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While we may look and feel refreshed with a bronze glow, we’re all familiar with the potential health risks associated with harmful UVA and UVB rays. Thankfully, today’s all-natural self-tanners are easy to apply and leave you with a gorgeous (and believable!) glow. Here are our favorite sunless tanners for every skin type.
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Fair Skin: Facial Tanner
If you have pale skin, look for labels that indicate light or fair skin to avoid the obvious orange effect. For face application, use a dime-size amount and blend evenly with your fingertips. We’re obsessed with Dior’s Bronze Self-Tanner Natural Glow Face for fair skin. Tip: Don’t forget to wash your hands with warm water after application to prevent any unwanted palm or fingertip stains.
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Fair Skin: Body Tanner
For the body, opt for buildable coverage you can control. Nivea’s Sun-Kissed Radiant Skin gradual tanner looks great on legs and completely natural on fair skin tones.
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Medium-Tone Skin: Facial Tanner
For even coverage, be sure to exfoliate prior to application. If your skin still feels dry, we love the moisturizing effect of this St. Tropez Everyday Face Moisturizer/Tanner for light-to-medium tones.
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Medium-Tone Skin: Body Tanner
For medium skin tones seeking a deeper, yet realistic, glow, Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning lotion does the trick. You'll get best results if you apply one even layer, wait two hours, and apply a second layer.
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Medium-Tone Skin: Allover Application
Most shades of self-tanners suit medium skin tones. Depending on the depth of tan you’d like to achieve, simply look for the shade you desire. We love this foolproof Terracotta Spray with an added bonus of SPF 10 protection. The spray application makes it easy to apply and keeps hands from getting greasy.
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Olive-Tone Skin: Streak-Free Application
If you've been blessed with olive-tone skin, most shades of self-tanners will work. But if you’re worried tanning lotions may leave you with streaks, try the easy-to-use Somerville 360° Tanning Towelettes by Kate Somerville.
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All Skin Types: Heatlhy Skin Benefits
For buildable coverage, this Perricone MD No Sun Tanner works on all skin types. It’s worth the splurge as its non-greasy, anti-aging formula won’t cause your skin to breakout.
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All Skin Types: Odorless
If there’s a self-tanner that’s odorless, we’re all for it. We love this Xen Tan E! Live From The Red Carpet self-tanner that provides a buildable tan on all skin tones.
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