Best fake tan 2021
Which is the best fake tan in the UK?
FIND THE BEST OFFER →The 10 best fake tans to buy in the UK
The top 10 list of the best fake tans lists various brands and prices
Review10Best compares the best fake tans in the UK and selects the one by St Moriz as the best fake tan. In a fake tan buying guide, you can read more about the features of the different fake tans and see a recommendation on which fake tan to buy in the UK in 2021. By considering the top list of fake tans, you can find the best fake tans and save time shopping online.
Table of contents
- Read the ultimate fake tan buying guide
- View the fake tan picks and see how they rank in the top list
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Best fake tans: A complete buying guide
All you need to know before buying a great fake tan
Finding the best fake tan can be challenging when there are so many products to choose from. Not only that, there are quite a few considerations to make to ensure that you find the right product for your skin. So it is not always obvious which fake tan is best for your needs. To help find the right product, we’ve created a handy buying guide that covers all the information you need to know about fake tan!
What are fake tans?
Fake tan is a type of cosmetic product used to make skin appear more tanned. While ingredients vary from each product, most contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which causes a reaction on the surface of the skin to make it appear temporarily darker. The tanning effects tend to last just a few days.
Why should you buy a good fake tan?
The best fake tans give your skin a lovely dark tone without needing to sunbathe. This is great for many situations, such as places where the isn’t much sunshine, during the winter, or for those night’s out when you want a really nice tan! Many people feel more confident with a good tan, which is why fake tan is so popular, as you can effortlessly achieve a nice tan without having to sunbathe. Also, certain fake tans have other ingredients that nourish the skin like an after sun, helping to rehydrate and improve its overall appearance.
How to choose the right fake tan?
Choosing the best fake tans can be difficult when there are so many products available. Some of these are better than others though, so it helps to know what to look for in a good fake tan.
- Skin Type: Like any skincare product, you need to consider your skin type when buying a fake tan to ensure you get the right type for your needs. For example, fake tans that are nourishing and rehydrating are great for people with dry or sensitive skin, while those with greasy skin may want to avoid oil-based fake tans.
- Skin Tone: While all fake tans can be used on any skin tone, it is recommended that you choose one that is closer to your natural skin tone. By doing this you make the tan look more natural and avoid using anything too dark, which is a common mistake a lot of people make. For instance, if you have fair or light skin then you probably need a gradual fake tan, as this helps to build up colour to make it appear more natural rather than immediately going several tones darker. Those with darker and olive skin tones can opt for darker fake tan tones from the offset as it will appear natural.
- Ingredients: DHA is the common ingredient used in most fake tans but there are other ingredients you should look to avoid. For example, mineral oil is a cheap carrier oil but it does block pores so isn’t the best for your skin. Look our for pleasent fragrances but you should avoid artificial fragrances.
What is the best kind of fake tan in the UK?
There are several types of fake tan available to buy, any of which may be ideal for your needs:
- Instant Fake Tans: As the name suggests, instant tan provides an immediate change of tone after application. It’s great for those random night’s out where you might need some fake tan but don’t have much time to prepare.
- Gradual Fake Tans: This type of fake is applied over a longer period to gradually build the tan. It is great for beginners as the first few applications don’t show up that well, allowing for more room for error compared to an instant tan.
- Mist Fake Tans: By using a mist this fake tan is much easier to apply, making it a good choice for people that struggle to get an even coat. If you want a low-effort fake tan then is a great option.
Top 10 list of fake tans in the UK (February 2021)
The top 10 list shows how brands and their fake tans compare. Which fake tan is the best?

- Suitable for all skin tones
- No fake tan smell, with our mood-boosting signature fragrance
- 100% clean, vegan-friendly & natural tanning active

- CRUELTY FREE, VEGAN AND ALL NATURAL. Formulated with only the highest quality natural…
- EASY APPLICATION WITHOUT ANY TRANSFER. Lightweight, non-sticky formula to be applied…
- SMELL SO GOOD, YOU’LL WANT MORE. Our Sunny Honey self tan has a tropical mango…

- The transparent formula means there is no transfer and need to rinse, simply spritz…
- Infused with uplifting green mandarin water, hyluaronic acid and tropical hibiscus…
- Ultra-lightweight and tropically scented

- ABOUT THE BRAND: Inspired by Australia’s most well-known beach and a desire…
- CAREFULLY FORMULATED: Bondi Sands self-tanning products contain dual tanning actives…
- HOW TO USE: For an even, streak-free tan ensure skin is clean, exfoliated, and free…

- 100 Percent clean, vegan-friendly and naturally derived tanning active
- Simply apply St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water with the Mitt and then spritz…
- Just one application of these face and body tanning waters gives you a natural golden…

- GUARANTEE LOVE IT OR LET US KNOW: We know you're gonna love what our self tanning…
- SAFE FOR EVERYONE AND YOU WON’T BE AN ORANGE OOMPA LOOMPA: If you have sensitive…
- DO YOUR SKIN A FAVOUR: Ever read the back of a conventional tanner. You need a PhD…

- Dove self tanning lotion is suitable for daily use on all skin types
- Containing Cell-Moisturisers and natural-looking tanners, our tanning lotion allows…
- This self tan lotion moisturises to the deeper layers of the skin whilst preventing…

- CRUELTY FREE, VEGAN AND ALL NATURAL. Formulated with only the highest quality natural…
- EASY APPLICATION WITHOUT ANY TRANSFER. Lightweight, non-sticky formula to be applied…
- A FAKE TAN THAT SMELLS SO GOOD, YOU’LL WANT MORE. Our Sunny Honey self tan…

- For Fair to Medium Skin - 3 packs x 250ml
- Contains the unique DeepCare Complex which includes skin natural nutrients and rich…
- This dermatologically tested lotion
* Affiliate link. We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. There are no additional costs for you. For the top 10 list we consider only products that are available on Amazon while the ranking is based on factors such as customer reviews, number of sales and keyword. It is not a fake tan test. Last Update 2021/02/28 15:53 o'clock.