9 Products for Faking a Natural Face Tan

If you're after a tanned face but can't be bothered to strip off and start buffing tanning mousse up and down your entire body (we feel you), heed our advice. Unless you want to look as though you've had a head transplant, it's vital you don't just pick out any old facial tanner—for this job, only the most natural, authentic-looking, glow-inducing products will do.

We've collated a list of the best fake tans for the face that we regularly rely on, but before we share the intel, note the following points: Tanning your face requires tanning your neck, too, lest you come out looking patchy. Plus, like the body, a well-exfoliated complexion is vital in ensuring the finished result looks like the genuine article, as is a thorough buffing-and-blending job. Ready? Okay.

Below are the most natural-looking self-tan formulas for the face.

Coola Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum $54

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Coola’s sunless face tanner not only promises a glowing, streak-free tan, but it also doubles as an anti-aging serum. It is chock-full of skin-smoothing products like argan oil, hyaluronic acid and plant cell cultures. As a bonus, this organic and vegan product uses a natural tanning ingredient from sugar beets instead of chemicals to give you the perfect sun-kissed glow.

Tan-Luxe The Face $49

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Putting the control completely in your hands, you can add as many of Tan-Luxe's serum-y drops to a puddle of face cream as you want, depending on how deep you want the color to go.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Intense Glow $38

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These easy, breezy wipes require next to no effort. Drenched in AHAs to exfoliate and lift away the top layer of dead skin cells and debris, as well as a subtle tanning agent, they basically do the work of your skincare regimen and tanning routine in one. Use every a few days to build up a suitable glow.

Institut Esthederm Sun Kissed Self-Tanning Face Cream Intense Tan $39

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Institut Esthederm's face tanner feels just like a moisturizer and contains hydrating cellular water. The real kicker, though, is that it's completely non-comedogenic, so you needn't worry about it clogging pores, even in hot, humid weather.

Jergens Natural Glow Face Self Tanner $9

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Jergens Natural Glow Face Self Tanner is not only budget-friendly, but creates a natural looking bronzed glow. As a bonus, it contains broad-spectrum SPF 20 to protect your skin from sun damage. This product works gradually to prevent streaks, so simply use it every day for one week for the perfect shade of tan. 

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Water Medium $28

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You can actually use Isle of Paradise's Self Tanning Water all over the body, but it works especially well on the face. Green color pigments will dial down any redness, while realistic-looking tanning agents will develop into a dreamy glow over a few hours. Spritz on and be sure to gently buff around the nose, eyes, and mouth with a soft muslin cloth.

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face $32

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Another droplet formula, Clarin's tanner works in tandem with whatever moisturizer you're loving at the moment.

Clinique Sun-Kissed Face Gelee Complexion Multitasker $31

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If you're looking for a noncommittal way to tan the face, try Clinique's bronzing jelly. It's more like a liquid bronzer that you can either use to contour by buffing into the hollows of the cheeks or in lieu of foundation over the entirety of the face for a tan that could easily pass as a week spent in Mykonos.

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist $30

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Simply spritz on St. Tropez Purity Face Tan Mist (no rubbing required!) and watch a streak-free tan develop within the next four to eight hours. Spray on your neck and décolletage for a sun-kissed glow all over. This product features a light tropical scent that not only gives you the right amount of color, but it also hydrates.