” on air, while Christine Quinn has praised its versatility.
“I love that the drops are customizable and buildable for a subtle glow or a full-on bronze Barbie look,” she told Page Six Style in 2020.
Hailey Bieber, meanwhile, prefers the Tan-Luxe The Water Hydrating Self-Tan Water; in a TikTok showcasing her routine, the model spritzed some on and explained she uses it “because my body gets really tan and I keep my face out of the sun,” adding, “I really love it. I spray it, rub it in, I wait for it to try and I put my skincare on top.”
Paris Hilton put her own pink spin on the brand’s formulas in 2024, when she collaborated on a Future Collection ($49) featuring her exclusive Pink Sands scent.
Best Budget: Sol by Jergens Deeper By The Drop Serum
Pros:
- Can be used on face and body
- Can be added to any moisturizer
- Oil-free formula
Cons:
- Some reviewers note it can give an “orange” glow if too many drops are applied
Kourtney Kardashian’s self-tanning favorite rings in at less than $20 on Amazon. The Poosh founder included these Sol by Jergens drops — which can be customized to create the depth of color you desire — in her company’s Summer 2022 mailer.
She also called out the brand’s Water Mousse, saying, “I love that it’s made with natural sugars and coconut oil.”
Best for Sensitive Skin: Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Water
Pros:
- Contains vitamin C
- Works on all skin types
- Dries fast
Cons:
- Can leave skin feeling sticky after application
Come on Barbie, let’s go spray tan. While getting Ryan Gosling into character as Ken, tanning specialist Kimberley Nkosi used the brand’s viral self-tanning spray, which is designed to create a glow that lasts about a week.
“For me applying sunless tanner isn’t about spraying something on and hoping for the best,” Nkosi wrote on Instagram. “It’s about a feeling more than a look.”
Who makes the best self tanners?
Looking for more guidance before you go for a glow? While the sun-kissed stars above can serve as inspiration, the perfect product ultimately boils down to personal preference — including how deep you’d like your tan to be, whether you’re looking for a face or full-body formula and if you prefer a scented or fragrance-free option.
Ultimately, however, you really can’t go wrong with the mists, mousses and serums spotlighted above.
“People are really just starting to learn what a spray tan can do,” Dolce Glow’s Isabel Alysa previously told Page Six Style, comparing it to a “filter” on your skin that “can help tone, blur imperfections” and even out skin tone.
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