Summer may be gone, but that doesn’t mean your tan has to fade with it. There’s nothing quite like the healthy tans that summer brings. But just because the temperatures are dropping and you’ve traded your bikinis for cardigans and cargo pants isn’t a reason for pale, pasty skin. Instead, keep your glow going well into fall with these easy-to-use self-tanning staples.
By Elise Tabin
Moisturizer with Major Benefits
More than your average body lotion, this self-tanner-infused one is rich in aloe vera and vitamin E for skin that looks and feels oh-so-soft and with a natural glow. Perfect for self-tanner newbies, the buildable formula develops into a realistic-looking bronze hue within four to six hours.
St. Moriz Daily Tanning Moisturizer, $12.99
Glow Deeper
Self-tanners that give the skin a beautiful dark glow that looks natural can sometimes be hard to come by. But this mousse delivers a deep tan with skin-friendly ingredients, including coconut water, green tea extract, and provitamin B5, to prevent dryness and streaky-looking color. Think of it as skincare meets tanning in a single bottle.
The Fox Tan Dark Tropical Self Tan Mousse, $21
Glow Getter
The viral self-tanner brand Isle of Paradise does it again. Their new HYGLO collection features hyaluronic acid-infused tanning serums that provide a gradual glow with a mega dose of hydration. The result? Super plump, bronzy, radiant skin will have everyone guessing where you’ve been vacationing.
Isle of Paradise HYGLO Face, $35
Good to Glow
An easy way to get a tanned look without having to deal with messy self-tanners is to add one to your daily moisturizer. A few drops of this concentrated customizable tanner—the more you use, the darker the tan—brings on a believable color in just four hours. Plus, there’s no need to worry about the formula staining or ruining your clothes either—just drop and glow!
SOL by Jergens Deeper by the Drop Serum, $20
Natural by Nature
Miami girls know that the secret to looking like a bronzed goddess year round isn’t baking in the sun but this breakthrough gluten- and paraben-free tanner. Formulated with a blend of vitamins A, C, and D and coconut, olive, jojoba, and argan oils, it’s a quick-to-dry, streak-free mousse that delivers the most beautiful tan that mimics the color from a day spent at the beach.
Miami Gorgeous La Playa Glow Self-Tanning Mouse, $24
Tools of the Trade
Mistakes happen, but you don’t have to walk around with a self-tanning mishap for everyone to see. Instead, wipe them away from your palms, wrists, knees, elbows, and feet with this cute sun-shaped tanner remover. It gently exfoliates the upper layers of skin where tanner is deposited. As a bonus, you can even use the eraser to remove deodorant from clothes when used dry. We call that a win-win!
Bronze Buffer, $10
Golden Hour
No need to fuss with spray tanners that make it hard to reach areas like the backs of your legs or shoulders. This unique clear self-tanning water (less mess!) features a 360-degree spray nozzle, which lets you easily tan any body part while imparting a beautiful bronze color in just one hour.
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Tanning Water, $15
For Fuss-Free Color
Not every product that darkens the skin needs to be a traditional self-tanner formulation. Sometimes, a glow-worthy oil can highlight your best assets and lend a subtle hint of a natural sunny glow. This delectably scented body oil lends a buildable blurring warm bronze tint and a hydrating finish for healthy-looking skin that flatters all skin tones.
Sol de Janeiro GlowMotions Glow Body Oil in Copacabana Bronze, $35