18 self-tan products for mature skin to feel sun-kissed whatever the weather

St. Tropez is the UK's most trusted tanning brand, and we can see why! This Self Tan Purity Face Mist is infused with uplifting green mandarin water, hyaluronic acid and tropical hibiscus flower extract, which helps to combat the effects of pollution. Plus, it smells divine.

Sprayed on as a lightweight, transparent mist, it's a great option for dry skin, and you don't need to worry about making a mess or transferring it to clothes as it's translucent. Refreshing and easy to use, you'll have a glowing, natural-looking facial tan developed to show off in 4-8 hours.

It's an Amazon's Choice recommended product, with over 7,600 reviews rating it 4.4 out of 5. Customers say it smells lovely and sprays on well in an even mist. One comments, that you don't need much of the product, and a spray every other day is best if you're beginning your tanning journey.

A customer comments that it turned her fair-coloured eyebrows a bit orange, so be aware that if you're fair it's best to avoid spraying the product directly on your eyebrows.

This is a cost-effective and non-ageing alternative to sunbeds. It won't stain your pillows and it can be used under and over makeup.

Dove is a top brand when it comes to skincare, so we're sure we can trust them when it comes to achieving a gorgeous, radiant tan. The Summer Revived Gradual Self-Tan Lotion provides a cell moisturising formula that locks in lasting hydration. Formulated with hydrating glycerin, aloe vera and pro-lipids, this dermatologically-tested tan works to nourish the skin. While it all sounds very expensive, this tan is one of the most affordable in this list.

Tested by our Digital Editor Claire Tapley: "After trying many different moisturising gradual tans this is now the only one I buy. The main reason for this is because it never streaks! It always leaves me with a natural and even glow. I also love how soft and smooth it makes my skin. It's very hydrating and adds moisture to the places I need it most like knees, and elbows. I'm not precious about how I apply it either and literally slap it on. I'm so impressed that I never get orange patches or streaks. Unlike other tanning products there's no horrible biscuity odour just a lovely sweet peach fragrance. I use this on holiday to top up my tan and have found it makes it last so much longer. I can't rate this bargain tanner enough."

If you love your white bed sheets and you don't want to get them covered in tan, then this formula is for you. Super lightweight and hydrating on the skin thanks to the Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin B5 and Aloe Vera in the formula. This tan fades naturally on the skin and beautifully, even on more mature, dryer skin. It also has a very refreshing scent of pink grapefruit.

Tested by our Senior Digital Writer, Lorna White: "As someone with dryer skin, I found this tan to fade beautifully and gradually compared to many other tans which can become flaky after a week or so. I also loved that my white bed sheets did not get stained after wearing this overnight. While I felt very confident applying this without a guide colour, it might not be suitable for first time tanners."

Beauty by Earth’s Organic and Natural Self Tanner is composed of organic ingredients that'll give you that sun-kissed look, without the damage. With organic shea butter, argan oil and coconut oil, it will nourish as you tan. The colour is natural and easily buildable, which you can use to help diminish the appearance of veins and blemishes. We've picked this as our best self-tan for mature skin overall.

Customers highly praise the natural result of this self-tan. It doesn't stain and it has a nice scent. They say that it goes on smoothly and is easy to blend. For mature skin, this is a top option, because it will apply evenly to loosen skin. One customer comments that it was like "putting on a lotion" and their skin felt wonderfully moisturised.

Skinny Tan’s Wonder Serum is tanning meets skincare. The brand's bestselling and top-rated Wonder Serum contains Q10 along with vitamin E extracts. These magical ingredients work together as a full-body anti-ageing skincare treatment perfect for mature skin. The guide colour allows you to see where the tan has been applied, and the tan develops over a few hours. After this time, you're able to wash it off to reveal a natural looking tan.

Lorna says: "I have to say this product is my new favourite tan. The colour was glowy and natural on my pale skin tone and it was the first tan that I received compliments for. I was always a big fan of mousse-based tans, but this serum felt much more moisturising on the skin and lasted much longer. It faded beautifully and did a good job at hiding any skin imperfections - I think I'll definitely be repurchasing!"

Read our full Skinny Tan review

Nivea's Q10 Firming Plus Radiance Gradual Tan not only leaves you with a natural-looking sun-kissed glow but also contains a powerful Q10 coenzyme that tightens and firms skin for an anti-ageing effect. The formula is moisturising and hydrating, making it a fabulous option for mature or dry skin types. It leaves your skin feeling soft, supple and silky smooth all day long.

This Amazon's Choice recommended product has over 1,500 reviews, rating it 4.3 out of 5. Customers have used this on their legs and say that it makes skin feel soft and gives a glow. It's not going to give a dramatic fake tan effect, but it's an effective gradual tan and is nourishing for dry skin.

This lightweight, silky mousse from Coco & Eve delivers an instant bronze that is fast drying and develops in just two hours for a natural-looking golden glow. The Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is non-sticky, leaves no streaks, and smells divine. It's fragranced with tropical mango and guava so you won't get that 'biscuit' fake tan smell, and you'll feel like you're holidaying in the tropics – we wish! The enriching formula is filled with natural antioxidants, botanicals, and amino acids to hydrate the skin, blur imperfections, and help to improve the signs of ageing and cellulite.

Customers have left over 3,700 reviews on the Coco & Eve website, rating it 4.8 out of 5. They love the natural tanned result and tropical coconut scent. Many rate it as the best self-tan they've used. If you're looking for a product that gives a noticable tanned finish, this is a top option for a smear-free sun-kissed look.

Read our full Coco & Eve products review

James Read's tanning brand has been endorsed by celebrities and tan advocates alike. The H20 Gradual Self Tanning Spray is an easy-to-apply mist that you spray over your face to give you a buildable bronzed effect. We would also recommend James Read's H2O Gradual Tan Drops, which can be mixed in with your favourite moisturiser or foundation during your skincare or makeup routine as an easy method of self-tanning your face.

Customer comments that less is more for a natural look, as this product can develop into a deep tan. This self-tan is a good choice if you like a bronzed look. Also, if you're fair haired, a customer says this doesn't turn hair ginger, as some other products can.

Enriched with apricot oil, vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids, it also intensively hydrates skin all day long. There's a choice between two shades, from 'light' to 'deep', so you can build a tan that suits you. With glowing reviews and loads of people adding it to their basket in time for summer, it's earned a spot on our shortlist.

Customers praise this gradual tan for being value for money, streak-free and it doesn't transfer onto bedding or clothing. However, alternative reviews say it resulted in uneven skin tone, so opinion is divided. The cream is light and develops a subtle tan.

Don't worry, this product won't leave you feeling greasy despite being oil-based. This Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Dry Oil from Garnier will absorb rapidly into the skin and dry instantly. This enriches the skin with nourishing coconut and apricot kernel oil, giving a gorgeous sun-kissed glow. It'll hydrate and soften dry skin. Plus, the spray applicator will help to evenly distribute the tan on your skin for quick and easy application – without streaks.

Customers recommend exfoliating skin first and applying the product with a tanning mitt, as some felt the formulation was a bit sticky. But, it does result in a natural-looking deep tan. It's oil-based and covers skin well, plus it's nourishing. This might not everyone, so if don't like oils, there is a self-tan mist that's also available by Garnier.

Vita Liberata Fabulous Self-Tanning Gradual Lotion is an ultra-hydrating formula with nourishing organic botanical ingredients that'll make your tan look smoother and help with your anti-ageing routine. This lotion boosts your skin’s water levels and can leave it looking plump and youthful. Organic to help your skin heal, this self-tanner locks in your moisture for 72 hours. Great for dry or sensitive skin, it's completely free from parabens, perfumes, alcohol and toxins.

Customers praise this self-tan for it being easy to apply and it results in a builable tan that looks natural. It also has good longevity. Once tried, customers have made this their go-to self-tan lotion.

Finding a self-tanner for your body is simple, but it’s not always so easy finding one that works well for your face, especially if you have sensitive or breakout-prone skin. COOLA's Sunless Tan Face Serum is made with moisturising hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and argan oil to leave your skin feeling smooth, hydrated and glowing. It even has plant stem cell cultures too to help reduce the signs of premature skin ageing that you may have developed when trying to tan in the past. But, don’t be fearful if you have sun or age spots, as this product won’t darken or draw more attention to them. Use it on its own, or add it to your everyday moisturiser for a lighter boost.

