11 Best Self Tanners For Olive Skin In 2025
Using a self-tanner is the ideal way to develop a beautiful, rich tan without spending time in the sun.
You must pick the right one for your skin tone to help the tan look natural, though.
Which are the best self-tanners for olive skin?
The best self-tanners for olive skin would be medium to dark in color and would likely have red or orange undertones. As with all other skin tones, the self-tanner should be free from harmful ingredients, and be easy to apply and long-lasting.
You want the self-tanner you choose to enhance and deepen your natural skin tone, so it’s important to pick the right one for your olive skin.
To help you out, we have listed all the things to consider when choosing the best self-tanner for olive skin, and the best ones on the market!
How To Choose The Best Self-Tanner For Olive Skin
There are a few different things you need to consider when picking out the best self-tanner for olive skin, so take a look through the below to find out what to look for in a self-tanner for your skin tone:
Type Of Self-Tanner
There are various types of self-tanners to choose from, and the one you pick will mostly be based on personal preference.
You can find self-tanning lotions, mousse, foam, drops, wipes, and applicator sticks.
All of them work well for different people and purposes, but lotions, mousse, and foams are best for beginners.
DHA
Dihydroxyacetone, DHA, is the ingredient in self-tanner that reacts with the top layer of your skin to form a darker tan.
Usually, DHA is chemically derived, but more and more self-tanning products now contain naturally sourced DHA.
DHA is also known to have quite a distinctive smell, so make sure that the self-tanner you use has some natural scents to mask this, or that you choose a self-tanner with a low DHA concentration.
Gradual Tanner
Some self-tanners are gradual, which means that they allow you to build up your tan slowly over a few days or weeks.
The formula is not as strong, so you keep applying the lotion to your skin over a few days until you are happy with the tan that you achieve.
This is a good option for beginners, or if you are worried about going too dark too fast.
For more info, check out our article – Instant Vs. Gradual Self Tanner – What’s The Difference?
Natural Ingredients
It is always best to look for natural ingredients where possible.
These will be gentler on your skin and help nourish it throughout the tanning process.
DHA and other tanning ingredients can dry skin out, so having natural additives can help counteract this.
Skin Tone
For olive skin, you should look for a medium-tone self-tanner.
This will help highlight your natural color and give you a darker tan without looking fake.
It is also worth choosing self-tanners with red and orange undertones, as these will complement your natural skin tone beautifully.
Skin Type
Keep your skin type in mind, as some self-tanners are suited for dry skin, others for oily, and some for sensitive skin types.
It really does make a difference to how healthy your tan looks if you pick out a self-tanner that matches your skin type, and it does less damage to your skin!
The Best Self-Tanners For Olive Skin
Here are our top picks for the best self-tanners for olive skin, all which will help enhance your natural skin tone and give you the most beautiful, sun-kissed tan!
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse | Golden-tint mousse, streak-free, hydrating jojoba oil |
| 2. | Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk | Hydrating and nourishing gradual tanner |
| 3. | Isle Of Paradise Self Tanning Water | Color correcting spray, ultra-hydrating formula |
| 4. | MineTan Olive Self Tanner Mousse | 100% Natural DHA, olive-bronze self-tanner |
| 5. | Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse | Lightweight formula enhances natural skin tone |
| 6. | Skinerals Onyx Self Tanner Mousse | Green base to fight orange tones, used on face and body |
| 7. | B.tan Self Tanner Love At First Tan | Violet-based, naturally-derived ingredients |
| 8. | Bondi Sands Pure Self-Tanning Foam Water | Skin-loving ingredients, fragrance, and color-free formula |
| 9. | Tanologist Face And Body Drops | Color-free drops added to skincare products |
| 10. | Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Tanning Lotion | Clean ingredients, used on face and body |
| 11. | Botanic Tree Self Tanner | Plant-based formula made with natural and organic ingredients |
1. St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse
The St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse is an iconic, fool-proof way to get a natural-looking tan without spending time in the sun.
The mousse has a gold tint, which is perfect for olive skin. It’s easy to apply, goes on streak-free, and adapts to your skin tone to give you the perfect shade, lasting up to 10 days.
It does not leave behind any fake-tan smell.
With hydrating jojoba, it keeps your skin nourished and hydrated, helping the tan last without fading.
The formula is non-sticky, lightweight, quick-drying, and fast-absorbing, so your skin gets beautifully tanned, not your bedsheets or clothes!
It’s made from 100% clean products and features natural tanning active ingredients, making it kind and caring to your skin.
2. Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
If you want to gradually build up your tan, the Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk is one of the best options for olive skin.
This tanning milk features an innovative dual-action formula that hydrates and nourishes the skin, while giving it a golden glow year-round.
Infused with aloe vera, cocoa butter, and vitamin E, it can be used daily to maintain your tan and deeply nourish your skin.
When starting out, you’ll notice a golden tan develop within 3 days of use.
Keep using it daily to enjoy a beautiful glow and 24-hour hydration.
Plus, the delightful cocoa butter scent lingers on your skin all day, making each application feel like a treat!
3. Isle Of Paradise Self Tanning Water
The Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Water is an amazing way to achieve a quick and easy tan at home.
This unique tanning water features a color-correcting formula that delivers a beautifully even glow, perfectly complementing your olive skin tone.
