After the best instant tan for a quick glow? Here are 12 formulas our editors adore
Our answer to a quick, natural-looking tan
The wonderful thing about fake tan is that it holds this incredible transformative power. It has an almost guaranteed way to boost confidence and add a little pep in your step. The trouble is, some formulas take hours to develop. Although we love these tans for planned occasions and holidays, for those moments when you need an immediate mood-lifting hit, the best instant tan is the perfect go-to.
Taking mere minutes to apply, they're the fastest way to add a natural glow to skin, or a more full-on bronzed radiance if that's more your style. Perfect for nights out or days when you're feeling a bit impatient and want a quick fix, instant tans are also great if you love having a tan but want to avoid the sun. A tan is never worth the sun damage and risks, so an instant tan is the perfect way to go.
Whether you're after the best fake tan for your body or the best face tan for a fresh-off-the-plane glow, these instant bronzers are the ideal alternative to the best gradual tanners when time is of the essence.
The best instant tan to buy now: Quick Links
- Best for overall results: Vita Liberata Body Blur, £33 | Boots
- Best affordable instant tan: Rimmel Sunshimmer Water Resistant Wash Off Instant Tan, £5.59 | LookFantastic
- Best for a buildable tan: Tanologist Insta Glow Body, £9.74 | LookFantastic
- Best for an even skin tone: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Instant Tan Lotion, £16.97 | Amazon
- Best for pale skin: This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle, £42 | Space NK
- Best for fast application: St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer, £15 | Beauty Bay
- Best for ease of application: Bare By Vogue Instant Tan, £9.99 | Amazon
- Best innovative instant tan: Tan-Luxe Instant Hero, £24 | Space NK
- Best fast-drying option: Balibody Instant Tan, £19.95 | Bali Body
- Best for face and body: Skinny Tan 1 Day Instant Tanner, £9.99 | Boots
- Best for a shimmer-free glow: Bondi Sands GLO Matte One Day Tan, £10.99 | LookFantastic
How to use instant tan
The key thing to remember about an instant tan is that it's a little bit like Cinderella's ballgown: It looks good, but only for a limited time. (If you're after a long-lasting tan, you want to opt for something like a gradual tan).
To make sure you get the most out of your instant tan, we spoke to Claire Lambert, expert tanner for Skinny Tan. According to Lambert, instant tans are brilliant for beginning who want to practice application techniques. Once you've chosen your tan, she then recommends using a body brush (there are various on the market, including Skinny Tan Miracle Brush, Bare By Vogue Body Brush and Isle of Paradise Shape & Glow Big Blending Brush). You can also use a tanning mitt and a body brush to buff out your ankles and wrists. You can technically use your hands too, but it's not recommended because rarely are we thorough enough with washing afterwards to remove all the residue.
To get the best, streak-free tan, exfoliate a day before tanning and ensure you have no dry patches on the skin by applying an oil-free moisturiser. Once you're done for the day, simply wash your instant tan off in the shower.
Here at Marie Claire UK, we've tested our fair share of fake tan formulas, and these instant tans always come out on top. For more information about how we test the products that make it into edits, give our guide a read. Now, keep on scrolling for the best instant tans to buy now...
1. Vita Liberata Body Blur
This is as close to an Instagram filter as you'll get IRL (it's not called Body Blur for nothing). With just one layer, skin looks bronzed, smooth and gives a more even skin tone (covering any pesky bruises). It's tempting to use a lot of it, but a little goes a long way so start with a small amount and build it up if you think you need more. There are five shades to choose from, which is far more than many other instant tan brands. Use a tanning mitt or body brush to apply this one to ensure a streak-free finish.
2. Rimmel Sunshimmer Water Resistant Wash Off Instant Tan
Rimmel's Sunshimmer is an oldie but goldie. The product comes in two finishes: shimmer (it's a beautiful, subtle shimmer, which isn't at all overpowering) and matte with three shades: light, medium and dark. It's a product that we recommend moisturising before using with a mitt to get the most out of it. It lasts well, is transfer-proof and washes off easily with soap and water. It might be a little sticky at first after applying, but leave it to dry and that stickiness disappears. It's one of the most affordable out there too so you don't have to save it for special occasions only. It also doesn't smell like tan - it's got a light, classically clean fragrance to it.
