12 Best Face Tanning Drops, Tried and Tested

Bronzing just got better. Using innovative new formulas, you can now elevate your self-tan while enjoying a multitude of beauty benefits. Whether it’s for the face or body, our line-up of best tanning drops grace you with a gradual golden glow while delivering a whole host of skin-loving ingredients. It doesn’t stop there, we love that you can create a made-to-measure shade to suit your skin tone. Once you're set on a shade, you can mix into other skincare products like your day or night cream - some formulas can even be blended with serums and oils. We’re obsessed.

Best tanning drops at a glance - our top picks:

Best tanning drops for fair skin: TAN-LUXE The Face Self-Tan Drops Light/Medium, £36

Best tanning drops for face and body: ISLE OF PARADISE Self-Tanning Drops Medium, £21.95

Best for dry skin: ISLE OF PARADISE Hyglo Hyaluronic Face Serum, £22.95

Best facial self tanner for sensitive skin: BONDI SANDS Self Tan Drops Light/Medium, £15.99

Best natural self tanner for face: St. Tropez Luxe Tan Tonic Glow Drops, £30

Q: What are tanning drops?

A: Unlike traditional fake tan, tanning drops are to be used in conjunction with your skincare. Typically a concentrated liquid product, the beauty of these solutions is that they allow you to customise your colour to help you achieve bronzed, sun-kissed skin, without the need for prolonged sun exposure or tanning beds.

Q: How do tanning drops work?

A: It's time to discover a bit more about the magic of tanning drops. Typically containing Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), an active ingredient and colourless sugar, this interacts with the amino acids in the skin's outer layer to produce a temporary darkening effect. When applied to the skin, this creates a brown pigment called Melanoidin, resulting in the appearance of a tan. Don't worry, though, the reaction is non-toxic and doesn't penetrate beyond deeper layers of the skin.

Q: How to use tanning drops

A: Knowing how to use self-tanning drops is simple. First thing's first - as with all fake tan, the number one golden rule for application: prep, prep and more prep. We suggest exfoliating and cleansing the skin before applying. You want to remove any dead skin cells to ensure a more even application.

Rather than applying tanning drops directly to your skin, mix them into your go-to moisturiser or body lotion (preferably unscented). The fewer drops you add, the lighter your tan will be. Blending the drops into your skincare saves you time, and their buildable glow means tanning drops are better than gradual tan - and all thanks to their versatility.

Using smooth and circular motions, apply the mixture evenly to your skin. Be thorough but cautious around areas with thin skin (like your eyebrows and hairline) as the colour can appear more intense. The same goes for rough skin areas - these absorb more product and may leave you with an uneven colour.

Once applied, allow to dry completely. And, of course, wash your hands immediately after application to prevent staining. Our top tip? You can always use a tanning mitt or gloves to avoid streaks. To maintain your tan, just reapply the tanning drops as needed.

Q: How long do tanning drops take to work?

A: The time it takes for tanning drops to work depend on the product you use and its formula. You may notice immediate results with a slight tint of colour on your skin. But this initial colour is often just a guide colour that helps you see where you've applied the product. It doesn't represent the final tan.

Generally, you can expect to see results from these glow-giving solutions within two to four hours after application - otherwise known as the initial development phase. And for full development? Usually, the colour continues to deepen and intensify within eight to 24 hours. During this period, we recommend avoiding activities that cause sweating or getting wet to ensure an even, long-lasting tan.

Once fully developed, you might want to wash off any excess tan to prevent overdevelopment. Bear in mind the instructions for tanning drops vary for development times and application guidelines. So, always check what your specific product recommends before use.

Q: How long do tanning drops last?

A: Sure, we'd all love a tan that lasts forever, but the longevity of a tan achieved with tanning drops varies depending on the product used, your individual skin type, and how well you maintain the tan. Naturally, our skin sheds over time, and along with it goes the temporary effects of tanning drops, much to our dismay. 

Typically, tans from tanning drops are short term, lasting for about a week or slightly longer. As the skin naturally exfoliates, the tan colour gradually fades, too. Those with dry skin may also find that tan fades more quickly than those with oily skin. But all is not lost - you can reapply tanning drops regularly to help prolong your beautiful glow. From once a week to every few days, how often you reapply depends on how intense you'd like the colour and if you'd like to maintain a consistent tan.

A big no-no in our books? Excessive exposure to water. Whether you're a swimmer or love frequent showers or baths (us, too), this can speed up the exfoliation process and shorten the lifespan of your tan. Make sure to avoid harsh exfoliants and always pat the skin dry. Our best advice for longest-lasting results? Follow proper skin preparation, application techniques, and aftercare. You'll be glowing from head to toe.

Q: How we choose the best tanning drops

A: Our foray into finding the very best fake tan face drops left no stone unturned. Contrary to what many believe, fake tan is not simply a one-bottle-fits-all situation. Different skin types require different things. For example, sensitive skins need minimal irritants and calming ingredients. The best face tanning drops are not necessarily the same as the best tanning drops for your body. Of course, we've evaluated all the key elements of a great fake tan: whether or not it fades quickly, if it goes streaky or if it has that tell-tale biscuity smell. Now that you know how we select our top performers, you can find the ones that took the hotspot below.

By Sephora UK Editorial Team

Writers and experts

Updated: 05 March 2024