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We’ve personally tested and researched dozens of nontoxic self-tanner lotions and self-tanning products— these are our editor’s top picks for safe, clean, and streak-free options at a range of price points.
We crave the feeling of the hot sun on our skin and the afterglow of a good tan, although our idea of tan and what actually happens (i.e., skin turns red, burns, peels, then freckles back to normal) are two different things. This is where self-tanner comes in. Get the glow without the burn, UV damage, and subsequent wrinkles. But what you use to get your glow is super important.
Why use nontoxic self-tanner?
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that skin absorbs an average of 64% of contaminants. Typical self-tanners contain toxic ingredients, including mineral oil (a petroleum-based product that blocks pores and can be carcinogenic); sodium hydroxymethylglycinate which may break down into formaldehyde; isopropyl myristate which may bind to skin as nitrate (a carcinogen); amyl acetate which is sometimes used as a paint and lacquer solvent (gross); octyl stearate, an irritant that blocks pores; and other artificial fragrances and dyes made of petrochemicals.
Since none of us wants our largest organ covered in potentially cancer-causing chemicals, not to mention the nasty smell of DHA, we’ve rounded up the best nontoxic tanning lotions to keep your summer glow without the toxic load.
Our criteria:
Our editors have tested, researched, and scoured thousands of customer reviews to determine the very best natural skincare brands. These brands are organic, chemical-free, and luxurious, and they come at a variety of prices. We update this list regularly with emerging favorites that meet the criteria below.
- NATURAL/ORGANIC | Each of these self-tanners is made with clean, natural, and organic ingredients that are safe and nourishing for your skin.
- EFFICACY | We’ve tested and researched the best self-tanners to ensure their formulas are effective and will give you the glow you desire (without the streaks!).
- AFFORDABILITY | Natural beauty can be expensive! We’ve included self-tanner brands that are easy on the wallet, so we can all benefit from the products.
Don’t forget the sunscreen! Just because you have a tan doesn’t mean you can forgo lathering up. Here are our favorite nontoxic and mineral sunscreens (and face sunscreens, too).
1. Coco & Eve
Best For | Anti-aging self-tanner
Ingredients | 100% natural DHA, lotus extract, raw virgin coconut oil, fruit extracts
Shade Range | Medium, dark, ultra dark
Price | $38 for 6.7 fl oz of the Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
Coco & Eve has won 21 beauty awards for their 100% clean, cruelty-free tanning products. Their ingredients are silicone-free, toxin-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free. Loved by Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, and more, the Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is created using their patented lotus extract formula to hydrate and firm skin. For the face, they have two options: Bronzing Face Drops or the Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist, which includes the brand’s promise of a natural-looking tan in two hours that can last four days. The accessories line is impressive: an exfoliating mitt, soft velvet tanning mitt, back tan applicator, face kabuki brush, and a body kabuki brush. All products are free from sulfates, parabens, petroleum, phthalates, mineral oils, palm oil, and other common nasties. You can find a full list of what they’ve excluded — and included — on each product page. All products are 100% recyclable, and 100% of the cardboard and paper products are FSC-certified.
Customer Review | “This is such a reliable glowy tan. Exactly what I wanted for my bridal shower (see pictures!). I use the medium color and it’s perfect. Sometimes if I have drier patches of skin it looks blotchy upon application, but it always comes out super even, so don’t be alarmed at first! When you rinse off, there’s usually an initial layer of “brown” tint that rinses off, then almost a “green” tint when you use soap. So make sure to use soap as well if you’ll be wearing light colored clothes! This is so worth it!” – Haley (Read all reviews.)
2. Typology
Best For | Self-tanning complexion serum
Ingredients | Jasmine native cells, buriti oil, carrot macerated oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, mandarin oil
Shade Range | Natural orange glow for all skin types
Price | $68 for 1 fl oz of the Tan Complexion Serum
Typology’s products have an artisan-style beauty, but they are far from style over substance. Made of six plant extracts in three synergistic categories of active ingredients (plant cells, plant oils, and essential oils), this serum revives the radiance of your skin, giving you an instant, subtle summer tan. Buriti oil is rich in beta-carotene, an orange-colored plant pigment found in carrots that is chock-full of antioxidants. Used in their proprietary blend, just a few drops of the serum as the final step in your skincare routine results in a sun-kissed glow. It’s suitable for all skin types (although if you tend towards oily skin, they recommend only applying the serum at night). All ingredients are certified organic, 100% naturally derived, vegan, and packaged in a recyclable glass bottle with a glass pipette. Oh, and it really is made in France.
Side note: If you still want a self-tanner, they offer the wildly popular Self-Tanning Serum made with 100% plant-derived DHA and carob pulp extract. It provides a progressive customized tan from six hours after application that last three to five days.
Customer Review | “I’ve added it to my evening routine (as recommended for oily skin). It’s not a self-tanner, so the result is really light. You really get a healthy glow.” – Madly V. (Read all reviews.)
3. True Botanicals
Best For | Pregnancy-safe bronzing self-tanner
Ingredients | Carotenoid rich oils, calendula oil, apricot kernel oil
Shade Range | Natural bronzer for all skin types
Price | $120 for 1 fl oz of the Bronze Well Regenerative Glow Drops
Give your skin an instant golden-hour glow with True Botanicals‘ Bronze Well Regenerative Glow Drops, a luxurious treatment oil designed to nourish, hydrate, and illuminate all skin types and tones. Packed with potent antioxidants, carotenoid-rich oils, pro-vitamin A apricot kernel oil, and soothing calendula, these drops fight fine lines, dryness, and dullness while protecting your skin barrier from free radical damage. Use it as the final step in your routine for a luminous finish or mix a few drops into your moisturizer or foundation for a subtle, sun-kissed radiance.
