Whether you’re a year-round fake tan devotee or like to add a golden glow before a summer getaway, the best gradual tans deliver a natural, sun-kissed finish. While mousses and mists often get all the attention, lotion and cream formulas are an underrated beauty essential, and arguably one of the easiest ways to build a soft, subtle and believable bronze.
After years of experimenting with fake tan, I’ve put countless formulas through their paces, from lightweight lotions and fast-drying creams to nourishing body butters and silky serums. Unlike traditional tanning products that can leave skin looking patchy or parched, these more hydrating hybrid formulas help create a smoother, more even glow, and make notoriously tricky spots like elbows, knees and ankles much easier to perfect.
Packed with skin-loving ingredients, gradual tanning lotions do more than simply build a bronzed glow, they help keep skin feeling soft, nourished and hydrated long after you’ve applied them. Because they’re used in the same way as a standard body lotion, they’re also much more beginner-friendly than instant tans, with a lower risk of patchiness or streaks. Just remember to wash your hands afterwards to avoid the dreaded Wotsit-orange fingers.
Perhaps best of all, gradual tanners allow you to achieve the right level of bronze for you. Reapply as often as you like to build up your glow, stopping once you’ve reached your ideal shade – and don’t forget about about the face, of course. “For the best results, apply your tan an hour after showering so skin is hydrated,” Jules Von Hep, celebrity fake tanning artist, advises. “When applying, start from the ankles and work your way up, massaging the skin as you go,” Von Hep says. “Imagine you’re frosting a cake, spreading the tan onto the skin.”
“As a rule whatever you apply on each arm double or triple for the leg,” he adds. Armed with this expert advise, I’ve tested the best gradual fake tans for 2026, from bargain buys to luxury lotions.
Read more: Best face tanners, tried and tested for a sun-kissed glow
The best gradual tans for 2026 are:
- Best overall – DoveSpa gradual self-tan body lotion: £4.25 Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Garnier summer body hydrating gradual tan moisturiser: £12, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for hydration – Tan-Luxe the gradual illuminating tanning lotion: £20, Amazon.co.uk
- Best luxury buy – Gatineau golden glow gradual tan: £44, Lookfantastic.com
- Best for a steak-free finish – Loving Tan deluxe gradual tan: £27.95, Lookfantastic.com
Read more: This fake tan is the best I’ve ever tried – and it doesn’t stain clothes or sheets
DoveSpa gradual self-tan body lotion
Best: gradual tan overall
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Quick drying
- Great for topping up your tan
The best gradual tan I’ve tried, Dove’s gradual self-tan body lotion helps build a natural glow with minimal effort. The lotion can be applied with your hands and glides across skin easily, with the clear formula being both quick-drying and non-staining. This means you can apply it the night before, with no risk of staining your sheets or clothes.
I liked the subtle scent (good for those who don’t like the biscuit-like smell of fake tan) and its moisturising formula left my skin smooth and supple. Upon initial application, my skin instantly looks glossy and toned – with sun-kissed results within four hours. The tan’s lightweight consistency helps prevent streaks and missed patches, too.
I’ve used it for years as a mid-week pick me up or to prolong a natural tan after a holiday: it’s cheap, effective and nourishing, with one bottle lasting you a good few months. If you’re after an affordable fast-track to an understated glow, Dove’s budget gradual tan is hard to beat – all for less than £5.
Key specifications
Buy now £4.25, Amazon.co.uk
Garnier summer body hydrating gradual tan moisturiser
Best: budget gradual tan
Why we love it
- Affordable
- A little goes a long way
- Easy to apply
Take note
- Doesn't give a deep tan
- Isn't long-lasting
I doubt I’m alone when I admit that Garnier’s summer body gradual moisturiser was my first foray into the world of fake tan many moons ago – and it’s testament to the formula that it’s had enduring popularity. The comforting, apricot, summer-esque scent instantly takes me back to my teenage years.
