How To Achieve a Natural-Looking Bronze Skin Without Tanning

There's something undeniably enticing about the allure of bronze skin—it's that radiant, sun-kissed glow that complements everyone. However, baking under the sun for hours for that golden tan can expose you to unwanted risks like sunburns, premature aging, and an increased chance of developing blemishes,, none of which are appealing.

Luckily, you can achieve that coveted bronze skin tone right at home without any sun damage. All it takes are some trusty self-tanning products and a pinch of patience. If you're new to the world of self-tanning, don't worry—we're here to guide you through the process of obtaining that perfect tan without the harmful rays. Read on for our top tips on applying self-tanner evenly, making your faux glow last, and more!

How To Prep Your Skin for a Faux Tan

Achieving the perfect bronzed skin look can be a true confidence booster, and who doesn't love that sun-kissed glow all year round? But before you dive into the realm of self-tanning, let's take a moment to chat about preparing your skin for that flawless, natural-looking bronze skin finish. A smooth canvas is crucial for ensuring your faux bronze skin lasts longer and remains streak-free. Often, when that beautiful glow fades too quickly or ends up looking patchy, it's a signal that the prep work may have been skipped. So, how do you get that consistent, believable bronzed skin? Let's explore the steps to prep your skin and help your self-tanner apply smoothly and evenly.

1. Exfoliate

One common issue with self-tanner is its tendency to cling to patches of rough, dry skin, leaving you with a blotchy, uneven tan. To achieve that perfect glow, pamper your body with a gentle exfoliation session the day before applying your tanner. Opt for a scrub, exfoliating mitt, or a clean washcloth to slough off any dead skin cells, ensuring a smooth surface.

When it comes to your face, a gentle touch is crucial. We've found that a chemical exfoliant like the L’Oréal Paris L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser is ideal. This mild facial cleanser not only helps to gently resurface your skin but also clears away dirt, oil, and impurities that could interfere with a seamless tan.

2. Shave

For those dreaming of achieving that flawless bronze skin look, here's a little secret that can make all the difference: shave the day before you apply your self-tanner. Not only does this help get rid of any unwanted hair, but it also serves as a gentle exfoliation, prepping the top layer of your skin for a smoother, more even faux tan application. Trust us, your bronzed skin tone will thank you. Remember, shaving after applying your self-tanner can interfere with your newly bronzed skin color, leading to an uneven tan—definitely not the look you’re aiming for!

3. Moisturize

To achieve that enviable bronze skin tone, proper moisturizing is absolutely essential after exfoliating and shaving. This step is key to ensuring that your self-tanner glides on effortlessly and wears beautifully. After you've given your skin a thorough scrub, treat it to a generous layer of body lotion, paying extra attention to those naturally dry areas like your elbows, knees, and hands. Be patient and let the moisturizer fully absorb—aim for at least an hour—because if your skin is still damp, that stunning bronzed skin effect could end up patchy.

When it comes to your face, opt for a gentle moisturizer that pampers your skin. We suggest the L'Oréal Paris Collagen Moisture Filler Anti-Aging Moisturizer Fragrance-Free. Its non-greasy formula delivers deep hydration, leaving your skin plump and wonderfully nourished—perfect for laying the foundation of your radiant bronzed skin.

a) Using a Self-Tanner

Imagine flaunting a radiant bronze skin tone all year round without a single sun-soaked afternoon. With the magic of self-tanner, this dream becomes reality, allowing you to enjoy a glowing, bronzed skin without the risk of sun damage. Whether you're a newbie or a self-tanning pro, there's a product perfect for you. From convenient wipes and lightweight mousses to easy-to-apply sprays and luxurious lotions, the options are endless. Some even come with nourishing and exfoliating active ingredients that not only enhance your bronze skin but also care for it. Here are a few of our favorites:

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops, Fragrance-Free

Mix a few drops of this concentrated self-tanning serum into your facial moisturizer each night to gradually build your glow. The fragrance-free formula suits all skin types and allows you to achieve a completely bespoke, streak-free tan without any unnatural orange tones. Plus, you can customize your tan to your liking. For a subtler glow, add five to seven drops to a dime-sized amount of moisturizer and apply to your face and neck. If you want a deeper bronze, use eight to 10 drops. Reapply each night until you reach your desired level of bronze.

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse

If you love the look of hydrated bronze skin, we have a good feeling you’ll really enjoy this self-tanning water mousse. The lightweight foam goes on clear and develops into a bronzed skin color within a few hours (and it’s transfer-resistant, so there’s no need to worry about staining your clothes or sheets). Plus, it boasts a fresh, coconutty fragrance reminiscent of an exotic tropical vacation.

To use it, prep your skin as outlined above, then smooth the airy, vitamin E and coconut water-infused formula evenly onto your skin. Wash your hands with soap and hot water once you’re finished with your application, then allow the self-tanner at least four hours to develop before showering.

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Salon Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist Medium Natural Tan

This self-tanning mist with a wide-angle applicator and quick-drying finish is perfect for a full-body at-home spray tan. The continuous mist provides even application and a streak-free bronzed skin color and makes it easy to cover those hard-to-reach areas like your back and behind your knees. Just hold the bottle about a foot away from your body and mist the quick-drying formula onto your skin in long, even sprays. There’s no need to rub it in or rinse it off—though you’ll want to wait about six to eight hours before hopping in the shower.