3. Tanologist Insta Glow Body
It can be difficult to tailor an instant tan with many of them only being suitable for one layer (otherwise getting thick and sticky) but Tanologist Insta Glow Body is great for a buildable tan. It still looks natural with a few layers if you only want a very subtle tan, and you can mix it in with your regular body moisturiser for extra versatility. It's transfer-proof and water-resistant making it great for a night out or holiday dinner glow. Thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and panthenol, it's hydrating on the skin, too.
4. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Instant Tan Lotion
Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs spray was huge in the 00s and it still deserves every bit of attention now. The spray was particularly popular but the lotion is just as great (and arguably easier to use and less messy). Technically, this is more body make-up than it is tan, making it ideal for giving a more even skin tone.
5. This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle
Now, this isn't a traditional tan so it's important to think of it as more of a skincare product with bronzing benefits. It's a body serum, designed to hydrate and help even skin tone. It has a light caramel colour to it, making it perfect for those with fair complexions who just want a light touch of colour; akin to a gradual tan (without the wait). It's very easy to apply and doesn't require a mitt and it's also buildable if you decide you want a little more colour and coverage.
6. St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer
St. Tropez is an expert in fake tan and the Instant Glow Body Bronzer is no different. This is a cream-to-powder formula, which makes it easy to apply thanks to its creamy formula and gives a water-resistant finish thanks to the dry-down. It comes in three shades and gives a matte finish, which is ideal if you're not keen on a shimmery effect.
7. Bare By Vogue Instant Tan
Best instant tans
We rate so many of the Bare By Vogue products, including this Instant Tan, which does exactly as it promises. It applies incredibly easily on the skin using either the mitt or body brush, is streak-free and has a lovely, non-biscuity scent to it. It comes in three shades - medium, dark and very dark - so might not be light enough for some fair skin tones. For extra glow, we love to layer a little bit of the Liquid Body Illuminator over the top.
8. Tan-Luxe Instant Hero
Tan-Luxe Instant Hero is a lightweight gel formula that glides effortlessly onto the skin using the built-in sponge applicator. It feels completely weightless on the skin and leaves a subtle shimmer too. It dries down fairly quickly to be transfer- and sweat-proof.
9. Balibody Instant Tan
"This instant tan has changed the tanning game for me," says Sofia Piza, Marie Claire Fashion Writer. It has a fast-drying, aerosol formula that instantly delivers a light to medium shade, which makes it easy to apply. Sofia notes that it has enough time to blend before drying down to give a streak-free finish but without staining clothes. It washes off with a quick scrub, which is great if you want something sweat-resistant.
10. Skinny Tan 1 Day Instant Tanner
Unlike many other instant tans, this one can be used for both the face and body, promising to be non-comedogenic. It's easy to blend and lasts throughout the day (though note that it's splash not water-resistant so don't go swimming with this on). The formula also has a lovely subtle shimmer that gives the skin a soft glow without being too much. It has a delicious, holiday-like scent that lasts all day (though it can be overpowering if you don't like heavily scented products).
11. Bondi Sands GLO Matte One Day Tan
“Tanning makes me incredibly nervous as there have been so many occasions where I’ve painstakingly prepped my skin and carefully applied my chosen formulation only to wake up the next day looking streaky and orange. That’s why instant tans appeal to me so much. Any mistakes? Just wash them off and start again. Thankfully, no such mishaps will occur if you’re using this instant tan from Bondi Sands which is truly a dream to apply. Just give it a good shake and apply the buttery lotion all over using a mitt. It’s free from shimmer, adds a natural glow to skin, and never ever looks patchy or streaky. Plus, once it’s on it stays put until you shower it off. For a quick fix of colour you really can’t go wrong.” - Mica Ricketts, Freelance Beauty Editor
12. Three Warriors Self-Tan Mousse
"This tan delivers instant, fast-drying, natural-looking colour. If you're after a deep and intense tan, this is it. The mousse formula is infused with organic Tasmanian olive oil among other nourishing ingredients to make your skin glow in more ways than one. Oh, and it has a delicious vanilla and lime scent. I'm a huge fan" - Valeza Bakolli, Beauty Contributor