Customer Review | “These are great, they really give you a perfect subtle tan. I hate the way self tanners smell and this bronzer oil is the best alternative! I love it” – Lauren L. (Read all reviews.)
4. Beauty by Earth
Best For | Self-tanner bundles
Ingredients | Sugar beet DHA, coconut oil, witch hazel, shea butter, green tea & fruit extracts
Shade Range | Fair to medium, medium to dark
Price | $36 for 7.5 fl oz of the Self Tanner Body Lotion
Beauty by Earth was developed by two friends who were frustrated with the skincare industry’s disregard for health, particularly regarding sunscreens that contained harmful toxins. Determined to offer safer alternatives, they founded one of the fastest-growing natural skincare companies in the U.S., Beauty by Earth, which focuses on effective, clean ingredients. Their popular self-tanner, infused with coconut oil, shea butter, cranberries, and sugar-beet-derived DHA, not only provides a natural-looking tan but also deeply hydrates and rejuvenates the skin. Committed to transparency and safety, Beauty by Earth products are rated by the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database®, ensuring you’ll feel confident and nurtured with every use.
Customer Review | “At first application I was a little disappointed with the amount of color. When I realized it was buildable… GAME CHANGER! I like the ease of the product… its very nourishing and my results are not only beautiful but noticeable to friends and coworkers. Love this stuff!!” – Dorothy (Read all reviews.)
5. Coola
Best For | Certified organic self-tanners
Ingredients | Argan oil, hyaluronic acid, plant stem cell cultures, aloe vera, fruit & flower extracts
Shade Range | Gradual tan formula
Price | $54 for 1.7 fl oz of the Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum
COOLA‘s glow-inducing serum gradually builds a tan over several days while reducing visible signs of aging. Formulated with argan oil and hyaluronic acid to nourish the skin and plant stem cell cultures to minimize premature aging, this serum is non-comedogenic and suitable for sensitive skin. Adhering to the strict California Organic Products Act (COPA) standards, COOLA ensures that at least 70% of every formula consists of certified organic ingredients, supplemented by sustainable, lab-derived elements. Their 100% naturally derived fragrances are transparently listed, and every product undergoes Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing (HRIPT) to ensure safety. Additionally, all COOLA products are soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free.
Customer Review | “LOVE COOLA’s Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum. It is perfectly effective at giving me a natural looking tan, super easy to apply and even helps my face look smoother and younger! Excellent product!” – Patrick W. (Read all reviews.)
6. Suntegrity
Best For | Natural sugar beet DHA self-tanner
Ingredients | USDA Certified Biobased product using aloe vera, shea butter, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, fruit oils & extracts, coffee extract
Shade Range | Buildable formula
Price | $40 for 5 oz of the Suntegrity Moisturizing Self Tanner
Suntegrity came about when founder Tricia lost her mother to melanoma skin cancer and realized she needed to wear sunscreen every single day. The only problem was that most sunscreens use filters like Oxybenzone or Octinoxate, both linked to potential endocrine disruption. Tricia wanted to make a skin care line that not only protected but also nourished skin. She did just that with the creation of her face and body SPF line and her moisturizing self-tanning line. Suntegrity’s Moisturizing Self Tanner is hydrating and nourishing, leaving you feeling protected and glowy from the inside out. Suntegrity is vegan, cruelty-free, and their SPFs are reef-friendly. Choose from a body blender mitt made of 100% latex-free foam, a Kabuki body brush, or a Self-Tanning Mitt for flawless application and coverage.
Customer Review | “This Is THE BEST Self Tanner! Smells Great, Perfect Coloring When On, And Doesn’t Have Gross Chemicals. Thank You So Much For Making This Item – It’s My Summer Must Have!” – Desiree (Read all reviews.)
7. Lux Unfiltered
Best For | Hydrating self-tanners
Ingredients | Sunflower extract, jojoba seed extract, papaya extract, cocoa seed extract, hyaluronic acid
Shade Range | Original, deep
Price | $38 for 6.8 fl oz of the Original Hydrating Self-Tanning Cream
Founded by digital creator Sivan Ayla in 2019, Lux Unfiltered‘s self-tan collection focuses on enhancing your natural look. The brand’s iconic N°32 Gradual Self-Tanning Cream launched their range of sunless tanning, luxury body care, and colored cosmetics designed to look natural on the skin and aesthetic on the shelf. All products are developed, tested, and made in California using non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients. The N°32 cream is enriched with shea butter, cocoa butter, squalane, and passion fruit oil, providing a natural-looking glow without the risks of sun exposure. For a customizable tan, try the N°12 drops (an Allure 2022 winner!), featuring hyaluronic acid and coconut water, which can be integrated into any skincare routine for a bronzed face. Easy to apply and free from unpleasant smells or sticky residue, Lux Unfiltered products prioritize safety and natural beauty.
Customer Review | “This stuff is the best. Smells great and applies nicely. Will be my go-to all year long.” – E.B. (Read all reviews.)
Featured image is from True Botanicals