You no longer have to visit the tanning parlor or sit out in the sun for hours to get the perfect shade. You can now do that in the comfort of your home! Remember, you should read the instructions panel on the product for the perfect streak-free application and avoid staining your clothes or bathtubs. Keep scrolling for our top picks!

13 Best Cruelty-Free Self-Tanners

1. Best Lightweight:Bondi Sands Dark Self Tanning Foam

The Bondi Sands Dark Self Tanning Foam is suitable for those who have olive skin tones and prefer a dark glow. The lightweight foam is enriched with aloe vera and coconut that give you a flawless, even finish. The salon-quality formula settles into a bronze shade in just six hours. Key Ingredients: Aloe vera and Coconut Skin Tone: Dark Pros

Lightweight Streak-free No orange tint Easy to use Pleasant scent Vegan Dries fast

Cons

Transfers easily

2. Best Nourishing:Beauty By Earth Self Tanner Lotion

The Beauty By Earth Self Tanner is made with nourishing ingredients that are carefully chosen from around the world. It includes organic shea butter, coconut oil, and green tea extract to provide hydration and nourishment to your skin. You can use this tanner in layers to achieve the desired shade. The long-lasting, fast-drying formula hugs your skin seamlessly without any orange tint, streaks, blotches, or dark spots. Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Coconut oil, and Green tea Skin Tone: Medium Pros

Easy to apply Paraben-free Phthalate-free Chemical-free Fragrance-free Vegan

Cons

May feel greasy

3. Best Fast-Drying:Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Light Bronze Sunless Tanning Mousse

The Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Light Bronze Sunless Tanning Mousse has a gentle formula that works with the natural tone of your skin. The light bronze shade is best suited for fair or medium skin tones. It is also available in the deep bronze shade for those who want more intensity in their tan. This cruelty-free self-tanner has a tropical, fruity fragrance that transports you to mystic islands. After application, it takes only 60 seconds to dry. Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Dihydroxyacetone, and Decyl glucoside Skin Tone: Fair to Medium Pros

Fast-drying Dermatologist-tested Easy to apply Weightless Long-lasting

Cons

May be sticky Contains parabens

4. Best Vegan:Sun Bum Browning Lotion

The Sun Bum Browning Lotion is formulated with organic ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, argan oil, aloe vera, and green tea. These ingredients help in balancing the toning process by providing nourishment and moisture to your skin. Apply a little sunscreen before slathering on this browning lotion to keep your skin protected from UV rays. This cruelty-free self-tanner gives you a fast, deep tan without having to spend hours under the sun. Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Avocado oil, Argan oil, Aloe vera, and Green tea Skin Tone: All Pros

Hypoallergenic Smells good Vegan Octinoxate-free Oxybenzone-free Paraben-free Gluten-free

Cons

Not waterproof Tends to transfer

5. Best Anti-Aging:Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam

The Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is developed with a green-gray base to deliver a natural golden glow without giving a touch of orange tone. It uses color-guide technology and delivers a shade that is backed by skin care benefits. The self-tanner is infused with coconut, amino acids, and mandarin oil that provide hydration and firmness to your skin. The combination of banana, cocoa, and papaya helps to even out skin imperfections and reduce pigmentation. The product also includes the antioxidant-rich mango and fig that help repair the signs of aging. The orange and lotus flowers in the tanner act as catalysts to reduce cellulite. Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Mandarin oil, Banana, Cocoa, Papaya, Mango, Fig, Orange, and Lotus flower Skin Tone: All Pros

Fast-drying Non-sticky Streak-free Lightweight Transfer-proof Vegan Sulfate-free Paraben-free Phthalate-free

Cons

May not last long

6. Best For Face And Body:Skinerals Natural Skin Science Californium Sunless Tanning Mousse

This tanning mouse from Skinerals gives you a healthy, natural glow and stays on for up to seven days. It gives a warm bronze glow that is perfect for people with pale skin. The non-greasy formula is safe for use on the face and the body. This cruelty-free self-tanner contains aloe vera and glycerin to heal and moisturize your skin. It also contains natural antioxidants like fig, acai berry, etc. that help reduce blemishes and stretch marks. Each bottle can last for up to four to eight applications. Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, Acai berry, Indian gooseberry, Glycerin, Fig extract, Goji berry extract, Green tea, and White tea extracts Skin Tone: Fair Pros

