Using a self-tanner gives you the ideal way to develop a beautiful, rich tan, without having to spend any time in the sun. To help the tan look natural though, you have to pick the right one for your skin tone.
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 picking the right one for your olive skin is so important. 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 for beginners, lotions, mousse, and foams are best.
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.
Naturally sourced DHA is gentler on the skin and does not risk skin irritation as much as the chemical counterpart does.
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 to choose a self-tanner with a low DHA concentration.
Gradual Tanner
Some self-tanners are gradual tanners, which means that they allow you to slowly build up your tan 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 reach.
This is a good option if you are not too familiar with self-tanners, and 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. Not only will these be gentler on your skin, but they will help to nourish your skin through the tanning process too. 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 highlight your natural color and give you a darker tan, without looking fake.
It is also worth looking for self-tanners with red and orange undertones to complement your natural skin tone.
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 any time in the sun.
The mousse has a gold tint to it, perfect for olive skin, and as it is easy to apply, it goes onto skin streak-free and adapts to your skin tone to give you the perfect shade which lasts for up to 10 days. The best part is that it does not leave behind any fake-tan smell.
With hydrating jojoba, the mousse keeps your skin hydrated and nourished, which allows the tan to last for 10 days with no fade. It is a non-sticky formula that is lightweight, making it a breeze to apply.
Use this self-tanner to achieve a medium gold tan, which is quick-drying and fast-absorbing, so your skin is the only thing tanned – and not your bedsheets or clothes!
It is made from 100% clean products and features natural tanning active ingredients, so it is kind and caring to your skin.
2. Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
If you are wanting to gradually build up your tan, the Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk is one of the best options for olive skin.
The tanning milk features an innovative dual-action formula that hydrates and nourishes the skin, while giving it a golden glow no matter the time of year. Infused with aloe vera, cocoa butter and vitamin E, you can use this tanning milk daily to maintain a tan and nourish your skin.
When starting out and using this tanning milk, you will notice a golden tan develop within 3 days of use. Keep using the tanning milk to give your skin a beautiful glow, and to provide it with 24-hour hydrating daily.
The beautiful cocoa butter scent is also delightful and will linger on your skin throughout the day!
3. Isle Of Paradise Self Tanning Water
The Isle Of Paradise Self Tanning Water is the best way to achieve a quick and easy spray tan, as the tanning water uses a color corrector formula to give you the most gorgeously even tan, which complements your olive skin tone!
The spray application allows for easy tanning at home, with no mess to worry about. With no guide color, your skin will not become clogged up and you won’t be left with streaks and patches.
Ultra-hydrating, the self-tanning water cares for your skin and helps you build an even tone all over, carefully correcting itself to suit your skin tone for the perfect match.
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 be used to suit all skin tones too.
The natural ingredients in the self-tanner help to 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, and 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 are also able to use the self-tanner on your body and your face, as there are no irritating ingredients in the mousse!
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 are wanting 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, 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.
