5 Best Self-Tanners For Oily Skin
If your skin runs oily, the self-tanners that suit you are the light ones: clear waters, dry mists and quick-drying mousses that sit on the surface instead of sinking in the way a rich lotion does.
That is what the five below have in common. I re-checked every listing while updating this page, and two of them are non-comedogenic, meaning they are formulated not to block pores.
Below the picks you will find why skin turns oily in the first place, whether self-tanner makes breakouts worse, and how to prep so the colour does not go patchy.
Why Is My Skin Oily?
Our skin needs oil. Our body produces it to keep skin supple and soft, but sometimes, this production is not regulated properly, and there is an overproduction of oil.
Often, if too much oil (sebum) is produced, the skin will break out in acne or become clogged.
There is a medical term for oily skin: seborrhea. Seborrhea is caused by two factors: genetics and hormones.
It is no secret that hormones are up and down during puberty, which is why so many teens battle with acne.
Their fluctuating hormones cause an increase in oil production, and this, in turn, causes blockages and breakouts.
Genetics also play a role in how your skin reacts to an increase in oil.
While genetics might not decide whether or not your skin is oily, it does determine how badly your skin will react when there is an increase in oil due to hormones during times such as pregnancy or puberty.
Some people find their skin remains clear during pregnancy, as their body can deal with the extra oil, and some aren’t as lucky.
Can I Use Self Tanner With Oily Skin?
Self-tanners can be both a blessing and a curse for those who suffer from oily skin.
For one, they help hide the blemishes and acne scars, but on the other hand, they can also exacerbate breakouts by clogging pores and producing more oil.
Some self-tanners contain harsh ingredients. These chemicals can actually irritate the skin, which in turn causes it to produce more oil to fight back.
This irritation and oil production are great at causing blockages and acne, which is exactly what you do not want your self-tanning product to do.
Some self-tanners claim to be non-comedogenic, meaning they will not clog pores. They could also be labeled non-acnegenic.
These self-tanners are usually more expensive, but they shouldn’t block pores or cause acne, blackheads, and whiteheads.
If you suffer from acne and oily skin, they will be worth spending the extra bit of money.
Organic self-tanners or self-tanning products that omit harsh chemicals and contain natural ingredients will be kind to your skin. They won’t irritate and will help nourish it.
How To Self-Tan With Oily Skin
Oily skin sometimes goes away on its own, but this might not be the time for you to apply your self-tanner.
If you find that your oily skin has followed you through puberty and even after pregnancy, you might be worried that it could affect the outcome of your self-tanner.
You don’t want it to leave your tan looking patchy and streaky or make it wash off quicker, which is exactly what oily skin might do to the application of a self-tanning product.
There are ways to scale down the oil on your skin in preparation for and maintain a self-tanner.
The most effective and long-term way to reduce excess oil on the skin is to have a good daily skin care routine.
Including a gentle cleanser every day will help clear away any excess oil. Good cleansing products have ingredients that help cut down oil production.
Cleansing away any excess oil, both in the morning and at night before you go to bed, will ensure that there is no build-up of oil, make-up, skin cells, or other debris that might cause blockages or breakouts.
These build-ups on the skin can actually cause the body to produce more oil, so removing them should reduce the amount produced.
If you exercise or partake in strenuous activity, remember to remove any sweat from your body and shower to clean your skin.
Blotting sheets will help you control your oily skin during the day. Carry some in your bag and blot away at your skin when it feels oily.
Blotting sheets are made from oil-absorbing materials that are gentle on your skin while cleansing it at the same time.
Do not wipe away at your skin, this might aggravate your skin and actually increase oil production. Just gently blot at affected areas.
5 Best Self-Tanners For Oily Skin
There are so many self-tanning products on the market that it can be hard to know what to buy.
I took the time to review and research a wealth of products to make sure I found the perfect ones for oily skin.
I think I’ve curated the perfect list, and I used a variety of factors to rank these products, including but not limited to:
- Quality
- Safety
- How does it react to oily skin
- Customer Reviews
- Price
And much more. I did this so you wouldn’t have to! Alright, enough of this, let’s get to those products!
