18 Best Self-Tanners for Your Face and Body That Don't Streak

This mousse is pretty much the reason I got into self-tanning. It's insanely easy to apply—thanks to the included mitt—it's spiked with hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil and vitamin E, and it leaves my olive skin looking genuinely tan. The texture is a little sticky while you're waiting for it to dry (I usually give it two to three hours to fully dry), but the color guard rinses right off and leaves behind a natural-looking glow. 

Even though the drugstore is loooooaded with self-tanners, it's hard to tell which formulas are actually effective. I'm personally a fan of this mousse from Jergens, which uses natural sugars and coconut water to soften and tan your skin simultaneously. Win win. Did I mention it smells good? Because it smells really good.

Even though the majority of self-tanners can be applied on your body and face, I've never had success (I usually end up looking...dirty?). That's why I love this bronzing face mist so g'damn much—I mist a thin layer underneath my makeup and it develops into a golden, glowy tan in four to eight hours. The best part? It lasts up to three days, so I don't have to worry about daily touchups. 

I get it: Most self-tanners are packed with harsh ingredients that can irritate the sh*t out of sensitive skin types. That's where this gradual Avène formula comes into play—it coats your skin with gentle hydrators like spring water and sunflower seed oil, and it slowly builds into a subtle, natural-looking tan with daily use. 

If self-tanning mousses and creams feel like too much of a production for you, you'll love the ease of these genius little drops. Just mix two to three drops into a palmful of your daily moisturizer (body, face, or both), massage it into your skin, and wash your hands. You'll be left with a smooth (read: not splotchy) and tan finish.

The coolest thing about this self-tanner spray from Supergoop is that it's got SPF 40 in the formula. After exfoliating, mist it over your clean skin, blend it with your hands in circular motions, rinse your hands ASAP, and wait for it to dry. The color takes a good two to four hours to develop into a subtle, glowy finish. 

Love the results of your self-tanner but don't feel like going through the motions in another two days? Spritz on this quick-drying body oil from Coola and the formula works to enhance and prolong your color for another three days. BTW: It's made with a blend of chamomile and bergamot extracts, so it's super soothing, too.

If you have zero time but still want to step out with a pretty glow, consider this Australian brand your new best friend. You simply shake the bottle, spray the mousse into the palm of your hands—or onto a self-tanning mitt—and evenly apply. Then, set your timer for one hour, catch up on your Netflix queue, and rinse for a streak-free, believable glow.

Going for the deepest glow possible? This mousse serves it up without leaving streaks thanks to its tinted hue that acts as a guide, allowing you to track where you've already applied it. All you need is patience, eight hours, and a warm shower to reveal your very believable glow.

This self-tanner contains a natural sugar cane-derived DHA that helps give you a buildable light, medium, or dark glow. The good news: If you've avoided other tanners because you feel they seem too chemical-y, you can rest easy with this one.

Made with 100 percent ecocert DHA and hydrating organic marula and argan oils, this self-tanner works as a pre-shower treatment. Here's how: Before you step into the tub, apply it all over, wash the palms of your hands immediately, and then rinse the formula off after 10 minutes for a glow that isn't streaky and doesn't transfer onto your clothes. It's gradual and subtle, so it's perfect for all skin tones and types.

This little wipe packs a big punch in the glow department. Not only does it have alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids that chemically exfoliate your skin for major glow (and to treat any acne), but it also uses microencapsulated DHA and soy proteins to leave you with a streak-free, natural-looking tan.

Not only does this gradual glow leave you with a non-streaky, believable tan, it also skips out on that harsh scent you usually find in self-tanners. Since the prime time for your skin to absorb a product is when it's damp (think of a dry sponge's absorbability versus a wet sponge's), this self-tanner's technology activates when it comes into contact with the proteins on your wet skin. The result? A natural-looking glow after three to five in-shower applications.

This self-tanner offers up a lightweight mist that won't oversaturate your skin, especially around your hands, knuckles, knees, and ankles. Plus, you won't have to worry about your face looking orange—you can spray it directly onto your face and gently buff it out with a makeup sponge or mitt. 

No time to apply gradual self-tanner? Smooth on a temporary faux-glow formula over exposed arms and legs before slipping on your clothing. This self-tanner is non-transferrable, so it won't leave marks on your collar—plus, it comes off easily with soap and water at the end of the day.

You won't find one streak on your body when you use this faux-glow formula, thanks to the mitt it comes with. Its smooth surface helps you apply the product evenly every time—and, the best part, your hands stay totally clean. 

This self-tanner is pretty much as innovative as it gets: Instead of a mousse, cream, or lotion, you get a loose mineral powder that subtly tans your face for seven days. After applying your moisturizer or foundation, gently sweep the powder along your face and neck for an even, natural-looking bronze that actually sticks around. 

K, fiiiine—I'm a little biased because Cosmo is the mastermind behind this bb, but there's nothing not to love about the smooth, fragrance-free formula and the non-comedogenic (aka non pore-clogging) ingredients. Plus, it's a rinse-off tanner, so you don't have to worry about a mess.