Gradual tanners for the face are designed to create a more subtle colour change and are usually alcohol-free. They can also contain extra skincare benefits, such as anti-ageing ingredients and antioxidants (to prevent cell damage) to target specific skin concerns.

Our panel of more than 450 testers tried 28 brands of tanning drops over a two-week period to find which ones left skin looking sunkissed with minimal effort. STEP 2 – Squeeze the handy pipette to release a few drops of your Sun Drops Serum into the moisturiser. Two to three drops will reveal a healthy subtle colour, while four to six drops will create a deeper ‘just returned from the Maldives’ tan. Mix in well to create your custom shade. Wait a few moments before applying your moisturiser,” advises Bolder. “If you'd prefer a lighter finish, you can also combine tanning drops with your daily moisturiser. Just avoid using any exfoliating products directly before applying tan and don't use fake tan in conjunction with vitamin A or retinol.” What We Love: This super-sheer formula delivers a delicate, ethereal glow that is impossible to overdo. There's nothing like a fresh layer of self-tan to give us a little lift. That sun-kissed glow on our limbs makes us look healthier, feel a little more toned, and adds an unbridled spring to our step.

It should take between two to six drops to get an even tan, and they can be applied morning or night. Are tanning drops better than gradual tan? This stronger, salicylic acid serum is a targeted treatment for areas of excess oiliness, bumpiness, or blemishes. Easily applied with Bamboo Buds, Ocean Dive plunges deep into problem areas to sweep away bacteria and stabilise sebum levels. Face tanners are designed specifically for this area as they contain skincare ingredients targeted to help treat our daily concerns, strengthen the skin's barrier and add a natural golden finish, rather than the deeper tan result you often get with body products,” Bolder says. How do you apply self-tan drops?

The solution here? Bronzing drops. These clever formulas are little boosters that you can add to your favorite skincare formulas or even apply directly to skin to add radiance and glow, whether you’re looking for something that’ll wash off at the end of the night or last for several days. You’re standing at the bathroom sink. A rainbow of freshly made, organic Tropic products lies at your fingertips. But what goes first: serum or toner? Glow Berry or Sun Drops? And is it ok to mix and match? Whether you’re a skincare newbie (welcome!) or a well-seasoned expert, this Glow Academy lesson explains the art of layering your skincare products – so you can fully benefit from your serum’s superpowers and enjoy real results. THE SERUM SANDWICH Tanning drops and gradual tan are both great options if you want a bespoke your glow and prefer to develop a natural-looking tan over time. But which formulation is better is really down to personal choice. You can repeat at night if skin brightness is your main goal – after cleansing and toning again, of course. What We Love: This fragrance-free, colorless formula is hydrating and nourishing without being sensitizing.For those who are looking for a bronze shade that will suit all complexions, you may have to be very careful with your dosage of this formula as the color may not be a good match for those with very fair skin, especially if you have pink undertones (Rose Gold will be best for you). However, if you have a warmer skin tone or don’t mind mixing this formula into self-tanner or moisturizer, you’ll likely love this product. When it comes to achieving a natural-looking glow, we’ve got you covered! Follow these simple (yet effective) Tan Commandments for fuss-free, beautifully bronzed summer skin... Prep work What We Love: This formula delivers a natural and luxurious radiance while saturating skin with intensive nourishment. Moisturising immediately before applying your tan creates a barrier between your skin and the active plant allo-melanin found in our tanning range. This means that your self-tan won’t penetrate the upper layers of the epidermis and your colour won’t develop as effectively. For those who love Fenty for more vibrant products like the powder highlighter, keep in mind that you’re not going to get the same level of intensity from Drop’lit. This truly is not a liquid highlighter but a subtle luminosity booster. While this may disappoint some who like a serious gleam from their shimmer formulas, we appreciate this glow enhancer for its more subdued finish, as it makes for a more versatile addition to one’s makeup kit.

STEP 1 – Grab your favourite moisturiser ( Skin Feast we’re looking at you) and pump a pea-sized amount into the palm of your hand. Powered by natural tanning agents and brightening passion fruit extract, this customisable bronzing serum reveals an effortless, radiant tan in just 10 hours. You can also combine the drops with your daily moisturiser for a lighter finish,’ Michaella Bolder, St. Tropez’s tanning and skincare expert, explains. ‘Avoid using any exfoliating products directly before applying tan and don't use it in conjunction with vitamin A or retinol.What We Don’t Love: If you have a very deep skin tone, these formulas may make your skin appear a bit ghostly. If you’re craving a tan though, the good news is that you don't need to risk damaging your skin to achieve a subtle, believable bronze, as face tanning drops are an easy and effective way to get some golden colour. Bondi Sands Pure Self-Tanning Drops, Tanologist Face and Body Drops, and Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops are all water-based, so they should play well with your water-based foundations. With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.

We asked Michaella Bolder, St. Tropez tanning and skincare expert, for her tips on how to make your tan last for longer. “ Exfoliation is an essential first step — exfoliate at least a few hours before you apply a new layer of self-tan,” she advises. “It's also important to avoid using any oil-based shower gels or moisturisers ahead of tanning, as the oil will act as a barrier to the tan and prevent it from developing. Whether you want to top-up an existing tan, create a subtle sun-kissed glow, or accentuate parts of your face where the sun would naturally hit – this bronzing self-tan serum does it all. With a sweet passion fruit scent, coconut water and aloe vera, it'll keep skin soft, spongy and hydrated. Summer Skin gradual tanning lotion After four days, or as your tan begins to slowly fade, it’s recommended that you exfoliate to help your colour fade evenly, ready for a new application. This is especially important if you have drier skin. After 24 hours you can apply more product to build your tan and get that sun-kissed glow on the go once more. Your time to tanFinally, your moisturiser acts as the top layer – sealing in the products underneath, so that they won’t escape and can get to work on the task in hand. To build a gradual tan, start with just a few drops to achieve a subtle hint of color and assess it 24 hours after your application. Then, increase the number of drops gradually. “In subsequent applications, you can add an additional one to two extra drops to your mixture,” says Claghorn. “Keep an eye on how your skin responds to each application and adjust the number of drops accordingly — this approach allows you to achieve a natural-looking, gradual tan without any sudden or dramatic changes.”