I was really excited to research and write this article, as I am a lover of spray tans and facial self tanners. I don’t know about you but as soon as a I have a fresh tan, I am automatically in a happier mood and get a pep a in my step! However, it can be over whelming when researching facial self tanners. That being said, it isn’t too hard to find a handful of quality facial self tanners. BUT…to find one that is affordable and great quality is more of a challenge. So we went ahead and did the research for you. Here are 17 of the best facial self tanners under $20.
What to Look for in a Quality Facial Self Tanner
- Quality Ingredients: natural, non-comedogenic ingredients are ideal
- Great Skin Benefits: You want to look for ingredients that nourish your skin (think skin firming, hydrating, smoothing, etc.)
- Fragrance free or a Pleasant Smell
- Easy Application
- Long Lasting
- No Orange Tones
What are the Best Facial Tanners Under $20?
Here are 17 budget-friendly facial self tanners that that we found on Amazon…
Best Facial Self Tanners Overall
Tanologist Face and Body Drops
- 3 Levels: light, medium and dark
- Non-Comedogenic: won’t clog pores
- Featured Ingredients: vitamin E, pink grapefruit, goji berry, juniper
- Skin Benefits: brightens, softens, hydrates
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes
- SPF: none
- Fragrance: fragrance free (however I notice a slight fake tan smell)
- Amazon Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: use 2-12 drops with your moisturizer. The more drops you use, the deeper your tan and the more you’ll glow.
Mystic Tan Wake Up and Glow Facial Self Tan Spritz
- Levels: available in 1 universal level
- Non-Comedogenic: yes – won’t clog pores. No parabens.
- Featured Ingredients: hyaluronic acid and 0-odor 200 (eliminates self-tanning odor)
- Skin Benefits: hydrates skin and reduces fine lines
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: fragrance free
- Amazon Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: easy to use – apply your moisturizer first and then spray 2-3 pumps and evenly massage into your skin. Allow 4-8 hours before getting wet. A little goes a long way. Use every few days.
BONUS: this product has some amazing reviews. Trusted brand and overall a GREAT product for the price!
Best Facial Self Tanners for Sun Protection
Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner Facial Moisturizer
- 2 Levels: light to medium and medium to dark
- Non-Comedogenic: won’t clog pores + oil free
- Featured Ingredients: vitamin E, octisalate and octocrylene (sunscreen)
- Skin Benefits: smooths and hydrates
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: No
- SPF: SPF 20 broad spectrum sunscreen
- Fragrance: light sunscreen scent
- Amazon Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: apply to your face at least once a day. You will have a beautiful and natural glow in 7 days.
Best Facial Self Tanners for the Price
Loreal Paris Sublime Broze Self Tan Drops for Face
- Levels: one universal level for all skin tones
- Non-Comedogenic: no
- Featured Ingredients: coconut oil and hyaluronic acid
- Skin Benefits: smooths and hydrates
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: no
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: fragrance free but some of the reviews say there is a subtle scent.
- Amazon Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: for a lighter sun-kissed glow, mix 5-7 drops with your moisturizer and for a deeper bronze, apply 8-10 drops with your moisturizer. Apply once a day either in the morning or at night.
Best Facial Self Tanners for the Environment
MINE. TAN. BODY. SKIN. Rose Illuminating Facial Gradual Tan Mist
- Levels: one universal level for all skin tones
- Non-Comedogenic: no
- Featured Ingredients: vitamin c, rosewater, and rose hip oil
- Skin Benefits: brightens, evens skin tones, reduces redness, hydrates, repairs damaged skin, maintain PH balance
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes, plus it contains 100% natural DHA, is sustainably sourced, made from recycled materials, and doesn’t contain paragons, palm oil, mineral oil, or sulfates.
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: rose scent
- Amazon Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: Spray at least 6 inches from your skin in the morning after your skin care routine (before you apply makeup). Wait 2 mins to dry before you apply makeup. You can also use a tanning mit to blend it in more.
Best Facial Self Tanners for Travel and Touch-ups
Norvell Venetian 4-Faces Facial Self-Tanning and Touch Up Spray
- Levels: one universal level for a medium to deep tan
- Non-Comedogenic: yes – won’t clog pores
- Featured Ingredients: vitamin c, vitamin e, aloe, and vio-7 (a unique blend of anti-orange bronzer pigments to help counter orange undertones)
- Skin Benefits: repairs dehydrated skin
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes, plus it’s free from parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrance. All ingredients are naturally derived.
