The 9 best fake tans for pale skin to add natural-looking warmth – no orange or streaking in sight
Our beauty team has tried dozens of fake tans, but these 9 will impart a natural-looking, sunkissed glow on pale skin, every single time
After months of colder weather and limited daylight, things are finally warming up. And while you may be committed to a regular self-tan routine year-round, others only bother when warmer weather means limbs might actually be on show. Either way, for paler complexions, the best fake tans for pale skin are the need-to-know category, going beyond the usual musts of being easy to apply without streaks, lasting well and fading evenly. These formulas must be natural-looking enough that they don't appear vividly orange on very light skin.
Regardless of depth, the best self tan should always deliver results that don't look like they came from a bottle. Think a fortnight in the Mediterranean without any actual sun exposure – in other words, all the glow without any skin damage. For beginners who are concerned they'll be left looking tangoed, a slow approach is best. “I always advise starting with the best gradual tan if you have very pale skin," says leading tanning expert James Harknett. "Gradual tans contain less DHA, which is the ingredient in your product that provides a sunless glow.” He adds that a shade your skin would never naturally become won't compliment your hair and eye colouring, and may look outdated as a result.
Fortunately, having tried hundreds of options between them, many members of our beauty team are experts not just in fake tan, but formulas that work particularly well on pale skin tones, too. So, with all that in mind, we tested (and re-tested) an array of formulas to curate these reviews of the best buys for pale skin – from nourishing serum formulas to the best instant tans that require minimal commitment.
The best fake tan for pale skin, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £35 for 200ml | Type: Body serum
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Sennen Prickett
Our collagen levels starts to decline around the age of 25, but this formula is enriched with a collagen-enhancing complex that aims to help restore some of this lost firmness. Hyaluronic acid is also in the mix here to help plump the skin and keep it hydrated. Together, not only does this mean your skin looks in better condition, but your tan will stick around for longer, too.
Jess: In true St Tropez style, this formula feels very luxurious, with a serum-like texture that glides onto skin like silk. It doesn’t have a guide colour, but it does have a golden sheen that not only makes you feel like an extra in a gorgeous perfume advert, it also means you can easily see any areas you might have missed. Do also note you need to sleep in this tan and it’s not super deep, though you can re-apply it after 24 hours should you want to deepen the colour further.
Pros
- Nourishes the skin
- Fades evenly
- Sheeny finish
Cons
- No guide colour
RRP: £33 for 100ml | Type: Instant
Reviewed by: Stephanie Maylor
This dense, mousse-like cream feels like applying a real-life filter on the skin, blurring the appearance of things like thread veins, dry skin on legs, bruises, mottled skin and so on. There are five different shades to choose from, with Lighter-Light and Light probably the best options for paler skin tones.
I've used this product for years and find the formula always goes on smoothly and evenly with a mitt. It delivers a subtle hint of colour that's more about creating a flawless, perfected finish rather than a noticeable bronzed look. I love its smooth and uniform finish, which glosses over any faint bruising and/or freckles on the shins. What's more, for an instant formula it has shockingly good staying power. It never rubs off on clothes – a real win – and doesn't streak (not even after getting drenched on the school run).
Pros
- Blurs skin and any 'imperfections'
- Smooth application and finish
- Washes off easily
Cons
- You want a longer-lasting self-tan option
RRP: £20 for 200ml | Type: Mousse
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Fiona McKim
We talk a lot about skin tones when it comes to fake tan, but not so much about undertones. Until now, that is. Bondi Sands developed a first-of-its-kind (and still fairly affordable) tanning range designed around undertones as well as skin tone. There are four different shades – Sapphire for a cool tone, Emerald for a deep olive tone, Caramel for a warm, golden tone and Magenta for a rich, deep tone.
Jess: The guide colour here takes a little getting used to, as it has a blue – almost grey – tinge to it that initially made my skin look quite pallid. But there’s science at play here, as this counteracts the orange hues that those with pale complexions really want to avoid. I applied it with a mitt, which was a doddle, and showered it off after one hour. You can leave it on for up to three, for a deeper tan, but I didn't test this out. It takes around eight hours to fully develop into a healthy-looking glow – and I'm pleased to report that it left no streaks or patches in its wake.
