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9 Eco-Friendly Self-Tanners!

Summer is coming to an end and you may have not gotten the tan that you wanted! Achieving a sun-kissed glow doesn’t have to come at the expense of animals, the earth, or your health. With the growing demand for ethical and sustainable beauty products, vegan and cruelty-free self-tanners are now more accessible than ever. These innovative products offer a safe, sun-free way to enhance your skin tone while aligning with your values.

1. Beauty by Earth

Beauty by Earth Self Tanner offers a USA-made, moisturizing self-tanning lotion crafted with natural and organic ingredients like Aloe Vera and Coconut. Achieve a streak-free, natural glow with this medium-to-dark formula, all for $32.99.

Angela said, “I love this tanner! The color is very nice…sort of a medium dark; never yellow or orange. I use it a couple of times a week just to keep the tanned look. And, it’s an excellent moisturizer! I highly recommend it! I am a sun lover and have tanned all my life, but due to a recent successful melanoma removal, I decided my body had enough sun! This is the next best thing!!!!”

2. Skinerals

Skinerals Self Tanner Mousse delivers a long-lasting, natural-looking tan with its streak-free, organic formula. This 8 Oz sunless tanning foam, suitable for all skin types, develops in just 4-8 hours and is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from oils, nuts, and parabens. Available for $29.99.

Stefani said, “Yeah, I did my time in the evil tanning beds. I spent years in them before wizing up. Since then I’ve been using sunless self-tanners for about 10 years. As a woman in her 40s, I just can’t risk high levels of sun exposure on my fair skin anymore.

After trying several products, I landed (like most who use self-tanners) on Jergens Natural Glow. The positives are: it works well, blends easily, and doesn’t smell quite as bad as other brands. The cons? It still does very much have a smell, it takes a while to dry, and it can take a week of daily use to build up the level of tan I am happy with for the summer months.

Flash forward to Saturday last week. It’s shorts weather here in Texas and my poor old lady legs are pasty white. I took to Amazon to order the tried and true Jergens, but quickly realized the sunless tanner market has really blown up. I think I read reviews on 12 different new products before settling on what is now my favorite tanner of all time (so much so that I think I would have a breakdown if they closed shop).

DRUM ROLL………..

Skinerals Organic Skin Science – Californium Sunless Bronzer

This attached photo of the single brown leg is from one minute after application. No filters or editing have been applied to this photo (other than I cropped out my old lady knees).
Y’all, this stuff is like a little miracle in a bottle.

Why I Love It

1) It is a foam in a pump (think foaming hand wash).

2) It has almost no smell at all (if any it is just a light organic smell, but it isn’t a bad smell at all!).

3) It works INSTANTLY! Yes, you heard that right. As soon as you smear this stuff on, you are brown. It does develop and get darker over the following few hours. Other reviewers are saying they can go anywhere from 5-10 days between applications. UPDATE: I have found that to be true as long as I moisturize daily.

4) It does NOT make you look orange and that is a big deal for us ivory-skinned folk.

5) It is completely dry within a few minutes. UPDATE: If you are sweaty or plan to get that way, do not apply right before bed or wear light-colored clothing the same day. The color will wash out of fabric, but it will show in your clothes the first day.”

3. Beauty by Earth Mousse

Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Mousse is a USA-made, clear tanning foam that uses natural and organic ingredients to create a dark, sunless tan. With a non-toxic, streak-free finish and no unpleasant smell, this tanning mousse is available for $34.99.

Scarlet said, “I love to tan and have tried many, many a self-tanner. I also try to get the cleanest product possible within my financial means, and this one is it. It is very easy to use and looks awesome. The mouse is soft and easy to blend. I always exfoliate before, I don’t put on any lotion, and I apply before bed and wash off without soap in the morning. It lasts a good 5 days and I have already purchased it several times. I will say the best mitt I have ever used and still use is the Tarte mitt. I just wash it and continue to use that mitt. Just my preference.”

4. Bondi Sands

Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam offers a lightweight and cruelty-free self-tanner, enriched with Aloe Vera and Coconut. Achieve an even, streak-free tan for only $24 with this gentle formula that pampers your skin.