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: paradise breeze
- Amazon Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: spray at least 6 inches from your skin and blend with either a makeup sponge or tanning mit.
BONUS: the Norvel facial tanning mist has a unique dermal barrier that locks the DHA within the top layer of your skin, providing longer lasting color results.
Best Facial Self Tanners for a Darker Tan
KENMILER Self Tanning Drops
- Levels: available in 2 levels: medium tan and deep glow
- Non-Comedogenic: no – contains sodium benzoate
- Featured Ingredients: vitamin c, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, apricot oil, grape seed oil
- Skin Benefits: hydrates skin
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: no
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: tropical fruit scent (however, a few reviews claimed it had a fake tan smell)
- Amazon Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: mix in 2-10 drops with your moisturizer in the evening or morning at the end of your skincare routine. Wait until completely dry to apply any makeup. You can also apply the drops directly to your skin for a darker tan.
BONUS: these facial tanning drops have more viscosity than some of the other drops, and therefore, blend more easily with your moisturizer. Additionally, these drops last a long time: 5-8 days. Finally, they are more potent than some of the others so you can achieve a deep tan if that is what you desire.
Best Facial Self Tanners for Darker Skin Tones
Loreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mist for Face
- Levels: available in 1 universal level – dark
- Non-Comedogenic: no
- Featured Ingredients: coconut water and vitamin e
- Skin Benefits: moisturizes, nourishes, softens
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: no
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: light coconut scent
- Amazon Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: spray 1-3 pumps onto a cotton pad and evenly apply to a clean, dry face. Wait for it to dry before applying moisturizer, sunscreen or makeup.
BONUS: this product is darker than some of the other facial self tanners on our list. And therefore, is best for darker skin tones. A little goes a long way!
b. tan Face and Body Self Tanner Mist
- Levels: available in 1 universal level
- Non-Comedogenic: no – contains sulfates
- Featured Ingredients: argan oil, macadamia oil, coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, rose hip oil, grape seed, avocado oil, vitamin c, vitamin e
- Skin Benefits: hydrates and smooths skin
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes – no parabens, sustainably sourced, naturally derived DHA, made from recycled materials
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: smells like candy at first and fades into a slight fake tan smell
- Amazon Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: spray 1-3 pumps onto a clean, dry face. Wait a few mins for it to dry before applying moisturizer, unscreen, or makeup.
BONUS: this product gives a rich dark color; one review said it was even better than the coveted St. Tropez self tanning products. A little goes a long way with this one!
Best Facial Self Tanners for Dry Skin
SunFX Ultra Hydrating Facial Tanning Mist for Face and Body
- Levels: available in 1 universal level. However, it is available in 3 different formulas: calming cucumber (soothes and protects), coconut bliss (moisturizes and nourishes), and soothing rose (anti-infammatory)
- Non-Comedogenic: no
- Featured Ingredients: coconut oil, hyaluronic acid, soothing botanicals, and antioxidants
- Skin Benefits: hydrates, nourishes, soothes, fights aging
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: coconut, cucumber, or rose
- Amazon Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!
- How to Apply: spray 2-3 pumps onto a clean, dry face. You can also blend it with the SunFX applicator brush for a streak free, gentle application. Wait a few mins for it to dry before applying moisturizer, unscreen, or makeup.
BONUS: This is the only facial self tanner on our list with 5 out of 5 stars or with different formulas for a more customized experience.
Best Facial Self Tanners for a Light, Natural Tan
PAULINRISE Self Tanning Drops for Face + Body
- Levels: available in 1 universal level – medium
- Non-Comedogenic: no
- Featured Ingredients: fruit extracts, hyaluronic acid, hibiscus flower, and castor
- Skin Benefits: moisturizes, evens skin tone, fights wrinkles
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: lightly scented
- Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- How to Apply: Mix 1-12 drops into your favorite moisturizer and apply to a clean dry face.
BONUS: This facial self tanner will give you a nice, mellow, “glowy” tan. A little goes a long way and it lasts several days. It has some really GREAT reviews.
Tanwise Self Tanning Face Gel
- Levels: one universal level for a light to medium tan
- Non-Comedogenic: no
- Featured Ingredients: aloe and sweet almond oil
- Skin Benefits: smoothing
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: some reviews claimed it had a sweet smell
- Amazon Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: Apply a small amount directly to your face and massage into your skin in a circular motion. You can also mix it in with your moisturizer for a lighter glow. Allow 15 mins for it to dry before applying makeup or moisturizer. The more you apply the deeper the glow.
