Tan-Luxe vs. Isle of Paradise vs. St. Tropez vs. Clarins: Which Makes the Best Self Tanning Drops in 2024?

• The Difference & Reviews

| Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

Google Users Rating: 4.4/5

Tan Luxe: $50/30ml (up to 6% cashback)

Sephora: from $25 (up to 5% cashback)

Bluemercury: $50 (up to 10% cashback)

Key Ingredients:

- Raspberry Seed Oil: Rich in antioxidants.

- Vitamin E: Nourishes & softens.

- Aloe Vera: Hydrates & soothes.

Formula: Like all self-tanners, it contains dihydroxyacetone, which reacts with the cells on the skin's surface to darken them. The serum-like formula also contains raspberry seed oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera to moisturize and hydrate the skin.

Shades: It comes in two different shades –– light/medium and medium/dark –– so you can further customize the level of tan.

Fragrance: These drops barely have that sour, self-tanner stench we've all come to know and hate, thanks to the fact the formula is mixed at a lower pH than other self-tanners, which allows the brand to minimize any nasty odors.

Application: Tan Luxe recommends mixing your chosen number of drops into a serum, oil, or moisturizer and applying it all over the face in an even layer. Since it's gradual, you can expect to see results in about six to eight hours, at which point the formula will work with the melanin in your skin to produce a natural, sun-kissed finish. 

Drying Time: Adding these drops to your moisturizer doesn't affect the cream's drying time — you can proceed as you would if you hadn't used them. 

How Long It Lasts: It usually lasts about 3-7 days, and everyone's experience will vary. If you'd like to remove it completely after a few days, it's best to exfoliate so it doesn't start to come off blotchy, or use Tan Luxe's glyco water remover that helps erase the color quicker. 

Price: The tan drops provide great results, but $50 per 30ml single-purpose item seems too expensive for most people. Fortunately, the brand has a mini version available for only $25 per 15ml.

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| Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Glow Drops

Google Users Rating: 4.0/5

Isle of Paradise: $32/30ml (up to 6% cashback)

Sephora: $32 (up to 5% cashback)

LOOKFANTASTIC US: $29 (up to 7% cashback)

Key Ingredients:

- Glycerin: Hydrates skin.

- Avocado Oil: A fast-absorbing, skin-conditioning agent that is high in vitamins A and C.

- Chia Seeds: Rich in omega 3 fatty acids and support skin barrier function.

Formula: This formula is made with water, vitamins and DHA, the shorthand for dihydroxyacetone which is the ingredient that actually produces the tan. The tanning drops hydrate the skin with Coconut, Chia Seed and Avocado Oils to create an even, healthy-looking finish.

Shades: There are three types of self tanning drops; light, medium and dark. For lighter skin tones choose the peach colored bottles. For medium skin tones choose the green colored bottle. And for darker skin tones choose the violet colored bottle. 

Fragrance: Most self tanning products stink, due to the chemicals they use. The Isle of Paradise Drops don't have those chemicals so they don't smell. Only the faintest whiff of Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the ingredient in self-tanners that creates that bronzed look (and often smells yeasty).

Application: What people love about these tanning drops is you don't have to sacrifice your current beauty routine to use them, you simply add them in.  If you love your moisturizer you don't have to get rid of it, you can use it and the tanning drops. To use it you simply add drops to your lotion. You mix it in your hand and then apply it to your face and body.

How Long It Works: Four to six hours later, you're glowing like you've spent the afternoon lounging by a pool, with the kind of lit-from-within radiance typically reserved for ingenues who haven't been beaten down by the world yet. You also don't need to shower it off if you want a deeper color, leaving it on for 12 hours.

How Long It Lasts: It usually lasts about 3-4 days, and everyone's experience will vary. If you'd like to remove it completely after a few days, it's best to exfoliate so it doesn't start to come off blotchy. 

Price: Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops are $29.00 - $32.00 per bottle, which is a pretty good price as these will last you a while.

| St. Tropez Luxe Tan Tonic Glow Drops

Google Users Rating: 4.6/5

Sephora: $42/30ml (up to 5% cashback)

Bluemercury: $42 (up to 10% cashback)

QVC: $34.99 (up to 4% cashback)

Key Ingredients:

- Niacinamide: Smooths the look of fine lines, reduces the look of redness, and visibly evens skin tone.

- Vitamin E and Echinacea: Help protect from environmental damage, soothe skin, and reduce the look of redness.

- Dual Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and visibly plumps skin.

Formula: Infused with 100% natural tanning active, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Echinacea and Acerola Cherry extract rich in Vitamins C & E to help plump, protect, smooth fine lines, reduce redness and give a natural sunkissed glow.

Shades: Customize your glow; the more drops you apply, the deeper the glow. 

2 = Light; 4 = Medium golden tan; 6 = Deep bronze; Neat = Deepest darkest glow

Fragrance: Smells great, not overpowering and you have so much control when adding a few drops to your moisturizer.

Application: It can be slightly drying - even when used with moisturiser. My suggestion, for mature skins, is to ramp up the moisturiser so that you achieve a luminous, even tan and the colour depth wont be overwhelming. The drops can also be applied directly to the skin for a more intense tan.

How Long It Works: The colour started developing within a couple of hours and was fully developed within 4 hours. You also don't need to shower it off if you want a deeper color, leaving it on for 12 hours.

How Long It Lasts: It usually lasts about 3-7 days, and everyone's experience will vary. The colour is nice and not overly orange as some tans can be and it fades away naturally without patches.

Price: St. Tropez Luxe Tan Tonic Glow Drops are $34.99 - $42.00 per bottle, which seems a little expensive but you only need a few drops so will last a long time. 

| Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face

Google Users Rating: 4.3/5

Clarins: $34/15ml (up to 4% cashback)

Macy's: $34 (up to 3% cashback)

Bloomingdale's: $34 (up to 2% cashback)

Key Ingredients:

- Self Tan Complex (DHA and Erythrulose): Creates a naturally tanned appearance on skin's surface.

- Aloe Vera Extract: Binds moisture to skin for long-lasting hydration.

- Glycerin: Protects against dehydration.

Formula: Formulated with brand exclusive Self Tan Complex of DHA + Erythrulose, two 100% naturally sourced plant sugars that produce a natural-looking tanned appearance on the skin's surface with even, long-lasting results. Moisture-rich Aloe Vera extract and Glycerin help leave skin supple, radiant, and perfectly hydrated.

Shades: A concentrated formula that builds in intensity with every drop, so you control the glow—from sun-touched to deep bronze. 

Fragrance: Smells great, not overpowering and you have so much control when adding a few drops to your moisturizer.

Application: You don't need to add another annoying step to your skincare routine and apply some heavy cream on your face. You just add 2-3 drops of this oil-like elixir to your moisturizer, mix and apply like you usually do. 

How Long It Works: It's a buildable product, however you cannot see what it looks like until 24 hours after when the product developped which is a bummer especially if you missed or stain a spot.

How Long It Lasts: In 2-3 days, you can have a pretty good tan that will fool anyone into thinking that it's real. If you have a sensitive skin, you also don't have to worry about it making you break out. If you wear sunscreen during the day, you could also mix it in there, for a self-tanning sunscreen - perfect for newbies. 

Price: It is a bit pricey but worth it. Because it's one of the only face self tanner that doesn't have alcohol In it and that last long.

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