Our Favorite Self-Tanners That Don’t Smell Gross

May 15, 2023

By: Alanna Martine Kilkeary | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

Self-tanners are notorious for smelling unpleasant — many give off a chemical-like smell that can give you quite an aversion to the product category. Luckily, there are a handful of tanning waters, mists, mousses and more on the market that are either totally fragrance-free or have sweet-smelling finishes that will make your skin glow without any sun damage. Ahead, we’re sharing our favorite self-tanners that won’t smell gross, no matter how often you use them!

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tan Drops

Mix these clear, fragrance-free facial drops with your daily moisturizer for a non-streaky, natural-looking tan. It’s easy to build your glow with these — add five to seven drops to a dollop of moisturizer for a subtle tan, and eight to 10 drops for a deeper bronze.

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Water Mousse

This mousse is made with vitamin E and coconut water to give your skin a healthy dose of hydration along with a natural-looking tan. It doesn’t smell plasticky like some self-tanners either; instead, this lightweight foam smells sweet and coconutty.

L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion

This drugstore option is not actually a self-tanner, but can be used under makeup to give your skin a little extra glow. Simply apply 1-3 drops on the face, blend in and wear with or without makeup on top for a bronzed, silky finish.

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Water

This lightweight tanning water has the faintest scent and provides an even-toned glow to the skin, in addition to hydrating and nourishing with the help of avocado oil, chia seeds and grapefruit oil.

St. Tropez Luxe Body Serum

For a gel tanning formula, opt for this pick that is easy to use and will give you a natural, golden glow. It has niacinamide to nourish the skin and smells subtle and sweet.

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam

Available in three shades suitable for fair to dark skin tones, this quick-drying foam develops in just two hours. It contains botanical oils to nourish and soften the skin, and the mango-guava scent reminds us of a tropical fruit smoothie.

+ Lux Unfiltered N°32 Gradual Hydrating Self Tanner

For a tanner-meets-lotion hybrid that smells divine, opt for this self-tanning lotion that’s full of hydrating ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, almond oil, passion fruit and avocado oil. It gradually adds a glow to your skin to create a golden bronze finish.