The 6 Best Foam Self-Tanners
A foam self-tanner is the easiest kind to apply on your own. It goes on light, it does not run down your arms while you work, and it is far more forgiving of a rushed application than a lotion or an oil, which is why I point beginners at a foam nearly every time.
The six below are the ones I would actually buy today. I opened every listing while updating this page, so each pick is one you can still put in a basket, sold by the brand rather than a reseller.
Under each one you will find what the shade really does on skin, how long it needs to develop, and what is in the bottle.
Is a foam self-tanner right for you? And if it is, which one should you use?
Chocolate wax is enriched with so many skin-loving ingredients, such as almond oil, sunflower oil, soya bean oil, cocoa, vitamins, and glycerine. You will find that chocolate wax is tender on your skin, and reduces redness and irritation often found post-wax, and it helps to hydrate your skin, giving it a gorgeous glow.
Due to the lightweight formula of foams, they are fairly forgiving and do not leave behind streaks and patches, which is a self-tanner’s worst nightmare.
Instead, you will be left with an even, natural-looking tan that fades just as evenly too.
To make the choice of which self-tanner is best for you, we have rounded up the best out there at the moment.
Best Foam Self-Tanners
Here are the best foam self-tanners that will give you a flawless summer radiance:
1. Coconut Water-Based Long-Lasting Self-Tanner Foam
For the best results and ultimate nourishment for your skin, the Coconut Water Based Foam from MineTan is a great option.
The one-of-a-kind self-tanner is supercharged with antioxidants, thanks to the coconut water base.
These help to restore the skin’s hydration, revitalizing it, which makes the tan glow and last longer.
The formula is nearly weightless, absorbing into the skin quickly to lock down moisture, all while delivering a dark bronzed finish to the skin.
The fast-drying formula reduces the risk of staining on clothes or linen and contains no orange tones. It is also free from the usual self-tanner smell and instead has the fresh scent of coconut.
Free from parabens, and made with 100% natural DHA, the MineTan formula is kind and gentle to all skin types.
Containing Fast Tanning Active and Quad Bronzing Technology, the 1-Hour Tanning Formula tans the skin quickly, absorbing deep to develop a dark, natural-looking tan.
You can control the depth of your tan by washing the foam off after 1 hour for a natural tan, 2 hours for a dark tan, and 3 hours for a deep dark tan.
Fatty acids found naturally in coconut help soothe dry areas and improve skin texture and tone, making the tan appear flawless.
This self-tanning foam is one of the better options for beginners and for those whose skin needs extra love and care.
MineTan relisted this one recently, so the Amazon listing is new: it sits at 4.3 stars but on only 8 reviews so far, even though the product itself has been around for years.
2. Rodan and Fields Tanning Foam
Easy to apply, this lightweight formula is perfect for first-timers. It offers a hassle-free experience that results in the most gorgeous summer tan.
Being a lightweight foam, the application will be mess-free, fast drying, and oil-free.
The non-comedogenic formula prevents breakouts and irritation, rather than causing harm to the skin.
The formula includes RF-Dcell technology, which helps the tan last longer than most other self-tanning products on the market.
Ingredients such as antioxidants, vitamin A, C, and E, help to protect the skin from free-radical damage and keep it hydrated and nourished.
The foam’s scent is pleasant, and the application is quick and mess-free. The tan will be streak-free with no orange tones, perfect for those nervous about a first-time application!
3. St. Moriz Professional Medium Self-Tanning Mousse
St. Moriz Professional Medium is the one to reach for if you want a golden tan rather than a deep bronze, and the medium shade sits comfortably on most skin tones.
The mousse goes on with a wash-off guide colour, so you can see exactly where it has landed and rinse the guide away once the tan has developed.
Aloe vera and vitamin E sit in the formula to soothe and moisturise as the colour builds, which helps the finish stay even rather than patchy.
It is fast-drying and spreads smoothly, so it works for a first-timer as well as for anyone who tans regularly.
Vegan, cruelty-free and free from parabens and sulfates, the 200ml bottle is dermatologically tested.