Suz said, “I’ve been using this product for years. I use it all year round…on exposed parts only. I tan easily but get horribly white in the winter and I need a bit of color. I don’t use this the way the directions say to use. I apply it after an exfoliating shower. I don’t rinse it off…..I let it dry. I put lotion on either before or after the application. The skin has to always be dry though. I use the residue for my hands and feet…I put it on my face daily. I even put it on the gray hair at my temples and other places around my hairline. Gray gone!!!! The mitt will stay damp for a while after usage so I keep reapplying until it’s dry. I have a daily tan that looks completely real and one bottle will last me a long time. I’ll “touch up” as I go but daily I’ll put some on my face, hands, and feet. Neck and shoulders too. Whenever I see it building up, I just scrub it off. Very little gets on my clothing….maybe a bit around the neckline but it’s only on the inside and will wash right out. Remember….no need to rinse off if you only put on a thin layer and let it dry before putting clothes on.”

5. Caribbean Sol

Caribbean Sol Beach Colors Natural Self Tanning Lotion provides a quick, sunless tan with its eco-friendly and natural formula. This moisturizing 6oz lotion ensures a radiant glow for $17.38.

Carrie said, “Probably the best lotion. I did like another brand that was foam, but it had a smell and had to be washed off. This has no Odor and gives you a very beautiful color. Three people at work have ordered it now as well, they thought I went on vacation.”

6. b. tan

b.tan Darker Self Tanner Kit includes a violet-based, fast-acting self-tan mousse and a convenient tanning mitt applicator. This vegan and cruelty-free formula promises a deep tan in just one hour, with no fake tan smell or “added nasties”, all for $14.99.

Mary said, “Real review from a girl who just wants to be tan 365 days a year and not look like an Oompah Loompa.
If you are looking for a perfect tan without sun damage, streaks, orange tint, smell, sticky, heavy feeling…. Look no further.
This product is none of that. I have tried every kind of self-tanner and let me tell you, this is liquid gold.
It went on easy with the mitt, has a very, very subtle smell (very minimal compared to all the others), dried fast, and did not rub off on my WHITE! sheets with it on overnight.
There was no sticky, heavy feeling I’ve had with other products I’ve used before.
After showering I was left with the PERFECT golden tan. This was with one layer.”

7. St. Tropez

St.Tropez Self Tan Express Mini Kit is perfect for travel, featuring a bronzing mousse and an applicator mitt for an even, natural tan. This vegan-friendly kit is available for $20 and offers a quick, hassle-free tanning experience wherever you go.

Brenda said, “If you use these sorts of products you know all too well they smell awful. This is the only product that I can apply without streaking and while I can still smell the product it is tolerable. I do. I do not know why they can not make one that actually smells good. Will buy again in the future.”

8. Tanologist

Tanologist Express Self Tan Water provides a hydrating, sunless tan with its vegan and cruelty-free formula. This 6.76 Fl Oz tanning water is available for $6.00, offering a gentle, streak-free glow that’s perfect for all skin types.

Jason said, “I am impressed with this self-tanner, especially for the price! I’ve used the more expensive popular brands and I think I may like this one more. It isn’t streaky or orange and the tan lasts! The only thing I don’t like is that it’s a bit messy. As you can imagine with a spray, it kinda gets everywhere. So I just go into my shower to spray it. I also use a mitt to rub it in evenly. As for its smell, I’d say it’s on par with most other self-tanners. They all stink as they develop.”

9. Alba Botanica

Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner offers a golden tan without the sun with its non-streaking, quick-absorbing lotion. This 4 oz tube is vegetarian, gluten-free, and cruelty-free, providing a natural-looking tan for just $6.89.

Christine said, “I try to not tan my face to prevent wrinkles, so it always looks pale in comparison to the rest of my body. This product developed into a matching tone after 3 uses. Goes on smoothly and feels light on my face.”

Finding the perfect self-tanner that aligns with your vegan and cruelty-free lifestyle is no longer a challenge. These products prove that you can achieve a beautiful, natural-looking tan without causing harm to animals or the environment. By choosing these ethical options, you’re not only taking care of your skin but also making a positive impact on the world. Embrace your glow, knowing it reflects your commitment to a kinder, more compassionate approach to beauty.

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