The Best Self Tanners For Pale Skin in 2023

Why bother with sunbathing when you can get glowing tanned skin the healthy way?!

Aside from that, sunbathing doesn’t always lead to getting a tan, especially with pale skin. What it does lead to is harmful rays penetrating the skin.

Personally, I’m done with trying to get a tan from the sun. My teens and 20s were full of sunbathing, but now in my 30s I’ve finally matured and realised just how dangerous the sun really is!

And as a side point, it’s not like I ever got a tan from the sun! All I got was thousands of freckles and often a burn to top it up! Yes, lovely! Welcome self-tanners!

With self-tanners, you get a beautiful sun-kissed tan in a matter of minutes without any harmful rays.

On top of that, you can get a glowing tan any time of the year, no matter the season. Say goodbye to lifeless dull skin in the winter, because these self-tanners are the answer to your prayers! And that’s even for those with pale skin!

For a long time, I thought that someone as pale as me can’t use self-tanners. I always thought I would look like an Oompa Loompa.

Well, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. The trick is finding the right self-tanner for your skin, and I’ll agree, it’s a little trickier for pale skin.

That’s why I’ve brought you here the best self-tanners for pale skin! With a choice of 10 self-tanning lotions, you’ll surely find the perfect one for your skin and needs.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases on Amazon and other affiliate programs. This means on some purchases, I make a commission. It doesn’t mean you spend more, it simply allows me to keep this blog going!

1. Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion

The Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion instantly moisturizes and hydrates the skin while at the same time, giving you a gorgeous golden tan.

Made with vegetan, it’s an ideal ingredient in self-tanning products derived from nature. It’s a preservative-free, self-tanning and anti-oxidant agent.

Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion gradually bronzes the skin and subtly builds an even, natural-looking tan. It is rich in antioxidant green tea for a calming mask. And it has red algae extracts to help ensure long-lasting hydration.

Get a tan the healthy way with this lotion! It’s enriched with wholesome active ingredients like Abyssinian and elderberry seed oils which nourish and condition your skin.

Not only do you get a tan that you can build up to your desired level, but you’re left with soft, velvety smooth skin that also has a beautiful golden glow! Does it get better than that?!

The lotion has a lovely berry smell to it and applies seamlessly without streaking. If you’ve used self-tanners before you’ll know how a non-streaking product is one of the most important things to look out for!

The subtle bronzing pigment enhances your skin tone to give your skin the perfect healthy tan. Ideal for those with pale skin, it transforms your skin into a natural tan within three days. It’s one of the best bronze colours for pale skin!

Pro-tip, it works the best when applied towards the end of summer when your tan starts to fade. When using this product, your “summer” tan will last well into winter. And without patches! It is more expensive, but trust me, it’s worth it!

Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion can be bought from Amazon

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2. Tan Towel Gradual Self-Tanning Body Perfecting Cream

The Tan Towel Gradual Self-Tanning Body Perfecting Cream is ideal if looking good naked is your goal! It’s seemingly the product’s ultimate goal.

They’re set on the fact that with this fake tan, you won’t be seeing any bikini stencils over your body. That’s what this product is aiming for with its cheeky tagline ‘Look good naked’.

It’s a gradual self-tanner that evens the skin tone and develops a beautiful golden glow with daily use. It instantly and continuously hydrates, while its mineral oils and shea butter give a brightening, dewy illuminated look to your skin.

The Tan Towel Gradual Self-Tanning Body Perfecting Cream is gentle in colouring. Although it takes a while for the gradual tan to appear, the outcome is to live for!

It coats the skin evenly and you don’t need to be an expert with self-tanners to get it right. It’s one of the easiest self-tanners to use and it will correct other marks or lines too, a nice added bonus!

What I love most about this self-tanner is that it doesn’t blotch, even on sweaty surfaces of the skin like your palms, inner elbows, and wrists. This self-tan perfecting cream gives your skin a polished bronze in the easiest way possible.

With a dewy finish, it beats a day at the beach anytime! Bonus- there’s no gross tanning smell!

Whether you want to look like you’ve just come back from a tropical destination, or you’re like me and you want your neck to match your face, this is the gradual tanner for you.

It is one of the best self-tanners out there with wonderful benefits and truthful claims! This is one buy you will not regret!

Tan Towel Gradual Self-Tanning Body Perfecting Cream can be bought from Amazon

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3. Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion

The Vita Liberata Fabulous Self-tanning Gradual Tan Lotion is an ultra-hydrating lotion formula that is gentle enough for dry and sensitive skin types.

It applies translucent and then develops into a beautiful sunkissed glow that can be deepened with daily use. It creates a natural-looking tan that fades after four to seven days.

It’s a certified organic botanical product. Made from aloe vera, glycerin, shea butter, and marula seed oil to lock in moisture for up to three days. It nourishes your skin and its Odour Remove technology ensures no smell whatsoever.

