The Best Self-Tanning Drops for Summer 2024, According To A Beauty Editor

As every dermatologist and skincare expert will tell you, limiting your skin’s exposure to the sun’s rays is one of the best things you can do for your skin health. Not only to avoid painful sunburn and long-term damage, but also to reduce hyperpigmentation and inflammation, and to keep fine lines, age spots, and other signs of skin ageing at bay.

Fortunately, if you are still craving a warm, bronzed glow, there are plenty of self-tanning products out there to choose from. From gradual tans to instant tans, and mousses, mists, lotions, and drops, self-tan has come a long way from the patchy, orange, smelly formulas of the past. 

Self-tanning drops, in particular, are my personal favourite way to give my skin a subtle, believable bronze—and what’s more they’re pretty much foolproof to use. Mess-free, customisable, and virtually impossible to overdo, the best self-tanning drops feel more like an extra step in your skincare routine—often packed with skincare benefits, and much less likely to cause issues for sensitive and breakout-prone skin. When I’m in a rush and don’t have time for a lengthy tanning routine, I’ve found that adding just a few drops of self-tan to my face cream or body moisturiser is one of the quickest and easiest ways to achieve a sun-kissed finish, from head to toe.