5 Best Fragrance-Free Tanning Lotions Of 2025
Self-tanning lotions are notorious for their give-away smell, an unpleasant odor created by the DHA, the ingredient responsible for darkening the skin.
To try and combat this, formulas have changed over time to reduce the odor of the lotions. Many self-tanning lotions now contain fragrances to cover the smell, masking it with a pleasant scent.
Fragranced self-tanning lotions aren’t for everyone, but are there fragrance-free self-tanners available?
There are quite a few fragrance-free self-tanning lotions available, without any added scents, and without the usual offensive odor.
What is the best fragrance-free self-tanner?
My top pick is Bondi Sands Pure Self Tan Foaming Water. It is fragrance-free, dye-free, and formulated with hydrating ingredients, which makes it great for sensitive skin.
Keep reading to learn more about fragrance-free self-tanners.
Why Would You Use Fragrance-Free Self-Tanners?
Choosing to use a fragrance-free self-tanner is not just for personal reasons.
While some might want to avoid an additional scent that might clash with their favorite perfume or fragranced moisturizers, many people can’t actually use fragranced self-tanning lotions.
Fragranced self-tanning lotions often contain alcohol and other additives. For people with sensitive or dry skin, this can cause irritation and extra dryness.
To avoid your skin having a negative reaction to the ingredients contained in fragranced self-tanning lotions, try out one of the below fragrance-free self-tanning lotions:
1. Bondi Sands Pure Self Tan Foaming Water
The best fragrance-free self-tanner is Bondi Sands Pure Self Tan Foaming Water. Not only is it free of fragrance, but it is also dye-free, cruelty-free, and vegan.
The packaging is 100% recyclable and doesn’t contain any metals.
I love this formula because it contains hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin, Vitamin C, which is known to brighten the skin, and Vitamin E, which is restorative.
It comes in different tanning ranges, from light/medium to dark. Be careful when choosing which color you want, as the dark formula can turn fair-skinned beauties orange.
If you have a dark, warm skin tone, then the dark will work well for you. Lighter skin tones should opt for light/medium.
2. Bahama Tan Self-Tanning Lotion
For a perfect tan all year round, the Bahama Tan Self-Tanning lotion, which contains no artificial fragrances, is a reliable, effective choice.
The lotion ensures that the tan will not have orange tones, blotches, or streaking once it has set.
The light-tanning lotion contains no toxic chemicals, no mineral oils, no parabens, no alcohol, and is free from many other harmful ingredients.
It is incredibly caring for the skin, and with no artificial fragrances, it will not dry the skin out.
The Bahama Tan Self-Tanning lotion is a lighter tone.
It can be used for up to four days in a row to build a natural-looking tan that is perfectly blended in with the natural skin tone.
Ingredients such as Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Monoi de Tahiti Oil, and Argan Oil help to deeply hydrate and nourish the skin, keeping it looking youthful while holding its summer tan.
Being paraben-free and fragrance-free, it is completely suited to sensitive skin and can be used on the whole body. The self-tanning lotion is also non-comedogenic, meaning it will not clog up pores and cause breakouts.
This fragrance-free, gentle self-tanning lotion will give you that perfect summer look, while hydrating and nourishing your skin.
3. Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner Lotion
The Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner Lotion is one of the most caring lotions for your skin.
It gives it a golden glow without you having to step foot into the sun.
The quick-absorbing lotion leaves behind a flawless tan, free from streaks and blotches.
As it is quick-absorbing, you do not have to worry about the tan staining clothing or linen, and you can be ready to go in almost no time.
The lotion itself is powered by botanicals, creating a gentle and nourishing result, with a tan developing in only 3 hours.
Shea Butter, Sweet Almond, and Safflower Oil hydrate the skin, giving it a natural glow from within. This glow only works to highlight the sunless tan, giving it a beautiful radiance.
Containing no artificial fragrances, the self-tanning lotion will not dry out skin or cause any irritation. All you will be left with is a golden glow and nourished rejuvenated skin.
