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Self-tanners drastically reduce the damage done to your skin by allowing you to avoid sitting out in the sun trying to tan, but some self-tanners contain harmful ingredients that can do their own damage to your skin.
If you are actively conscious of the chemicals you are putting onto your skin, a vegan and organic self-tanner is your best bet for a healthy, sunless tan.
Luckily, there are some great self-tanners on the market that have been classified as organic, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Not only do these self-tanners not contain the harsh chemicals that can dry out and damage skin, but they still give a gorgeous summer glow.
The 5 Best Vegan Self-Tanners
I personally checked the listings of every product on this list to ensure the company promises vegan ingredients as well as being cruelty-free. Although I haven’t tried every single product on this list, I always make sure to check:
User reviews
Price
Quality of tan
Quality of ingredients
… and much more.
That way you know no matter which product you choose, you’ll be getting the absolute best vegan self-tanner for you.
Alright, now to those reviews.
1. Tanceuticals Self-Tanner
Check it out on Amazon. You cannot go wrong with a Tanceuticals product, especially when it comes to the Tanceuticals CC Self-tanning Body Lotion.
With many awards under their belt for their tanning lotions, Tanceuticals are a must try for those wanting a natural looking summer tan, but one that is organic and vegan-friendly.
It gives the skin an amazing color and tone and also has a fresh coconut scent to match your beachy new look. The lotion applies onto the skin easily and will not leave orange blotches or streaks if the application is done correctly.
It blends in smoothly and dries fast, meaning you can carry on with your other daily activities soon after applying the lotion.
The self-tanner lasts for up to 6-7 days after application, which is long for a sunless tan. The healthy cosmeceuticals included in the lotion such as Acai Berry, Vitamin E and Mango Butter all keep the skin nourished and looking healthy. There are no Parabens or harmful ingredients and the lotion is certified cruelty-free and vegan.
It is one of the better self-tanning lotions on the market, it gives a natural summer glow, it is long lasting, and it is as organic as they get.
2. Le Tan Uber Dark
Check it out on Amazon. The La Tan Uber Dark Foam contains concentrated tanning ingredients which help you achieve the darkest tan you want.
It is enriched with ingredients that moisturize the skin during and after application, keeping the skin looking hydrated and healthy.
The moisturizing agents help avoid any streaks or blotchy patches and help make the application process much easier.
The green base of the foam further helps prevent an orange color, and the color can be controlled to be lighter if desired.
The foam is suitable for all skin types and is completely fragrance-free – avoiding that horrible self-tanner smell.
It is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, making it a great product for the eco-conscious. Not only will you be left with a Bahamas tan, but you will have nourished and revitalized skin to be able to show off as well!You are in control of your tan, and this foam really helps you achieve the look you want.
3. Golden Star Beauty Self-Tanner
Check it out on Amazon. The Golden Star Beauty Self-Tanner has been made using certified organic oils such as olive oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil – all the good, nourishing oils that help your skin look and feel rejuvenated.
Not only is it a vegan-friendly product, but it is paraben free, free of dyes, cruelty-free and gluten-free. There is no fake-tan smell, all you will be left with is a glowing, healthy-looking tan that will last.
The featured ingredients will prevent the clogging of pores, orange tones, and streaky areas. The self-tanner absorbs fast, so there is little chance of staining clothes or sheets.
The buildable sunless tanning cream is perfectly suited to all skin types. The tan can be gradually built over time to help you achieve your perfect tan – you get to choose your color.
It is easy to apply and easy to maintain self-tanner that gives you the opportunity to control your color, all while being nourishing to your skin and vegan-friendly!
4. Gold Mountain Beauty Instant Spray Tan
Check it out on Amazon. The best natural and organic ingredients have been used to formulate the Gold Mountain Beauty Instant Spray Tan. Walnut shell extract, calendula, aloe vera, and chamomile all work together to moisturize and restore the skin, keeping it looking healthy for your new tan.
The instant spray tan contains 8% DHA which works to give an even and streak-free coverage. It is quick to apply and easy to maintain.
