Over the past few years the tanning market has seen the development of many new revolutionary products — gone are the days when the only options were lotions and aerosol sprays. Instead, tanning drops, waters, and different types of mousses have all been introduced. But whether you’re a self tanning vet or you’re thinking about entering the game, it’s important to know about all of the different self tanning formulas, their differences, and how to apply.

Lotions

Gradual self tanning lotions are the OG self tanners. Most of them look and feel like your creamy, daily moisturizers, but have a small amount of DHA to give you a subtle glow over time.

when to use: When you want to ease into self tanning by gradually building a tan, want to apply once to get a subtle glow, or when you want to top up and maintain your dark tan that you got from a more intense mousse or spray.

how to apply: Use a quarter-sized dollop per each body part. Start at the feet and work your way up, swiping upwards in long, circular motions. Wash your hands thoroughly after applying.

lotion recommendation:

Sprays

Most self tanning sprays come in an aerosol can and deliver a bronzing color guide for an instant tan. (Think: Sugared + Bronzed’s Bronzing Mist.)

when to use: Bronzing sprays are good for when you feel like foregoing makeup and want a quick, even tan on your face and neck. While they can be sprayed all over, it will take a lot of product and blending to ensure even application. I prefer using them in small areas for a quick boost of color.

how to apply: On clean, dry skin, hold the can about five inches away from the body and spray in an “X” motion. Use a mitt to buff and even out the tan if needed.

spray recommendation:

Waters

Tanning waters are one of the newest self tanning formulations on the market, and while you also spray tanning waters on to apply, the difference is in the actual formula. Like the name suggests, waters are liquids that go on clear and typically come out of the bottle as a lightweight, fine mist.

when to use: Tanning waters are pretty universal in that they can be used on the face before or after makeup as a hydrating, bronzing set spray, all over the body to develop into a deep tan, or to lightly mist over hard-to-tan spots like the hands and feet.

how to apply: (to the body): Starting at the feet, spray in upwards columns — your skin will glisten where the water has been applied. Then, use a mitt to buff the tan evenly in circular motions.

(to the face): Spritz on clean, dry skin for a glow, creating an “X”- like motion, or spray on top of makeup as a hydrating, bronzing set spray.

water recommendation:

Drops

Perhaps the most customizable self tanners are self tanning drops. Most drops are a clear liquid that can be added to your daily (face or body) moisturizers for a tan that develops over the course of a few hours. With all drops, the rule is the more drops you use = the darker the tan.

when to use: When you want to moisturize, but also want to tan. DHA (the chemical in self tanners that “tans” you) can be pretty drying, so adding a tanner to a hydrating moisturizer gives you the best of both glowing worlds.

how to apply: Drop a few drops in your desired moisturizer, apply to where you’d like to tan in upwards, circular motions. Wash hands thoroughly after application.

drops recommendation:

Mousses

Mousses or tanning foams, can come as clear solutions or with color guides and also offer a wide range of shades. The foamy-textured formulas give arguably the deepest, darkest tans out of all of the different types of self tanners, so if that’s your vibe then mousses are the way to go.

when to use: When you like options and when you have time to let your tan develop. As mentioned, mousses are available in quite a range of shades, formulas, and development speeds, and they are also the formula that will get you the darkest. Want a medium tan that develops fast but also want a dose of color right off the bat? Opt for a mousse. However, if you like clear solutions that will give you a super dark tan yet won’t stain your sheets when you let it develop while you sleep, mousses are still a great option. Just remember, mousses penetrate the skin the most which means you will need to allow for the longest dry time.

how to apply: Starting at the ankles, swipe in upwards, circular motions. The more layers you apply = the darker the tan. See how to properly apply mousses to your hands and feet here.

mousse recommendation: