No. 1: Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray, $9.49, 7 Worst Self-Tanners

Body

7 Worst Self-Tanners

A faux-tan is the quickest (and safest) way to bronze your body, but reviewers would rather be pasty than use any of these tanning products

May 23, 2011 | by Anna Jimenez | 62 COMMENTS

No. 1: Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray, $9.49

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.1*
Why to avoid it: "This product was very hard to apply evenly, mostly because the color develops over several hours and goes on clear. I had splotches of dark tan show up hours after I applied the tanner. The color looks fake on my skin -- it has a yellow tint. It also smells bad. It does, however, stay on longer than most spray-on tans, which in my case turned out to be not-so-great." -- gustavi7, Total Beauty reader

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

8 of 8

products mentioned

Banana Boat EveryDay Glow SunDial Face Self-Tanning...

6.7

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer

6.3

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning...

6.0

Too Faced Tanning Bed In A Tube

5.3

Neutrogena Build-a-Tan Gradual Sunless Lotion

5.6

Neutrogena MicroMist Airbrush Sunless Tan

5.7

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Thanks!

by kfloyd01 Friday, May 10, 2013 at 09:01AM Report as inappropriate

Great information, but I do like Jergen's self-tanner. It is most natural looking.

by GigiSD Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 11:42AM Report as inappropriate

Great to know!

by Jonealle77 Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 03:31PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks! I'm shopping for a self-tanner now and have emailed myself this list to make sure I don't buy one by mistake.

by purple9a Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 05:54AM Report as inappropriate

good advice

by butterfly11 Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 07:11PM Report as inappropriate

Great Advice. Thanks.

by bamw69 Friday, March 1, 2013 at 11:47AM Report as inappropriate

I haven't tried any of these, and now I know not to in the future!

by Chris213 Friday, September 28, 2012 at 06:39AM Report as inappropriate

This sure is great to know but which is the best self tanner

by debbie_strickland Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 07:37PM Report as inappropriate

I have tried just about every self-tanner on the market. L'Oreal Paris Sublime Luminous Bronzer worked really good when it was new, but I had a bottle that got really liquidy and older and it was impossible to get any good color from it. The Jergens products were the first ones I ever tried and I hated them. They were so streaky. However, they have completely changed and are now some of the only ones I use. The foam and the firming moisturizer ones are my favorite and even though I am very fair, I use the medium or medium/dark colors for better color. Sephora also has a tinted bronze self-tanning spray which is awesome for legs! Don't rub it in and spray like you would a spray paint. Hold about 8 inches away for even coverage and stand in the shower. It's like a spray tan but the color is instantanious. Great for the summer! The color that develops is not orangey or streaky either. Hope this helps!!!

by meggiem717 Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 02:54PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for warning us about these. I recently had a horrible mobile spray tan experience (by an "expert"), and I may just stay pasty for awhile.

by LiLiMurr Friday, July 27, 2012 at 11:40AM Report as inappropriate

I just bought today Jergens Natural Glow moisturizers (foaming and firming) and I am glad they are not in list but worried that facial moisturizer from the same line is :(

by datura Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 04:30PM Report as inappropriate

the best i have tried is by tarte

by sandyc Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 02:00PM Report as inappropriate

I don't like any of them.

by tiffany_gallehugh Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 01:17PM Report as inappropriate

the only one i use is st. tropez...it's the only one that doesn't give me orange skin

by springsblue Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 12:44PM Report as inappropriate

Most of these products I have tried and was completely dissatisfied for the reasons listed, especially the Jergens.

by CaroleVonAllten Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 05:19PM Report as inappropriate

I'm a pasty and proud redhead but I have friends who dabble in self tanning so it's nice to know what to warn them about!

by tallredamanda Friday, July 6, 2012 at 01:35PM Report as inappropriate

These bad products is always nice to know. Now I know what to avoid. It's always a little saving to a cosmetic hoarder ;-)

by Dahlia84 Monday, July 2, 2012 at 04:45PM Report as inappropriate

not surprised these drugstore brands don't work.

by JessBailey Friday, June 29, 2012 at 07:54PM Report as inappropriate

Loreal doesn't have good self tan products.