It currently rates 4.3 stars across more than 8,000 reviews on Amazon.
4. Vita Liberata Invisi Foaming Self-Tanning Water
Bursting full of organic botanicals, the foaming tan water is incredibly hydrating to the skin, creating the perfect canvas for a tan.
Ingredients such as Ginkgo biloba and Raspberry moisturize and nourish the skin, giving an anti-aging treatment as you tan.
The clear foaming water has no chance of transfer and is super-fast drying, allowing for tanning on the go.
A tan will develop 4-6 hours after application, a natural deep bronze glow.
The Invisi Tan formula develops darker than other self-tanning lotions, making it suited for those who want a luxuriously dark tone.
Incredibly caring and nourishing for the skin, the foaming tanning water is the answer to self-tanning prayers.
No risk of transfer, no orange tones and a clear, streak-free application, with a fast-dry formula, it will soon be your go-to product for a deliciously dark tan, without having to step foot into the sun.
One thing to know before you click through: Amazon currently stocks the Invisi Foaming Tan Water only as a two-pack of 0.85 fl oz travel bottles rather than the full-size bottle, and that listing is new enough that it carries no customer reviews yet.
5. MineTan Dark Ash Self-Tan Foam
Another self-tanning foam from MineTan, the Dark Ash shade gives a dark, sultry look topped with a cool edge.
The ash base cools down warmer tones instead of pushing them orange, which is what keeps the finish reading as a real tan rather than a bronzer.
A development time of one hour makes this a great on-the-go tanner. Its seamless application spreads the foam evenly into the skin, drying quickly and locking in moisture.
Vegan and free from parabens, the 6.7 fl oz bottle is nourishing to the skin while it delivers that much-desired dark tone.
It rates 4.2 stars across more than 2,600 reviews.
6. Bondi Sands Self-Tanner Foam
Bondi Sands has been in the tanning arena for quite some time now, making them a truly trusted brand to work with.
The Bondi Sands self-tanning foam dries in mere seconds, leaving smooth skin finished with a rich, natural-looking tan.
Aloe vera and Coconut help ensure that the tan not only smells great but lasts long due to the added moisture and nourishment.
This foam is suited for darker skin tones, but there are other foams and products in the range that suit different shades of skin.
If you are looking for a deep, radiant tan, this is the foam for you.
Fast drying and full of hydrating ingredients, this self-tanner foam will soak into your skin, giving it an incredible radiance that lasts longer than most self-tanners.
The foam is lightweight and easy to apply, giving you an enjoyable experience from the beginning.
Your tan will be streak-free and flawless, giving you extra confidence to show off your brand-new summer glow.
Why You Should Use A Self-Tanning Foam
With so many options when it comes to self-tanning products, you need to know why you should use a certain product.
Self-tanning foams have many benefits and are often overlooked when people choose self-tanners.
One of the biggest benefits of self-tanning foams is that they give a wonderful dark, bronzed tan in almost no time.
Being fast-drying, the tanning formula is locked into the skin, making it the best choice for developing a deep tan in a shorter period of time.
The foam self-tanner layers into the skin, minimizing the risk of streaking. This also helps prevent blotches and uneven patches.
Another great bonus with self-tanning foams is that they are incredibly hydrating to the skin.
This is not only because they have nourishing ingredients, but also because the foam dries quickly on the skin, sealing in much-needed moisture to make the tan long-lasting.
For beginner self-tanners, foam is very forgiving, correcting mistakes on your skin you might not even be aware you are making.
The color develops quickly, allowing you to carry on with your day without worrying that you might stain clothing or linen.
Most foam self-tanners also lack the usual self-tanner smell; instead, they have a wonderful fresh scent to match your beautiful new tan.
Most self-tanning foams are clear and do not appear as intimidating as heavily bronzed lotions or mists.
For this reason, they are great starter self-tanners. They soothe and soak into your skin, treating it to some loving hydration, all while you enjoy a gorgeous summer glow.
How To Use A Self-Tanning Foam
Although self-tanning foams are fairly forgiving, it is important to follow the correct preparation and procedure to make sure your tan appears as flawless as possible.
