Self-tanners are a great way to hide the pale skin that shows through when you shave your legs. They can give you an even tan color without having to go outside in the sun.
There are so many different types available on the market, but which one is best for you? We have compiled a list of 5 self-tanners that will work well on your legs.
5 Best Self-Tanners For Your Legs
Which self-tanning product is best for your legs? It’s not always easy to tell which one will give you the most even, glowing skin.
However with so many different brands and types of lotions on offer these days it can be hard too narrow down just what kind would work well!
One way I’ve found that helps me get an instant bronze look without any hassle or time wasted in applying fake tanner all over again every few hours as recommended by some bronzing experts – is using mousse type formula instead because they are easier than creams when trying my first step towards achieving summertime perfection.
However, let us talk about the 5 best types.
1. Beauty By Earth Organic Self-Tanner
This is one of the most popular self-tanners out there, and with good reason.
The best thing about this product is that it can be applied to wet skin so you don’t have to wait for your body to dry before getting dressed.
If you are in a hurry, this can save you time and effort – especially on hot summer days.
It is enriched with aloe vera to help moisturize the skin and prevent drying. It also contains vitamins A, C, and E which can nourish your skin while giving it an even color.
This formula helps prevent streaking so you don’t have to worry about making a mess when you apply it.
It also comes with a mitt to ensure that you don’t get any streaks on your hands or arms when applying the product, unlike other self-tanners where this is a struggle.
Another thing I really like about this tanner is that in addition to nourishing the skin, it also claims to be 100% natural.
This should make it perfect for people with sensitive skin since the last thing you want to do is irritate it further after shaving!
The Beauty by Earth self-tanning lotion is a great option for all skin types – oily, dry or dark. It’s easy to use and will give you the perfect color of tan!
The organic base makes sure your complexion stays moisturized while giving off gorgeous results that are long lasting.
2. SunLabs Overnight Self-Tanning Lotion
This is another great choice for your legs. The sunless tanner itself is a quick-drying lotion that can be used on the body, face, and even the hands.
It dries in under five minutes so you don’t have to worry about it staining your clothing or sheets.
What I love best about this product is that it has a lot of natural ingredients to nourish the skin.
It is specially formulated with cocoa butter and Vitamin E to keep your skin soft and smooth, while also giving you a lush golden glow.
It also contains bronzers which can give you an instant tan after applying, however this will fade over time.
What I like best about this product is that you can enjoy a natural-looking tan within 24 hours.
3. Sally Hansen Airbrush Gradual Tanning Lotion
This is another great product that can help you achieve a soft and natural looking tan.
What I like best about this formula is that it uses sunless tanning technology to develop over several hours, giving you a glowing look after each application.
The gradual self-tanner by Sally Hansen leaves no orange streaks behind.
The moisturizing microbeads help you get a nice even color that will look fantastic with a cute pair of shorts and a tee shirt.
The microbeads also work to nourish the skin while giving it a glamorous shine, making this one of my favorite formulas for summertime.
The best part about the self-tanner from Sally Hansen is that you can build the color over several applications with no adverse effects.
4. Brittanie’s Thyme Organic Self-Tanner
The organic formula is something I like about this product, since it uses natural ingredients to nourish the skin.
What I really love about this self-tanner is that it contains caffeine which can give you an instant tan after applying.
However, unlike many other products of its kind, there are no harmful ingredients in this formula so your skin won’t be left with red, flaky patches or that smell which is often associated with self-tanners.
This product also works well on sensitive skin since it doesn’t contain any bronzers or alcohols. It can be used on your body and face, giving you a beach ready glow in 30 minutes.
There are no harmful ingredients so you can use the organic self-tanner without worrying about an allergic reaction.
Another thing I like about this product is that it comes with a mitt to ensure there are no streaks, and it makes for an easier application process if you’re new to using self-tanners.
5. Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer
This is another great product that will nourish your skin while giving you an instant tan. You can actually apply this product while still in the shower!
This makes for a really easy self-tanner process, especially if you have too many other things to get done before heading out the door.
After rinsing off, your skin will be left feeling incredibly soft. This is because the special formula contains shea butter which will give your skin a nice healthy glow with no orange tones.
Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer also uses time-released bronzers which can help develop color within three hours of application.
Those who are looking for an instant tan effect should try the Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer. However, it does have a bit of that self-tanner smell so be prepared!
More Self Tanners For Your Legs
St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
This is another great product that I like to use on my legs before beach season comes around.
The self-tanner uses time-released bronzers which can infuse your skin with color over 4 hours of application, so there will be no streaking or smudging.
Plus, this product contains a special fragrance which actually smells good!
Some people have compared the scent of St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse to coconuts, and I must say that it does smell really nice.
There are also several bronzers within this formula so you can choose from light, medium or dark color.
This product is great for those who have a busy morning before work and don’t have time to apply self-tanner in the shower.
Plus, it doesn’t have that self-tanner smell so you can use this bronzing mousse without worry.
Fake Bake Flawless Legs
This is another formula I like because it has natural ingredients.
The product uses healthy skin loving ingredients which are designed to nourish the skin while giving you an instant glowing look.
Just after one application, I can already notice that my legs look healthy and rejuvenated.
This is because the formula uses natural bronzers to induce an instant tan.
