Best fake tan July 2026
Finding the right fake tan can give you a beautiful, sun-kissed glow without any of the risks. This guide helps you compare the best options on the market, from fast-acting mousses to subtle gradual lotions. We've analysed the features and formulas to help you choose the perfect product for your desired result.
Last updated: 23 June 2026
Fake Tan: Top 5
1
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam 200ml
from £9.9912 stores
from £9.99
12 stores
2
Bondi Sands Aero Self Tanning Foam 225ml
from £5.7013 stores
from £5.70
13 stores
3
ST. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse 200ml
from £15.6010 stores
from £15.60
10 stores
4
Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self Tanning Dry Oil 150ml
from £4.9911 stores
from £4.99
11 stores
5
Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk 375ml
from £14.006 stores
from £14.00
6 stores
This is a classic self-tanning foam from Bondi Sands, known for delivering a natural-looking, streak-free tan. Its moisturising mousse formula is easy to apply and comes in light, medium, and deep shades to suit different skin tones.
Pros
Provides a natural-looking tan
Easy-to-apply mousse formula
Available in multiple intensity levels
Moisturising formula
Cons
For body application only
Smaller volume than some foams
The Aero is a lightweight, aerosol version of the classic tanning foam, designed for ultra-fast drying. This moisturising formula can be used on both the body and face and comes in a generous 225ml can.
Pros
Quick-drying aerosol foam
Suitable for both face and body
Larger volume at 225ml
Choice of light, medium or deep tan
Cons
Aerosol can be harder to control
May dispense product too quickly
From the premium brand St. Tropez, this express mousse allows you to control your shade. Leave it on for one hour for a light tan, two for a medium, or three for a deep glow, then rinse. It's perfect for when you need a tan in a hurry.
Pros
Develops in just 1-3 hours
Customisable tan depth
From a well-regarded premium brand
Moisturising mousse formula
Cons
Often a more premium price point
Requires timely rinsing for desired result
This is a self-tanning dry oil that you can apply and go, with no need to rinse off. It's designed to moisturise the skin while developing into a golden tan, leaving your skin feeling hydrated.
Pros
No rinse-off required
Hydrating dry oil formula
Gives skin a hydrated glow
Moisturising
Cons
Smaller bottle size (150ml)
No guide colour can make application tricky
Can feel oily before it fully absorbs
This product is a gradual tanning lotion that doubles as a daily moisturiser. It allows you to build a natural-looking tan slowly over several days, making it a very forgiving and subtle option. It comes in a large 375ml bottle.
Pros
Subtle, buildable tan
Very large volume (375ml)
Doubles as a daily body moisturiser
Forgiving for beginners
Cons
Requires multiple applications for a tan
Not suitable for a quick result
Compare specifications
| Type | Mousse | Mousse | Mousse | Oil | Lotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application area | Body | Body, Face | Body | Body | Body |
| Intensity | Light, Medium, Deep | Light, Medium, Deep | Deep | — | — |
| Quantity | 200 ml/g | 225 ml/g | 200 ml/g | 150 ml/g | 375 ml/g |
| Price /ml/g | 200 | 225 | 200 | 150 | 375 |
| Features | Moisturising | Moisturising | Moisturising | Moisturising | Moisturising |
How we create the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular among our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert assessments. Specifically, we weigh how many users follow the product via price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in retail. The texts on this page are AI-generated and created to give you a quick and clear overview. No products are paid placements – the ranking is driven solely by data.
