11 Best Self-Tanners For Men
The self-tanner I would hand a man who has never used one is the St. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse. It goes on tinted, so you can see exactly where it has been, and it is forgiving in the spots men usually get wrong: knees, ankles and the backs of the hands.
The rest of this list runs from mousses through sprays, mists, wipes and gradual lotions, so there is a format here for however much effort you actually want to put in.
We all understand the dangers the sun poses to our skin, with both immediate and long-term damage possible.
It is always a good idea to avoid venturing out into the sun unprotected just to get a summer tan, but this does not mean that you can’t enjoy bronze, toned-looking skin.
Men and women are built differently, and these differences require different product formulations to suit their skin types.
When it comes to self-tanning products, men deserve to treat themselves, and their skin, to a self-tanner that not only gives them the tan they desire, but also self-tanning products that hydrate, nourish, and rejuvenate their skin.
There are some great products out there suited for men that help gradually or instantly tan the skin to achieve the sunless bronze everyone is after.
These products have been made to suit the male skin, ensuring the best result possible.
In addition to knowing the best product for your skin, it is a good idea to become familiar with the application process of self-tanners, making sure you give yourself a streak-free, even tan.
Some helpful tips will also help you get that sunless tan you’ve been after!
I did write an article on the best self-tanning products for men’s legs, which you can check out here, but it was finally time to write a more definitive guide on picking the perfect product.
The Best Self-Tanner for Men
Alright, now let’s jump straight into the best self-tanning products for men.
1. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse
This is my absolute favorite bronzing mousse right now, and it is the perfect choice for men.
This self-tanning mousse is deep, so make sure you are prepared for a dark shade.
Other options in this list will work better for lighter skin tones if you want a more subdued look.
So why does this product stand out if you’re looking for the deepest shade possible? For starters, it’s 100% vegan, lightweight, non-sticky, and hydrating for your skin.
This product will also adapt to your skin tone, so even though it is marketed as having a deep shade, the formula is designed to complement your natural skin tone.
This means that this self-tanning mousse is perfect for beginners.
2. St. Tropez Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse
Remember when I said there would be a more subdued option for lighter skin? This is it!
What sets the St. Tropez Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse apart from the Classic version is that it is formulated to provide a medium-deep tone instead of a deep tone.
This is a 3-in-1 tanner that offers a light tan in less than 1 hour. Here is how you can customize the color of your glow with this product:
- For a light tan, leave it on for 1 hour.
- For a medium tan, leave on for 2 hours.
- For a deep tan, leave it on for 3 hours.
If you want the fastest-acting self-tanner possible, this express formula is your choice!
3. Skinerals Self-Tanner Sunless Bronzer
The Sunless Bronzer can be used on the face and body and will leave you with an even, consistent tan, free from streaks, orange tints, and blotches.
You can purchase the tanning mitt to make applying the Skinerals Sunless Bronzer even easier.
This will give you a fuss-free, easy-to-apply self-tanning process.
The Sunless Bronzer is cruelty-free, Paraben-free, Sulfate-free, and vegan.
Skinerals use organic and natural ingredients to create their products over non-organic ones where possible and avoid using harsh chemicals in other self-tanners completely.
A bonus for men is that the Sunless Bronzer contains ingredients that help to rejuvenate and restore the skin while giving it a perfect tan, which helps with the rougher skin that men tend to have.
It is a reliable, easy-to-use self-tanner with a streak-free result and no-hassle application. You will benefit from a great tan and healthy-looking skin.
4. Neutrogena Micro-Mist Airbrush Sunless Tan Spray
Neutrogena is known to be one of the leading skin brands in the world, so it would make sense that they would have one of the best self-tanning solutions out there.
For a more straightforward application, this self-tanner is an airbrush spray that allows for hands-free application.
The spray applies evenly with a fine, light mist and gives good, light coverage. Rubbing in the even spray is unnecessary, making it perfect for avoiding any extra mess or staining.
The airbrush spray has a one-touch continuous spray that works at any angle, making it ideal to tan all those hard-to-reach areas and making tanning your back a breeze.
The spray tan dries in under 5 minutes and applies fast, creating a quick process that will save you tons of time compared to other spray tan applications.
The color is buildable, and you can control how dark you want your tan to be depending on how often you apply the spray tan.
The tan will be streak-free and have a light, fresh scent, which does not smell like the usual spray-tan lotions.
Being oil-free and non-comedogenic, the airbrush spray will not clog pores and create a surplus of oil and breakouts.
You can achieve a sunless summer tan that is up to three shades darker than your normal skin tone.
5. LÓreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanner Towelettes
This is your answer if you are looking for a quick and easy application solution for self-tanners.
These convenient and easy-to-use towelettes give you a streak-free and natural-looking tan.