Pros
- Very natural-looking
- Great for cooler skin tones
Cons
- A little sticky
RRP: £9.99 for 250ml | Type: Gradual lotion
Reviewed by: Jess Beech, Lucy Abbersteen
Isle of Paradise as a brand is an excellent destination for first-time self-tanners (and devout tanners alike) with pale skin. The pink colour-correcting range has cemented itself as some of the best natural-looking fake tans on the market at fairly accessible prices to boot. But it's the most recent addition, the Daily Self-Tan Lotion to the brand that deserves your attention for a seriously low-commitment tan.
Firstly, the lotion itself has the loveliest lightweight texture that I'd happily slather across my skin with or without the inclusion of DHA; it's incredibly skin-quenching and absorbs nicely without any sticky residue. I used Light/Medium and one application of subtly warmed my very pale complexion nicely (it's also available in Medium/Dark). This can then be built upon in the following days, or you can alternate with your regular body cream to maintain the results. And for less than a tenner? It's near-impossible to fault.
Pros
- Subtle results
- Buildable formula
- Hydrating lotion
Cons
- Takes time to build your desired colour
RRP: £28.50 for 100ml | Type: Lotion
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
This formula is so silky and nourishing that, to me, it's closer to a moisturiser than a fake tan. It’s so softening (thank shea butter and jojoba oil for that) that it left my skin with a nice sheen and helped reduce itchiness, too. My only gripe is that it dispenses a teeny amount of product at a time, so it took quite a while to squeeze out enough to cover my whole body. With a lovely, fresh apricot scent, it also dries quickly, so you don’t have to worry about feeling tacky post-application before getting into bed or going about your day.
Overall, it's the kind of product I like to call a "take-the-edge-off" tan. There is nothing wrong with pale legs, of course, but sometimes their luminosity (especially post-winter) doesn’t fill one with the most confidence for shorts season. But this self tan gives the skin a super subtle glow that replicates the look of spending an afternoon in the sunshine – softening that starkness.
Pros
- Feels lovely on the skin
- Sustainable ingredients
- Dries quickly without tackiness
Cons
- Not the easiest to dispense
RRP: £37 for 200ml | Type: Mousse
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
Tan-Luxe is built on the ethos that tanning doesn’t need to be a messy, sheet-staining and sticky experience. This formula is clear and, I found, has a slightly sweet scent. A little product goes a long way and it doesn’t dry too quickly, meaning there's plenty of time to make sure you have covered every patch of skin for even results. As there's no guide colour, however, you'll need to over-compensate with extra buffing to ensure they are truly seamless (as is the case with any guide-free formula).
This is an express mousse and I left it on for between 30 minutes and one hour – finding 45 minutes to be the sweet spot for a noticeable-yet-natural-looking tan on pale skin – and the results genuinely last for a full week. All in all, it's a great option for you if you're nervous about self tanning.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Develops quickly
- Results last well
- Won't stain sheets
Cons
- No guide colour here
RRP: £26 for 200ml | Type: Foam
Reviewed by: Stephanie Maylor
I loved this fake tan's soft vanilla scent, which is admittedly quite sweet. The mousse itself comes out a little muddy-looking and has a greenish tinge, but this soon blends into a subtle bronze as you slather it across your limbs. This green-grey pigment is what neutralises any orange tones so the resulting tan looks more natural, which I can certainly attest to.
Medium is the lightest shade on offer here, but it is still suitable for paler complexions; I found it easy to customise the results simply by rinsing off the guide colour a little earlier (two hours for the faintest hint of colour, or overnight for a deeper glow). The effect was smooth, streak-free and even – it even helped to gloss over some dodgy tan lines of summers past. Want to know more? Read Jess's full Coco & Eve tan review for an in-depth guide.
Pros
- Blends easily
- Fades nicely
- Vanilla fragrance
Cons
- Sweet scent won't appeal to all
RRP: £18.99 for 225ml | Type: Mousse
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
This whipped formula has a beautiful coconut scent that, we found, goes some way to disguise the slight fake tan smell. The mousse is also tinted, meaning you can see exactly where to buff and it melts into the skin for impressive coverage across your limbs.
