The 12 best gradual tans for a beautiful, subtle glow without streaks or mess

The best gradual tans offer a quick, easy, and fuss-free solution for transforming your limbs from drab to fab in just a few hours. 

Using the best self tan will help cheat a holiday glow in a matter of hours, but it can come at the cost of time. That 24-hour shaving window, the scrubbing, the prepping - sometimes we just don't have for the whole shebang. Gradual tans offer simplicity - you apply them as you would your best body moisturizers, and wait for the golden color to appear. 

Tanning Expert Michaella Bolderis a fan of this method. "The great thing about gradual tan formulas is that they contain deeply nourishing properties, that enable you to customize your own tanning results at home whilst caring for your skin," she says. "They can offer an immediate golden glow to create a tan after 8 hours, with long-lasting effects for up to 7 days." 

Whether you’re new to faux tan, prefer your glow to look natural, or wondering how to make a tan last longer – we have you covered with our edit of the best gradual tan buys, all tested by us. And for a seamless blend, Bolder shares her top application tips on how to fake tan like a pro.

The 12 best gradual tan buys, chosen by our beauty team

Offering a whopping 72 hours of hydration, the St. Tropez Gradual Tan Body Lotion is our top-rated gradual tan. We're always keen to stock up on anything that contains high levels of skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, marine algae, and antioxidant oils, this works to hydrate, protect, smooth, soothe, and firm skin. 

St Tropez has long been a champion in the tanning industry, so expectations were high and we were pleased to discover that this is another winner from the brand. Offering a slightly deeper finish than some of the other best gradual tan options on the market, this super-effective formula goes on like a dream and there is no need to apply two or three layers, so it's also a great time saver. The texture spreads really nicely and covers your limbs without missing a spot (winner), so no nasty streaking here. A proper trustworthy gradual tan offering that will not let you down. 

Senior Beauty Editor, Rhiannon Derbyshire loves this formula. "The only way I tan is the gradual way - my method is much too slap-dash for the regular tan application. This means that the buys I use have to be pretty foolproof, and this tan certainly delivers on that front." 

She continues, "it's freshly scented when applied - but it does have a more traditional biscuity tan whiff once it's dried down. It gives an even, believable color after just one application that can be built up to a deeper tone with a second layer. I applied it very haphazardly, and it still looked great - which is all I ever want from a gradual tan."

Despite having one of the strongest eau de biscuit scents of all of the gradual tans we tried, this was the most surprisingly impressive option. Not only was it super easy to apply with a mitt but we were shocked at how natural-looking the tan was after developing overnight. Beauty Writer, Annie Milroy found this to be her favorite, "I awoke to the most gloriously bronzed limbs that I even questioned whether I had just returned from a summer in St Tropez". 

She continues, "The deep tan lasted for days, without any sort of effort towards maintenance (I am a very lazy beauty body caretaker) and it just made my skin look happy and bronzed. I loved that it was a pump dispenser meaning that the application couldn’t have been easier and reduced the risk of ruining carpets. It's my new favorite"

You don’t have to break the bank to get a good glow. Case in point: this gradual self-tan lotion from Garnier, which lends limbs a natural hint of color that can be built up from soft and subtle to a 'whoah!' glow. Brimming with hydrating apricot oil, it moisturizes skin, too – so much so that we suggest skipping your best body moisturizer and going straight for this. 

In terms of application, we used a mitt to apply the cream – buffing it in for an even, streak-free finish. By using a mitt, we also avoided tell-tale orange hands. We did find that formula is a little sticky when you first apply it, but it soon sinks in and starts to develop. There are two shades to choose from (light and dark) and one bottle will last you a while. The one downside? It does have that distinctive fake tan scent. 

If like us, you like to apply your tan before you hit the hay – this could be the formula for you. While several fake tan formulas transfer onto bed linen during the night – this one, from James Read, does not. Instead, it has been specifically designed with a clear gel formula that quickly sinks into the skin – gradually developing overnight so that come morning, you wake up to a gorgeous golden glow and clean sheets. 

We recommend applying the gel with a mitt so that you avoid orange hands and can really buff the product in. Prior to using a mitt, we tried applying this gradual tan with hands and found that it did leave a few streaks (and has us Google searching ‘how to get fake tan off hands.’) So, learn from our experience and get yourself a tanning mitt. As for the results, expect a subtle warm glow that will invite “you look well” compliments. 

We really liked this Nivea gradual tan option and found it was one of the best fake tan for pale skin options, as it provides a gorgeous natural-looking glow. The lotion is packed with the aromas of rose, jasmine, peach, and bergamot, so it had none of that dreaded fake tan smell. The lightweight lotion absorbed easily into our skin and left it looking plump and hydrated instantly. It did slightly sting as we applied just after shaving, so it might be worth leaving to apply the day after a shave. 

Beauty Director, Sarah Cooper-White tried it for herself. "Normally gradual tans leave my knees looking patchy and orange but this didn't. It glided onto my limbs and was completely streak-free and evenly balanced. I will be using this to top up my post-holiday tan this summer!" Overall, this is a great purse-friendly pick for anyone after a subtle yet healthy-looking tan that will last for a few days. 

This buy from Tan-Luxe ticks all our boxes and then some. The formula, which is an oil/lotion hybrid, glides effortlessly across skin, melting in like butter to lend limbs a natural, bronzed look that adapts to your skin tone. Laced with raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera – it hydrates, smooths, and firms skin, too. 

