Which is the best fake tan for pale skin?
Fake tan can be particularly difficult to master when you have pale skin. As the rich, golden hues of tanning products can look all too obvious on pale skin tones, finding the best fake tan for fair skin is essential if you want to create a beautiful, natural-looking faux glow. From tanners that create a gradual build up for your desired bronze to drops that allow you to customise your fake tan, once you find your perfect formula and shade, you'll wonder how you ever went without!
To help you find your perfect self-tanner, we’ve curated an edit of the best fake tans which look oh-so-natural on even the fairest skin.
The best fake tans for pale skin
Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Water Gel
Isle of Paradise HYGLO Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum
Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion
Bondi Sands Aero Aerated Self Tanning Foam - Light/Medium
Tanologist Self-Tan Water - Medium
Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Recommended Retail Price: £14.49 Current price: £9.71
Hydrate your skin and add a subtle golden glow in one effortless step with the Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk from Bondi Sands. Blending aloe vera and vitamin E, the easy-to-apply formula quickly absorbs into the skin and deeply moisturises while building up a sun-kissed glow with each application. It’s perfect for pale skin as you can simply apply each night until you reach your desired colour.
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Water Gel
£33.00
Developing into the most perfect golden tan in just three hours, St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Water Gel leaves an uplifting tropical scent on the skin and doesn’t need washing off - making it the perfect quick tan fix for pale skin! Infused with hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin, the fast-absorbing clear gel creates a lightly bronzed, streak-free glow which lasts beautifully.
Isle of Paradise HYGLO Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum
£21.95
Regardless of your natural skin tone, the face can be super difficult to tan. Choose the HYGLO Hyaluronic Self-Tan serum from Isle of Paradise to not only add a gradual, natural-looking glow to your complexion, but also boost your skin’s moisture for a dewy, radiant finish – even with no makeup! Enriched with the brand’s signature blend of avocado, coconut & chia seed oils, the formula nourishes, hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier to lock in that new-found moisture, all while building up a streak-free tan!
Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating Tanning Lotion
£25.00
With an innovative oil-lotion hybrid formula, it’s no wonder this Tan-Luxe icon is a bestseller! Beginning to develop in just one hour, the weightless oil helps to nourish and smoothen the skin to create a flawless canvas for an even, sun-kissed glow. Apply just like your favourite moisturiser, as often as desired, to build your perfect tan without that unwanted smell!
Bondi Sands Aero Aerated Self-Tanning Foam - Light/Medium
Recommended Retail Price: £18.99 Current price: £12.72
Feel as light as a feather while you fake tan with the Aero Aerated Self-Tanning Foam from Bondi Sands. Finished with a coconut scent that transports your senses to a tropical island, the aerosol solution is distributed evenly to ensure a perfect finish every time, with added hydration for natural-looking coverage that’s ideal for pale skin.
Tanologist Self-Tan Water - Medium
£14.99
Capture a golden glow no matter the season with Tanologist’s Self-Tan Water. Offering effortless application, simply spritz the transparent formula onto the skin for light, even distribution. For pale skin, choose the shade medium to build a sun-kissed yet natural-looking bronze. Suitable for even sensitive skin types, the pink grapefruit, goji berry and juniper extract not only offer a delicious scent, but also work to keep the skin feeling hydrated!
1. Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk 375ml
Recommended Retail Price: £14.49 Current price: £9.71
Hydrate your skin and add a light golden glow in one effortless step with the Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk from Bondi Sands. Blending aloe vera and Vitamin E, the lightweight formula quickly absorbs into the skin and deeply moisturisers while delivering a sunkissed glow.
As it builds up gradually with each application, it is perfect for pale skin as you can simply apply each night until you reach your desired colour.
2. NIP+FAB Faux Tan Mist 150ml - Caramel
£19.95
So easy to apply with a soft bronze finish, NIP+FAB Fax Tan Mist in the shade Caramel is perfect for pale skin. Completely clear to prevent transfer and any stains being left on towels and sheets, the water-based tanning spray hydrates the skin and doesn't feel at all sticky on the skin.
The formula is also enriched with glycolic acid to gently exfoliate to promote an even tan. Skin is left with a natural sunkissed bronze.
3. St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Gel 200ml
£33.00
Developing into the most perfect golden tan in just three hours, St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Water Gel leaves an uplifting tropical scent on the skin and does not need washing off making it the perfect quick tan fix for pale skin.
Infused with hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin, the fast-absorbing clear gel creates a light bronze, streak-free glow which lasts beautifully.
4. Vita Liberata Phenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse - Fair 125ml
£37.50
Vita Liberata pHenomenal is one of the most-loved self tans around and their 'Fair' shade creates the most beautiful tan on pale skin. Formulated with 70% natural ingredients, the light and airy mousse hydrates the skin and impacts a gorgeous glow which lasts between 2-3 weeks following three applications.
Ideal for applying before a holiday, it creates the effect of a natural, sunkissed bronze and will look just as perfect at the end of your break as when first applied.
5. Crystal Clear Beach Glow Tan Drops 30ml
Recommended Retail Price: £31.99 Current price: £14.40
Achieve a sun-kissed appearance with the Crystal Clear Beach Glow Tan Drops; a customisable, easy-to-use formula that should be added to moisturiser or night cream to promote a healthy glow, without damaging or ageing skin prematurely.
My large family of mainly women has made me passionate about all things beauty from a young age: from routines passed down from my grandmother, to trying the latest products and trends. After training as an MUA at MAC Cosmetics, my love for makeup has now evolved into making sure my skincare creates the perfect canvas for any look. I love anything that can make my base feel fresh & bright while accentuating my features – Bobbi Brown's Face Base is my holy grail at the moment!