Another major plus here is that this formula dries quickly, so you don't have to wait around for half an hour feeling sticky and tacky. If it's a subtle hint of colour you're after, hop in the shower after an hour. Otherwise, leave it on for six, then rinse off for sunkissed skin. The only downside is that we found that it had started to fade in patches after a few days. However, if you know with how to remove fake tan, you'll be aware that this is nothing a good scrub or tan eraser won't fix, leaving you ready to start the process again.
Pros
- Handy guide colour
- Long-lasting results
- Smells like coconut
Cons
- Doesn't fade evenly with time (though this can be remedied with scrub or remover)
RRP: £39 for 65ml | Type: Cream
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
Wondering how to self tan your face to get natural-looking results? This is the world’s first barrier-repairing, gradual tanning facial moisturiser, packed with amino acids and lipids. The cream itself smells a bit like sun cream and its texture is rich, meaning we think it's probably best applied before bed. Our skin felt instantly plump and smooth to the touch and we saw a healthy glow creep in after a few hours.
As with any gradual tan, the depth of colour is largely in your hands. They say that the level of DHA in the cream (4.5% to be exact) is just the right amount to be used daily. However, I made the mistake of using my regular glycolic acid exfoliant between applications, which did remove the tan and make it look a little patchy – but this was easily fixed with another evening application to even things out again. Overall, I appreciated the healthy, radiant glow it delivered.
Pros
- Nourishing cream with lipids and amino acids
- Tan develops within a few hours
- Barrier-repairing formula
Cons
- Requires caution with other skincare actives that lift fake tan
How we tested the best fake tans for pale skin
Some of the best fake tan for pale skin options that we tested for this guide
In order to put together a guide to the very best fake tan for pale skin buys, complete with honest reviews, we tried more than 20 different formulas. We also drew upon our experience of old favourites that we have used and relied on for years.
When testing, we observed each one for several days to assess how they faded over time. When deciding which tans were the best for paler complexions, we judged them based on the following factors. Once we felt we’d sufficiently put a tan formula through its paces, we ran a bath, slathered on one of the best body exfoliators and moved on to testing the next with a nice, clear canvas.
The following were all factors we took into consideration when assessing and reviewing each best fake tan for pale skin contender.
- Application: Whether you’re a tanning expert or a novice, you want a fake tan formula to be intuitive and simple to apply.
- Finish: There’s little more frustrating than waking up to a patchy, streaky tan. All the best fake tan for pale skin on this list delivered an even, convincing finish.
- Wear and fade: We want our tan to deliver past day one, so we monitored how well results lasted over a week.
- Longevity: Here today, gone tomorrow? The results of some tans are more short-lived than others.
- Scent: Good news – applying fake tan no longer has to involve a heavy "eau de biscuit" fragrance. The latest formulas utilise innovative methods to reduce and mask the tell-take fake tan smell.
How to choose the best fake tan for pale skin
If you want to learn how to fake tan like a pro, particularly when you’re working with very pale skin, follow these expert tips – courtesy of some of the industry's biggest fake tan experts – to help you master the art of believable bronzing.
- Consider formula type: "For paler skin tones, I recommend using a light, hydrating formula which you can build up over time," advises Jules Von Hep, professional tanner and the founder of Isle of Paradise. "Tanning waters and oil mists are the most hydrating tan possible. The trick is to apply liberally; your skin should be drenched after application, then blended with a mitt swept gently over the skin." This will also prevent the patchiness that can leave one asking, is fake tan bad for your skin?
- Opt for gradual: "If you are pale and looking for a natural, sun-kissed glow, avoid darker shades of tan with higher levels of DHA as this will add too much red pigment to the skin," says St.Tropez's Tanning & Skincare Expert Michaella Bolder. "I love using gradual tan for a really subtle glow on paler skin. If you apply tan every 3–4 days, by the time you get to the richest tone you’ve already begun to wash it off during showering. I like to then reapply around day three or four to help maintain a hydrated, consistent, gorgeous-looking tan."
