The Best Self Tanner for Your Face

Bronzed body, pale face? What? I’m notorious about applying (and reapplying) sunblock to my face daily, plus I protect with a hat anytime I’m in the sun. But, I’m a bit more laissez-faire when it comes to sunning my body and although I apply sunblock when I’m in the sun, I do love a bronzed glow. That’s where the self tanner comes in since my face has to match my body. Self tanner is especially great in the summer months when you want to skip makeup but still have a healthy, fresh faced glow. Most days, I just apply tanning drops, sunblock and some mascara and I’m good to know. Literally no need for bronzer, highlighter, concealer or foundation!

Like most beauty products, I tried out a lot of options on the market and discovered 2 that are hands down the best! Trust me, self tanning drops have come a long way and you won’t be left with orange or streakiness.

The Best Self Tanner for Your Face

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops

These Self-Tanning Drops were created to work with your skin tone to visibly brighten, reduce redness, and even tone for a beautiful glow. Thanks to avocado, coconut, and chia seed, these tanning drops hydrate your skin and give you a long lasting tan with no streaks, stains, or smells. I recommend mixing these drops with your moisturizer or face oil for even application and allowing it to set for about 5 minutes before you apply make up or anything else. I use about 3-4 drops every day of the Medium color for a natural looking glow.

Isle of Paradise is my top pick because it’s a clean brand, plus there is no weird self tanner smell!

Tan-Luxe Illuminating Self Tan Drops, $49

Tan Luxe is one of the original self tan brands and boasts a “Triple Tan Technology” which combines a blend of organic tanning actives. These tan drops work with your skin tone to deliver a natural looking tan – a step up from the drug store self tanner! Packed with raspberry seed oil, aloe vera and vitamin E, these drops give you dewy, hydrated skin. I recommend mixing these drops with your moisturizer or face oil for even application and allowing it to set for about 5 minutes before you apply make up or anything else. With Tan Luxe, I use about 4 drops the first couple of days and then reduce to 2 drops a day to maintain the glow. I use the Medium/Dark color for my skin tone.

While Tan Luxe isn’t classified as clean, the product has no Parabens, Sulfates, or Phthalates. It has a slight self tanner smell, but it’s not bothersome at all. The application is super smooth (no streaks) and buildable.

What about peels and actives?

Some of you had questions about using these products with actives such as Vitamin C, Glycolic Acid, Retinol, etc. I use Vitamin C daily and didn’t notice any change in the effectiveness of either the serum or self tanning drops. When it comes to actives that “peel”, it definitely takes off the tan since you’re encouraging cell turnover with these peels so you want the top layer of the skin to exfoliate. After doing a peel or a stronger active, you’ll need to start and build up your tan on the next day – don’t use tanning drops after doing any masks. I don’t use Retinol so I can’t speak to the reaction there, but tanning drops are marked as safe to use with Retinoids but you’ll just have to “build” your tan after retinol application.

Thank you for reading.

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