4. Beauty By Earth Self-Tanner
Beauty By Earth offers one of the most natural, gentlest ways to tan your skin without needing time in the sun.
Suited for pale skin, sensitive skin, and all other skin types, the sunless tanning lotion will give you a quick, radiant tan and super-hydrated skin.
High-quality ingredients create a tanner that provides natural color, and nourishing ingredients such as Shea Butter, Organic Green Tea Extract, and Coconut Oil offer ultra-hydration and a streak-free tan.
The lotion is free from phthalates, parabens, chemical-based ingredients, and artificial fragrances.
It will absolutely not harm your skin, and you will be left with a radiant tan and youthful-looking skin.
Your skin will thank you for the care you give it when using Beauty By Earth. It will help you avoid stepping into the sun to gain a natural, even, and glowing tan.
5. Suited By Nature Gradual Self-Tanner
Gradual self-tanners give you the opportunity to build up a tan until you reach your desired tone and then maintain that tan.
Suited By Nature has a wonderful, gradual self-tanner that is simple to use daily to build up a gorgeous glow.
All the ingredients used in the lotion are organic and natural, and they are suited to serve specific roles, such as tanning the skin and giving it ultimate hydration.
Natural DHA included in the formula does not dry out the skin, and the self-tanner protects the skin from drying out even more by being fragrance-free.
The sun-kissed color you will get from the self-tanning lotion will mimic and build on your own natural color, layering lighter shades with each use to build your desired glow.
It is safe for all skin types, with no streaking, orange tones, or toxic chemicals.
The lotion can be used on the face and the rest of the body. It is caring, gentle, and nourishing, offering you a sought-after tan with none of the damage!
Related Questions
Can a self-tanning lotion cause a rash?
In some cases, people find that their skin becomes irritated or inflamed, with a red, itchy rash, after using a self-tanning product.
This could be a direct reaction to the DHA used to tan the skin or from other added ingredients that might cause a reaction.
To avoid any irritation, it is best to use a self-tanning lotion that contains no harmful chemicals and only uses organic and natural ingredients, with no added fragrances.
Can I use self-tanning lotion on sensitive skin?
Certain self-tanners are available for sensitive skin. These are usually non-comedogenic, meaning the product will not clog pores and cause a breakout.
Fragrance-free self-tanners are also great for sensitive skin. With no added fragrance, the self-tanning lotion will not dry out the skin.
Can self-tanners clog pores?
Clogged pores are a common side effect of using self-tanner. This leads to breakouts and irritation of the skin and is especially problematic for acne-prone skin.
Non-comedogenic self-tanners are available, and are oil-free and fragrance-free, containing no ingredients which could soak in and clog up pores.
Are self-tanning lotions safe?
Self-tanning lotions are completely safe compared to the damage done to the skin by the sun. To avoid any damage to your skin, choose a non-comedogenic self-tanner with no added oils or fragrances.
Look for a self-tanning lotion that has natural and organic ingredients that will care for and nourish your skin.
Which self-tanner is best for the face?
It is recommended not to use the same self-tanner for your face as you do for the rest of your body. Your facial skin is much more sensitive than the skin on your body, so it needs extra care.
There are self-tanning lotions made specifically for the face, they do not contain any fragrances which will clog up pores, and they will have added ingredients which will help to hydrate and moisturize the skin, allowing it to hold onto tan for much longer.
A lighter self-tanning lotion should be used on the face, with a darker lotion on the rest of the body. This helps the overall tan appear more natural and less ‘fake’.
Fragrance-Free Self-Tanners
To protect your skin from drying out, choose a fragrance-free self-tanner.
Without added fragrances and with hydrating ingredients, the self-tanners nourish your skin while helping you build a much-needed tan.
Avoiding damage done by the sun when tanning outdoors is one thing, but you need to be sure not to damage your skin by using the wrong self-tanners.
Choose one that is gentle and kind to your skin, free from harmful ingredients.
Give your skin the glow it deserves, all while nourishing it and allowing it to be as radiant as possible!
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