by Nicole1021 Friday, June 29, 2012 at 06:20PM Report as inappropriate

The only ones I have tried are the Banana Boat and the Nuetrogena Mircro Mist. I 100% agree with the Banana Boat, it was horrible. But I actually like Neutrogena Micro mist, granted I have only used on my legs. But I found it easy to apply (I only like spray tanners) and didn't have any streaks at all. I've bought this about 3 times now.

by kellabella Friday, June 29, 2012 at 02:27PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for this list, I have never used a self tanner and I don't think I will:)!!

by Lisa0311 Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 11:43AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the list--I'm gonna make sure to avoid these products.

by florawynn Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 10:56AM Report as inappropriate

the banana boat self tanner looks kinda like chocolate and vanilla pudding

by liliofthevalley Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 08:00AM Report as inappropriate

HATE SELF TANNERS!!

by lisiana_de_bem_justino Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 07:46PM Report as inappropriate

good to know before I go out shopping!!!!

by WhiteXRoses88 Friday, April 27, 2012 at 06:34PM Report as inappropriate

L'Oreal is not so good when it comes to tanning

by ayegee Monday, April 16, 2012 at 08:44AM Report as inappropriate

I have used most of these at one time or another with similar results. Honestly, at this point I just go to the tanning bed for about a week, buy a good tanning moisturizer like Rain by Supre, and play outside with my kid with a low SPF sunscreen. I just give up and stay pale in the winter time. I'm mostly covered then anyway!

by CCochran Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 09:35AM Report as inappropriate

Good article. I tried the L'oreal Sublime Tanning Wipes a few years ago and it was streak heaven. Horrible stuff! I wish I would've knew about this article before I bought it.

by Brandi27 Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 08:17AM Report as inappropriate

I haven't used a self tanner in a few years. My sister like St. Tropez foam a lot.

by beautybody Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 08:45PM Report as inappropriate

its great to know what to avoid...now i just need to know what to use...

by AngelRayn73 Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 05:52PM Report as inappropriate

Glad to know which ones to avoid! I do love the Jergens natural glow body and face - maybe they have a new formula - no smell for me

by glamgirlseven Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 11:08PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for letting me know what to stay away from.

by powerwoman033 Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 07:17PM Report as inappropriate

I read a bunch of reviews before I picked out my first self tanner. I ended up going with malibu tan hemp golden glow bronzing moisturizer. It was a gradual tanning lotion 6 bucks at walmart. Amazing, perfect color, no streaking, cheap, and it smells like bananas. Never switching it out :)

by jezhicka Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 09:00PM Report as inappropriate

If (like me) you can only splurge for the fabulous salon airbrush spray tan, try St Tropez self tanning foam or Jergen's natural glow - they make one for body and another one formulated for use on your face!

by glamgirlseven Friday, March 2, 2012 at 12:03AM Report as inappropriate

The first time I self tanned about 20 yrs ago I turned out streaked and orange, almost looked like a umpa lumpa. Thank goodness self tanners now a days are forgiving.

by Only1KimmieD Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 11:52AM Report as inappropriate

Oh, the eternal conundrum that is self tan. I have yet to find one that performs excellently AND dosen't reek to high heaven during the chemical reaction. Oh well, I suppose I would rather smell terrible for a few hours than tempt skin cancer.

by ElphieGranger Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 11:22PM Report as inappropriate

Dang. Never knew that.

by queenphoto Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:36PM Report as inappropriate

Wow...

by queenphoto Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:30PM Report as inappropriate

I liked Jergens , I'm very light skinned though

by hayleyxonewjersey Friday, February 10, 2012 at 07:26AM Report as inappropriate

Where to buy those items in Singapore?

by Fenix Monday, January 23, 2012 at 01:33AM Report as inappropriate

I am a professional airbrush stylist and recently I've had the manufacturer package the tanning solution I use in the salon into a take home can. This is the exact same spray tan solution I use with the professional airbrush system. I call it the Sexy Tan Can. Google it, I'd love to get some feedback. The trick to a good airbrush tan is exfoliating first and a lite application of the solution. People turn orange when they put on too much! I have to talk about 50% of my clients out of applying more. Everyone wants to be ultra dark instantly but it's best to let the solution develop over the following 6 hours vs. drenching yourself in the bronzers that wash off when you shower. Go lite!!! You can always apply more the next day and don't shower or go running/gym for 6 hours after application.