Each towelette has enough self-tanner for a full application and is perfect for use at home or out and about.
The towelettes are formulated with Vitamin E and AHAs for a natural-looking, instant tan. The overall tan develops after 2-4 hours, with streak-free, even coverage.
Being travel-friendly, you can take these towelettes with you when you are on holiday, avoiding the sun’s harsh rays but still maintaining the holiday-bronzed look.
The towelettes are made with a tanning agent that is applied to the skin with the towelette, but it is a good idea to use gloves to apply the towelettes to the skin to avoid overly-tanned hands.
This is a convenient and easy solution that many men look for. It is a quick and hassle-free application that allows you to build and maintain a sunless tan, completely safe from the sun!
6. Bro Glo Self Tanner for Men Starter Kit
Bro Glo built its line for men who have never used a self-tanner and would rather not think about it much. The starter kit is the one to buy first, because you get the set instead of a single bottle to guess with.
It is formulated for men, which in practice means it goes on over body hair without leaving streaks down your arms and legs.
Apply it to clean, exfoliated skin and build the color across two or three days rather than chasing it in one sitting.
It runs 4.2 stars across 694 reviews, which is a real audience for a men’s self-tanner. Most listings in this category have barely been reviewed at all.
7. Self-Tanner for Men’s Grooming – Sunless Tanning Mousse
The Man Tan Organic Self-Tanner is designed specifically for men by Man Tan Co.
It is a sunless self-tanning mousse applied as a clear mousse, making it an easy, no-mess application.
Being designed specifically for men, it can be used over facial and body hair while still offering a natural-looking, even tan.
It is odor-free, helping you avoid the usual sunless tanning smell.
The brown sugar-based formula helps achieve a golden glow that can be light, medium, or dark. The mousse can be used on both the body and the face to build a gradual tan over time.
The formula is paraben-free and organic. It has anti-aging and hydrating ingredients that help to keep the skin healthy and moisturized with a tan that fades evenly before you gradually build it up again.
Overall, the mousse is easy to use and easily achieves the sunless tan that you are looking for. It is also long-lasting because you can continuously build up the tan to get to the tone you want.
Made for men, you know it will be the best option for your skin and body, accommodating the uniqueness of a man’s skin.
8. Self Glow by James Read Sunblush Hydrating Tan Mist
James Read retired the Hydra Tan Mist and now sells its hydrating mist under the Self Glow name, so this is where that part of the range went.
It is a mist rather than a lotion, which is the reason it belongs on a list for men in the first place. You spray it on, it dries fast, and there is no cream to work in around body hair.
The color builds gradually, so how deep it goes is decided by how often you use it rather than by one application.
One caveat, stated plainly: it sits at 4.2 stars across 35 reviews. Tanning mists made for men are a thin shelf on Amazon, and the other two I checked had 10 reviews and 1 review, so 35 is the top of a small field rather than a verdict from thousands of people.
9. Banana Boat Self-Tanning Sunless Lotion
This self-adjusting color formula allows you to control the shade and tones of your tan. The tinted lotion is easy to apply, streak-free, and fast drying.
It can be used for all skin types and is ideal for men to use.
The lotion is oil-free and will not clog pores or create breakouts. The added Aloe Vera and Vitamin E help to nourish and moisturize the skin while building a bronze tan.
Different lotion shades are available: light, medium, and deep dark, so you can choose the color that best suits your skin tone.
Your ideal tan will be a few shades darker than your natural tone, but not so dark that it looks unnatural. The Banana Boat Self-Tanner gives you that option.
Banana Boat believes in sun safety, and this self-tanning lotion keeps you out of the sun while still looking like you’ve spent a week in the Bahamas.
10. Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Self Tanning Milk
If you want the tan to arrive quietly, this is the one. Bondi Sands sells it as a daily body milk, so you moisturise as normal and the color turns up over the following few days.
That slow build is what makes a gradual tanner forgiving. There is no window where you look orange and have to wait it out, and if you stop using it the color simply fades.
It is at 4.2 stars across nearly 15,000 reviews, the most-reviewed gradual tanner on this page.
11. Tan Physics True Color Tanner
Tan Physics has a great self-tanner on offer. It gives you a truly authentic tan with ingredients that nourish and hydrate the skin.
The self-tanner comes with a free Sans-Sun mitt, which helps you achieve a professional-looking tan. The mitt’s microfiber surface allows for a streak-free and even application.
The natural ingredients pamper the skin and offer some anti-aging benefits, helping your skin appear young while being tanned and glowing.
The correcting tints in the formula help to even out your skin tone and enhance your skin with a natural-looking, even tan.
For someone looking for an easy solution to sunless tanning, this lotion with the tanning mitt will give you a hassle-free application.
You will also be able to gradually build your sunless tan to the shade and tone that you are happy with.
