The Best Tanning Lotions For Summer 2023

Type ‘best fake tan’ into Google and you will be bombarded with lotions and potions promising to turn your pale body brown faster than you can say glow. But with so many formulas and finishes out there, it can be challenging to narrow it down to just one. Whether you’re looking for a hydrating moisturiser with just a hint of colour (not orange), or an instant tan that will get your limbs a lovely sun kissed shade, it sounds like a lotion could be what you’re in need of.

So without further ado, allow us to introduce you to the very best bottles of sun on offer. 

Bronze specialist Bondi Sands have souped up their Gradual Tanning Lotion and created a Pure version that delivers all the same skin bronzing benefits without the addition of any nasties – making it a great choice for sensitive skin. You will find no fragrances, dyes or sulphates in this bottle, instead a regenerative mix of hyaluronic acid and vitamin C and E have been added. 

Get flawless skin with the By BEAUTY BAY Future Bronze Body Base. This blurring, lightweight and instant body makeup gives an instant tint of tan whilst evening out skin tone. With a matte finish and moisturising formula, enriched with hyaluronic acid, castor oil, vitamin E, jojoba oil and sweet almond oil, you won’t want to be without it.

Sometimes you want to take your tan to the next level. In these instances, Bondi Sands Self Tanning Lotion is your go-to. Their dark formula provides a deep brown natural-looking colour that lasts regardless of your skin tone (no orange hues over here). Enriched with aloe vera, the coconut-scented tan ensures your skin is hydrated and smooth all day long. 

Most tanning lotions leave a giveaway biscuit smell – not this one. The impressive line up of ingredients in Tanologist’s Gradual Tan includes eucalyptus, which provides a wonderfully refreshing scent. Juniper, pink grapefruit and goji berry condition and care for the skin, plus the nourishing formula is non-comedogenic, perfect for those that struggle with body blemishes. Apply as you would a body cream on days where you are looking for a pick me up. 

If it’s an instant tan you’re looking for, you need to get to know SOSU By Suzanne Jackson’s Body Tune Instant Tan. Ideal for the face and body, the lotion creates a bronzed glow while drenching the skin with nourishing vitamin E and hiding imperfections. 

The rewards of building up a gradual tan to perfection make the daily work worth it. SOSU by Suzanne Jackson’s Glowing Steady Gradual Tan helps to keep the skin ultra-moisturised and hydrated while building the ultimate holiday-fresh glow. Perfect for daily use and sensitive skin. 

A firm favourite, Isle Of Paradise’s Happy Tan Everyday Gradual Glow will get you summer-ready without even really trying. Despite being a gradual tanner, when used daily, this delivers a deep colour over time. It takes 4-6 hours to develop so you’ll have to wait a while before you see results. It is vegan, free from sulphates and parabens and contains coconut, avocado and chia seed oils to keep skin supple and soft. 

Glow through the summer season (and beyond) with The Fox Tan Dark Tropical Self-Tan Crème. This lightweight, deeply nourishing, and hydrating cream formula is packed with aloe vera, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter, to leave you instantly glowing without that nasty fake tan smell, suitable for pro-tanners to first timers. 

Gradually build or extend a natural golden glow with the Mine Tan Invisible Color Gradual Tan Lotion. This daily moisturiser with a touch of tan is enriched with coconut oil, argan oil, macadamia nut oil and grapeseed oil to produce a supple, subtle golden finish. Use daily to reach the golden bliss you desire or to keep your tan fresh and glowing.

Turn your tan up a notch in an instant with the Dawsylicious Tanning Airbrush Body Makeup. Enhanced with coconut oil for deeper hydration and long-lasting wear, this highly pigmented, instant tan body makeup glides and blends into the skin effortlessly, whilst blurring skin texture to leave you with a flawless sun kissed glow. 

Fake tan masters Tan-Luxe have created the perfect combination of colour and hydration in their gradual formula. The lightweight lotion provides intense moisture to parched skin while delivering a subtle but buildable natural-looking tan. Use daily in place of your moisturiser and watch your body become beautifully brown. 

If you’re after an instant tanning cream with a hint of shimmer, then the Shimmer Luminous Cream from Loving Tan needs to be on your radar. Enriched with the perfect blend of highlighting pigments to create a flawless bronzed glow, this transfer-resistant, lightweight and quick drying and easily removable instant tan is perfect for those last-minute plans.