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What's the best fake tan for my face?

Marie Claire Beauty Academy: Skincare

While there are many fake tans that can be used on your body and face, it's far better to choose one specifically designed for your face as it's likely to be less drying than those for your body and should give a more subtle effect (presuming that's what you're after).

DHA is the special ingredient inside all fake tans which delivers the sun-kissed effect, it's only the level of it, rather than other ingredients, which determines how tanned you look.

That's not to say the other ingredients aren't important – as these affect the smell, ease of application etc – but all fake tanners, even the daily ones, contain DHA.

If you have oily skin, a gel or water-based facial tanner is a good option, while creams work better on normal or dry skin.

Many of the best facial tanners will come in a variety of different formulations, but with the same expertise behind them. Lancôme Flash Bronzers, from £20, are available in a water, gel, cream and lotion to ensure every skin type is catered for. As well as that all-important DHA, the products also contain vitamin E to protect your skin from free-radical damage.

Our favourite product in the range is the Custom Colour Tinted Self-Tanning Face Lotion, £20, that really does take all guesswork out of tanning. Allowing you to get the exact shade of tan you want, the colour you see as you apply it, is the colour that will develop underneath. Want just a sunkissed glow? Apply just a small amount. Going for full-on Brazilian beach babe? Layer on the lotion.

Gradual tanners are also a good idea for the very pale and tanning virgins. Olay Everyday Sunshine Sunkissed Glow, £7.49, is a gentle tanner and facial moisturiser all-in-one, and also contains added SPF15 to protect your skin from everyday sun exposure.

As with body tanners, make sure you exfoliate thoroughly before applying fake tan and gradual tanners, then use a damp cotton pad or cotton bud to wipe your hair line and eyebrows afterwards.