7 of the best fake tans for darker skin tones & how to use them
Ayesha Muttucumaru
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 8 minutes
Tanning experts and make-up artists share their top tips for nailing an all-year-round glow
Sun-kissed skin – it’s the stuff of out-of-office dreams. But we needn’t wait for our precious annual leave in order to achieve it. Self-tanning, much like the trips that give us that enviable post-holiday glow, has finally become all-inclusive itself, thanks to hashtags like #blackwomentanning on TikTok and a new wave of bronze-boosting products that leave limbs of all skin tones looking luminous.
But it’s about more than looking suntanned. Scroll on to find out how self-tanning products can give you the type of sun-dappled dewiness that’ll look like you’ve just stepped off a beach, whatever the time of year.
How can people with darker skin benefit from self-tanner?
As well as giving you the beautiful glow of a tan, minus the skin damage caused by UV rays, think of it as the next frontier in body make-up. “Just like a natural tan, self-tan can help our skin tone appear more even, especially with areas of hyperpigmentation, which is usually associated with deeper skin tones,” says make-up artist, Ruby Hammer.
It can be the ultimate skin enhancer, emphasising what you already have. “It helps pull out the beautiful golden hue in the undertone of darker skins, resulting in an all over, flawless, unnoticeable tan result,” explains Michaella Bolder, St. Tropez skincare and tanning expert.
A slick of self-tan can also be a great pick-me-up for adding warmth to dark skin tones when skies are grey and overcast. “I use it mainly in the winter months, when my skin is looking a little dull and needs a little brightening,” says make-up artist, Mira Parmar, who favours wash-off formulas and tanning drops for adding radiance to her darker skin tone.
Does fake tan work on dark skin?
The answer: yes, but it all comes down to picking the right product. “I’d always advise opting for a darker tanning solution, such as St. Tropez Extra Dark Bronzing Mousse,” says Michaella. “These formulas carry a higher percentage of DHA, meaning that the tanning result will be a much deeper and richer colour, perfect for enhancing a darker, natural skin tone.
“Darker tanning solutions can also help even skin tone by drawing out the rich, red pigment in skin for beautifully sun-kissed and luminous results.”
Feeling inspired? From mousses to rinse-off creams and shimmering skin finishes, today’s fake tan formulations mean there’s something for everyone. Read on for top tips on how to achieve a streak-free finish, plus our round-up of some of the best self-tan products around for all skin types.
Top self-tan application tips for darker skin tones
“The secret to a long-lasting, sun-kissed tan all starts by prepping the skin,” says Michaella.
If you’re using a product for the first time, always patch test it first on a discreet area of the skin. If after 24-48 hours there aren’t any signs of itching or redness, you should be good to go.
Here’s Michaella’s easy-to-follow step-by-steps for tanning your body, helping you achieve pro results from the comfort of your own home:
1. 24 hours before tanning, exfoliate your body in the shower with an oil-free product, remove any unwanted hair and finish with a dose of cold water to calm skin and minimise the appearance of pores.
2. Before tanning, apply an oil-free moisturiser to all dry areas, focusing on the elbows, knees, hands and feet to help reduce the possibility of patches.
3. Most self-tan products require a tanning mitt (drops and tints don’t normally), such as St. Tropez Tan Dual Sided Luxe Velvet Fake Tan Mitt. Apply your chosen self-tan using long, sweeping motions.
4. For the hands and feet, use any residue tan on the mitt to sweep over these areas very lightly – you don’t want excess tan to cling to dry areas.
5. Once you’ve finished applying your tan, go in with another clean mitt to buff the tan into the skin for a flawless, sun-kissed glow.
6. After letting it develop and you’ve showered (if required), massage a generous amount of rich moisturiser over your body to give the skin a glossy finish.
Learn more expert tips and tricks in our guide on how to apply tan.
When it comes to tanning the face, exfoliating 24 hours beforehand can be a great way to create the perfect canvas. Then, on the day, simply apply your self-tan like you would a face moisturiser, paying particular attention to blending it in around your hairline and over the ears for a seamless result.
7 of the best fake tans for darker skin tones
From tanning mousses to tanning drops and more, here’s our round-up of the best self-tans for people with darker skin tones.
Shop more great picks in Boots’ full range.
Best tanning mousse
Try: Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam Ultra Dark
• Size: 200ml
• For face and body
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
A favourite of make-up artist Joy Adenuga’s, this lightweight self-tanning foam’s Ultra Dark shade is perfect for those with deeper skin tones. “It also dries quickly and doesn't leave streaks,” says Joy – and its coconut scent will transport you to sunnier climes in an instant.
Best for instant glow
Try: Fenty Beauty Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint
• Size: 95ml
• For body
• Gel-cream formula
• Humidity and transfer-resistant
While not technically a self-tan product, this silky-textured body foundation and glow booster hybrid boasts the benefits of one. Buildable and blendable, choose a colour that’s half a shade darker than your skin tone and let its subtle shimmer finish help make limbs look lit-from-within.
Best for less mess
Try: Isle of Paradise Glow Clear Self-Tanning Mousse Dark
• Size: 200ml
• For face and body
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
This genius clear mousse leaves behind a natural-looking tan with less mess, thanks to its zero-transfer formula – good news for your bed sheets. Its violet colour-correcting pigments help provide an even finish, while hydrating ingredients like chia seed and coconut oil leave dry skin feeling softer.
Best for a subtle glow
Try: Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops Medium/Dark
• Size: 10ml
• For face
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
Turn your favourite face moisturiser, serum or oil into a tailored tanning product with this hard-working serum. Great applied at night, just mix into your skincare and apply evenly to your face, let it develop while you sleep and wake up to glowing skin. It also comes in a body version to help you reap the benefits from head to toe.
Best customisable tan
Try: Isle of Paradise Body Self-Tanning Drops Dark
• Size: 75ml
• For body
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
For a customisable tan with skin-conditioning benefits, try these clever tanning drops. Blended with reinvigorating caffeine and nourishing baobab and oat extracts, simply add up to 12 drops to your favourite body moisturiser to transform it into the ultimate multitasker.
Best wash-off tan
Try: Vita Liberata Body Blur Body Makeup
• Size: 100ml
• For face and body
• Cruelty-free
If you’re looking for no-commitment camouflage, try this favourite of Ruby Hammer’s. “This wash-off bronzing lotion helps blur imperfections and is great if you don’t want to commit to a longer-term self-tan,” she tells us. It’s moisturising, too, lacing skin in an understated light-reflective glow.
Best for intensity
Try: St.Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse Dark
• Size: 200ml
• For face and body
• Vegan-friendly*
“This tanning mousse is perfect for those with a darker skin tone who want a more intense result,” says Joy Adenuga. “It has a deep, rich colour that gives a natural-looking tan without making you look orange.” It also comes in an Extra Dark version. We’re sold.
Want to see more great picks with glowing reviews? Check out Boots’ full range of self-tanning products.
*Contains no animal-derived ingredients or by products.
