If you want to even out a streaky fake tan mishap or simply get an immediate glow for some last-minute plans, the best instant tans can be relied on to add even colour and a faux glow – and, after rigorous testing, team woman&home has reviewed the top-performing buys in this very guide.
Don't get us wrong: we love the best fake tans for mature skin or the best gradual tan lotions for creating a sun-kissed look, sometimes we may find ourselves working with a time crunch where a few hours of development time isn't an option. This is where instant tans are an essential in your self-tan arsenal. And while you may have historically associated these formulas with a tangerine tinge or heavy biscuit scent, they've come a long way in recent years. Now, instant tanners can look just as natural as a gradual formula.
"An instant tanner is incredible for adding a deeper tone over an existing tan, real or fake," explains Claire Lambert, Skin & Tan's resident tanning expert. "If you’ve forgotten to tan or don’t have time, it’s a great last-minute fix that will last all day until you’re ready to easily wash it off." With all that in mind, we made it our mission to scout out the very best instant tans on the market, including water-resistant formulas and those without an orange tinge. These are the ones that came out on top...
Best instant tan deals
The best instant tan buys, tried and tested by our beauty team
RRP: £24 | Formula: Lightweight cream | Key ingredients: Vitamins B, C & E, Aloe vera and caffeine | Number of shades: 1
This instant tanning cream comes with a sponge that, like your best makeup brushes, helps to blend the formula into the skin without the need to use your hands. The formula has the same consistency as a body lotion, which meant its texture was easy to manipulate and spread across my skin. The quick-drying formula locks the layer of bronze in place in record time; I found this so helpful as it limits the time spent awkwardly waiting for the tan to dry. The resulting look was a transparent bronze glow, which coated our skin to mimic the look of spending a week in the sun, which lasted until my next shower before melting off easily with soap and water.
Pros
- Quick dry formula
- Built-in applicator sponge
- Moisturising formula
Cons
- Not odourless
RRP: £33 | Formula: Lightweight, foamy cream | Key ingredients: Shea butter and organic glycerin | Number of shades: 2
I know I said that the best instant tan comes with no commitments, but if you want a bit more longevity, I'd recommend choosing this instant tan. Its mousse-like formula glides over the skin, with streak-free results, and offers an instant tanning effect with impressive glow-giving pigment. All this left my skin looking immediately more radiant and refreshed. This would be a godsend if you have a busy week of events, as you can enjoy instant gratification and lasting bronzing effects in just a few sweeps.
Pros
- Will last all weekend
- Blurs imperfections
- Leaves skin radiant
- Hydrating formula
Cons
- Slightly pricey
RRP: £15 | Formula: Cream to powder | Key ingredients: Coconut milk | Number of shades: 2
This higher coverage option may not suit everyone, but I loved the flawless look it gave. Its heavier consistency by no means compromises the blending power, and you can manipulate the formula until all areas are covered in a streak-free finish. This was the quickest drying formula of the entire selection I tested; I could get dressed within 30 seconds of application, which is great if you tend to get ready in a rush. I think this would be a perfect option for an evening event, as you can rest assured that this will completely even out the skin tone and blur every vein, mottled or bumpy bit of skin in sight.
Pros
- Instant drying formula
- Easy to blend
- High coverage
Cons
- Some may prefer a more shimmery finish
RRP: £17 | Formula: Lightweight cream | Key ingredients: Peptides, pomegranate, chamomile and goji berry | Number of shades: 3
While I don’t have the palest skin, I would have instinctively opted for the light option if that was available. Despite this, the medium shade wasn't too dark and glided onto my legs easily. I really loved the colour of my skin after applying this and a little went a really long way. I used the Bare by Vogue brush to blend, which proved really quick and easily to produce a streak-free bronze. The formula is packed with nourishing ingredients, such as peptides, which help to firm and plump the skin – while blending seamlessly with your skin and disguising the look of imperfections. This was definitely one of the best instant tan formulas of all those I tried.
