21 best facial tanning drops, tried and tested for a sun kissed glow (2025)

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Testers crowned these their winners for delivering a streak-free sunless tan, all without any flaking. The colour itself didn't have any orange-y undertones and our lab test showed it faded evenly throughout the week.

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These luxurious tanning drops from OSKIA contain a plethora of skin loving ingredients that will keep your skin looking radiant and healthy, as well as tanned. Ingredients such as vitamin C, pea peptides, vitamin E, pro-vitamin B5 and micr0-encapsulated DHA work to give you a long lasting tan that firms and protects the skin.

The only thing we didn't love about these drops is they don't come with a dropper, meaning it's hard to be exact about how many drops you're applying.

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We couldn’t talk about tanning drops without mentioning the legendary Tan-Luxe. They lived up to the hype, impressing our testers with a natural-looking tan, which was described as a ‘golden glow’ by one.

It was almost free of any fake tan scent, while most found it easy to create a buildable tan with multiple applications. Testers didn't notice any patchiness, while the tan lasted a decent amount of time.

Key specifications

Key specifications

Key specifications

These drops contain a skin-loving mix of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, working to add some colour to your skin, but also taking care of it under the surface.

Everyone found them a doddle to mix in with moisturiser, leaving the majority with a natural sun-kissed tan. These were quick to soak in, and didn’t leave any stickiness in their wake, all while being irritation-free for all.

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Key specifications

If you find oil sticks around long after a workout, but you still have dry patches here and there, these drops will find the perfect balance and deliver you some extra glow.

Testers found the vegan formula didn't leave any oiliness behind, yet managed to help skin feel hydrated. When it came to the tan itself, the shade avoided any overly orange hues for most, while being impressively long-wearing.

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With a delicious passionfruit scent, these ‘amazing smelling’ tanning drops immediately transport you to holiday mode, whether you're at home or abroad. Not only do they smell of summer, but our testers found they give a holiday-worthy glow too.

Testers appreciated the drops’ ‘staying power’ and liked how they glided onto skin and sunk in nicely after mixing with their moisturiser or serum. Even first timers found them easy to use, with testers saying their skin felt moisturised, although some felt they were a little oilier than they would have liked.

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For those suffering with dry skin, some tanning drops can make the problem worse. However, our panel found these drops hydrating and lightweight, saying they didn't dry their skin out, but also didn’t leave a greasy finish.

They also didn’t stain testers’ skin or leave any residue on clothes either – another plus. The only niggle? The liquid is clear, so some found it hard to tell where they'd already applied product.

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This is the only misting spray tan on our list, but it’s one of the brand’s best-selling products for a reason.

Our testers found it super simple to spray on and were pleased with the natural colour it gave them, but some did say it looked a little patchy after a few days.

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This affordable serum from tanning experts, St Moriz, impressed our panel, quickly developing into a subtle, natural and even colour after just two uses. They also liked its fresh and fruity fragrance and how hydrated it left their skin.

One tester commented that it ‘acts as a nice primer under foundation’, but another noted that the colour faded more than they would have liked when they removed their makeup.

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Our testers found these body tanning drops from Clarins delivered impressive build-up and even colour coverage, without streaking or patchiness.

They also liked that they didn't need to use many drops with their body lotion to achieve a healthy-looking glow. It won top points for not smelling like a tanning product, while it also helped boost skin's softness, thanks to the formula's aloe vera extract. One tester told us: ‘My skin felt better after using it’.

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Perfect for building a really natural-looking tan over time, these fake tan drops are infused with hydrating ingredients to help your skin glow and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Apply directly to your face or mix 3-4 drops into your moisturiser before spreading evenly over the skin.

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Available in two shades – medium and dark – Coco & Eve’s drops are specifically designed for a range of skin tones, helping you achieve a more even glow.

The drops themselves were great for creating a buildable tan with just a few applications, leaving testers with a natural-looking bronze. It was also a top performer in our lab test, fading gradually, while still keeping things streak-free.

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These drops have a really lightweight consistency and feel weightless on the skin without leaving any tacky or greasy residue.

They're perfect for those concerned about blemishes or clogged pores and leave your complexion looking clear and beautifully bronzed.

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Skin getting dryer as we age is a given. But when it comes to fake tan, hydration is key for an even application. Helpfully, these drops are jam-packed with hydrating argan oil and hyaluronic acid, as well as brightening vitamin C, to help combat the problem.

It did the trick, with the majority of our testers avoiding tight-feeling skin, while the formula itself absorbed quickly. The bronze it provided was orange-free for almost all, with one tester raving that their skin felt ‘smooth and beautifully plumped.’

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If you're worried about fake tan clogging up your pores, this formula is non-comedogenic, so won't cause any breakouts to erupt.

Almost streak-free, the majority of our panel found it didn’t transfer colour to towels, bedding or gym gear. No stickiness was left behind either, and the majority were pleased to find it left skin feeling hydrated. The best part? It's under £15.

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For sensitive skin sufferers, trying a new product can be daunting. However, this fragrance-free option was kind to skin, while not causing any irritation or dryness.

When it came to the tan, the application was patch-free, and testers enjoyed a natural-looking glow. No one reported any streaks or flakes, while all agreed it faded evenly.

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