The instant spray bottle makes it easy to use for touch ups when on the go, and the spray makes application easy when trying to get to those hard to reach areas.
With no artificial additives, there is no risk of skin turning orange or causing irritation. It is even gentle enough to be used on the face, with active moisturizing ingredients. The instant spray is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, making it a completely ethical product to use.
5. B.Tan Self-Tan Mousse
Check it out on Amazon. This 1-hour dark tan mousse will give you that deep, dark bronze that you would need to spend all summer obtaining in the sun. It gives a dark but natural looking tan that is easy to apply and develops fast.
The darker you want you tan, the longer you need to leave the lotion on for – it is up to you how dark you want to go. The ingredients are gentle and will leave the skin looking nourished and hydrated, enhancing your new bronze tan.
Paraben free and with 100% natural DHA, the B.Tan Self-Tan Mousse is vegan-friendly.
Who would have thought you could get such a rich, bronze tan with a product that is so friendly to your skin?
Different Types of Self-Tanners
There is a wide range of self-tanning products to choose from. It can get confusing at times to pick out what you want and need, but knowing what to look for beforehand can make the process of choosing a self-tanner much easier. Decide on what you want to achieve with a self-tanner and make your decision from there.
Instant Tan
An instant tan is a temporary tan that usually lasts around 2 days. This is usually the best option when wanting a tan for a special event. Instant tans usually have a quick-development time and the color can’t be controlled as much as other tanning options.
Many people choose to use an instant tan as their first self-tanner, as it is non-committal and is a safe way to tell if you like the self-tanned look. It is also a great option to use a quick fix to cover up blotches or a fading tan when going out.
Gradual Tan
A gradual tan is a better option if you want to be in control of your color. The lotion, foam or mist can be applied daily until you have reached your desired tone. The previous days tan does not need to be washed off, as this is what helps develop the color. By using a gradual tanner, you are able to keep that summer glow that would usually fade within a few days using a normal self-tanner.
As you are reapplying the self-tanner daily, it usually lasts longer than other tanners as well. A gradual self-tanner for the face can actually replace your daily moisturizer, giving you non-stop color day and night.
To learn all the difference between instant and gradual self-tanner, check out this post.
Classic Self-Tan
A once off self-tanner can give you a bronze tone for about a week. Once the tan starts to fade, you will need to fully exfoliate your skin before reapplying again. You only need to apply the self-tanner once to achieve a summer-tone, and not have to worry about reapplying it daily to maintain the color.
This is probably the most popular type of self-tanner as the weekly application makes it more time-efficient for many people who are too busy to think about reapplying the lotion daily.
Related Questions
How do you perform a patch/skin test?
It is always a good idea to perform a patch or skin test 24 hours before full application. Even though a product might be organic and vegan, there are some ingredients that could still irritate your skin.
Apply a small amount of the self-tanning product to the inner crease of the elbow using cotton wool. Let it dry and leave for 24 hours, if no irritation, swelling, redness or inflammation has occurred, you know you can carry on and use the product on the rest of your body.
If you want to learn more about allergic reactions to self-tanner, check out this article.
Does self-tanner cover stretch marks and scars?
If applied correctly, a good self-tanner should be able to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars. To help cover these, apply the self-tanning product using a cotton bud to the area. Leave for 8 hours and then carry on with the full application, covering these areas once again. This will help the scars and stretch marks look even with the rest of your skin tone.
Vegan-Friendly Self-Tanners
There are actually so many great vegan-friendly and organic self-tanners to choose from. You no longer have to worry about buying a self-tanner that contains harmful ingredients, and which isn’t environmentally friendly. You can have your beautiful summer tan and not feel bad about it!
I've loved tanning ever since I was pretty young. I realized over time that If I wanted to maintain a beautiful bronze glow, and not damage my skin, I'd have to learn to use self-tanners. This blog is a place for me to share everything I've learned! Curious what my absolute favorite self-tanner is? Find out here.