Pros
- Lasts up to 24 hours
- Tropical fragrance
- Streak-free application
Cons
- No lighter shade options
- Very subtle orange undertone
RRP: £10.99 | Formula: High-coverage cream | Key ingredients: Free from self-tanning actives | Number of shades: 1
This is one of the best instant tan options for darker skin tones, as it yields a deep olive hue. Due to the deeper colour, a little goes a long way, and you only need a small dab of the product to cover an impressive amount of surface area. I found the cream consistency less fluid than some other options on this list and it did take more time to blend. The staying power is impressive, lasting all day and night without budging, but then completely disappeared when it came into contact with warm water. I also loved the natural wash of colour, it's the closest you'll get to a gradual tan result with an instant tan application.
Pros
- Impressive staying power
- A little goes a long way
- Transfer-resistant
Cons
- Takes more time to blend in
RRP: £9.99 | Formula: Tinted gel | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, shea butter, sweet almond oil | Number of shades: 1
This gel-like formula looked concerningly dark for my complexion when first squeezed into my palms, but once I started working into my limbs with a body brush, my fears were allayed. The gel texture quickly and seamless blended into my skin to create an instant bronzed glow. I loved the natural-looking colour and there wasn’t so much as a hint of the dreaded orange undertone, however it did fade slightly after drying, but this was actually a good thing as it kept the results looking so natural. The scent was slightly fake tan-esque, with a slight biscuit whiff, but it's not too off-putting and worth it for this impressively fuss-free instant tan.
Pros
- Quick drying
- Suitable for face and body
- Transfer & splash-proof
- Doesn't block pores
Cons
- Only one shade option
- Slight biscuity self-tan smell
RRP: £19.95 | Formula: Aerosol spray | Key ingredients: Vitamin E and cucumber | Number of shades: 2
This on-trend instant tan spray is ideal for travel and for carrying with you to top up tan on-the-go. The small but mighty spray delivers a dose of lovely shimmery tan that's also sweat-proof (a big win for summer months). It's formulated with Vitamin E, which works to nourish the skin and was great for skin smoothing. I did find this one of the more subtle instant tans I tried, but you can build up the colour by applying extra layers, which allows you to take the colour deeper. That said, I found the application much harder than other instant tans as it was tricky to control the product with the spray dispenser.
Pros
- Blurs blemishes
- Dried in seconds
- Vegan & cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive for the size
- Harder to control due to spray applicator
- Needed a lot of product to cover larger surface areas
RRP: £9.99 | Formula: Tinted gel | Key ingredients: None specified | Number of shades: 2
I used this Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan religiously throughout my teenage years, so I felt an intense wave of nostalgia when I was blending it into my legs. That said, the actual tan itself has come a long way since I used it ten years ago and I was impressed to see that it blended much more smoothly and naturally. The hue was still as deep as I remember, with a warm undertone, so if you’re after a rich tan look, then this is the one. Being the cheapest of the pack I was surprised that it lasted for as long as it did and that it was also water and totally transfer-proof. If you want a no-frills, affordable instant tan, I would stock up on this.
Pros
- Easily blendable
- Great value
- Water & transfer resistant
- Can be used on face & body
Cons
- Slight red undertone
- Can sit in pores
- Instant tan smell
- No skincare ingredients
RRP: £42 | Formula: Shimmery tinted gel | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, E & arnica extract | Number of shades: 1
This product created that "my skin but better" look that most of us are after in the summer months. While this formula isn't a dramatically deep tan, this tinted serum works to boost radiance. It takes a minute to absorb into the skin, but leaves a non-greasy finish, which I liked. It’s packed with amazing skincare ingredients like vitamins C and E for nourishment, as well as arnica, which can help reduce the look of bruises or similar discoloration. It's undoubtedly the most subtle-looking instant tan I tried, so if you’re after a deep result, this won’t suit you so well. However, if you’re looking for a filter-like finish, this absolutely won’t let you down.
