Self-Tanning Is a Massive Faff, but the Best Gradual Tanners Take the Time and Stress Out – These Are, Without a Doubt, the Finest 10 on the Market

While many of us forgo tanning entirely during the depths of winter, as we hurtle towards summer I can feel my desire for glowy skin returning. However, when I'm in a rush and don't have time for the full self-tan ritual of prepping, shaving and exfoliating, and careful application there's only one time of product that I reach for for a fast glow. Enter the best gradual tanners that money can buy.

These glow-getters are one of the best fake tans for an easy and subtle way to add a wash of colour. There is of course the option of an instant tan, however some of these formulas are risky when it comes to transferring onto clothes. When you're after the most fuss-free option gradual tanners are the way forward.

Jules Von Hep, tanning expert and creator of Isle of Paradise, loves a gradual tanner. "Gradual tans are the easiest way to achieve a long-lasting glow topped up. I love using gradual tanners on holiday instead of an after sun to keep my glow going for longer, as well as when I return from holiday."

Best gradual tanners: Quick Links

• Best gradual tanner for beginners: St. Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Body Lotion, £9.99 | Amazon
• Best gradual tanner for a natural glow: Isle of Paradise Gradual Daily Self-Tan Lotion, £8.99 | Boots
• Best gradual tanner without a smell: Evolve Beauty Sunless Glow Body Lotion, £16 | Sephora
• Best affordable gradual tanner: Dove Summer Revived Light to Medium Gradual Tanning Lotion, £8.69 | Superdrug
• Best gradual tanner for your face: Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops, £21.95 | Cult Beauty
• Best everyday gradual tanner: Garnier Summer Body Hydrating Gradual Tan Moisturiser Light, £5.39 | Amazon
• Best ethical gradual tanner: Bondi Sands Pure Gradual Tanning Milk, £5.49 | Amazon
• Best gradual tanner for fast develop time: Self Glow by James Read Endless Summer Gradual Tan Moisturiser, £17.60 | LookFantastic
• Best gradual tan with a guide colour: Bare By Vogue Tinted Gradual Tan, £20 | Bare By Vogue

Why should you use a gradual tanner?

A gradual tanner is the perfect way to achieve a more subtle sunkissed look. Your traditional fake tans tend to be deeper in colour and require a little bit more admin - full exfoliation, allowing proper drying time and avoiding water for the first six hours or so.

If what you're after is healthy looking skin, without the rigmarole, one of the best gradual tanners above will do exactly that.

How should you apply a gradual tanner?

With the majority of them, you can just use them in lieu of your daily face or body cream. With others - like the Isle of Paradise drops - you add them into your best moisturiser. The more drops, the deeper the tan.

"Always wash your hands after application," says Jules. "Especially palms and in between fingers. Exfoliate prior to your first application, and then a week after to ensure any old tan is removed."

How long does it take for a gradual tan to develop

From our extensive testing, we can confirm that most gradual tanners will develop between two and four hours. If you're after something quicker, we suggest you opt for one of the tinted gradual tans that have a helpful guide colour for application. We really like the Bare By Vogue Tinted Gradual Tan and the St. Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Lotion. You'll get an immediate wash of colour that deepens as the day goes on. Be careful though, Katie notes that whenever she's used one with a guide colour, she's always made sure to exfoliate beforehand as the instant colour can gather in dry patches.

How long does gradual tanner last?

"On average you will start to see colour over the course of three days," Jules says. "Once you have reached your desired shade, simply apply on alternate days to maintain your glow." Be sure to use a good nourishing body cream on the days when you're not tanning. This will help the tan last.

What we looked for when testing the best gradual tanners

Despite being a beauty editor, my approach to fake tan is rather hesitant - I'm a nervous tanner. Which is why when I need a wash of colour, I either visit James Harknett at the W Hotel for the best spray tan in London (who is faultless) or I reach for a gradual tan.

Which makes me, more than qualified to approve this best gradual tanners list. I've used so many in my time that I know exactly what works and what doesn't. I've enlisted the help of Marie Claire's Executive Beauty Editor, Shannon Lawlor, Junior Shopping Editor, Valeza Bakolli, and Fashion Writer Sofia Piza tohelp me give the best gradual tanners a thorough and unbiased test.

Here's what we looked at when testing:

• Pleasure to use - there's nothing worse than a product that's overcomplicated or easy to get wrong
• Gives a beautiful wash of colour - whilst we always err on the side of subtle, it's also important that these can be built up to create darker shades for those that want it
• Price - it's always important to have affordable and luxury options to suit everyone
• Scent - we all know that some self-tanners give off a biscuity smell, but we want to make sure that it isn't too overwhelming

We've rounded up our favourite formulas and included everything from the best gradual tanner for beginners to the best one for everyday use and more.