Do not rush or skip out any steps; you will only suffer from an unnatural or patchy tan that fades quickly.
Here is how to apply self-tanning foam at home:
Shave – It is a good idea to shave your legs and any other area of your body that you will be tanning. Avoid tanning once you have applied the self-tanning foam, as it could strip the color.
The other reason you should shave before the application is to stop the hairs acting as a barrier to the self-tanning foam, the hairs could cause the tan to appear patchy.
Exfoliate – Once you have shaved the necessary areas, you should exfoliate your whole body. Use a sugar scrub to gently remove any old product and dead skin cells.
Pay extra attention to the areas that tend to be drier, such as ankles, knees, hands, and elbows. Drier areas with a build-up of dead skin cells can turn out darker than the rest of the body.
Moisturize – Moisturizing is such an important step. Apply an oil-free lotion from head to toe. The moisturizer will help to hydrate drier patches, given the skin a more even color when the self-tanner is applied.
Apply the foam – The next step is to grab your self-tanning foam. It is a good idea to use a tanning mitt, but if you do not have one, make sure to wash your hands to avoid them staining darker than the rest of your body. Pump the foam into the palm of your hand, massaging it in small circles into your skin.
Start from your feet and work your way upwards, making sure not to forget small crevices and the drier areas. Ask a friend or partner for help if you are battling to reach your back, it needs to be tanned as well! Once done, make sure to wash any excess self-tanning foam from your hands and other areas, paying attention to your nails and hairline.
Shower – Once the self-tanning foam has developed for the recommended amount of time, jump into the shower and wash it all off. Do not rub yourself dry after your shower; instead, pat your skin gently until it is dry.
Moisturize – Once again, you can’t forget to moisturize, even after tanning. Try and give yourself at least one dose of oil-free moisturizer a day. This will help your skin keep hydrated, and help the tan last for longer.
Removing an old tan – Once your gorgeous tan starts to fade, it is time to reapply a new coat. Do not apply the self-tanning foam over an already fading tan, it will highlight the patches and make it look so much worse. Instead, repeat the above steps, exfoliating your skin before tanning to remove the old product, create a fresh new canvas for the self-tanning foam to work its magic.
Self-Tanning Foams
Self-tanning foams really do provide a solution to many different self-tanning nightmares.
They do not leave behind streaks or patches, there is little chance of staining clothes because the foam is fast-drying, and the foams help to lock in much-needed hydration into the skin.
There are some really amazing self-tanning foams on the market, all suited for beginners and expert self-tanners alike.
The color they leave behind will mimic a natural summer tan, but with an extra hint of radiance and nourishment. Your skin will love the extra hydration it gets from the foam.
Due to their ease of use, self-tanner foams will easily fit into your beauty routine, and you will not roll your eyes in regret when you have to reapply the self-tanner.
Self-tanning foams are really quite pleasant to use and get the tanning job done in no time at all!
Choose the self-tanning foam you think is best for you and enjoy your new goddess tan!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use a foam self-tanner instead of a lotion?
Foam layers into the skin rather than sitting on top of it, which minimizes the risk of streaking and helps prevent blotches and uneven patches. It also dries quickly, sealing moisture into the skin so the tan lasts longer.
Do you need to shave before applying self-tanning foam?
Shave first, not afterwards. Hairs act as a barrier to the foam and can leave the tan looking patchy, and shaving once the foam is on will strip the colour back off.
Should you exfoliate before using a self-tanning foam?
Yes. After shaving, exfoliate your whole body with a sugar scrub to remove dead skin cells and any old product, paying extra attention to drier areas such as ankles, knees, hands and elbows.
How long does a foam self-tanner take to develop?
It depends on the formula. The MineTan foams on this page are one-hour express tans, while the Vita Liberata Invisi Foaming Tan Water develops over four to six hours into a deeper bronze.
Are foam self-tanners a good choice for beginners?
Foam is the most forgiving format to learn on. The lightweight formula does not run or pool, it is easy to spread evenly, and it leaves an even, natural-looking tan that fades evenly too.
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