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Stocksy
The safest and only way to tan, self-tanning used to be a messy, stinky, complicated undertaking. But fortunately, beauty innovations mean we’re now able to access hard-working, pleasant formulas that serve up natural color without streaks or stains.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is Tan Towel Self Tan Towelette Classic which is so easy to use and offers a natural, glowy self-tan. If you’re prepared to splurge, the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Intense Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Both Body and Face not only gives you a self-tan, it helps exfoliate and nourish your skin with active ingredients.
Tanning towelettes are one such invention that is pure genius: a pre-soaked wipe that deposits tanning actives all over (and sometimes, added skincare ingredients) before it develops into a golden glow. They’re simple, mess-free, and great for travel—all desirable attributes when it comes to DIY self-tanning.
The active ingredient that makes self-tanners work is DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a sugarcane-derived ingredient that gives skin its color, explains beauty expert Natalie Ferrari. While this is the heavy-lifter, Ferrari explains that additional hydrators like hyaluronic acid are great inclusions as they will prolong results and prevent peeling.
We conducted hours of research on the best tanning towels, evaluating each on ease of application, effectiveness, and any extra features. We considered dozens of products and expert tips for achieving the most natural-looking finish every single time.
Keep scrolling for the very best tanning towels to glow all day long.
Best Overall
TanTowel Self-Tanning Towelettes
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Amazon
Pleasant smell
Different shades
Contains cucumber and vitamin E
Pricey
These Tan Towel Classic Towelettes were formulated in Australia, so you know they’re going to deliver a natural-looking glow. They contain DHA to add color, while cucumber and vitamin E help to mitigate dehydration. There are also Deep, Medium, and Light variations available, so you can tailor them to suit your skin tone. We love these half-body-sized towels to target exposed spots (if you want an all-over glow, opt for the full-body size). Simply swipe over clean skin before bed, let it develop, and rinse in the morning.
Price at time of publish: $30
Active Ingredients: DHA | Size: 10 half-body wipes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Sensitive Skin
Comodynes Natural & Fast Bronzing Towelettes
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Walmart
Color develops in three hours
Biodegradable fibers
Hydrating
Wipe itself is quite small
These biodegradable towels are free from oils, perfume, and colorants, so they’re a great choice for sensitive skin. There’s an ingredient called butylene glycol as well, that’s thought to help with moisture retention in the top layers of the skin. The wipes themselves are on the smaller side, so they work well if you want to tan smaller areas like the face, neck, and chest.
Price at time of publish: $16
Active Ingredients: DHA and erythrulose | Size: 8 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget
Jergens Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Towelettes
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Amazon
Great price
Mango-pineapple scent
Only one shade
For a healthy glow on a budget, look no further than these easy towels from Jergens. They contain an active pairing of DHA and erythrulose for noticeable but natural color, while the generous size affords an all-over application. The tropical mango fragrance is a fun touch, as well.
Price at time of publish: $9
Active Ingredients: DHA and erythrulose | Size: 6 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Gradual
M-61 PowerGlow Peel Gradual Tan
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M-61
Builds up color gradually
Exfoliates through hydroxy acids
Contains further antioxidants for skin benefit
Very subtle result
Small in size
Prefer a more subtle hint of color with added skin benefits? These multi-purpose wipes from M-16 are seriously impressive. They’re soaked in a blend of alpha and beta hydroxy acids, so they gently exfoliate and refine the skin while also leaving behind a layer of DHA for a natural glow. They’re designed for gradual use, so the results are cumulative.
Price at time of publish: $36
Active Ingredients: DHA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid | Size: 30 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Face
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Intense Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face
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Sephora
Skincare benefits
Smoothing and refining
Natural results
Expensive
These facial tanning towels from Dr. Dennis Gross are like a one-stop shop for glow. Not only do they work to smooth skin texture and decongest pores (thanks to the inclusion of exfoliating acids), but they also build up gradual color. The DHA is even microencapsulated, which is supposed to ensure a longer-lasting result.
Active Ingredients: DHA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid | Size: 20 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Splurge
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad for Body
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Sephora
Great size
Claim to minimize hair growth and thickness
Fights irritation and scarring
Pricey
Dr. Dennis Gross also does an iteration of the above for the body in a bigger towel format and enriched with vitamin D. It dries quickly and doesn’t have a sticky finish, so can be easily worked into your beauty routine to maintain smooth, glowing body skin. Try it underneath your moisturizer once or twice a week.
Price at time of publish: $45
Active Ingredients: DHA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid | Size: 20 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Drugstore
L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes for Body
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L'Oreal
Contains alpha hydroxy acids
Affordable
Strong scent
Leave it to L’Oreal to create a simple, easy tanning towel that ensures a natural-looking level of color. They contain an amount of DHA for visible results, as well as vitamin E for additional nourishment. According to reviews, these do have a slight fake tan smell, but it should disappear after a shower.
Price at time of publish: $20
Active Ingredients: DHA | Size: 6 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Dry Skin
Jergens SOL Self Tanning Towelette Wipes
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Amazon
Contains hydrating coconut water
Lovely scent
Affordable
Clear, so missing parts is easy
These wipes are quick, easy, and smell like a pina colada. They contain a mix of DHA and natural sugars that react with the skin, imparting a subtle golden tint. They also contain coconut water, so they’re cooling and leave the skin feeling super soft.
Price at time of publish: $8
Active Ingredients: DHA and natural sugars | Size: 10 wipes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Final Verdict
Truthfully, we can’t go past the iconic Tan Towel Self Tan Towelette Classic formula for ease of application and a self-tan that looks super natural. If you’re prepared to splurge, the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Intense Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Both Body and Face is seriously impressive, providing glow, exfoliation, and skin nourishment with one swipe.
Meet the Expert
Natalie Ferrari is a leading beauty expert in Sydney, Australia, whose salon, The Parlour Room, is unofficially known as the best spray tans this side of the equator.
What to Look For in Tanning Towels
Topical DHA
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is almost synonymous with sunless self-tanners. This FDA-approved plant compound is a sugar molecule that reacts chemically with the amino acids in the outermost layer of the skin, producing pigmentation.
Exfoliants
Exfoliants may help prevent streaking by sloughing off dead skin cells. Look for acids like AHAs and BHAs such as salicylic acid. If your sunless tanning wipes do not contain exfoliants, simply add this step with another exfoliating product in the shower before application.
Moisturizers
To keep your complexion looking smooth and hydrated, look for ingredients that add or protect moisture and calm the skin, such as vitamin E, chamomile, aloe, and glycerin.
Why Trust Byrdie
For this roundup, we checked in with a tanning expert and sifted through stacks of internet reviews to ensure we’re only including the best of the best. We may have road tested the formulas, as well.
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