The 5 Best Self-Tanners For Dry Skin 2025
Nothing beats the feeling of having beautifully tanned skin, but spending hours in the sun isn’t worth it.
It’s rough on your skin, and not all of us turn golden. Some of us just go lobster red… then fade right back to pale in a few days.
Self-tanning products save us a lot of trouble and give us the tone we want without having to work for it. However, they can sometimes cause dry skin.
Every person’s skin is different. Some have oily skin, some have dry skin, and others have a combination of both.
A self-tanning product that does not protect against drying out can aggravate dry skin further, and leave your tan looking patchy.
What is the best self-tanner for dry skin?
St. Tropez Classic Self-Tanning Mousse is the best self-tanner for dry skin. It dries quickly and is formulated to keep your skin hydrated for 24 hours after application. If you have extremely dry skin, then you can apply a light layer of oil-free lotion to your skin before using the tanning mousse for a streak-free tan.
If you have dry skin or have struggled with patchy tans in the past, we have good news: there are self-tanners made just for you.
You don’t have to choose between being dry and streaky or staying pale. Just find a formula that hydrates while it tans, and you’ll get that healthy, even glow without the dryness.
Top 5 Self-Tanners for Dry Skin
With so many self-tanning products out there, organic, synthetic, lotions, mousses, gels, and ones with guide color, it’s super easy to feel overwhelmed.
I get it. Figuring out what actually works for your skin can feel overwhelming.
So I spent a ton of time researching and testing these products to find the absolute best ones for dry skin. When putting this list together, I considered a bunch of important things, like:
- Price
- Quality
- Customer Reviews
- Ease of application
- How well does it work for dry skin
And so much more…
Alright, now let’s get to those products.
1. St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
This is my top pick for a flawless, hydrating tan. St. Tropez has truly perfected its self-tanning products.
Each one is made to soften and protect your skin while giving you that beautiful, bronzed glow.
Their bronzing mousse is lightweight and easy to apply. It gives an even, all-over tan, and you can choose how dark you want your tone.
Simply time your development with when you shower to control the tone’s darkness.
1-hour development – light
2 hours development – medium
3 hours development – dark
The mousse is paraben-free, sulfate-free, and contains 100% naturally derived DHA. It contains a mood-boosting fragrance that doesn’t smell like the usual self-tanning products.
Transfer resistance, quick drying, streak-free, and non-sticky are all factors that make this bronzing mousse a must for those looking for an easy-to-use yet super effective self-tanner!
2. Skinerals Self Tanner Sunless Bronzer
Skinerals is a trusted name in the self-tanning market. Their Californium Sunless Bronzer is a real game changer.
It is made from minerals, not chemicals. The self-tanner has been formulated to be gentle and kind to your skin.
It is a safe and effective alternative to self-tanners that contain harmful ingredients.
This self-tanner is packed with moisturizers, so you won’t have to worry about blotchy or patchy spots.
The tan lasts up to 7 days and looks just like the real deal, natural, sun-kissed, and even.
Thanks to its natural and organic ingredients, your skin will feel softer, healthier, and totally glow-worthy.
This is also probably the best self-tanner on the market for dry skin, in my opinion. I have a friend who has naturally very dry skin, and although she has a good moisturizing routine, she finds that this product works best for her.
Not only is Skinerals a great brand to follow, but they also donate a portion of every bottle sold to skin cancer research.
Thanks to Skinerals, you can skip the sun, dodge the tanning beds, and still glow like summer never left.
You can check out my complete review of this product here.
3. Beauty By Earth – Organic Self Tanner
There is a big movement towards organic and natural ingredients in all things skincare, and Beauty By Earth is one of the skincare brands that gets it right.
This organic self-tanner is vegan, cruelty-free, and made with all-natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin.
No harsh chemicals, no irritation, just a smooth, full tan. It even helps cover blemishes, veins, and imperfections without looking blotchy.
Beauty By Earth gives you a safe, sun-free glow with a gradual, long-lasting tan. This tanning cream is both moisturizing and effective, making it a go-to for sunless tanning.
Packed with organic shea butter, coconut oil, and Japanese green tea, it’s super gentle and nourishing, especially for sensitive or dry skin.
Made for everybody, the tanning cream will leave you with a golden glow that looks natural and gradual, and will also leave your skin feeling healthier than before.
What more could you ask for in a self-tanner?
You can read my full review of this product here.
