Self-Tanning Products: Your Path to a Sun-Kissed Radiance

Why Self-Tanning Products Are the Safer, Smarter Way to Glow

Self tanning products deliver a natural, sun-kissed glow without the UV damage, streaks, or that dreaded orange tone. The global sunless tanning market—valued at $1.1 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $2.1 billion by 2030—proves that more people are choosing safer alternatives to tanning beds and sun exposure. It's a smart move, considering the well-known risks of UV radiation. Today's formulas are water-light, quick-dry, and designed to work on every skin tone, from very fair to deep.

Quick Answer: The Best Self-Tanning Products

• Tinted Tanning Water: Sweat/transfer-resistant, quick-dry, visible guide color for easy blending (e.g., Life Proof Tan)
• Tanning Drops: Mix with moisturizer or serum for a custom, buildable glow on face or body
• High-Quality Mitt: Double-sided, washable tool for streak-free, stain-free application
• Complete Kit: Everything you need for salon-quality results at home

The science is simple: dihydroxyacetone (DHA)—a sugar-based compound—reacts with amino acids in your skin's top layer to create a bronzed look, no sun required. Modern formulas skip the sticky mess and orange undertones of old-school tanners. Instead, they blend seamlessly, dry fast, and fade evenly—just like a real vacation tan.

I'm Emmy Bre, founder of 3VERYBODY, and I've spent over a decade testing nearly every self tanning product on the market before creating formulas that actually work—non-orange, non-sticky, and sweat-resistant—on every skin tone. After watching my mom and grandma battle skin cancer, I knew safer options had to exist, so I built them.

Your Pre-Tan Checklist: How to Prep for a Flawless Finish

Think of your best self tanning products as the final step, not the first. The real secret to that natural, streak-free glow? It starts in the shower, about 24 hours before you ever spray a drop of tanning water.

Exfoliation is your foundation. You're essentially creating a smooth, clean canvas for your tan. Dead skin cells are the enemy here—they create rough patches that grab pigment unevenly, especially on areas like elbows and knees. Grab an exfoliating glove or a gentle scrub and work your way over your entire body. Anna Stankiewicz, a spray tanner at Louise O'Connor Salon, puts it perfectly: rough patches lead to splotchy results. Give yourself that full 24 hours between exfoliating and tanning so your skin can calm down and any residue is completely gone.

Hair removal comes next, but timing matters. If you shave or wax, do it at least 24 hours before you apply your tanner. Here's why: both open up your pores and can irritate your skin. Apply tanner too soon, and you'll see those tiny dots of darker color where the DHA settles into open pores—not the look we're going for. Plus, many beauty treatments can actually strip self-tanner right off, so get them done ahead of time. For the full breakdown on timing, check out Should I Shave or Wax Before Applying Self-Tanner?

Now, moisturizing gets strategic. On the day you're tanning, start with clean, completely dry skin—no lotions, oils, or deodorants. But here's the trick: your knees, elbows, ankles, and knuckles are naturally drier and will drink up more pigment, creating dark, unnatural spots. Before you spray your tanning water, dab a very thin layer of light, oil-free moisturizer on just those dry zones. Think of it as a protective barrier that helps everything blend evenly.

The payoff for these simple steps? A radiant, natural-looking glow that develops evenly and lasts. For the complete prep guide, read our Best Practices for Prepping Your Skin Before Applying Self-Tanner. Once your skin is prepped, you're ready for the easy part—applying your water-light, quick-dry tanning water.

The Best Self-Tanning Products for a Natural, Streak-Free Finish

Let's talk about what actually works. The self tanning products aisle can feel overwhelming—mousses, lotions, sprays, and drops all promising that perfect glow. But here's what I've learned after years of testing everything: water-based formulas are the future of self-tanning.

Why? A thinner, water-light layer blends cleaner, dries faster, and looks natural from very fair to deep skin. Unlike heavy mousses or creams that can feel sticky and take forever to dry, water-based formulas absorb quickly, blend seamlessly, and leave you with a comfortable, non-tacky finish. Translation: no sticky mess—just a streak-free, sheet-safe glow you can actually trust. If you're curious about the whole water versus mousse debate, we break it down here: Is Tanning Water or Tanning Mousse Better?

Best Overall for a Sweat-Resistant, Transfer-Proof Tan: Tinted Tanning Water

If you want a no-fuss, flawless tan that keeps up with your life, meet Life Proof Tan—our signature tinted tanning water. This is the formula I created after watching too many friends (and myself) deal with orange streaks, stained sheets, and sticky messes.

What makes it different? It's sweat and transfer-resistant, so you can hit the gym, run errands, or sleep without worrying about your tan ending up on your clothes or pillowcases. It's quick-dry—we're talking minutes, not hours. And it's never orange. The visible guide color lets you see exactly where you're applying, making it nearly impossible to miss a spot or create streaks.