This product includes organic extracts and natural ingredients which are accredited by the Soil Association. Meaning, hell yeah, it’s safe to smother all over your skin!

In addition to all the fabulous ingredients mentioned, it also has pomegranate and cucumber extract to ensure your skin is powered by soothing anti-oxidants, and its papaya and melon fruit extracts ensure your complexion stays uniform, even after the tan fades.

Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion is a wonderful gradual tan that is very easy to control in terms of colour.

With just a really small amount of the product, the tan is very subtle but noticeable. Once applied, wait it out for 6-8 hours to let the tan develop. If it’s not enough, simply top it up!

Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion can be bought from Dermstore

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4. St. Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Lotion

St. Tropez is the queen of fake tans, no fake tan article can be complete without a few of their products!

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Everyday Body Lotion is a gradual self-tanner that instantly bronzes, blurs and illuminates your skin upon application.

Perfect for lighter and pale skin, it develops into a healthy-looking glow within a speedy 4-8 hour time period!

Infused with the brand’s signature fragrance, you can expect a delicious scent without any fake tan smell. It smells so divine it’ll instantly improve your mood!

This lotion provides a hint of bronze that slowly intensifies for a natural-looking finish. Thanks to its lightweight consistency, the lotion is easy to apply, which can be done with your hands or a tanning mitt.

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Lotion can be bought from Walmart

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5. Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk

If you’re looking for an easy, fuss-free application, the Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk is the one you need! It gives the most beautiful tan, even for those with lighter and paler skin.

It gives you healthy, glowing skin and glides on effortlessly for a long-lasting golden tan every time. It fades nicely too and doesn’t show patchy spots as it gradually disappears.

Enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E for a hydrating experience, this tanning milk seeps in wonderfully leaving your skin looking like skin— not a baked potato! This has zero orange in it.

The best part about this self-tanner is that you won’t catch yourself accidentally getting too tanned because this self-tanner doesn’t build up!

It ‘stops’ getting darker at a specific tone making it perfect for pale skin. Simply apply it for two to three days and wait for the magic to happen. 

The Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk smells absolutely amazing and is definitely worth the purchase. It has a hydrating vegan formula, a must-have effect, and a bonus easy application that makes it all worthwhile.

Did I mention it doesn’t stick to fabric? Nor does it leave your skin rubbery. It’s hands-down one of the best self-tanners for pale skin!

Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk can be bought from Ulta | Look Fantastic

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6. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser

This creamy moisturising lotion is the perfect way to keep your skin beautiful and healthy with a golden glow.

With just a touch of self-tanner, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze creates a delicate, sun-kissed, summer tone that will suit you all year long. 

It gradually builds a subtle tan over a few days, while deeply moisturising your skin. Formulated with a special combination of pure cocoa butter and vitamin E, making it suitable for pale and dehydrated skin.

This self-tanner comes in two shade options- fair-medium and medium-dark. You can easily control the intensity of your skin tone year-round with its buildable formula that doesn’t blotch in-between applications.

Once the tan is fully developed, the colour is a beautiful bronzed look. It doesn’t give an overripe orange look!

It smells like milk chocolate and makes you look like one too. In a good way of course!

This product doesn’t streak at all, smells lovely and moisturises even super dry skin. It’s a lotion first, and a self-tanner second.

Exfoliate your skin well and one application will last for almost two weeks without any puzzle patches to worry about.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser can be bought from Amazon

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7. COOLA Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum

With the COOLA Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum, you will get a glow that makes you look like you spent a relaxing holiday in the Caribbean.

The formula is 99% natural, and 71% organic with just the right amount of tint for getting a sun-kissed tan!

On top of being vegan, it has argan oil and hyaluronic acid to nourish your skin and, it’s streak-free and transfer-resistant.

Coola’s skincare+tanning formula is surprisingly lightweight, and you’ll love how it sinks into your skin and leaves it feeling as soft as a baby’s bottom!

Enjoy an effortless tan free from UV rays and sun exposure, because we know all too well how getting a real tan in the sun ages your face! The best is that it works awfully well as anti-ageing skincare. And that the tan is its best perk.

This self-tanner builds a gradual natural glow within a few days while also moisturising your skin because it’s a serum. It’s a win-win!

It doesn’t dry to a leathery tan and it won’t make your face shiny or greasy. The serum may be thick but it has a lightweight texture on application. 

If that doesn’t excite you, perhaps the fact that it won’t break out your face will! It also works great if you mix it with other products.

Try mixing it with your face lotion. Apply it. Let it dry, and then bam! You’ll have beautiful glowing tanned skin!

COOLA Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum, Daily Gradual Self Tanner can be bought from Ulta

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8. COOLA Suncare Organic Gradual Tan Firming Lotion

Prepare to ease into a healthy glow while at the same time, nourishing your skin. The Coola Organic Gradual Sunless Tan Firming Lotion is an ultra-moisturising self-tanner. It develops your tan subtly and beautifully.

