18 best gradual tans for a believable, fool-proof bronze glow-up – from tanning drops to creams

It will help make everything look much more seamless. However, since gradual tans are subtler, you can equally get away with applying with your hands (just make sure you rinse them afterwards to avoid orange palms).

"Work your way up to the heart and chest," recommends pro tanner and Isle of Paradise founder, Jules Von Hep. "Apply your tan in sweeping motions over the body – never circular – this ensures that product is distributed evenly for the most natural, even looking tan."

As for hard to reach spots like your back, "tape your applicator mitt to a wooden spoon – it works, trust me," he adds.

“These tend to be drier areas that pick up self-tan quickly, so they need far less product,” says Jimmy. “Sweep over these areas with the mitt after you’ve covered most of your body. And remember to clean between your fingers and across your knuckles with a damp cloth.”

When it comes to the face, Jimmy says that he prefers to use a large make-up brush or shaving style brush "for a natural application.”

Tanning drops - 2024's answer to gradual self-tan

Tanning drops are more concentrated, liquid versions of self-tan that you can add to a serum, face or body cream to create a customised bronze glow.

In other words, they're the equivalent of a DIY gradual tan that allows you to slowly build up your preferred colour without compromising on the benefits from your regular skincare. Tanning drops typically come with a pipette, so when you're mixing the product in the palm of your hand bear in mind the more drops you dilute into your skincare, the deeper your tan.

Good options with skin-boosting ingredients include St. Tropez Tan Tonic Glow Drops, which are made up of 97% natural ingredients and suitable for sensitive skin. Those prone to flushing may like to try the Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops with green pigments to counteract redness.

Meanwhile, dry skin will lap up Tan-Luxe's The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops, which are laced with raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera, and Charlotte Tilbury's Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops with hyaluronic acid.

Standouts for dark skin tones include Bondi Sands Self Tan Drops, which can be used on face and body, and Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops, with 18% natural DHA for richer, faster results. While Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Body creates a believable glow on limbs.

Are gradual self-tanners better?

There are pros and cons to gradual tans.

• You have more control over the end colour

Building up your colour slowly over several days means you can have more control over the end colour. If, for instance, on day three you're happily bronzed, stop there and revert back to your favourite regular body moisturiser. If you fancy going a little deeper, carry on until you hit your sweet spot.

Jimmy says, “You can control your glow with a gradual tan by reapplying it as light layers for two or three days in a row until you reach the depth of tan that you want. Day one, the first layer looks like you’ve spent the day at the beach; the second layer on day 2 will leave your skin looking like you’ve been at the beach all weekend while the final third layer will give you a glow that will look like you’ve been away somewhere fancy and hot for a week."

• Gradual tan is hydrating

The good news is that since lots of gradual tans are built-into moisturisers it helps to counteract the drying effect some regular tans can have, leaving skin looking doubly glowy, healthy and hydrated.

• Your bed linen and bathroom will thank you

The staining that goes into fake tanning can be enough to put lots of us off, but since there’s plenty of clear gradual moisturisers on the market, you won’t have to worry about waking up to the guide colour on your fresh sheets.

• It's easier to avoid stripes

If you’re slapdash at applying fake tan and regularly miss bits, a gradual tanner is much more forgiving. If you miss a spot one day, the likelihood is, you’ll catch it the next, which means you can keep streaks to a minimum.

The key to avoiding streaks when using gradual tan with no guide colour, notes Marc, is to apply a liberal amount “that completely saturates the skin.”

• The con… it's gradual

The clue is in the name, says Jimmy. “It’s gradual, so if you’re after immediate impact, this isn’t the tan for you."

Want faster results? Check out our list of the best fake tan and spray tans. Want something for your sensitive visage? Here are the best fake tans for your face.

Here’s our edit of the best gradual tans to try now…