The spray application makes it simple and mess-free; no guide color means no clogged pores and no streaks or patches.
Ultra-hydrating and lightweight, it deeply cares for your skin while building a flawless, natural-looking tan.
The formula also self-adjusts to your skin tone, ensuring a seamless, gorgeous finish every time.
4. MineTan Olive Self Tanner Mousse
The MineTan Olive Self Tanner Mousse is a color-correcting self-tanner that gives you a picture-perfect finish.
Using this self-tanner mousse, you can have a bronzed tan in just an hour.
The natural olive bronzer is perfect for olive skin, but it can also suit all skin tones.
The self-tanner’s natural ingredients help reduce redness and fight inflammation, and it is gentle enough to be used on the face as well.
All skin tones can benefit from this self-tanning mousse!
Being lightweight, the mousse absorbs and dries quickly, so you are free to carry on with life as normal as the tan develops.
An olive bronzed tone will develop in an hour, and the tan will be free from orange tones and that distinctive fake tan smell.
It is also free from parabens, palm oil, mineral oil, and sulfates.
Using 100% natural DHA and being sustainably sourced, the formula is kind to your skin and the environment!
5. Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse
The Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse is a flawless self-tanner that helps you create a natural-looking color on medium skin tones, making it perfectly suited for olive skin.
The lightweight, airy formula enhances your natural skin tone, to mimic results from the sun, making your tan look as natural as possible.
A bronzer is included in the formula, to instantly bronze your skin as the rest of the formula works to darken the color over the next few hours.
The resultant tan is rich and streak-free.
Enjoy a tropical, fruity scent that is a far cry from the typical self-tanner smell that many other products have.
Easy to apply and fast-drying, you can enjoy results quickly after application, and show off your new beautiful bronzed glow for up to 2 weeks!
6. Skinerals Onyx Self Tanner Mousse
Using the Skinerals Onyx Self Tanner Mousse, you never have to worry about an orange tan again.
The formula has a green base to counteract any fake orange tones.
You simply need to apply the formula at night and wake up to a natural, streak-free glow.
This self-tanner is ideal for medium and olive skin tones, and it will give you a healthy, naturally darker tan that lasts for up to 7 days without having to set foot in the sun.
Use the mousse for your face and your body, as it is gentle enough to be used all over, and it is non-greasy, so it will not clog pores.
The bronzer contains antioxidants from acai berry and fig extracts, to help protect skin from free radicals and keep it looking youthful and supple, to properly show off your new beautiful tan!
7. B.tan Self Tanner Love At First Tan
This 1-hour violet-based dark tan mousse knocks orange tones out of the park, and is a great option for olive skin tones, especially when you are wanting a deep, dark tan.
There are no nasty chemicals in the self-tanner, as it is formulated with naturally derived ingredients which are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and the formula is free from parabens and palm oil too.
How dark your tan develops depends on how long you leave the self-tanner on for, so it is all in your control.
You can also use the self-tanner on your body and your face, as the mousse does not contain irritating ingredients!
This is a great option for first-time tanners who want control over how dark their tan develops, and who want an easy application.
8. Bondi Sands Pure Self-Tanning Foaming Water
Made with skin-loving ingredients, the Bondi Sands Pure Self-Tanning Foaming Water is gentle and caring on the skin and is free from harmful ingredients such as fragrances and dyes.
The self-tanning water combines the Bondi Sands iconic golden glow, with skincare-first ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C and E, to create a product that does it all.
The colorless, fragrance-free formula is quick-drying and is suitable for sensitive skin.
This is a good choice for light to medium skin tones and olive bases. Your desired color will be ready to show off in 6 hours!
9. Tanologist Face And Body Drops
If you want something lighter and different from a self-tanning lotion, you might want to try out the Tanologist Face and Body Drops.
These drops have been designed to be mixed with your current skincare routine, and you can add as many drops in depending on how dark you want your tan to be.
With a clear formula, the drops will not clog pores or interfere with your usual skincare routine, other than adding a beautiful glow to your skin.
Pink grapefruit, goji berry, and juniper work to brighten, hydrate, and soften the skin, so you can really enjoy your new gorgeous color and youthful glow.
10. Beauty By Earth Self Tanner Tanning Lotion
The Beauty By Earth Self Tanner Tanning Lotion is ideal for fair to medium olive skin that tans easily.
It allows users to achieve a medium to dark tan without having to sit under the sun.
Only clean ingredients are included in the formula, such as organic aloe vera, shea butter, and other botanical extracts that hydrate and nourish your skin.
This lotion can be used on the whole body, including the face, as it is gentle and non-clogging, and will help to give you a glowing complexion.
Your skin will love the benefits the natural ingredients give, and you will love your new tanned radiance!
11. Botanic Tree Self Tanner
The Botanic Tree Self Tanner is the gentlest way to achieve a gorgeous tan at home.
The formula is plant-based and is made using natural and organic ingredients.
You get to nourish your skin while developing a gorgeous tan.
The streak-free bronzer lotion will leave your skin perfectly tanned, with no patches or orange tone.
The lotion is also fast-absorbing, so there is less chance of staining your clothes or linen.
With shea butter and 10 organic fruit extracts, you can moisturize your skin while you tan, and enjoy hydrated, refreshed skin with a beautiful olive tone.
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