Achieve a Sun-Kissed Glow With a Gradual Tanning Lotion
Get your perfect tan with a gradual tanning lotion. Streak-free and easy to use, it helps give you the natural glow you've been dreaming about!
If you’re looking for a convenient and healthy way to acquire some color this summer, gradual tanning lotion might be the solution.
Gradual tanning lotions are an excellent alternative to harsh chemical tanners or traditional methods of sunbathing in order to achieve your desired look. Benefits of using a gradual tanner include visible results within 24 hours without any risk of damage from UV rays.
Furthermore, these products can provide long-lasting results and ease up on daily maintenance so users can devote more time elsewhere during their warm-weather months.
If you’re considering dabbling into the world of gradual darker hues but don’t know where to start – we invite you along for a journey learning all about why everyone should consider using gradual tanners!
We hope you discover your next favorite beauty find from the list below! Each product was independently selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to try, but all opinions in this article are our own. And, FYI — GlamourBadger may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Enjoy your next favorite beauty find!
How We Choose
Searching for the perfect tanning lotion?
Look no further – we've done all the hard work for you! We’ve read through hundreds of verified customer reviews to bring you the best self-tanning formulas on the market.
Say bye-bye to uneven patches and hello to glowing skin. These top-rated self-tanners offer natural ingredients that provide deep hydration, giving you a deeper, longer-lasting glow with each application.
Get some summer sizzle into your life without compromising on quality or performance. With our selection of gradual tanners, you can achieve your bronze goddess look in just a few easy steps - no sunbathing required!
Spend less time outside and more time looking fabulous as you show off your new golden glow!
Why We Like It
Introducing TAN-LUXE The Gradual – Illuminating Tanning Lotion – nourishing luxury for your skin. This ultra-lightweight oil-to-lotion hybrid is perfect for daily use because of its hydrating and skin-firming formula.
You can experience a natural gradual tan while reducing the appearance of cellulite. The combination of aloe vera, raspberry seed oil, and cellutone complex helps to hydrate, soothe and protect your skin, giving you a healthy glow that everyone will admire.
This formula is fast absorbing and leaves your skin feeling healthy and radiant without greasy residue. With each application, you can experience a streak-free tan, golden sun-kissed color that looks completely natural thanks to its revolutionary technology.
Treat yourself with TAN-LUXE The Gradual today and enjoy beautiful glowing skin all year round!
More to Know
This revolutionary product was designed with your health and beauty in mind. The non-toxic, cruelty-free formulation is made of natural tanning active ingredients that will completely transform your skin without any issues or worries.
When used regularly, The Gradual will give you the cleanest, most flawless glow ever. It's time to say goodbye to harsh sun rays and tan lines for good. Start using this luxurious tanning lotion today and enjoy radiance like never before!
With the gradual illuminating effect, you can build up a natural-looking glow that lasts all day long. Don't miss out on this golden opportunity and get the beautiful deep tan you always wanted without any harmful side effects.
Why We Like It
Introducing Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk - the perfect way to maintain a beautiful, natural-looking golden glow year-round.
Enriched with skin-nourishing ingredients, this dual-action tanning milk glides on with ease and absorbs quickly, so you can enjoy a longer-lasting tan in just one to three applications. With its 24-hour moisturizing benefits and invigorating cocoa butter scent, you'll love the way it feels as much as how it looks!
Bondi Sands provides an enviable bronzed self-tan that looks natural and gives your confidence a boost. Delicately designed to make you feel comfortable in your own skin while respecting your body’s needs — this product is the perfect choice for anyone looking to create an effortless yet healthy glow.
Discover what many around the world have grown to adore about Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk!
More to Know
This vegan, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, and silicone-free formula is non-toxic and gentle on the skin.
With a simple application routine of applying the tanning milk evenly onto clean and dry skin in a smooth and circular motion, you’ll look golden with just a few applications. And best of all, you can dress right away after applying with no worry of staining or stickiness.
Bondi Sands respects nature as well as your skin health, so rest assured that this formula is environmentally friendly yet still provides maximum potency with its ultra-nourishing ingredients that keep your skin hydrated for up to 24 hours.
