10 Best Drugstore Self Tanners To Get Sun-Kissed And Glowy Fast

We realize you have, like, 20 thousand things on your to-do list every morning, but adding this tanning mousse onto the list will be well worth setting aside an extra 20 seconds in the bathroom. Once you’ve moisturized (bonus points for mamas who also have time to exfoliate), massage the Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse into your skin as you would any other lotion. It takes all of 60 seconds for the sunless tan to really settle in, and all you have to do to sustain your faux tropical glow is not shower, swim, or sweat four hours post-application. You can use your hand or the handy sunless tanning mitt. The body mousse is designed to mimic the look you’d receive from spending the day out in the sun not turn you into a Dorrito as some faux tanners do. If you see the end result and think it’s not deep enough, reapply the next day to enhance the color.

Who wants authentic color when “authentic” translates to harmful UV rays? It’s a rhetorical question but we’re hoping you answered, “not me.” Alba Botanica will get you as close to that same sun-kissed, all-natural tan as you can get without the sun. This drugstore self-tanner nourishes skin with shea butter, sweet almond, safflower oils, and other Leaping Bunny-approved ingredients. But note: Alba Botanica’s Sunless Tanner Lotion is not a sunscreen, we repeat, not a sunscreen. Triple check you don’t accidentally swap this tube with the protective stuff when packing your child’s swim bag, just to be safe. If you don’t, you might find yourself leaving the house with a child and arriving home with a Cheeto. One reviewer said, “Quick toasty color that deepened with repeated use. Zero orange tones. Blended beautifully and was easily absorbed — no streaks or crease marks. Gentle on my sensitive skin. Looks like my natural tan…”

Chilling on the beach on a hot summer’s day sounds leisurely, and it is, in theory. But with the L’Oreal Paris Skin Care Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Water Mousse, becoming sun-kissed doesn’t come with a price. Instead of UV rays stripping your body of fluids and salts, this light-weight, coconut water-based self-tanner enriched with vitamin E, hydrates, nourishes, and softens skin. The coconut fragrance makes you feel like you’re beachside at an island resort. Now all you need are a few margaritas. The only downside to this drugstore formula is that it takes four to eight hours for the color to develop. So don’t go spray-crazy when you don’t see an instant bronze. Remember, patience is a virtue. You don’t want your kids to think you’re going to work at Willy Wonka’s factory as an oompa loompa. Of course, if that’s the look you’re going for, then do you boo-boo.

You can’t get a tan and protect your skin, too. Or can you? Australian Gold’s Premium Coverage Facial Sunscreen Lotion offers Moms the best of both worlds, with a drugstore self-tanner that poses as both a sunscreen and bronzer. The oil-free formula has an SPF of 45, is waterproof, and comes in a three-ounce tube for your traveling convenience. The sheer coverage is great for those looking for lightweight coverage with a sensitive facial formula. The InvisiDry technology allows the lotion to absorb and dry quickly without that icky sticky feeling. One reviewer said, “I bought this sunscreen because I am out in the sun all day during the summer and am lighter-skinned. It is awesome! I wear it all the time, it doesn’t burn my eyes or drip into them, and I love the bronzer in it too! It is also the best smelling sunscreen I have ever had.”

Scoring that sun-kissed glow you so desperately covet is as simple as applying foundation. Almay’s Healthy Glow Makeup & Gradual Self Tan is essentially your ideal beach tint in a bottle, and the more often you apply, the longer your sunless tint will last. This drugstore self-tanner is essential for mamas who might not make it to the shore this season. Just because toddlers and never-ending ocean don’t mix, doesn’t mean you have to go without a summer glow. If you want an even glow, gently exfoliate your face before you apply the product. Tap the bottle on a hard surface and pump several times to get the ingredients flowing. Press the cent of the pump to dispense the foundation and gradual self-tanner equally. Mix everything together in the palm of your hand and use your fingers or a makeup sponge to apply, starting at the center of your face and blending outward. The color starts to develop after 3 days and reaches its full glow in about a week.