4. Miami Gorgeous Self-Tanning Mousse
This self-tanner isn’t just a pretty bottle! Infused with Argan Oil and Coconut Oil, the LaPlaya Self-Tanning Mousse is a breakthrough in quality self-tanners.
It contains pure vitamins and only natural oils, soothing and perfecting your skin while giving it an instant, natural bronze color.
Jojoba oil and Elderflower extract give the tanning mousse extra moisture and an incredible scent.
When using this mousse, you’ll have no orange streaks on your skin and an even, natural-looking tan.
It is gluten-free, paraben-free, contains eco-certified DHA, and is not tested on animals, it really does tick all the boxes of an incredible self-tanning product!
5. L’Oreal Paris Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer and Natural Skin Tone Enhancer
It is a little different to normal tanning creams where it is a daily moisturizer that is applied each and every day.
It vigorously moisturizes your skin, while maintaining a gradual, summer-kissed tan.
The moisturizer is made using Mango Butter, Vitamin E, and Sweet Almond Oil, all natural products that nourish and protect your skin.
When first using the Sublime Glow Moisturizer, it will take about 2 to 3 days to see a healthy summer glow, and this will darken after daily use.
An all-in-one product, it keeps your skin soft, smooth, and moisturized while maintaining a beautiful summer glow all year round.
Alright, now that we’ve discussed the 5 best self-tanning products for dry skin, let’s go over some important tips for getting the best fake tan possible.
Why Fake Tan Can Cause Dry Skin Patches
Most of us want to self-tan in preparation for the summer months. What we don’t realize is that the winter weather can be harsh to our skin, and it is often the time of year when our skin is at its driest.
Putting self-tan on dry skin can lead to a patchy, uneven finish.
That’s because well-moisturized areas soak up the tan better, while dry spots don’t hold the color as well, leaving you with an uneven glow.
Self-tanning products come in many different formulas and applications. There are self-tanning creams, mousses, and even self-tanning wipes.
Each is made up differently, and each will react differently with your skin.
Picking the application you are most comfortable with might take some time, and your skin might react differently to the self-tanner at different times of the year.
It will take some trial and error to figure out which self-tanning product works best with your skin, but it will definitely pay off in the long run.
Some self-tanning products contain ingredients that can dry out your skin further or lack the necessary ingredients to moisturize it.
It is so important to check that the self-tanning product you buy has been made to cater to dry skin and won’t make your condition even worse.
Do an allergy test beforehand by applying a small amount of tanning product to a small area of skin, somewhere hidden, and wait 24 hours.
You can tell if you are allergic to the product or if it dries out your skin.
Alright, now that we’ve talked a bit about how self-tanning products can dry out our skin, let’s go over the best fake tanning products for dry skin.
Tips For Self-Tanning With Dry Skin
Self-tanning, no matter how good the product, can turn disastrous quickly if you do not follow the correct procedure or prep your skin properly.
There are some tips and tricks to follow with self-tanning that help you achieve a beautiful, even glow, and ways to ensure your skin will be left moisturized and healthy after application.
Shave or wax 12-24 hours before
You want your self-tanning product to stick to your skin and not to those pesky leg hairs. Be sure to shave just before application to avoid any patchy or missed spots. (See my full shaving guide here)
Exfoliate your skin immediately before
This is so incredibly important. Scrubbing away all the excess old skin leaves your skin fresh and ready for a tanning application.
In drier areas like elbows and knees, there can be a build-up of dead skin. Focus on these areas to ensure an even and successful application. (See my full exfoliation guide here)
Moisturize before applying self tanner
Give your skin a bit of a head start by applying a lightweight moisturizer prior to self-tanning cream. Find a moisturizer that absorbs into your skin properly, so no oily or wet patches are left to mess up the application. (See my full moisturizing guide here)
Don’t apply too much to your face
If possible, try to use a lighter product on your face. If something goes wrong, it will be pretty obvious on your face.
You can always darken your face using concealer or blush, which is much more forgiving than stubborn self-tanning cream.
Wash your hands after application
Be sure to quickly wash your hands with soap and water soon after application. This will help prevent your hands from darkening or turning orange.
Remember to wash between your fingers and knuckles.
Final Thoughts
Luckily, there are so many great organic and natural products that are being introduced to self-tanning products, and more and more products are now certified organic.
These extra natural ingredients are much kinder to your skin than harsh chemicals used in other self-tanners.
You will be able to achieve a natural, all over glow while still ensuring your skin is nourished and moisturized.
Your skin will not only glow from the bronze tan but from all the minerals and vitamins found in these good-quality self-tanning products, perfect for dry skin.
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