Best Fake Tans August 2026
Finding the perfect fake tan can give you a sun-kissed glow without the sun damage. This guide helps you compare the top options on the market, from mousses to oils, so you can find the right shade and formula for your skin. Our rankings are based on independent data to help you make a confident choice.
Last updated: 14 August 2026
Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self Tanning Dry Oil 150ml climbed 1 position
ST. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse 240ml dropped 1 position
Fake Tan: Top 5
1
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam 200ml
from £9.199 stores
from £9.19
9 stores
2
ST. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse 200ml
from £17.997 stores
from £17.99
7 stores
3
Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self Tanning Dry Oil 150ml
from £4.998 stores
1
from £4.99
8 stores
4
ST. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse 240ml
from £15.997 stores
1
from £15.99
7 stores
5
ST. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse 200ml
from £12.996 stores
from £12.99
6 stores
The Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam is a popular choice for its natural-looking, non-orange tan. Its moisturising mousse formula is easy to apply and comes in three different intensity levels, allowing you to choose between a light, medium, or deep glow.
Pros
Provides a natural, non-orange finish
Available in Light, Medium, and Deep shades
Moisturising formula helps hydrate skin
Easy-to-apply mousse texture
Cons
Smaller volume than some competitors (200ml)
ST. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse offers a unique, transparent water-to-mousse formula. This means it won't transfer onto clothing or sheets, but the lack of a guide colour requires careful application to ensure even coverage.
Pros
Clear formula means no transfer onto clothes
Lightweight water-to-mousse formula
Contains moisturising ingredients
From the well-known brand ST. Tropez
Cons
No guide colour can make application tricky
Only available in one intensity level (Medium)
Bondi Sands Liquid Gold is a self-tanning dry oil that aims to provide both a tan and deep hydration. The formula is designed to be quick-drying and can be left on the skin without needing to be rinsed off, developing over several hours.
Pros
Nourishing dry oil formula for hydration
Quick-drying and non-greasy
Can be worn all day with no need to rinse off
Cons
Smallest volume in this list at 150ml
Oil texture can be harder to apply evenly
The ST. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse is an iconic product known for its reliable results. It features a tinted guide colour to help you see where you've applied it, and its large 240ml size offers more product than many competitors.
Pros
Generous 240ml size offers more product
Iconic and trusted 'Classic' formula
Guide colour ensures a streak-free application
Moisturising formula
Cons
Guide colour can transfer onto clothes or sheets
Needs to be rinsed off after several hours
Limited to a single 'Classic' tan depth
For those short on time, the ST. Tropez Self Tan Express Mousse offers a fast-developing tan. You can control the depth of your tan by choosing when to rinse it off: one hour for a light glow, two for medium, and three for a deep tan.
Pros
Customisable tan: shower after 1, 2, or 3 hours
Fast-acting formula for a quick tan
Tinted mousse for a streak-free application
Cons
Requires precise timing to achieve desired shade
Guide colour may transfer before rinsing
Compare specifications
| Type | Mousse | Mousse | Oil | Mousse | Mousse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application area | Body | Body | Body | Body | Body |
| Intensity | Light, Medium, Deep | Medium | — | — | Deep |
| Quantity | 200 ml/g | 200 ml/g | 150 ml/g | 240 ml/g | 200 ml/g |
| Price /ml/g | 200 | 200 | 150 | 240 | 200 |
| 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.