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion Medium Natural Tan

Smooth your skin and add a gorgeous bronzy glow with this classic self-tanning lotion. The vitamin E-infused formula is tinted, to help guide your application, and instantly leaves the skin up to two times darker than your natural skin tone. You can use it daily or as needed to gradually build up to your perfect sunless tan.

b) Using a tinted moisturizer

Help amplify your glow by smoothing on a tinted moisturizer, such as theL’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. The illuminating formula with shea butter and glycerin is available in five sheer, glowy shades that provide a subtle hint of color and tons of natural-looking radiance. You can wear it alone, layer it under foundation, or even mix a few drops into your makeup for an ultra-glowy finish. It also doubles as a highlighter—just tap a shade slightly lighter than your skin tone onto the high points of your face for a lit-from-within effect.

c) Add bronzer

To level up the sun-kissed glow you achieved with self-tanner, add bronzer to your makeup routine. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer is among our favorites, as the long-lasting formula is buildable, breathable, and wears for up to 24 hours without a cakey finish. Dust the waterproof and transfer-proof powder onto your cheekbones, along the bridge of your nose, and along your hairline to add dimension to your bronzed skin look. You can also use it on your décolletage to give your shoulders and collarbone extra definition.

d) Apply natural-looking blush

While you can skip blush, a swipe of color across the cheeks helps make a faux tan look even more believable. For a glowy, sun-kissed bronze skin effect, reach for a cream blush, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Le Liquid Blush. The buildable, weightless formula comes in six vibrant shades in both dewy and glowy finishes. We suggest reaching for a warm-toned shade, like Dewy Rich Coral, to help accentuate the golden undertones of your bronzed skin.

e) Add a glow with highlighter

Bronze skin and glowy skin often go hand-in-hand. To give your faux tan an extra-glowy finish, apply highlighter to the high points of your face (namely: the tops of your cheekbones, your brow bones, your Cupid’s bow, and along the bridge of your nose). You can use the aforementioned L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer for this, or try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Highlighter Longwear Powder. The long-lasting formula is heat, water, humidity, and transfer-resistant and offers buildable coverage so you can customize your glow to your liking.

How To Maintain Your Bronze Skin

Now that you've mastered the art of getting a tan without the sun, you'll definitely want to keep that glow going, right? The best part is that many of the same techniques you used to achieve a beautiful bronze skin can also help you maintain it for longer. Embrace your sun-kissed look and enjoy your bronzed skin tone with confidence, knowing that your efforts will pay off in the form of a lasting, radiant appearance.

Exfoliate regularly

We know it seems counterintuitive—you’d think that exfoliating after self-tanning would just slough away the bronze skin color you meticulously applied. But the truth is that flaky dead skin cells can quickly make a tan look fake and patchy. Exfoliating them away from head to toe—with a scrub, chemical peel, or even just a damp washcloth—can help make your bronzed skin look smoother and more even. Bonus: If you’re faithful to your exfoliating regimen, it’ll make your next application of self-tanner go more smoothly (literally!).

Moisturize daily

While this step on its own won’t help you achieve bronzed skin, prioritizing moisture is how to get a tan to last longer. To maintain your tan, continue to apply moisturizer daily—hydration can help enhance your bronze skin and ensure your self-tanner fades more evenly. For your body, you can use a bronzing moisturizer, like L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer, which instantly illuminates the skin and helps build a gradual tan over time. For your face, we love the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. It helps deeply moisturize the skin while plumping the look of uneven texture, leaving your bronze skin looking healthy and luminous for longer. (Don’t forget to mix in your tanning drops at night to keep your bronze going strong).

Maintain a consistent skincare routine

Bronze skin courtesy of self-tanner only looks fresh and healthy if it’s applied to hydrated, healthy-looking skin—and that requires maintaining a consistent skincare routine. While your skincare routine should be tailored to your skin type and concerns, there’s one step everyone should follow daily, and that’s applying sunscreen. After all, you just put plenty of effort into learning how to get tan without the sun—it’d be silly to undo all your hard work by exposing yourself to UV damage. After finishing your skincare routine each morning, apply a generous amount of the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30 to your face and neck. You’ll also want to take care to reapply your SPF every two hours (or after sweating or swimming) and seek shade whenever possible to help keep your skin protected.

Tips for Long-Lasting Results

1. Remember to reapply

For those eager to keep their bronze skin vibrant, knowing when and how to reapply self-tanning products is key. Typically, reapplication depends on your chosen product and your skin's natural exfoliation cycle. Most self-tanners maintain their bronzed skin tone for about 5 to 7 days, so to keep that consistent glow, consider reapplying every 3 to 5 days. This schedule helps sustain your desired depth of bronze skin without over-application. Before reapplying, ensure your skin is clean and free from any product residue. A gentle exfoliation can help remove any lingering self-tanner and guarantee an even application, but remember to be gentle to avoid skin irritation.

2. Avoid common mistakes

Avoiding common self-tanning mistakes can also prolong the life of your bronzed skin. One frequent issue is the unwanted orange tint, often caused by over-application or using a product unsuited to your skin tone. To steer clear of this, select a product with a color guide for precise application and start with a light layer—you can always add more if needed.

Another common pitfall is staining clothes or sheets. To prevent this, choose fast-drying, transfer-resistant formulas, and ensure the product is fully absorbed before dressing. Opt for loose, dark clothing post-application to minimize transfer.

Lastly, to avoid streaks, use a tanning mitt or glove for an even application, and wash your hands thoroughly to prevent stained palms. By following these tips, you can enjoy a beautifully bronzed skin tone that lasts.

Next Up: 6 Places to Apply Bronzer for Sun-Kissed-Looking Skin

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris