5 Best Self-Tanners To Cover Vitiligo
No matter who you are, you deserve to look and feel great in your own skin.
People who suffer from vitiligo may not be sure what they can and can’t use on their skin, but they will be happy to know that there are certain self-tanning products available that are perfectly safe to use.
Being able to feel comfortable in your own body is priceless. Individuals with vitiligo often find that self-tanning sprays and lotions help them feel more confident and comfortable when out in public.
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a skin condition in which patches of skin lose their pigmentation or color. A person who has vitiligo will have patches of darker and lighter skin on their body.
Some individuals have extensive areas of depigmented skin, while others have only a few small patches.
While the severity of depigmentation may vary from person to person, it is essential to note that vitiligo is not contagious and is not life-threatening.
A person with vitiligo may feel uncomfortable in their own skin. While there is a significant movement towards accepting each person’s uniqueness and embracing our flaws, feeling comfortable in your own skin is a personal matter.
Many people with vitiligo turn to self-tanning products to help even out their skin tone, making the darker and lighter areas less noticeable.
While the self-tanning products will appear darker on more pigmented skin, they will definitely help even out the tone between lighter and darker skin.
Both smaller and larger patches will be toned towards a similar color, making the pigmentation less noticeable and giving a smoother appearance.
It will also give a beautiful summer glow that any person would love to have, all year round.
Someone with paler skin will have lighter pigmented patches, but these will darken if they go into the sun.
This tanning caused by the sun will only darken the more pigmented patches and cause damage to the lighter skin.
Is Self-Tanner Safe to Use If You Have Vitiligo?
Self-tanning products work by reacting with the dead layer of the top layer of the skin. It really doesn’t matter that there is no pigment in the skin, which is the case with lighter patches of vitiligo.
The self-tanning product does not need melanin to produce the bronze tan color, so the lack of it won’t hinder the tan from setting on the skin.
Self-tanners are safe to use on skin with vitiligo. However, ensure that the self-tanning product you use contains extra moisturizing ingredients that will nourish and protect your skin.
There are many self-tanning products that contain only natural and organic ingredients. These natural vitamins and oils are much kinder to your skin than the usual, harsher chemicals used.
Not only will that not irritate your skin, but it will also continue to moisturize and soothe your skin while the self-tanning lotion is applied.
There is really no reason to use the older, harsher tanning creams. As long as you are using a natural, organic product, you should have no problems.
It is recommended to undergo an allergy test 24 hours before applying for full membership. Choose a piece of your skin that isn’t too visible, preferably with a light and dark patch.
Apply a small amount of self-tanner to this area and let it sit. If no reaction occurs, you can safely use it on the rest of your body.
You will also be able to get a good idea of what the tan will look like on the different shades of your skin once applied to your whole body, and whether you should leave some areas to darken for longer than others.
Alright, now let’s discuss the top fake tanning products on the market that can help cover or blend vitiligo.
Top 5 Self-Tanners For Vitiligo
There are numerous products on the market, and when you need something specific, it can be overwhelming to know what to buy.
There are organic products, synthetic products, products with guide color, lotions, mousses, gels, and so much more.
I spent a considerable amount of time researching and testing these products to find the absolute best fake tanning products for vitiligo. In making this list, I factored in a ton of things, including:
- Price
- Quality
- Customer Reviews
- Ease of application
- Coverage
And so much more…
Alright, now let’s get to those products.
Here are the best self-tanners to use for vitiligo. They will not only give your skin a healthy, summer glow, but they will also nourish it as you tan.
1. MineTan Color Correcting Self Tan Foam
This moisturizing self-tan foam was formulated for all skin types. Thanks to its color-correcting abilities, it is a top choice for those with vitiligo.
This product blends lighter depigmentation spots seamlessly, leaving no streaks behind.
Another great benefit of MineTan Color Correcting Self-Tan Foam is that it works quickly.
After application, you can rinse in as little as 1 hour to reveal glowing bronzed skin. For the darkest tan possible with this formula, leave it on for 3 hours.
It’s 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and is free of parabens, mineral oils, palm oil, and sulfates. It contains vitamin E, avocado oil, and coconut oil for added moisture.
2. St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
St. Tropez is one of the most trusted self-tanning brands. They know everything needed to know to create a beautiful, natural tan, without the use of the sun.
The self-tanning mousse is super lightweight and incredibly easy to apply. It is tinted and dries in 60 seconds, developing in 4–8 hours, making for an easy and quick application.
Even though it is a hassle-free application, the results are a beautiful, golden-bronze glow that looks natural and radiant.
The mousse is streak-free and doesn’t have the usual self-tan smell. The tan fades evenly, so you don’t have to worry about an uneven tan after a few days.
St. Tropez will protect your skin and give it a golden, summer-kissed tan, even for differently pigmented skin. Check out my full review here.
3. Viticolor Skin Camouflage Gel
This tanning cream was specifically created for individuals with the vitiligo condition. It is a camouflage gel that hides the discoloration caused by vitiligo.
The self-tanning ingredients, along with dyes, ensure that the tanned look and bronze color lasts for up to 5 days after application.
The Viticolor gel actually utilizes a freezing complexion corrector that camouflages depigmented areas.
What makes this product even greater is that it is completely safe to use during phototherapy; however, it doesn’t contain any sunscreen.
Sometimes, it is better to trust a product designed specifically for your needs, and Viticolor Skin Camouflage Gel is designed to help make your skin look more even..
4. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer is the perfect self-tanner for those seeking to keep their skin hydrated, soft, and perfectly glowing. The self-tanner creates a flawless, natural-looking color that gradually blends in with your skin.
By applying the moisturizing lotion each day, you can control which areas need more tan and which areas to hold back the color on. This allows you to maintain a consistent tone.
The blend of antioxidants and Vitamin E ensures that your skin is properly cared for, leaving it healthy-looking and soft.
The scent is light and fresh, so you don’t have the lingering smell of the harsher self-tanning lotions.
The application is hassle-free, as it’s similar to applying your daily moisturizer to your body, while also building and maintaining a beautiful glow.
The cream also allows for tanning, making it perfect for fair to medium skin types, which can vary due to the different pigments associated with vitiligo.
5. SunLabs Self-Tanning Lotion
This tanning lotion is formulated with a blend of natural ingredients. The ingredients are paraben-free, providing your skin with all the necessary nutrients to nourish and moisturize.
The resulting tan is natural-looking but still glows with the amazing bronze of a suntan.
An easy-to-use application process ensures that the application is error-free and even across the skin.
This is a crucial consideration for individuals with vitiligo, as you want to ensure that there are no streaks across your already mixed-pigmented skin.
This self-tanning lotion will nourish, hydrate, and sunlessly tan your skin to create soft, beautiful, golden glowing skin all year round.
Tips for Applying Self Tanner on Vitiligo
While the application procedures for self-tanning lotions for individuals with vitiligo are similar to those for those with normal skin, individuals with vitiligo may want to self-tan more frequently.
Some of the unpigmented areas might need more cream than the darker areas. You may need to apply a second layer of self-tanner to the lighter areas the next day to ensure they match the color of the darker areas.
On the third day after the first application, it might be worthwhile to add an even coat all over your body to tone all shades together.
The fourth day would require exfoliation, and then the tanning process would be started all over again the next day.
A daily moisturizing self-tanning lotion may be the best option for individuals with vitiligo. You will not have to exfoliate the cream off, and you can simply keep applying the lotion to the affected areas daily.
If you are doing a one-off application, here are a few steps to follow:
- Exfoliate – Exfoliate before application. This will remove all excess dead skin, leaving only the top layer for the tanning cream to react with.
- Shave before application – This removes any leg hairs that might interfere with the application and cause patchy or blotchy areas.
- Moisturize – It is always a good idea to moisturize before applying a self-tanning lotion. Ensure the moisturizer isn’t too heavy and absorbs well into the skin. It will just hydrate the skin enough to stay moisturized during the self-tanning application.
While vitiligo might cause those affected to feel uncomfortable in their skin, there are ways to achieve an even, beautiful tone that you deserve.
Choosing the right self-tanning lotion and following the proper application procedure will help you maintain a natural-looking tan that can help conceal differently pigmented skin, and hopefully help you love the skin you’re in.
Related Articles
5 Best Self-Tanners For Your Feet (2025)