The fake bake flawless formula also contains Vitamin E, which nourishes the skin so it will not become dry or flaky while you are wearing it.
This means that you can wear Fake Bake Flawless Legs without worry!
Amarte Natural Mineral Self Tanner for Body & Face
This product is another self-tanner which will give your skin a nice, healthy glow.
Like many other formulas, it uses Vitamin E to nourish the skin so there will be no red, flaky patches while you wear it.
Amarte Natural Mineral Self Tanner not only works on the body but also the face, so you can have a tan that will look natural everywhere.
The self-tanner contains a fragrance which smells really good and lasts for several hours after application.
This product is great because it can be used on your face and body, so if you only want to carry one bottle with you to the beach this summer, you can use Amarte Natural Mineral Self Tanner.
What are Self Tanners?
Self-tanners are used to darken the skin on your legs without having to expose them to harmful UV rays from the sun.
This can be especially beneficial if you like going outside in shorts and skirts in the summer time and don’t want to wear pants, but would also like a tan look.
When using a self-tanner, you apply it and let it set so the skin absorbs the color of the product.
Once this has been done, usually after about 4 hours, you can shower to wash away any excess product and reveal your new tan.
Different brands may work differently on the skin, some products producing heavier or lighter coverage.
The product may also have a different smell, which can be a bonus or a drawback depending on your personal preferences.
Some products may not have a strong odor at all while others will smell strongly of DHA, the chemical that works to produce color in your skin.
The tan that the product produces is temporary and will fade over time, usually after about a week.
What to Look for in Self-Tanners
There are a number of different things to take into consideration before buying a self-tanner.
Knowing these factors will help you pick out the best possible choice for your needs and preferences. Some things to keep in mind while shopping around include:
Price – Of course, this is usually a factor, but it is one that shouldn’t be the first on your list.
Quality comes before price in most cases, so if you are looking for a great product that will give you an even tan without streaking or splotching, don’t go with the cheapest just to save money.
If you compare products of similar prices though, price may come into play.
Main Ingredients – There are many different brands that use different types of chemicals in their products.
It is important to know what the active ingredients are in your product, as some will work better for you than others.
Some products will have DHA, which is the chemical that actually creates color, while others could include bronzers or moisturizers to get a darker tan.
The smell of the product will also be something you may want to take into consideration when buying a self-tanner.
You need to check out the reviews on different products and make sure that they don’t smell too strongly before going ahead with your purchase.
Some brands have more pleasant smells, while others smell strongly of DHA.
Product Color – Most self-tanners will produce a natural color that looks like you have been in the sun for a day or two.
Some brands could give you an orange tint though, which is not desirable in most cases unless your goal was to look like an Oompa Loompa from Willy Wonka.
Amount of Product – Some brands may have a smaller bottle size, usually only 6 ounces, while others are available in 8 or more ounces.
The larger the product you get, the less often you will need to buy refills.
If you were planning on using your self-tanner all summer long though, it might be worth spending a bit more upfront for this reason.
Preparing Your Legs for Self Tanner
Before you begin the process of applying your self-tanner to your legs, it is important that you have properly prepared them.
If your skin does not feel moisturized well enough after showering, this could lead to streaking or uneven tan lines later on down the line.
Before getting in the shower, exfoliate any dead skin cells that might be flaking off your legs.
Rub a loofah or body scrub all over to help remove any unwanted areas and prepare the skin for tanning.
When you get out of the shower, dry your legs well and use a moisturizer to ensure there is no excess moisture on your skin anymore.
This will keep from causing streaking and help your tan to look even.
How to Apply Self-Tanner for Legs
Apply the self-tanner in different places all over your legs.
You should apply some on ankles, some on shins, knees, thighs, and around the back of the knee if there is an area that feels dry still.
If you have a few dry areas on your legs, make sure to avoid these spots when applying the product, focusing mostly on places that are oily, since it will help spread the product more evenly.
When you have applied the self-tanner all over your legs and rubbed it in completely, wait a few minutes for it to set in before getting dressed. It is important that you leave the tanner on for at least one hour before putting clothes on over it.
Wash your hands well after applying self-tanner so you don’t have orange palms.
You can also wear gloves whenever you are doing your legs to keep this from happening if desired.
After giving yourself a thorough once-over all over your legs with a hand mirror, you should have a nice even tan.
Keep in mind that it is normal to see streaking at first after applying self-tanner, but this should fade away after an hour or so when the product has been completely absorbed into your skin.
To keep from having to reapply your tanner often, apply a moisturizer to your legs once or twice a day.
This will ensure that the product does not come off as quickly and you can have a bronzed glow for longer periods of time.
Be sure to wear loose fitting clothing as often as possible when you use self-tanners on your legs so that they do not rub off onto anything.
You can even wear shorts or a bathing suit to let tan lines show if desired.
If you get streaks, don’t worry about it too much! Most self-tanners tend to get streaky the first few times they are applied.
If this does happen, use a loofah or exfoliating sponge to help remove them before rinsing and reapplying the product.
The leg application of self-tanner can be a little more challenging than it seems, so be prepared for some trial and error before you get it exactly right.
If you follow all the steps above though, you should be able to lay out in the sun without having to worry about tan lines as well!
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