1. St. Tropez Classic Self-Tanning Mousse
The St. Tropez Classic Self-Tanning Mousse is my favorite self-tanner overall. What makes it great for oily skin is that it dries super fast.
People with dry skin might want to actually apply some oil to their skin before applying this mousse because of how quickly it dries. For people with naturally oily skin, this formula is perfect.
You only have to wait for 60-seconds after application before getting dressed without worrying about color transfer to your clothing.
It also adjusts to your skin tone and lasts for up to 10 days after application, so you only need to really every other week to maintain a beautiful tan.
2. L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Mist
Don’t let the word “oil” in this self-tanner deter you from trying it out if you have oily skin. The mist is so fine that you can easily blend it into your natural skin oils for a flawless finish.
It smells like pina colada and dries quickly (though not as quickly as the St. Tropez Classic Tanning Mousse).
It contains Organic Argan Oil, which gives your skin a dewy glow.
Although this dry oil mist sounds like it would make your skin even more oil, due to the small amount needed, it is fast-absorbing, so you won’t feel like an oil slick.
3. Tanologist Medium Self Tan Water
A clear tanning water is about as light as self-tan gets, which is exactly what you want when your skin already runs oily.
It mists on and blends in with a mitt, works on face and body, and the listing states it is non-comedogenic – formulated not to block pores.
The colour is buildable. It develops over four to six hours, and you can go again the next day until you reach the depth you want.
It is infused with pink grapefruit, goji berry and juniper, and it does not carry the usual fake-tan smell.
It rates 4.4 stars across more than 2,200 reviews.
4. Skinerals Self-Tanner Sunless Bronzer
Skinerals pride themselves on using only the best ingredients. The bronzer gives skin a gorgeous glow while rejuvenating it at the same time.
The Californium Bronzer sunless tanner is formulated with natural ingredients that won’t irritate or clog the skin.
It is a streak and blotch-free tanner, giving you an even-looking, healthy tan without stepping into the sun.
Most importantly, though, I found that the natural chemicals in this product performed well for people with naturally oily skin.
Cheaper products tend to have a tough time getting the DHA to apply evenly to the skin, which can result in blotchy and spotty skin.
I didn’t find that this was an issue at all with Skinerals’ product.
5. b.tan Clear Face Tan Mist
A clear face mist is the safest way to tan a face that breaks out. There is no guide colour to settle into pores and nothing thick to rub in.
It is infused with rosewater, which helps calm redness and even out tone while the colour develops.
The tan is buildable – more sprays means a deeper result – and it develops without orange tones.
It is vegan and cruelty-free, and it rates 4.3 stars across more than 51,000 reviews.
Face Tanners For Oily Skin
The skin on the rest of your body can be quite different from your face. Facial skin is often oilier and more prone to breakouts.
The rest of your body might look great when using a normal self-tanning product, but this product might be too oily for your face.
Those who suffer from acne or oily skin may find the self-tanner they use on their body too harsh for their face, aggravating the skin and causing more oil production.
Investing in a more expensive, non-comedogenic self-tanner for your face is worth.
If the rest of your body turns out fine with regular self-tanner, stick to that and only use the non-comedogenic tanner on your face.
They are usually more expensive, so only using them on your face will save you some money.
Some self-tanners used on the body might actually make the acne on your face look worse.
Self-tanners work by reacting with dead skin cells, and there are more dead skin cells around acne on your face than anywhere else.
This might cause the self-tanner to darken more around affected areas. Using a tanning product made specifically for the face will help avoid this.
Just remember to match the colors of the two self-tanners, there is no point using a different product for your face if it is a ridiculously different color from the rest of your body.
Does self-tanner make acne worse?
Some self-tanners used on the body might actually make the acne on your face look worse. Self-tanners work by reacting with dead skin cells, and there are more dead skin cells around acne on your face than anywhere else.
Final Thoughts
There is a way around every problem. You don’t have to be discouraged from self-tanning if you have oily skin.
Simply introducing a good daily skincare routine and being aware of your skin will help you fight back against excessive oil production.
By following simple methods of care and prevention, and using a good self-tanning product, you will be able to have a beautifully glowing summer tan that lasts.