With its natural pina colada scent, this streak-free, transfer-resistant tanning lotion builds a gradual tan over several days.

Like the previous Coola self-tanner, this one also has 99% natural ingredients and 71% organic substances. It also contains shea butter and caffeine to help your skin look firmer and smoother.

It deeply moisturizes your skin while tanning, toning, and tightening. I highly recommend this for beaming summer skin! For those with pale skin, seeking firm and soft, sunkissed skin, this gradual self-tanner will give you exactly that.

Streaks are practically non-existent, and the colour is one of the best ones out there for fair skin types. If you prefer a deeper tan, this self-tanner can be layered!

This product is a little thick and requires some work to rub in completely, but trust me, the results are worth the extra effort! The natural-looking glow is beautiful and the moisturising effects are amazing.

It’s super easy to apply and has a lovely scent too. It’s an addicting self-tanner, kind of like Pringles- once you pop you can’t stop!

COOLA Suncare Organic Sunless Tan Firming Lotion can be bought from Ulta

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9. Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer

Perk up your skin when you’re craving a little colour with the Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer. It contains black tea which gradually creates a fabulous median colour with a subtle skin-deepening complex.

Made with their exclusive Firm Perfecting Complex, which is a mix of six anti-ageing ingredients, including collagen, elastin, and ginseng.

This unique formula targets dehydrated skin, ageing skin, and the need to have your skin ready for the summer.

Within seven careful and gradual days of daily use, you’ll experience tighter, visibly firmer skin with improved elasticity. And of course a glowing natural tan!

It’s a streak-free, transfer-resistant formula and it doesn’t wash off as quickly as some of the other tanning products, meaning, it will last you a long time!

Although it takes some time to see results, the Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer is one of the most realistic fake tanners out there with natural tints for your skin. Perfect for pale skin!

Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer can be bought from Amazon

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10.  St.Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel

One hour! Yup, you heard that right, one hour is all you need for your fair skin to turn into a glowing natural tan.

The St.Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel has an advanced 3-in-1 formula that allows you to control the depth of your fake tan.

In just 1 hour, watch your pale skin turn to a light-bronzed beauty or if you prefer a deeper dark bronze, simply wait it out for three hours!

It’s a non-sticky, hydrating translucent gel with a hint of tint that instantly lifts your skin. The product is infused with hyaluronic acid for up to 72hrs hydration. It also ensures an even fade over the course of 10 days.

It has a weightless, streak-free and easy-to-blend formula. The gel texture is luxuriously soothing on the skin, even as the tanning process is happening.

St. Tropez products are 100% clean, and vegan-friendly and give some of the most natural tans! It’s a no-brainer option for those with sensitive skin who just want a beautiful tan.

This self-tanner is one of the most versatile, you leave it on for as long as you want! The longer you leave it on, the darker the tone! If you’ve gone overboard, just wash off until you are happy with the colour.

St.Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel can be bought from Ulta / Look Fantastic

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Tips That Beat Tanning Bed

1. Shave and exfoliate

Before applying a fake tan, you always need smooth and hair-free skin. You want to prepare the smoothest canvas possible.

By shaving and exfoliating, you’re making sure you have no patchy spots created by dead skin layers and hairs. If you skip this step, your tanning product can’t help you with any streaks no matter how great of a tanner it is.

Check out these shaving tips for an easy, stress-free shave.

2. Make sure your skin is completely bare

What I mean by this is, if you’re applying some products before the tan, it is imperative that they are completely absorbed before applying your tan.

Even just a hint of deodorant or perfume can cause disaster as some self-tanners are very sensitive and can’t be mixed with other products. The slightest change could mean disastrous patches.

3. Moisturize

Unless you want to end up with your ankles, knees and elbows significantly darker than the rest of your skin, dry areas must be moisturised pre-tan— since these are areas most likely to have thicker, darker tones compared to the rest of your body.

By moisturising, you are “cleaning” those areas so their real colours are revealed. In that way, you can properly gauge just how much tan you will need.

4. Do not shave or wash post-tan

Another important reason to shave pre-tan is that if you do it afterwards instead, you’re at risk of shaving away your tan!

The blades tend to pick up any dead skin cells as well as hair, and along with them comes the dead tan product that becomes an adhesive between your hair and skin.

5. Moisturize the day after

If you wish to maintain your glow or at least ensure an even fade, moisturising is a must. Moisturising allows the tan in all areas of your body to fade away at equal speed and time.

If one area is dry, it fades away slower than the rest. So be prepared and keep a handy non-oily moisturiser in the deck.

Final Thoughts

Using a self-tanner is really one of the best ways to get a natural- glowing tan without all the side effects.

It’s quicker, healthier, gives a tan everywhere, is more even and the colour is usually way, way better! Get your beach body ready now with these best self-tanners for pale skin!

Hollie xx

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