The natural ingredients also keep your skin looking hydrated and nourished, which helps to make the sunless tan last longer as well.
Step By Step For Men’s Self-Tanners
While men might not spend as much time on their beauty regimen as women, it is just as important for them to know the steps to achieve a flawless self-tan before, during, and after application.
Preparation is key to a successful tan and will make the whole process much easier, but it is also important to note that you will need to put in some extra work after you have applied the self-tanner to ensure the sunless tan lasts long and stays looking great.
Here is what all men should do when self-tanning:
Prepare Your Skin
It is absolutely essential to prepare your skin before applying a self-tanner.
A clean, fresh palette will respond much better to a self-tanner than skin with excess dead skin cells or dirty patches.
Removing any impurities and buildup will give you an even application.
- Use a face scrub or exfoliator to cleanse the face of any buildup or oils
- Use a body exfoliator to remove excess dead skin cells from the skin, and remember to focus on the drier areas such as the knees, heels, and elbows.
- Shave before applying the self-tanner. Hair might prevent the product from reaching the skin and reacting with it evenly.
Applying The Product
You should always follow the recommended steps provided by the self-tanner, which are usually found on the bottle or box of the product.
There are a few things they don’t tell you that can help make the application process a little bit easier.
- Remember that less is more, especially when applying self-tanner to your face. You can always go back and apply more self-tanning product, but it is difficult to remove too much self-tanner once it has developed.
- Do not apply self-tanner in the bathroom if you have just showered. Too much steam might be present, which can interfere with the application.
- Use circular motions to massage the product evenly into the skin. Avoid rubbing the self-tanning lotion into your eyelids and ears.
- People often forget to apply self-tanner to some common spots: the back of the neck, elbows, knees, ankles, feet, and torso. These areas are very visible and would make it easy to notice if they have not been tanned.
- Clean your hands often during the application to avoid your hands, and especially your palms, turning dark orange, which is a sure giveaway of fake tan.
After Application
No matter what the self-tanner instructions say, it is better to wait at least 20 minutes before putting on clothing after applying the self-tanner.
This minimizes the risks of staining. Some extra care is also needed to ensure that your tan lasts and looks great.
- Straight after you have finished the application, scrub your fingernails, palms, and hands to clear away any residual self-tanning product.
- If there are any splotchy areas, apply some moisturizer to the areas; this should help even the tone slightly.
- Make a habit of moisturizing your skin once a day after you have applied the self-tanning lotion. This will help extend the lifespan of the tan, as healthy skin holds a tan much better than dry, flaky skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many men are new to the world of self-tanning and might have a host of questions ready to be asked. These are some of the most common questions men have about self-tanning:
Should I shave before self-tanning?
Some products have been designed to work around men’s facial and body hair, but it is much safer to shave before applying a self-tanning product.
A lotion or mousse cannot be spread evenly on the skin if hair is in the way. This will result in a blotchy and patchy tan, which isn’t a great look.
Shave a day before applying the self-tanner. This will give your skin time to recover from shaving and prevent it from being too sensitive to the product.
Can I shave after a spray tan?
Shaving does remove some of the dead skin cells that sit on top of the skin. These dead skin cells react with the DHA found in self-tanning lotions, giving the skin a bronzed look.
If you really do have to shave, wait 10 hours before doing so. Use a new, sharp razor, as older razors might be dull and drag excess skin off when shaving.
Do all self-tanners have a fragrance?
Back in the day, most self-tanners had a very recognizable smell that would let everyone know that you had just applied a self-tan.
Luckily, most brands have worked this away and now use fresh scents like coconut to mask or hide this smell.
Many of the scents used in self-tanning lotions are more feminine, but there are also self-tanners made for men with more rugged fragrances, such as musk or spearmint.
Can I shower after a fake tan?
You need to give the DHA enough time to react with your skin to develop a dark bronze tan. You could shower at least 4 hours after the application, but the longer you wait, the better your results will be.
Showering too soon could lessen the intensity of the tan, making it look dull or causing it to fade faster.
Do men need a different self-tanner than women?
Men and women are built differently, and those differences call for different product formulations to suit their skin. The practical difference is body hair. A product made for men is built to go on over it without patching, which is why the Man Tan mousse and the Bro Glo kit sit on this list alongside the unisex mousses.
Self-Tanners for Men
There is no reason in today’s world that men should not be allowed to enjoy an incredible, sunless tan.
There are some really amazing products out there that have been specifically formulated to suit a man’s skin.
These products keep it glowing and tanned while still being caring and gentle to the skin.
Other self-tanning products are just as versatile. There are many options made for both men and women.
Getting into the habit of self-tanning does not need to be difficult.
As a man, you will be giving yourself that extra bit of confidence you need while avoiding any damage to your skin by staying out of the sun.
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