Best gradual tanners 2026: tried and tested by MC editors

1. St. Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Body Lotion

"To be totally honest, when I tan I usually go for a rinse-off formula to get the most out of it. However, there are times when I simply don’t have the hours in the day to get it done. In those situations, I turn to this stuff from St Tropez. In its own right as a gradual tanner, the formula contains hyaluronic acid, marine algae and antioxidant-rich oils to nourish skin while delivering a gradual, buildable, long-lasting tan in 4-8 hours. But, beyond that, for when I’m in a pinch it also contains an instant tint that turns my pasty legs a convincing shades of deep, golden brown in seconds. Over the years it has saved me from a number of situations when I have been caught out, and I get compliments on my ‘natural-looking’ tan whenever I use it." - Shannon Lawlor, Executive Beauty Editor

2. Isle of Paradise Gradual Daily Self-Tan Lotion

“If you’re pale and nervous about going wrong with tan like I am then I can’t rate this stuff highly enough. It’s so easy to apply—it glides on just like a normal body lotion and I don’t need to use a specific tanning mitt with it—and after a few hours the most subtle and beautiful glow will develop on your skin. Formulated with niacinamide, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, it also does a great job at nourishing and brightening your skin before the colour has even started to show so it’s a real multipurpose product. If you like a more full-on tan then there’s a medium/dark version available too, but you’ll need to apply it for a couple of days in a row for a deep bronzed effect.” - Mica Ricketts, Freelance Beauty Editor

3. Evolve Beauty Sunless Glow Body Lotion

"I’ll be honest - I'm not a fake tan person. I’ve never enjoyed the process of applying it. Whilst I love a summery glow (who doesn’t?) I’m incredibly sensitive to scents, and the typical biscuit smell just doesn’t agree with me - that was, until I tried this gradual tanner from Evolve. Not only does it give me a natural, streak-free glow and look incredibly chic on my bathroom shelf, it doesn't have any fake tan scent whatsoever. It's now the only fake tanning product I'll use all over my body. This sustainable beauty product is nourishing and soothing on the skin (making it a great after-sun option to hydrate and prolong your tan). It also comes in a convenient and chic glass pump bottle and contains 99% natural and 86% organic products." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor

4. Dove Summer Revived Light to Medium Gradual Tanning Lotion

"I've been using this gradual tan for years and absolutely love it. The product is lightweight enough to feel like a normal moisturiser. Still, it has a powerful formula that creates a subtle amount of colour upon application and gradually increases after each use. I opt for the light to medium formula as I like a subtle tan glow rather than a fully bronzed look, and I notice the product at its peak within the first three days of use. It doesn't hold a strong scent, so it is great for everyday use." - Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer

"I have used this for years, and years, and years. So has my mother, so has my mother-in-law and so do my sisters-in-law. It's clearly a family thing. But the reason why? For so many reasons. Because it's so affordable, it's reliable, and it's subtle. I use the Medium-Dark shade, which I apply every day for two to three days in a row and the effects are glorious." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor

5. Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops

"This is my ride-or-die product. In fact, I have written many, many times of my devotion to them. I love that I am in control of how much of a glow I'm going to get. Whenever I use this people always comment on how healthy I look. Which, as a tired mum of two, is the greatest compliment I could receive. There are three shades to choose from, depending on your skin tone. It can be added into moisturisers or serums." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor

6. Garnier Summer Body Hydrating Gradual Tan Moisturiser Light

"I've always loved Garnier body creams, so a formula that also tans is a winner for me. What I like the most about this product, aside for the super summery scent, is that I didn't worry about using it everyday. It felt like I could do that without going too dark. I'm naturally pale - see-through in some lights - so that's always a worry for me. But with this I feel safe." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor

7. Bondi Sands Pure Gradual Tanning Milk

"Right, I have to start this off by saying this product took the longest to develop. So if you want results quickly, go for one of the others on this list. What is brilliant is that it's really hydrating, so felt like it was just my normal body lotion that eventually gave my skin a tint. The bottle is also made from 100% ethically sourced recycled plastic." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor

8. Self Glow by James Read Endless Summer Gradual Tan Moisturiser

"This is the fastest-acting gradual tan I have ever used. It left a sheer glow within the first hour of application, and I didn't feel the need to reapply the next day, as I was able to achieve my desired tone with just the one application. I would suggest applying with a tanning mitt for an even application, as I did notice some streaks when I first applied it using my hands. Also, allow a couple of minutes to go by before getting fully dressed to make sure the product distributes properly without any visible streaks. Overall, I am obsessed with this nourishing and glowing gradual tanner." - Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer

9. Bare By Vogue Tinted Gradual Tan

"As celebrity beauty brands go, this is definitely up there as one of the best. It's fast becoming one of the best fake tan brands on the market for it's brilliant formulas, beautiful glowy colour and affordable prices. This newly launched gradual tan landed on my desk a few weeks ago and I've been using it ever since. No streaks, delicious pineapple scent and a really useful guide colour. It does also develop into a light shade, which won't be to everyone's taste, however I think it makes a brilliant gradual tan to use on a regular basis to just add a warmth to the skin rather than going down the full transformation route. I can see myself using this in autumn and winter when I'm less concerned with looking really tanned." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor

10. Three Warriors Gradual Tan

"I'm not usually a fan of self-tanning products, but this organic gradual tan has really impressed me. I can be a bit clumsy with my application, but the colour is subtle and can be built up slowly, so there's a bit of a buffer for mistakes. I usually use it over two or three days to reach my desired colour, which lasts about a week on my skin. It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of the fake tan smell, but this stuff actually smells good, has a natural tone (with no orange hues) and it’s a genuinely good body moisturiser too." – Valeza Bakolli, Beauty Contributor