Setting you back £12 for a 400ml bottle (more than double the size of most gradual tanners on the market) it’s the best budget gradual tan I’ve tested and it yields impressive results. Replacing your usual body moisturiser when you want a hint of a tan, the lotion is intensely moisturising. Thanks to the apricot ingredient, it leaves skin soft and supple.
You’re treated to a subtle sheen of bronze a few hours after application. The tan can be easily built without any patchiness, and it’s fast-absorbing, meaning you can apply it morning or night. If you like an understated tan, or want to prolong a deeper real – or fake – tan, Garnier’s bargain bottle can’t be faulted. Note that it isn’t a long-lasting fake tan, so you’ll need to apply it multiple times a week.
Key specifications
Buy now £12, Boots.com
Tan-Luxe the gradual illuminating tanning lotion
Best: hydrating gradual tan
Why we love it
- Skin-loving ingredients
- Lightweight formula
Take note
- Expensive
A cult favourite, thanks to easy application, a skin-loving formula and streak-free results, Tan-Luxe’s gradual tanning lotion is a lotion-oil hybrid. This means the lightweight product goes on with silky smoothness, is near-weightless, quick-drying and leaves skin soft and supple. The tan is a dream for those with dry-prone skin like me – it offers an instant hydration boost and doesn’t cling to rough patches.
Developing in two to four hours, you’re left with a subtle glow that can be built up for a bespoke tan. Nourishing and conditioning, it’s infused with raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera, while caffeine-rich cellutone complex helps to firm skin.
Considering the price, my only gripe is how quickly I got through the bottle. But if you’re willing to splash on a multi-functional, hydrating formula that achieves a long-lasting glow, Tan-Luxe’s lotion is well worth a try.
Key specifications
Buy now £20, Lookfantastic.com
Gatineau golden glow gradual tan
Best: luxury gradual tanner
Why we love it
- Fast absorbing
- Nourishing
Take note
- Chocolate scent may not be to everyone’s taste
Gatineau’s gradual tan has a cult following for good reason. It’s pricey, but the 400ml bottle lasts you ages – I’ve had mine for nearly a year. The lightweight cream-based formula glides on easily and absorbs in less than three minutes.
Containing a blend of bronzing pigments and low-level tanning actives, the lotion gave my skin a toned and smooth look straight after initial application, with a natural-looking tan developing within three hours. Plus, the nourishing formula left my body feeling moisturised and soft all day.
It leaves a natural and glowy colour, with the formula fading evenly over the course of a week. Alternatively, you can maintain the tan and build up the colour throughout the week without it going patchy or streaky. There’s not a hint of that dreaded chocolate biscuit scent either; instead, notes of pear and mandarin are balanced by sandalwood and musk.
Key specifications
Buy now £44, Lookfantastic.com
Loving Tan deluxe gradual tan
Best: gradual tan for a streak-free finish
Why we love it
- Hydrating
- Buildable
- Streak-free
Take note
- Tube doesn't last very long
Working to moisturise and condition skin while giving it a wash of bronze, Loving Tan’s gradual tan is a stellar multitasker. The formula’s blend of nourishing shea butter, brightening acai berry extract and soothing vitamin E supports long-lasting hydration – my skin still felt soft and smooth long into the following day after application. Meanwhile, the natural tanning actives deliver a streak-free finish within six hours.
Replacing your daily body moisturiser, re-apply it to steadily build your desired level of tan. Unlike many gradual tans, the Loving Tan formula has a guide colour – this not only gives you an instant bronzed glow, but helps ensure streak-free coverage before the formula fully develops. I also love this product for layering over an existing (natural or fake) tan to prolong my glow.
It’s lightweight and fast-absorbing, so you can apply in the morning and get dressed right away (just don’t risk anything white in case of transfer). The fake tan develops over the next six hours and lasts up to five days, before fading evenly without tiger bread skin. I only wish the tube was bigger – at 150ml, I got through it quite quickly.