A serum is a lightweight alternative to creams and lotions; it can be more suitable for people who suffer with sensitive skin. This product doesn't have a bronzer, so it's best used on fair skin to create a natural, healthy glow. It won't make much difference on darker skin.

As we get older, our skin often loses hydration. So, a moisturising self-tan will help tenfold if you're looking to glow. This Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser from Palmer's will keep your skin looking radiant and will provide a delicate, sun-kissed tan. Plus, you can gradually build it to get the skin tone you're looking for. Packed with pure cocoa butter and vitamin E, it'll provide 24-hour moisture to have your skin feeling its best.

Customers say that they can see a difference in their skin tone after one application, but it takes two or three applications to develop a deeper tan. People with pale skin say this moisturising self-tan works on their skin type and it dries streak-free. However, it does have a particularly strong fake tan aroma that divides opinion.

The secret to a flawless tan is using a mitt – promise! Using your hands can leave streaks and patches and turn your palms and knuckles orange. This Self Tanning Mitt Applicator is double-sided for durable use and makes self-tanning a breeze with good distribution, giving you a more even, natural-looking finish. It's machine washable, so you can stick it in the machine when it's ready. We also love that it comes with a mini applicator so you can apply evenly to the more difficult areas, such as your face, ankles or toes.

It's received over 6,925 reviews on Amazon, rating it 4.5 out of 5. Customers say it's an effective way of applying streak-free self-tan, plus it keeps your hands clean. The smaller mitt is perfect for applying product to your face and neck. No more orange hands!

Get a natural looking golden glow in as little as two hours with Nuxe Hydrating Self Tan. Its scent is evocative of holidays in the sun, combining orange, tiare and vanilla for a sweet and floral fragrance.
It has a silky texture that is easily rubbed into skin and absorbs fast. There are light-reflecting pearly particles in the formulation to give you an uplifting glow.

Customer reviews across the web indicate that people love the scent and it's a streak-free self tan that is fine to apply even on sensitive skin.

However, some reviews suggest that it's a subtle self tan and some people did not see a marked change in their skin tone. As always, skin type is a factor, so we'd recommend this self tan for paler skin.

For glorious sun-kissed sun, Gatineau Golden Glow Gradual Tan is a popular choice. Plus, this cream gel contains moisturising and protective ingredients to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
It's an award-winning product, with a fragrance profile based on pear, mandarin, sandalwood and musk. Also, it contains coconut oil to nourish skin and vitamin E to protect against the effects of pollution.

A customer says they received compliments about their tan after only two applications. Another says this is an effective self tan for fair skinned people.

Just two pumps per limb is enough to provide coverage, so a little goes a long way. See results in as little as 3–4 hours.

This Works Perfect Legs Gradual Tan combines natural caramel and DHA that results in a golden gradual tan. This is a 98% natural and vegan product from a popular health and beauty brand.

Customers said this self tan was easy to apply because the tint is immediately visible when you apply it to skin. This gradual tan has been panel tested, with the vast majority of users saying their tan was streak-free, natural looking and that they felt more confident about their skin as a result.

Enriched with sweet orange oil, this self tan is a light and bright choice from a top brand in natural and ethical beauty.

Note that this product is not suitable to be used on the face.

The Gradual by Tan-Luxe is a weightless blend of oil and lotion that begins to develop a gentle glow in as little as one hour. It contains hydrating and healthy ingredients for skin, including raspberry seed oil, vitamin E, aloe vera and a caffeine-rich cellutone complex that firms skin.

It's applied to skin in the same way as you would apply a body moisturiser. Just be sure to thoroughly wash your hands after applying it. It can be used daily to build a deep colour.

Customers say that it's pleasantly scented and not sticky to apply. It leaves skin feeling moisturised. However, some customers say that it's a runny product and therefore a little difficult to apply. Start by using a small amount until you get used to the consistency and the results.