Non-greasy Non-acnegenic Sulfate-free Paraben-free Aerosol-free Odor-free

Cons

Takes time to dry

7. Best Fragrant:Existing Beauty Bronze Tan Dark Self Tanning Mousse & Moisturizer

The Existing Beauty Bronze Tan Dark Self Tanning Mousse & Moisturizer is enriched with aloe vera, glycerin, and jojoba oil that ensure even and smooth application. The cutting-edge formula is made with color-guide technology that blends seamlessly and without any streaks. The true tanned shade develops after 24 hours of application and lasts up to 5-7 days. This salon-quality formula has a pleasing vanilla scent. Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, Glycerin, and Jojoba oil Skin Tone: All Pros

Natural ingredients Salon-quality Safe for all ages Long-lasting Fast-drying

Cons

Not easy to apply

8. Best Non-Staining:Botanic Tree Organic Cosmetic Self Tanner Lotion

The Botanic Tree Organic Cosmetic Self Tanner Lotion is powered by natural ingredients to give you a gorgeous and natural-looking tan. It is formulated with shea butter, jojoba oil, apricot, and avocado that help in enhancing the hydration of your skin. It also contains rosemary, passion fruit, and moringa to help nourish and enrich your skin. The non-staining lotion gives a perfect bronze shade and has a gorgeous vanilla scent. Key Ingredients: Apricot, Grapeseed, Passion fruit, Moringa, Linseed, Coconut, Avocado, Vanilla, Rosemary, Arnica flower, Avocado, and Jojoba oil Skin Tone: All Pros

Vegan Non-staining Non-greasy Paraben-free Oil-free Chemical-free Suits sensitive skin

Cons

Uneven tanning

9. Best Hydrating:Naturena Organic Skincare Ultra Premium Self Tanning Mousse

The Naturena Organic Skincare Ultra Premium Self Tanning Mousse uses an advanced color complex with the goodness of nourishing oils, such as jojoba, grapeseed, coconut, avocado, and argan, to give you a flawless, sun-kissed tan. The color is visible instantly, but it also deepens for a few hours. This bronzing mousse contains coconut water that boosts the hydration of your skin. It can be used for all skin tones and for any age group. Key Ingredients: Argan oil, Jojoba oil, Grapeseed oil, Coconut oil, and Avocado oil Skin Tone: All Pros

Streak-free No orange tone Nice fragrance Paraben-free Vegan GMP certified

Cons

Faint color Takes time to dry

10. Best Non-Streaky:Tanologist Express Tan Self Tan Water

This unique spray gives you a quick, mess-free tan and a natural glow. The quick application formula allows you to attain a deeper shade as you spray more layers on your skin. The cruelty-free self-tanner is infused with three nourishing fruits – pink grapefruit, goji berry, and juniper – that make your skin soft and supple. The non-clogging formula gives you a streak-free finish without causing any dryness. This product is available in dark, medium, and light shades. Key Ingredients: Pink grapefruit, Goji berry, and Juniper Skin Tone: All Pros

Toxin-free Non-comedogenic Easy to apply No streaks No smell Vegan Fast-drying Dermatologist-tested

Cons

May be sticky

11. Best For Quick Results:Bondi Sands Pure Self-Tan Foaming Water

The Bondi Sands Pure Self-Tan Foaming gives you an iconic golden glow. It contains hyaluronic acid that hydrates your skin and vitamin C that helps in enhancing its radiance. It also contains vitamin E that helps rejuvenate your skin and enhances the beauty of the bronzing effect. The formula dries quickly on your skin and gives effective results in just 6 hours. It can be reapplied after an hour of application to get a deeper shade. Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E Skin Tone: Light and Medium Pros