- Find your undertone: This can also inform your choice of fake tan. "The undertone of your skin is what you would see as your natural skin tone when you haven’t been in the sun for around six months," says Bolder. "Paler skin can often have a cool blue and sometimes a hint of red undertone. Olive skin tones may see more of a yellow or grey undertone that will take lightly to the sun. Darker skin tones can be a mix of blue, red and yellow undertones." This guidance also applies to choosing the best bronzer for fair skin and foundation, too.
How to apply fake tan: Tips for beginners
Once you've found a formula that suits both your pale skin and your lifestyle (in terms of the ease of application and any maintenance), it's time to get going with application. Follow these golden rules from our experts and tanning pale skin will be a breeze.
- Prep: "Paler skins can really catch the tan in dry areas," says Harrington. "Scrub and moisturise pre-tanning application. I always apply a balm or moisturiser on hands, elbows, knees, and feet to avoid the tan catching, even if I am using a gradual tan." (If the worst happens and you forget your barrier cream, read our beauty editor's guide to how to get fake tan off hands.)
- Protect lighter hair: Light hair colours – greys, blondes, reds and light brunettes – are easily stained by fake tan, so it's important to protect them. "Keep your hair away from your face with a decent-sized towelling headband," says Harknett. "Protect your eyebrows, too, with a hint of Vaseline or barrier cream."
- Start slowly: It’s a good idea to start with a gradual, or controllable express tan, to avoid going overboard. “Tanning is about logic,” says Von Hep. “The more tan you add to the skin, the deeper the end result will be. If you’re a first-time tanner, apply just one light layer to the skin and get used to the colour change you see after the tan has developed. If you want to go deeper next time, just add more during application."
- Clean mitt: This is a must. Not only is a clean mitt more hygienic, you also won't sweep any residual tan across your skin with fresh product. Said sweeping motions are key: keep on smoothing away to ensure an even, streak-free finish.
- Don't try new fake tan before a big day: When self tanning ahead of a special occasion or big event, don't go in blind: always use something you've tried before. "Once you have found a product that you really like, that suits both your skin type and your skin tone, then you can tan with more confidence," says Harknett.
Your best fake tan for pale skin FAQs, answered by the experts
Does fake tan work on very pale skin?
Fake tan absolutely works on very pale skin, but you'll probably want to avoid intense formulas if you want natural-looking results. “If you have pale skin and opt for a dark tan, then it’s likely that your result will look unnatural," confirms Bolder. "Gradual tanning solutions are a good option as they enable you to tailor your tan result by applying one layer over a few consecutive days until you achieve your desired glow.”
The other issue when tanning very pale skin is that there’s less margin for error, as streaks and patches are more noticeable on a lighter skin tone. Therefore, “It’s really important to make sure you exfoliate thoroughly beforehand and sweep some oil-free moisturiser over drier areas like elbows, knees and ankles," says Harknett.
What fake tan is best for pale skin with pink undertones?
Your skin's undertone is the overall hue of your skin and pale skin will fall into one of three categories – warm (golden or yellow) cool (pink, red or blue), or neutral (a combination of both).
Often, skin that is very pale with cool undertones probably wouldn’t naturally tan a deep and warm golden colour naturally, which is worth keeping in mind when choosing a faux glow formula. Colour-correcting formulas work to neutralise these tones for a more natural-looking result – Isle of Paradise and Bondi Sands are two brands that offer these kinds of formulas in green and blue.
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.
Stephanie is an experienced beauty editor who works across Future's women's titles, including woman&home. She has tried and tested many fake tan formulas over the years, from instant to gradual and cream to foam – and knows which ones add natural-looking, flattering warmth to paler skin.
Jess Beech is an experienced fashion and beauty editor with more than 10 years of experience in the publishing industry – and has tested many fake tan formulas in that time. She has written for woman&home, GoodtoKnow, Now, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own and Chat, and was formerly deputy fashion & beauty editor at Future plc.
James Harknett is a tanning expert with over two decades of experience and has a spray tanning residency at the W London hotel.
Jules Von Hep is an experienced tanning expert and the founder of self tan and bodycare brand Isle of Paradise. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, he's also tanned many a celebrity in his time.
Michaella Bolder is a master facialist, as well as a tanning expert and brand ambassador for St Tropez.