Pros
- Subtle sun-kissed shimmer
- Hydrating serum
- Looks natural
- Non-greasy
Cons
- One very sheer shade
- Quite expensive
How we tested the best instant tans
A selection of the instant tan products we tested for this guide
In order to find the best instant tans on the market, I sought out easy-glide and nourishing formulas, with blurring properties that would even out my skin tone. As someone with a lighter complexion, my goal is always to find fake tan for pale skin that looks really natural. I therefore assessed each tan based on the ease of application, transfer-proof lasting power and end results. All of the instant tans I considered were tested at least a couple of times to ensure I'd given them a full, intensive trial.
To give each tan a fair chance, I ensured I had prepped my skin by exfoliating away any dry skin or leftover tan residue, before then boosting hydration with a nourishing body lotion. I then applied each instant tan using the same method of a body brush to get that thorough and seamless finish. I also took into consideration the texture of the formula, the ingredients used and the price tag each product boasted, in order to complete my curated edit.
How to choose the best instant tan
When it comes to choosing the best instant tan that works for you, there are a few important factors worth considering before you make your purchase. Luckily, we've put-together a few pointers to help you find 'The One'...
- The ingredients: Some products are nfused with popular skincare ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, shea butter and arnica extract, which can boost hydration and encourage coverage of blemishes. However, if you want a no-frills formula, this may not be top of your priority list.
- Other benefits: All products come with different benefits, be they water-resistance or vegan formulas. It's important to seek out benefits that align with your lifestyle and desired results. For example, they won't all withstand splashes of water.
- Finish: Consider the finish you'd like from your instant tan – do you prefer a matte finish or something with more of a shimmer?
- Price: Cost is often one of the biggest deciding factors when it comes to deciding between two options. Consider your budget and how often you will be using this instant tan. If you'll be reaching for it often, you'll need to re-purchase it more often, which will cost more over time.
Your instant tan FAQS, answered
What is instant tan?
Instant tans do exactly what the name suggests: instantly add glow to wherever they're applied. Whichever formula you opt for, whether that be a creamy lotion, a fine mist or an airy mousse, the key thing that sets these products apart is that they deliver an immediate bronzed hue, without needing to allow for developing time – like other self-tans. This makes them great for last-minute plans, giving your skin a sun-kissed appearance for a special event or fixing fake tan mistakes.
What is the best instant tan?
The best instant tans aren't just easy and quick to apply, but also able to transform your skin and unlock a holiday-esque glow in an instant. While there are many instant formulas on the market (and featured within this tried and tested guide).
Based on our testing and reviews, we'd recommend the Tan-Luxe Instant Hero Self-Tan if you're main priority is ease of application, while the St.Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer may suit those who are looking for a quick-drying formula. We must also give notable mentions to the Loving Tan Bronze Shimmer Cream for its luminous finish and Tan Truth's Instant Wash-Off Tanning Gel, which is a great option for self-tan beginners.
How to apply instant tan
To understand how to fake tan like a professional, I asked Lambert for her top tips to ensure a seamless application: "The best way to apply the instant tan to your body is with a body brush, as this creates a flawless, fool-proof finish," she says. In terms of what sets a body brush apart from a regular makeup one, Lambert notes: "They are ideal as the dense and domed bristles have been designed to follow the contours of the body and help blend for an airbrushed finish."
Alongside this, the key is also in the preparation of the skin. It is essential to exfoliate the skin, buffing away any dry or dead skin cells, before using a nourishing body lotion to hydrate your complexion. This will help prevent the tan from clinging to any dry areas and avoid an unwanted streaky finish.
Our expert panel
Sennen is Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she shares the latest beauty launches, trending buys and personal product recommendations, from makeup and hair to skincare and nails. As well as testing lots of products for her role as a beauty writer, she also is a fake tan fan herself, and knows what makes a good, natural-looking formula – making her a great main tester for this guide.
