Finding the best fake tan for pale skin is one of the riskiest beauty endeavours around – go a shade too dark and, let’s be honest, it isn’t going to look good.
But find the right product and you can successfully side-step scaly patches and that radioactive glow, heading straight for a natural bronze instead.
Best fake tans for pale skin
How to apply fake tan
First things first, let’s talk about tanning prep. It might sound faffy, but preparing your skin is essential to ensure a smooth, even application.
A grainy exfoliator is a must-have for softening those rough, dry patches – think elbows, knees and heels – which otherwise won’t absorb your fake tan evenly, leading to streaks and scaling.
However, it’s not as easy as liberating that ancient tub of exfoliator from the back of the bathroom shelf. In fact, most body scrubs contain a heavy oil content, which might be great for nourishing, but they also prevent your tan from developing properly. Instead, try Bondi Sand's specially formulated Coconut and Sea Salt Body Scrub.
Need to remove lingering patches of tan before a fresh application? An exfoliator formulated with glycolic acid – like Nip + Fab’s Glycolic Fix Body Scrub – is your friend, as it'll work to resurface the top layer of the skin, breaking down old tan twice as fast.
You'll also need to invest in a quality mitt if you want an even and streak-free tan – and to avoid orange palms. You could also use a brush as these work particularly well to spread the tan over elbows and knuckles.
How we test fake tans
Whether you’re shopping for a gradual tan, an instant bronzing serum or a long-lasting mousse that promises zero streaks, I’ve personally tested the lot. Many come with bold claims, but I put my blinkers on to test texture, value for money, aroma (read: do they smell like a biscuit?) and overall result. And, of course, testing to see how they wear. Do they fade into a tiger bread tan? The best ones don't.
I've worked my way through these glow-giving bottles to bring you the best fake tans for pale skin that are worthy of your attention.
The best fake tans for pale skin
Best face tan for pale skin
These golden drops are exactly what my sun-starved skin has been craving. New from ICONIC London, the Instant Sunshine Bronzing Drops provide that perfect bronze while still keeping a natural look. Don't worry, we've all veered onto the side of 'cheese puff' tan.
The serum seamlessly mixes into foundation to create a warmer undertone to your complexion or you can use it alone to enhance a 'no-makeup makeup day'. People will curiously wonder if you've just come back from holiday.
There’s so much to say about the Garnier Natural Bronzer face drops. Shall we start with the exemplary formula, or the stunning sun-kissed result? I’m torn.
What keeps me hooked is the beautifully lightweight texture. The drops sink into skin like water and pair well with my favourite moisturiser for added hydration too. That’s not the only reason to invest though. After a few hours of developing, I'm left with a radiant complexion that looks entirely natural.
Best tanning water for pale skin
If you’re looking for a sun-kissed tint, there are a host of lightweight water-based formulas available that will hit the mark. My choice is Isle of Paradise’s peach-tinted, colour-correcting Self-Tanning Water. It contains organic tanning actives alongside avocado and chia oils, so you’ll end up with a hydrated, softly bronzed glow.
I reach for this water when I have little time to spare but still want to achieve a golden tan. Even in a rush, I have full faith in this bottle as the delicate mist leaves no area untouched. The richly hydrating formula keeps my skin feeling supple (even my scaley elbows) and after a few hours of wear, it develops into a beachy bronze with no streaks in sight.
Best tanning mousse for pale skin
I am confident that no other tanning mousse will beat ICONIC London's Prep Set Tan Mousse. From the bottle it looks a little intimidating, with golden shimmer particles swirling around, but once developed it flatters the skin with a deep bronze and a subtle glisten. I prefer richer finishes compared to orange hues, so I opt for the shade 'glow' which makes for the perfect beach-ready tan that looks entirely natural.
The best kind of fake tan is the kind that looks like I'm not wearing fake tan – and this bottle does exactly that. The olive undertone means it leaves a rich golden hue, as opposed to a terracotta glow, which makes your skin look as though you’ve spent two weeks in the Mediterranean, rather than a bedroom tanning session. Even after one layer, I had fellow beauty journos telling me how tanned I looked. That's a winner in my eyes.
Paris Hilton and fake tan go hand in hand – I mean, the noughties icon is known for her impeccably bronzed limbs and bright-blonde hair. So, of course, a Barbie pink, Tan Luxe collaboration was needed. The innovative 360° air pump is cleverly designed to give you the same even result as a spray tan, without the orange hue. Simply mist directly over your body and use the fluffy mitt to buff the product in.
Best gradual tan for pale skin
Dove’s DermaSpa is a classic for a reason – and has taken up permanent residency in my bathroom cupboard. The pampering lotion is one of the few products that manages to leave my skin feeling soft and supple, as well as imparting an oh-so-natural tan. Rather cleverly, the formula is laced with tiny shimmer particles, so your limbs will benefit from a light-reflecting radiance too.
Booking regular appointments with St Moriz's gradual formula is the easiest way to keep my tan topped up – especially when living in the sun-starved city of London.
The lightweight cream quickly absorbs into the skin, just like your favourite hydrating lotion, and after a few hours, a subtle tan starts to develop without any streaks or patches. I apply before I head to sleep and wake up with a sun-kissed bronze – and my white linens stay fresh, too.
Best instant tan for pale skin
Quick in terms of application, rather than results, this clever fake tan can be applied in moments yet has enough staying power to last the day (or night).
Use a mitt to ensure a streak-free finish and after a few seconds of blending your skin will look bronzed, smoothed and even. There's no sitting around in your dressing gown and no sticky feeling either.
Instant tans are the ultimate saviour for a spontaneous night out. If you are pushed for time, a speedy formula can give you a glowing tan within minutes. Tan Luxe’s formula has quickly inched up the ranks to become my favourite self-tan yet.
It's completely customisable: leave it on for 30 minutes for a gentle glow or for three hours for a deep tan. The whipped foam is pumped with lots of hyaluronic acid too, so it feels refreshingly hydrating on dry skin. A real winner in my eyes.
Clare Stephenson is a Beauty Ecommerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Red and Good Housekeeping, covering all things makeup, skincare and hair care, as well as deals events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
Clare has been an ecommerce writer since 2022, writing matter-of-fact such as deep dives into and filled with her favourite products for every budget and need.
Before working at Hearst UK, she received a BA degree in Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on the world of magazines and editorial. From there, she worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events like Fashion Week and interviewing reputable brand founders, including Rea Ann Silva creator of Beautyblender.
When she’s not testing the latest and greatest products, you can find Clare sifting through vintage clothing stores in the city or horseback riding in the countryside.