Why We Like It
Welcome to the world of COOLA Sunless Tan Express Sculpting Mousse, an organic way for you to show off a healthy and natural tan.
Be ready to reveal your inner goddess with this fast and easy method you can use from home! This tanning mousse contains a proprietary blend of organic green coffee extracts known as eco-slim, which offers stimulating properties so that you can enjoy firmer, smoother-looking skin.
Additionally, the active ingredient sveltessence provides microcirculation and toning benefits. And finally, special plant stem cells from the gotu kola plant, centella asiatica meristem cells help smooth skin and reduce signs of aging.
With all these ingredients working together for you, this revolutionary product allows you to boost your confidence in no time! So whenever you find yourself feeling lazy, trust COOLA Sunless Tan Express Sculpting Mousse as an easy way to get back on track and feel confident in your own skin again.
More to Know
This certified organic formula is made with the highest level of DHA, naturally derived from sugar beet for a beautiful glow that stays on your skin for days without transfer or streaking.
This lightweight, fast-absorbing mousse can help give you smooth and firm skin. Caffeine helps to increase circulation and minimize dryness while the organic plant-based ingredients create an even coverage that won’t leave marks. It applies easily while leaving a relaxing natural piña colada scent that won't overwhelm you.
The COOLA Sunless Tan Mousse is vegan and cruelty-free as well as paraben-, gluten-, GMO-, and reef-friendly. Not only are you getting a perfect dark tan but also helping keep our planet protected!
Why We Like It
Welcome to Beauty by Earth - Self Tanner Tanning Lotion, the perfect solution for getting a glowing, natural-looking tan without subjecting your skin to harsh chemicals.
This bronzing tanning lotion is available in fair to medium and medium to dark shades for a variety of skin tones. Its unique organic formula includes organic aloe vera, shea butter, and botanical extracts, so you can trust this product with confidence that it contains no harmful additives or dyes.
Plus, this tanner lotion can be used on both face and body for a seamless tanning experience - perfect for those with acne-prone skin!
Say goodbye to orange hues and hello to a sun-kissed natural glow with Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Tanning Lotion. You have a right to look amazing; so stop wasting time outdoors trying to get just the right shade of color and pick up your own natural self-tanner today!
More to Know
This lotion provides a beautiful golden tan with no mess or hassle. It glides on evenly with no streaks, giving you an even tan that lasts for days.
It's easy to wash off your skin and won't stain your sheets or clothes - making it the perfect sun-free solution! Its natural formula moisturizes while protecting your skin from any harmful UV rays or damage so you can enjoy a summer glow all year round.
Not only that but this Self Tanner Tanning Lotion is packed full of skin-nourishing ingredients like organic aloe vera, organic green tea extract, coconut oil, shea butter, and more, leaving you feeling refreshed and replenished all day long.
Why We Like It
Uncover your beautiful, natural glow with Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer. This unique in-shower body lotion provides a hassle-free, streak-free self-tan that allows you to choose the perfect amount of gradual color before or after the beach.
This sunless tanning lotion allows you to effortlessly enhance and deepen your own natural skin tone. With an easy, fast-drying application on wet skin, you can dry off quickly without any wait time in between steps.
Make Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer part of your beauty routine and experience the results for yourself. Reveal your beautiful, healthy glow with this safe and respectful product today!
More to Know
Treat your skin to a luxurious experience with Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer. This specially-formulated in-shower moisturizer is designed to help you achieve a beautiful, natural-looking glow without spending hours in the sun.
Featuring a light and fresh scent, Jergens Natural Glow glides on smoothly and dries quickly for minimal transfer or drying time.
And with regular use, you can maintain that healthy, sunkissed look without any streaks or uneven patches. Enjoy radiant, glowing skin with Jergens — your respectful solution to achieving and maintaining an even, natural-looking tan all year round.
Gradual Tanning Lotion FAQs
Do gradual tanning lotions work?
Yes, gradual tanning lotions do work. Gradual tanning products contain ingredients that work to gradually give your skin a natural, sun-kissed glow over time.
The active ingredient in most gradual tanners is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which reacts to proteins and amino acids in the outermost layer of your skin to produce a temporary brown color.
The key benefit of using a gradual tanning lotion or spray is that you can control how dark you get your skin tone by simply adjusting the frequency, duration, and amount of product used.