Life Proof Tan is also sheet-safe, which means you can apply it right before bed without a second thought. Beyond performance, we packed it with ingredients that actually care for your skin: argan oil for nourishment, cucumber oil for a refreshing feel, and caffeine plus guarana extract to give your skin a little boost. Everything we make is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from parabens and sulfates—because what you put on your body matters.

This is the tan that works on every skin tone and adapts to your routine. Get yours here: Life Proof Tan. And if you're new to the whole tanning water concept, we explain it all: What is a Self-Tanning Water?

Best for a Custom Glow: Self-Tanning Drops

Sometimes you want total control over your color. That's where our Tanning Drops come in—they're the most flexible self tanning products you'll find.

Here's how they work: mix a few drops with your favorite moisturizer, serum, or oil, and you've got a buildable tan that's completely customized to you. Want a subtle, just-back-from-a-walk glow? Use fewer drops. Going for a deeper bronze? Add more. You can use them on your face, your body, or both—they fit right into whatever routine you already have.

Our Tanning Drops are powered by rosehip oil, which hydrates and brightens, and cucumber extract, which soothes as you tan. Like everything we make, they're vegan and free from parabens, palm oil, and sulfates. It's your glow, your way. Start customizing with our Tanning Drops.

Curious about the science? Check out How Do Tanning Drops Work?. And if you're wondering how many drops to use, we've got you: How Many Tanning Drops Should I Use for My Face Versus My Body?

The Essential Tool for All Self-Tanning Products: A High-Quality Mitt

No matter which formula you choose, a quality tanning mitt is non-negotiable. It's the difference between a professional-looking tan and a streaky, stained-hands disaster.

Our double-sided, washable Mitt gives you streak-free control from start to finish. It distributes the product evenly, prevents blotches, and protects your palms from unwanted color. One side for application, the other for blending those tricky spots like hands and feet. It's the tool that makes everything else work. Grab yours here: Tanning Mitt.

Still wondering if you really need one? We answer that: Do I Need to Use a Tanning Mitt to Apply Self-Tanner?

The Complete At-Home Glow: The 3VERYBODY Kit

If you want everything you need in one place, we built the 3VERYBODY Kit for you. It's our best self tanning products bundled together for salon-quality results at home.

Inside, you'll find Life Proof Tan Tinted Tanning Water, our customizable Tanning Drops, and our essential Tanning Mitt. It's designed to make self-tanning easy, inclusive, and foolproof—no matter your skin tone or experience level. Creator-approved (yes, HopeScope loved us) and ready to give you that flawless glow. Get the full set here: 3VERYBODY Kit.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Perfect At-Home Tan

Getting that flawless, sun-kissed glow at home is easier than you think—especially with our water-light self tanning products. We've spent years perfecting a method that delivers a natural, streak-free finish every single time. Here's exactly how we do it:

Start with clean, dry skin. Remember all that prep work we talked about earlier? This is where it pays off. Make sure you've exfoliated, your skin is completely dry, and you're ready to glow.

Now, grab your Mitt and spritz your Tinted Tanning Water directly onto it. A few pumps is all you need to start—you can always add more as you go. Think of it like building your perfect shade, layer by layer.

Begin with your larger areas first—legs, arms, torso. Smooth the product onto your skin in long, sweeping strokes, then use gentle circular motions to blend everything seamlessly. Work your way up your body, section by section. The visible guide color in our Life Proof Tan makes this part foolproof—you'll see exactly where you've applied and where you need to blend.

Here's the trick for hands and feet: save them for absolute last. These areas can absorb more color and end up looking unnatural if you're not careful. Flip your Mitt to the clean side (or use just the very tips) and lightly blend any remaining product from your arms and legs onto your hands and feet. Trust me, a little goes a long way here.

Let it dry for just a few minutes. Our quick-dry formula means you won't be standing around forever. Once your skin feels dry to the touch, slip into loose-fitting, dark clothing. Avoid anything tight that might rub against your fresh tan or create awkward lines.

Allow your tan to develop, then hop in for a quick lukewarm rinse. You're just washing off the excess guide color—no need for hot water or harsh soaps. Just let the water run clear, and you're done.

The secret to making your glow last? Moisturize daily. Hydrated skin holds onto color longer and fades more evenly. And here's one more pro tip: when you're drying off after showers, pat your skin dry instead of rubbing. Your future self will thank you when your tan lasts days longer.

Want to dive deeper into avoiding common pitfalls? Check out How Can I Avoid Streaks or Patchiness When Applying Self-Tanner?. And if you're looking to extend that gorgeous glow, we've got you covered: How Can I Make My Self-Tan Last Longer?.

Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Tanning

We hear a lot of questions about self tanning products, and honestly, we get it. For years, self-tanners had a pretty terrible reputation. But times have changed, formulas have evolved, and we're here to clear up the myths and give you the confidence to glow.

Will self-tanner turn me orange?

Let's tackle the big one first. The dreaded orange tan is probably the number one reason people hesitate to try self-tanning. And look, we've all seen those neon-orange disasters from the early 2000s. But here's the truth: not with us.

That orange hue happens when formulas use low-quality DHA or when the concentration is way too high for your skin tone. Fair skin, especially, can turn pumpkin-orange with heavy-handed products that pack too much DHA (typically anything over 5% for lighter tones). It's a chemistry problem, not a self-tanning problem.

Our formulas use high-quality DHA and color-correcting undertones designed to complement your natural skin tone—not fight against it. Our Life Proof Tan, for instance, develops into a believable bronze that looks like you actually spent time in the sun, not like you rolled around in carrot juice. The key is choosing the right product for your skin tone and applying it correctly (which, let's be honest, is why we built our easy-to-blend tinted formula in the first place).

So yes, you can absolutely avoid the orange. In fact, we've made it our mission. For more on this, check out What Self-Tanner Won't Turn Me Orange?

Is self-tanner safe for my skin?

This is one of our favorite questions, because the answer is a resounding yes—and it's actually one of the biggest reasons to choose self tanning products over baking in the sun or hitting a tanning bed.

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the active ingredient that gives you that bronze glow, is FDA-approved for external use. It works by reacting with amino acids in the outermost layer of your skin—the dead cells on the surface—to temporarily darken them. It doesn't penetrate deeper, it doesn't mess with your DNA, and it doesn't cause the kind of damage that UV rays do. That's the whole point.

Now, there have been some concerns about inhaling DHA during spray-gun tanning sessions at salons, which is why we focus on at-home, water-light application methods. Our Tinted Tanning Water is applied with a mitt, and our Tanning Drops mix into your moisturizer—no aerosol clouds, no worries.

Beyond DHA, we're obsessed with clean formulas. Our products are vegan, cruelty-free, and free from parabens, palm oil, and sulfates. We skip the harsh chemicals and common irritants because your skin deserves better. That said, if you have particularly sensitive skin or struggle with acne, we always recommend doing a patch test on a small area first—just to make sure your skin loves it as much as we do. For a deeper dive, read Is Self-Tanner Bad for Your Skin? and Are Tanning Drops Safe for Acne-Prone Skin?.

How do I fix a self-tan mistake?

Okay, so you've got a streak. Or maybe one hand looks suspiciously darker than the other. First things first: don't panic. Even the most experienced self-tanners have an off day, and the good news is that mistakes are almost always fixable.

For minor streaks or uneven patches, a gentle exfoliation usually does the trick. Hop in the shower with a soft washcloth or an exfoliating mitt and some mild soap. Gently buff the problem area in circular motions until the color evens out. Jennifer Materia, founder of GLOW organic airbrush tanning studio, suggests showering with soap a few extra times if your tan looks too dark or streaky—sometimes that's all it takes.

For more stubborn dark spots, especially on hands, feet, or knuckles where product tends to cling, try a homemade remedy: mix a little baking soda with lemon juice to form a paste. Gently massage it into the over-tanned area, let it sit for a minute or two, then rinse thoroughly. The mild abrasive action of the baking soda combined with the natural lightening power of lemon can help lift excess color without being too harsh. Afterwards, blend the surrounding areas with a clean Mitt to smooth out any lines.

The best fix, of course, is prevention—and that's why prep, the right product, and a good mitt make all the difference. For a full rundown on how to avoid common pitfalls, check out our Tips for Avoiding Common Self-Tanning Mistakes.

Conclusion: Your Flawless, Sun-Safe Glow Awaits

Here's the truth: you don't have to choose between a gorgeous glow and healthy skin. The right self tanning products give you both—a radiant, natural-looking tan that's completely sun-safe.

It really comes down to three simple things: prep, product, and process. Exfoliate and moisturize those dry spots. Choose formulas that work with your skin tone, not against it. Apply with confidence using the right tools. Follow these steps, and you'll have a tan that looks like you, only better—no UV damage, no orange streaks, no sticky mess.

As a woman-owned, inclusivity-first brand, we built 3VERYBODY because we believe sun safety is beautiful, and that everyone deserves access to effective, easy-to-use self-tanning solutions. Our water-light, quick-dry formulas were designed from day one to work on every skin tone and type. They're sweat/transfer-resistant, non-sticky, and truly sheet-safe. And yes, they're creator-approved—HopeScope loved us, and we think you will too.

So go ahead: ditch the sun damage and accept the radiant, confident glow that's been waiting for you. Your flawless, sun-safe tan is just a few sprays away.

Ready to find your perfect, life-proof tan? Explore our Tinted Tanning Water.