Key specifications
Buy now £27.95, Lookfantastic.com
Self Glow by James Read gradual tan moisturiser
Best: gradual tan with skincare benefits
Why we love it
- Makes skin feel soft and hydrated
- Natural finish
- Fast drying
Take note
- Expensive
Packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid for a hydration boost, as well as shea butter and apricot oil for nourishing, Self Glow’s gradual tan ticks a lot of boxes. The scent is delicate and light (a nice change from the telltale synthetic smell of some gradual lotions), while the clear formula is easy to blend, leaving a glistening finish that helps with even coverage.
Fast drying, you can put clothes on top of it within minutes without that sticky feeling. Skin feels instantly softened and hydrated, with a naturally-bronzed look after just a couple of hours. The colour by itself is quite subtle but totally natural looking.
If you prefer a deeper tan, it’s easily built with multiple layers, or it works just as well as a top-up for an existing layer of tan (real or otherwise). I love the pump dispenser, too, which makes application a breeze. However, you only get 200ml, so I think this tanner is a little pricey.
Key specifications
Buy now £44, Spacenk.com
Skin & Tan and tone wonder gradual serum
Best: gradual formula for topping up a real tan
Why we love it
- Skin blurring
- Streak-free finish
Take note
- Slightly messy application
Living up to its tanning and toning promises, Skin & Tan’s wonder gradual serum helps to achieve a silky smooth, natural-looking tan with minimal fuss. Combining bodycare with self-tan, the formula works to hydrate, firm and moisturise skin thanks to glycerine, soothing aloe vera and antioxidants.
The brand has reformulated the original tan, which was very runny – almost like water – so could be quite messy. The new and improved serum is thicker, making application far easier – particularly if you’re using bare hands. Though, owing to the dark guide colour pigment, I’d suggest using a mitt to avoid any staining on your hands.
I love how quick-drying the serum is, and that it gives you a bronzed finish instantly – within just five hours, I had a streak-free, sunless tan that made my legs and arms look far more toned, too. It’s a great choice for applying before an evening out, owing to the instant tan element, but Skin & Tan’s lightweight formula is also one of the best for topping up an existing layer of fake tan for a longer-lasting glow. The fake tan remains on skin for around four days, so it isn’t the most long-lasting.
Key specifications
Buy now £19.99, Boots.com
Your questions about gradual tan answered
What is the best gradual tan?
Slotting easily into your existing beauty regime, thanks to its fuss-free fake tan formula, Dove’s summer revived delivers hydration, nourishment and a streak-free natural bronzed glow. The budget buy builds up a healthy bronzed tint with complete ease – it’s a cult favourite for good reason. If you’re willing to splurge, Gatineau’s golden glow is foolproof, leaving skin soft and smooth with a natural-looking tan. I was also impressed by Loving Tan’s gradual formula, thanks to its helpful guide colour, instant bronzing effects and hydrating feel.
How I tested gradual tans
I’ve been fake tanning for more than a decade, having tried hundreds of formulas over the years. When it comes to gradual tans, I tend to apply these glow-getting formulas throughout the week to build up a natural finish. Equally, I like to apply them on holiday when I’ve got a real tan, to prolong the colour and keep my skin hydrated.
I’ve loved and used some of these products religiously for years, while others are newer launches that have risen to cult status in my bathroom cabinet. I tested the formulas after exfoliating, and reapplied each product to see how well it built a realistic glow. For this guide, I tested each gradual tan following the strict criteria below.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Daisy is somewhat of an expert on fake tans, from graduals to mousses. Besides using fake tan herself weekly, Daisy is guardian of IndyBest’s fake tan review, facial tanners edit and guide to applying fake tan and has written several individual reviews for tanners, including St Tropez and Bare by Vogue. Now, after copious testing, she’s pulled together a definitive guide to the best gradual formulas.
For more recommendations, we’ve rounded up the best fake tans and face tanners