As for the scent, it’s odor-free which we greatly appreciated after testing some strongly scented faux tan formulas. We also found that it develops faster than most – delivering a subtle glow after just one hour. Wait another three hours and your skin will look seriously radiant.  As you can probably tell, we’re huge fans of this gradual tan – it’s a must-try for your whole body as it's the best fake tan for your face out of the gradual tan options we tried. And while it is pricier than some, we think it's well worth it. 

Vita Liberata knows a thing or two about faux tan and this Heavenly Elixir is nothing short of a glow-bestowing miracle. The serum-meets-moisturizer is tinted in color which makes the application seamless. For best results, we recommend using a mitt to apply the product in long, circular motions. While we love the texture, it’s worth noting that you need quite a few pumps to cover the entire body – which means, if you like it as much as we do, the bottle will run out fast. 

Despite needing several pumps, we can confirm that this gradual tan delivers a believable lightly-bronzed finish that looks as though you’ve just come back from holiday. Think an olive, golden glow that’s streak-free with a radiant finish. Formulated with clever encapsulated technology, the DHA slowly releases – enhancing your results for up to 72 hours after application. Oh, and there’s also a cocktail of powerhouse skincare ingredients to hydrate, moisturize, smooth, and soothe skin, too. 

If you already apply body lotion every day, consider swapping it out for this gradual tanning lotion from Bondi Sands. Ideal for the summer months, this everyday tanner instantly moisturizes dry skin with avocado extract and shea butter, while gradually developing into a natural-looking tan. It’s a great pick for fake tan first-timers as well as those who want to top up their tan post-holiday. 

After a few hours, we noticed that a gorgeous subtle glow appeared, that was both streak-free and natural looking - basically, all we could ever want from a tan. It wasn’t as deep as expected but this meant you could truly control the level of color and meant we just had to apply a little extra the next day to get the perfect level of faux holiday glow. The downside? The cocoa butter scent is quite overpowering and sweet - but if you can get past this, we'd say it's definitely worth it for the results. 

Summer is here which inevitably means that more skin will be on show. If you’re after a quick glow booster, specifically designed for your legs, consider this tanning serum from This Works. Powered by vitamin C and shea butter – this skin savvy serum (that smells a-mazing, FYI) bolsters radiance and locks in moisture for luminous limbs. It also contains DHA to build a bronzed, healthy-looking glow. 

To apply, we treated this like every other serum, applying it onto clean, dry skin using our hands. Of course, if you prefer, you can also use a mitt to apply. If you do go for hands just be sure to wash them immediately after application. We adore the instant glow you get from this serum and noticed that after a few hours, our legs looked nicely tanned. We're officially hooked and will be using this prior to weddings, parties, and holidays from now on. 

This may be an unknown brand to you but don't let that put you off. The vegan, cruelty-free, and naturally derived formula delivered across the field and is up there with some of the best gradual tan buys we've tried.  Super lightweight, this was really easy to apply and felt really hydrating too. There wasn't much of a smell, which was good, and seemed to go on pretty evenly (although we did use a mitt). 

Because it was so natural-looking, this would definitely be ideal to use to top up holiday tans and best suited to those who already have a great base color. It contains a pro-longing agent and firming technology too, making it one of the best fake tan for mature skin and is well worth a place in your beauty portfolio. 

When we first got our hands on this gradual tan all we could think about was the price. We wondered what could justify it being so expensive, turns out it’s worth every single penny, and possibly the best gradual tan luxury option we tested. 

Beauty Writer, Annie says, "As soon as I slathered my limbs in the formula, I was shocked at just how luxe and unique this product is. The first thing you will notice is the irresistible scent made up of pear, mandarin mixed with sandalwood, and musk. When I say this is one of the best things I have ever exposed my nose to, I am in no way exaggerating."

She continues, "The super lightweight lotion absorbed instantly and left my skin feeling silky soft, it honestly was one of the best smelling body lotion buys I have ever used. After a few hours, a lovely sun-kissed color appeared and secured me lots of compliments from my team on its transformative powers."

How we tested the best gradual tans 

When it comes to finding the best gradual tan, we were spoilt for choice. From drops and mousse to mists and creams, there are so many new sophisticated self-tans out there which makes finding ‘the one’ a tricky task. To filter out the best gradual tan from the rest, we tested a wide variety of gradual tans from different brands at a range of price points. 

As with the best bronzers, the best gradual tan is one that blends in seamlessly - adding warmth without looking too obvious. We applied each product more than once over the course of a few days to see how it developed, checking for patches and streaks. We also looked out for application ease, whether the tan transfers onto clothes and how it fades.

How to apply the best gradual tan

Bolder says that incorporating the best gradual tan into your body care routine is the best way to keep your glow going, and make the most of their abilities. "I encourage my clients to incorporate tanning products into their daily body care routine so that it feels like an effortless application," she says. "I like to use it as part of my body care routine in the morning after I have showered, exfoliated my skin, and moisturized but there is no right or wrong time." 

She shares some of her tried-and-tested tips to get the best application from your gradual tan.

• Prep is everything: "Always prep the skin correctly ahead of using any tanning products, shaving ahead of tanning is ideal however when using a gradual tan as part of your body care routine shaving is also welcome the day after you have applied your gradual tan."
• Scrub up: "Use a gritty oil-free exfoliant in the shower before tanning and every 3-4 days post tanning to buff away any dead skin." 
• Moisturise dry patches: Use an oil-free moisturizer before tanning, focusing on any dry areas such as elbows, knees, hands, and ankles."
• Use a fresh mitt: "I always recommended any tanning products to be applied using a fresh clean tanning mitt. This enables a seamless finish without the need to wash your hands."
• Avoid streaks with long strokes: "Use long sweeping motions to apply the tan starting on the legs, and working up the body for a flawless finish."