Fast-drying Fragrance-free Sulfate-free Dye-free Vegan

Cons

May dry your skin

12. Best Hypoallergenic:Caribbean Sol Beach Colours Natural Self Tanner

This self-tanner from Caribbean Sol is packed with moisturizing ingredients and natural DHA that help produce a natural-looking tan. It contains shea butter, aloe vera, cucumber, vitamin E, and mandarin oil that moisturize your skin. The squalene in the formula helps reduce the signs of aging. Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, DHA, Shea butter, Squalene oil, Cucumber, Mandarin oil, and Vitamin E Skin Tone: Fair to Dark Pros

Oil-free Fast-absorbing Hypoallergenic Gluten-free Paraben-free Fragrance-free Dye-free

Cons None

13. Best Long-Lasting:Tanceuticals Color Correct Self Tanning Body Mousse

The Tanceuticals Color Correct Self Tanning Body Mousse gives you a natural tan that blends easily and dries quickly. Once applied, it can last up to seven days. It is formulated with body-loving ingredients like pomegranate, açai berry, and argan oil that help in improving the quality of your skin. The product is infused with a fresh coconut scent. Key Ingredients: Açai berry, Pomegranate extract, and Argan oil Skin Tone: All Pros

Long-lasting Easy to use Lightweight Pleasant scent Propylene glycol-free Mineral oil-free Paraben-free Vegan

Cons

Expensive

A self-tanning formula can give you a sun-kissed glow without ever have to step out in the sun, preventing damage by the UV rays. However, to get the best benefits, you have to choose the best formula. The following are certain factors to consider before buying a self-tanner.

How To Choose The Best Cruelty-Free Self-Tanner

Type: Self-tanners may come in different forms – sprays, lotions, mousses, serums, gels, etc. Depending on your skin type, choose the formula that will complement its needs. For example, lotions and oils are best for people with dry skin. Oil-free mists are good for oily skin. For fast action and to cover the hard-to-reach areas, go for a spray formula. Ingredients: Tanning formulae can often contain toxic elements. Hence, it is essential to take a careful look at the ingredients list to make sure that there are no elements that are drying or pro-aging or may potentially cause allergic reactions, sensitivity, etc. The ones with organic ingredients and moisturizing properties are your best bet. Shade: Depending on your skin tone and the shade you desire to achieve, make sure that you pick the right shade of tanner. You can also get buildable shades if you choose to experiment a little. Cruelty-Free: Always look for the logo of Leaping Bunny or PETA before you buy a cruelty-free product. A product that merely claims to be cruelty-free but does not have any logo is likely to not have met all the conditions required to attain the seal of approval.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Baishali Bhattacharya is certified in makeup techniques and loves reviewing makeup products. She has carefully selected these cruelty-free self-tanners, which have been closely reviewed based on user reviews and feedback available on multiple forums and brand websites. These cruelty-free self-tanners are available in different fragrances and provide nourishment and moisture to your skin. Is tan cruelty-free? No. All tanning lotions are not cruelty-free. Brands like Bondi Sands and Naturena Organic Skincare do not test on animals. Are self-tanners safe? Yes. Self-tanners contain harmless and colorless sugar called dihydroxyacetone that interacts with your skin and develops a temporary tan. They are free of toxins and safe for the skin. Can I shave after self-tanning? Yes. You may shave after 24 hours of self-tanning. But if you shave immediately, your skin may develop dark brown spots. What happens if you leave the self-tanner on too long? Leaving self-tanners on for too long helps you achieve a seamless tan. But if you leave the tanning lotion on your skin more than what is instructed, you may find it difficult to remove. What do you sleep in after self-tanning? Sleep wearing a loose-fitting, long sleeve shirt and full pants after self-tanning to prevent the color from smudging and developing an uneven texture. How often should you self-tan? Apply sun-tan once a week to maintain the color. But always exfoliate your skin before using the self-tanning lotion.

Self Tanners For Face Self Tanners For Sensitive Skin For A Sun-Free Tan Self-Tanners With Sunscreen Cruelty-Free Bronzers For A Shimmering Glow!