In particular, it's often recommended for those with fair skin who don't want an intense bronzed look right away.
How long does it take for a gradual tan to fade?
Gradual tans usually start to fade after a few days, depending on how often they are exposed to sunlight and other elements.
The length of time your gradual tan will last depends on several factors, including your skin type and the product you used.
For those with oily or combination skin, gradual tans often tend to fade quicker than those who have dry skin. This is because oils in the skin can break down self-tanning products more quickly when exposed to sunlight or water.
The best way to make sure your gradual tan fades evenly is by using an exfoliating scrub before you apply it and regularly moisturizing afterward in order for the product's color guide molecules to stay intact for longer periods of time.
Does gradual tanning lotion come off in the shower?
The primary ingredient in gradual tanning lotions is dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which works by reacting with the proteins on the surface of your skin and darkening them.
Although this reaction usually lasts for about 4 days or so, certain factors like strong soaps, and hot water temperatures at high pressure can speed up this process, which means that your gradual tan could start fading after only one shower.
How often should you put a gradual tan on?
Gradual tans are a fantastic way to have a natural-looking and sunless tan all year round. The frequency of application depends on your individual needs and skin type.
If you have dry skin, it is recommended to apply a gradual tan every two to three days for the best results. This will help ensure that you get even coverage without any streaks or patchiness over time.
If your skin tends to be oily or sensitive, it would be better to put on a gradual tan once a week.
Does gradual tan stain sheets?
Gradual tans are typically formulated with DHA, an active ingredient that interacts with proteins in the skin to create a darkening effect. The same reaction will occur when it comes into contact with fabric – as the DHA reacts and binds to the protein in fabric, it can leave behind a noticeable discoloration that may be difficult to remove.
To prevent this from happening, you should always wash your hands immediately after use and allow your gradual tan to fully absorb into your skin before getting dressed or sleeping on sheets or other fabrics.
If you notice any discoloration spots on linens or clothing after using a gradual tanner, try soaking them overnight in oxy-boosted laundry detergent before washing them as usual with warm water and soap.
Can I apply gradual tan twice a day?
While it is possible to apply gradual tan twice a day, it is important to note that such frequency of use can cause unwanted side effects.
Gradual tans work by combining a natural-looking bronzing pigment with moisturizers. The combination of the two works best when applied every few days, as this allows your skin’s natural oils and hydration levels to replenish in between applications.
If you continue applying gradual tan twice a day, your skin may become dry and tight as moisture is drawn away from your skin.
What do you wear after gradual tanning?
While there isn't any specific “best” outfit choice after gradual tanning, it is best to avoid tight clothing or anything that might rub off your newly applied product.
How do you apply gradual tan without streaks?
Exfoliate your skin before applying any gradual tan product - this helps remove any excess dead skin cells that can lead to streaky results when you apply the product.
Then, be sure to properly moisturize your skin prior to application in order to reduce any dry patches or unevenness in color after it’s applied. Use a non-oil-based lotion that won’t form a barrier when you are applying the self-tanner.
Should you apply gradual tan in the morning or at night?
It is best to apply a gradual tan in the evening. Applying a gradual tanner in the morning increases your risk of rubbing off some of the product onto clothing, furniture, or bedding as you go about your day.
Can you put two layers of gradual tan on?
Yes, you can put two layers of gradual tan on. Gradual tans are designed to be applied in layers, providing a more subtle and even color.
If you want to achieve deeper pigmentation or faster results, it is recommended to apply multiple thin layers of the product instead of one thick layer.
Prior to applying the second layer, make sure that the first layer has completely dried. This will ensure maximum absorption and ensure your gradual tan lasts longer without patchiness or streaking.
Bottom Line
We hope this article has been a great help in picking out your perfect self-tanner! After all, showing off that new natural-looking tan is what it's all about! And, who doesn't love to feel confident with a sun-kissed complexion?
With that, we'll leave you with the words of Coco Chanel: “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.”
Thanks again for taking the time out of your day to read our article - we hope it served its purpose and armed you with the knowledge and insight necessary to make an informed choice.
Now get glowin' and enjoy every second of it!
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