Not all moms have time to glow on the go, so here’s an alternative. Once the kids are asleep, hop in the bathroom, and Fake Bake before bed. This drugstore self-tanner is unlike any other. It’s formulated with tanning agents that work with your individual skin tone, producing a naturally darker pigmentation. And because Fake Bake isn’t made up of chemicals, the chances of you waking up orange (or to orange-stained sheets) are slim to none. One reviewer said, “This stuff is AMAZING. I don’t tan. Well, I do, but it takes months of tanning in a bed every single day to achieve a skin tone that others would consider “sun-kissed.” My normal skin tone makes it difficult to even find foundation that balances coverage and color – anything that provides decent coverage is usually too dark. I repeat, this stuff is AMAZING…” Multiple reviews express that the mitt is key, so don’t forget to use it.

We think Tanologist’s psychedelic bottle says it all — these self-tanning drops are dope (so don’t be surprised if this pretty little tincture entices your curious teenager). Made vegan, organic, and with 100% cruelty-free ingredients, Tanologist Drops have been formulated to fit your self-tanning needs. Add one to two drops to your favorite moisturizer and evenly apply to the face and body. The more drops you drip into your skincare staple, the deeper the sunless tan will become. One reviewer said, “Ahhhh I love these drops!!! I haven’t tried to self-tan in many many years and these drops were so beginner-friendly! I put it on before bed and I wake up with such a pretty glow that has boosted my confidence x100. It looks like a spent a few days lounging in the sun and it’s not orange at all. No streakiness here! Just make sure to wash your hands well!”

Normally, the purpose of a towelette is to wipe the product off, but L’Oreal Paris is redefining that logic with these disposable self-tanning cloths. Each individual Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelette provides enough self-tanner for one complete application (face and body). The color surfaces in anywhere from two to four hours post-application, with zero streaking. Just make sure you’re applying around the entire body — including elbows, armpits, and in between fingers and toes. Convenient and easy to use, these self-tanning towelettes are perfect for on-the-go glow, too. Don’t forget to keep a few in your weekender for that once and a lifetime opportunity when you actually get a weekend off. One reviewer said, “These are the easiest and best I have ever used. I have spent lots of money on different brands of this self-tanning. These make it look real, not yellow. So easy to apply. I won’t use anything else.”

Apply. Wait. Rinse. That’s all it takes to go from bland to tan. NKD SKN’s Pre-Shower Gradual Tan gives you a natural, sun-kissed tan with its super hydrating lotion formula. It’s organically made with Aloe Vera, Marula Oil and 100% eco-certified DHA to condition and nourish the skin from the inside out while giving you a natural glow. Safe to use on the face and body, for a deeper tan, use it over two to three days. There’s zero transfer, stinky smell and you don’t have to worry about streaking or patching. Just apply, wait 10 minutes and rinse. Within 4 to 6 hours you should start to see a difference in your skin. One reviewer said, “I really like this product! Not too dark or orange. No funky smell, smooth and soaks in well. Makes my legs more even-toned with just enough color so they look nice.” Get your glow on girl!

Let’s face it: Mom-life leaves hardly enough time for one tanning session, let alone hitting the beach multiple times a week. If you’re looking for a formula that’s buildable, free of chemicals, and works on every skin tone and type, look no further. It’s always reassuring when you can check the back of a beauty product and actually understand the ingredients. Your skin is your largest organ. Everything you put on it absorbs straight into your system which is why it’s important to know what exactly you’re putting on your skin. Beauty by Earth’s self-tanner is packed with good-for-you ingredients you can actually pronounce, like organic aloe vera juice, organic pomegranate extract, coconut pulp extract, and more. One reviewer said, “I have very very very fair skin and I can never find a self-tanning product that doesn’t make me to dark or orange until I tried this one. I used it once last night and I love the results sooo much! I will be buying this again when I run out!”