by jessica_rowin Friday, January 6, 2012 at 09:28PM Report as inappropriate

I've had such bad luck with self-tanners. I definitely think it's worth paying a bit more to get professionally spray-tanned if you really need a faux tan. Otherwise, just go au naturale! :)

by vfalkow Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 12:02PM Report as inappropriate

Micro Mist is one of the BEST tanners out their. They must have put it on the wrong list.....

by katprincess Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 03:57PM Report as inappropriate

I'm surprised to see the review on the Jergens Face tanner. I use the Natural Glow on my body and it's great.

by attagirl Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 11:58AM Report as inappropriate

I cant believe that Neutrogena Micro Mist is on this list!!! Out of all the self tanners Ive tried this one is the best. Maybe the person that reviewed this didn't do it right or maybe her skin is very fair. I find it extremely easy to apply, I've never had any streaks or blotches. You just have to make sure you exfoliate (which is true with any self tanner) and you have to make sure you keep the can in constant motion (if you dont do that then you prob will have blotches) I use this all the time and love it and it lasts a long time

by kellabella Friday, July 29, 2011 at 03:36PM Report as inappropriate

Looks like a carrot

by LittleBunny Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 03:04PM Report as inappropriate

I love getting natural tans in sun... the worst tan I´ve evr seen is Snookie from the Jersey Shore! she looks like a carrot!

by BarbieVampiresa Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 09:18AM Report as inappropriate

Good advice!

by oOoMadelineoOo Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 07:36AM Report as inappropriate

I've tried the Jergens Face tanner and the Banana Boat Sun Dial tanner. They weren't GREAT, but they weren't the worst, in my opinion!

by LipglossandSpandex Monday, July 11, 2011 at 11:27PM Report as inappropriate

The people that wrote these reviews did a good job. Thanks for the warnings!

by alictasia Monday, July 11, 2011 at 05:13PM Report as inappropriate

I have thought about using a self tanner this year, so I will stay away from these.

by littlebeauty408 Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 03:14PM Report as inappropriate

"From my experience,the BEST one I have found yet,is Nutrogena's Air Brush Tanning!!! but you MUST COMPLETELY exfoliate ALL OVER in the shower FIRST,let yourself dry completely BEFORE applying it, Good Stuff! Try it and then give some feedback about it,you won't be disappointed as long as you do it correctly:)"

by InPink101 Friday, June 10, 2011 at 07:25PM Report as inappropriate

"From my experience,the BEST I have found so far is Neotrogena Air Brush Tan!!! Works great,just alway's remember to exfoliate your skin ALL OVER BEFORE applying!!! Tyr ,you won't be disappionyed by this one,as long as you exfoliate FIRST,try it ,I'd like to get some feedback:) Best Wishes...

by InPink101 Friday, June 10, 2011 at 07:19PM Report as inappropriate

Good thing I gave up on having a tan years ago - guess I'll stick with my pale face!

by keatonkat Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 11:48AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for this list. I hope you're planning to follow it up with a list of the best self-tanners.

by elph37 Friday, May 27, 2011 at 01:07PM Report as inappropriate

I've "permanently" tanned skin, was born in the Caribbean..no need for tanning!!! :)

by Jhanooman Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 01:32PM Report as inappropriate

Thank goodness, I don't like tanning.

by ebbsandtides Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 06:52AM Report as inappropriate

I never used this stuff

by porsha_coleman_mcdaniels Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 02:57AM Report as inappropriate

Hm, surprised to see Too Faced up there. I tried it out in ULTA and it seemed great!

by aly7 Monday, May 23, 2011 at 02:13PM Report as inappropriate

I guess I am the only person who likes the Neutrogena build a tan. I knew my skin was unique

by modinosaur Monday, May 23, 2011 at 01:41PM Report as inappropriate

Products I am glad I don't use.

by tiffany_gallehugh Monday, May 23, 2011 at 12:23PM Report as inappropriate

This article was an enjoyable read. I am very lucky to be half Italian, where I just step outside for 5 minutes and I begin to tan.

by volta Monday, May 23, 2011 at 12:10PM Report as inappropriate

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