BONUS: a little goes a long way. This product doesn’t last very long so you might have to apply it everyday to achieve lasting results.
Waterman’s Aloe Vera Self Tanning Face Mist
- Levels: one universal level for a medium tan
- Non-Comedogenic: yes – won’t clog pores
- Featured Ingredients: aloe, antioxidants, castor oil, and coconut extract
- Skin Benefits: brightens and hydrates
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes, plus it’s free from parabens and sulfates
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: natural coconut scent
- Amazon Rating: 3.9 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: Spray at least 6 inches from your skin and blend with either your hands or a tanning mit. Let dry before applying makeup. Be sure to apply daily since it doesn’t last very long.
Best Facial Self Tanners for Skin Protection
Vichy Capital Ideal Soleil Moisturizing Self Tanning
Lotion for Face + Body
- Levels: available in 1 universal level
- Non-Comedogenic: no
- Featured Ingredients: vitamin e and volcanic water (contains 15 minerals that strengthen the skins barrier)
- Skin Benefits: hydrates and protects skin against environmental threats such as pollution and free radicals
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: no
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: lightly scented
- Amazon Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- How to Apply: Apply 2-4 times per week to a clean, dry face and blend evenly. Tan builds up over multiple applications.
BONUS: Vichy is owned by L’oreal. This formula goes on smoothly, doesn’t leave streaks, and smells pleasant.
Best Facial Self Tanners for Fighting Wrinkles and Preventing Acne
Diva Stuff Hibiscus Lift with Hyaluronic Acid and Self Tanning Face Cream
- Levels: one universal level for a light to medium tan
- Non-Comedogenic: yes – won’t clog pores
- Featured Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, intensely purified hibiscus flower (nature’s botox), vitamin e, and argan oil
- Skin Benefits: brightens, hydrates, fights wrinkles and aging, lifts, evens skin tone
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: some reviews said it smelled like “crayons”
- Amazon Rating: 3.9 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: Apply to a clean dry face in the morning and/or at night.
BONUS: this is an amazing facial self tanning product for the price. It combines natures botox with a natural self tanner. I am definitely purchasing this one! I can’t wait to try it. The reviews are great.
Best Facial Self Tanners for Fair Skin
LivWeli Jarred Sun Self Tanning Drops for Face + Body
- Levels: one universal level for a light tan
- Non-Comedogenic: yes – won’t clog pores
- Featured Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, got kola, aloe, hibiscus flower extract, vitamin B and color corrective actives
- Skin Benefits: hydrates, evens skin tone, and firms
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes, plus it’s free from parabens, sulfates, alcohol, oil, and allergens
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: slight lingering toasted coconut scent
- Amazon Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
- How to Apply: you can either apply this with or without a moisturizer, Apply 1-6 drops directly onto your face and massage into your skin evenly. Or, mis it with your moisturizer first and then evenly massage into your skin. The more drops the darker the glow.
BONUS: I was shocked at the reasonable price of this one, especially considering all of the naturally derived beneficial ingredients.
Please note: This formula isn’t as potent as some of the other drops so is recommended for fairer skin tones.
Best Facial Self Tanners for a Tight Budget
Lanthome Self Tanning Drops for Face + Body
- Levels: one universal level for a medium to dark tan
- Non-Comedogenic: no
- Featured Ingredients: aloe
- Skin Benefits: soothes and hydrates
- Vegan/Cruelty Free: yes
- SPF: no SPF
- Fragrance: doesn’t mention a scent in description
- Amazon Rating: this product has not been reviewed yet
- How to Apply: Mix in 1-12 drops with your favorite moisturizer and apply to a clean, dry face. Allow at least 4 hours for your tan to develop.
Note: this product does not have any reviews yet so we aren’t sure how well it actually performs. However, at around $7 it is cheap enough to give it a try and leave a review!
Best Facial Tanners Under $20: Final Thoughts
I’m not going to lie…I was blown away at the quality of most of these facial self tanners under $20. Many of them have a lot of the same ingredients and qualities as some of the high end ones such as Isle of Paradise, Tan-Luxe, and St. Tropez. I am so excited to try some of these! We hope you find one that gives you that perfect tan and maybe even puts little pep in your step. Cheers!