I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative.

I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative.

      I enjoy having a tan, but I'm not a fan of fake tanning. Yes, I've tried some of the top self-tanners available, but I can never achieve a perfect finish. Whether it's uneven patches around my knees and elbows or overly orange hands, I just can't seem to get it right. With summer on the horizon, I’ve been eager to find an alternative, and I think I've found it. Enter tanning milks.

      Although it may sound unusual, milk appears to be a significant beauty trend this season. From milky nails to milky toners, I’m actually quite a fan, but tanning milks are undoubtedly my favorite discovery so far. As the name implies, these products have light, milky textures, and unlike tanning foams, they don’t contain a guide color. While this would typically worry me, you can apply these products just like a body lotion and achieve a stunning, natural-looking finish without streaks. I’m such a supporter that I’ve tried some of the most popular tanning milks out there and compiled my top recommendations below. Keep reading if you want to glow like never before this summer...

      The Best Tanning Milks, Tried & Tested

      Best Tanning Milk Overall: Bali Body Self Tanning Milk, £27

      Best Natural-Looking Tanning Milk: Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk, £14

      Best Scented Tanning Milk: Boots Glow Tanning Milk, £6

      Best Face Tanning Milk: Bali Body Face Tan Milk, £22

      1. Bali Body Self Tanning Milk

      Best overall

      Bali Body

      Self Tanning Milk

      Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin C

      Pros: Easy to apply, doesn't transfer, packed with skin-loving ingredients, easy to build up color

      Cons: Has a relatively strong fake tan scent

      First on my list is my current favorite tanning milk. Since I discovered it, I haven't stopped using it. It has a lightweight, hydrating texture (thanks to hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C) and is incredibly easy to apply. The brand suggests using a tanning mitt, but I prefer using my hands and thoroughly wash them afterward. The product absorbs quickly into the skin, doesn't transfer, and if applied at night, I wake up with a beautiful golden glow. One application gives a natural finish, but it’s simple to layer for more color. I like to use it for two to three nights for the perfect result. Since I added this to my body care routine, fake tanning has become much easier.

      2. Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk

      Best natural-looking tan

      Bondi Sands

      Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk

      Key ingredients: Aloe vera, vitamin E

      Pros: Can be used daily for a natural glow, hydrating texture

      Cons: Very strong fake tan scent

      If you want to look like you've spent a few days in the South of France, this Bondi Sands tanning milk is perfect. Its consistency is slightly richer than the previous one, but it still absorbs quickly and feels hydrating. It provides such a natural-looking tan that you can use it every day to maintain that golden glow year-round. Also, the pump makes it very easy to apply. I should mention that this has the strongest fake tan scent of all the products I tried, but the finish is so good that I can overlook it.

      3. Boots Glow Tanning Milk

      Best scented tan

      Key ingredients: Glycerin

      Pros: Very affordable, feels more like a body lotion, faint coconut scent

      Cons: I recommend exfoliating before applying this

      Boots has created an incredibly budget-friendly option that, unlike others here, has less of a fake-tan scent and more of a light, coconut fragrance. Similar to the Bali Body tanning milk, it has a very lightweight texture and feels like a body lotion. I still suggest exfoliating your skin in the shower before use, but I was impressed by how evenly it applied and the lovely golden finish it provided. For under £10, you really can't go wrong with this one this summer.

      4. Bali Body Face Tan Milk

      Best face tan

      Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin C

      Pros: Contains numerous skin-loving ingredients, easy to apply

      Cons: More subtle, which some may not prefer; a bit pricier

      After trying (and loving) the tanning milks mentioned above, I was thrilled to find a product for my face as well. I typically mix tanning drops with my moisturizer, but this milky lotion is so much easier to use. Like Bali Body's tanning milk, it’s loaded with skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C, and it's meant to be the last step in your skincare routine (before applying SPF, of course). I did find the instructions a bit unclear since they suggested applying 3

I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative. I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative. I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative. I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative. I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative. I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative. I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative. I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative. I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative.

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I’ve given up on conventional fake tan after finding this more natural-looking alternative.

A golden shimmer without the hassle.