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

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

      I enjoy being tanned, but I dislike using self-tanners. I’ve experimented with some of the top self-tanning products available, yet I can never achieve a perfect finish. Whether it's uneven patches around my knees and elbows or hands that appear too orange, I just can't seem to get it right. With summer drawing near, I've been eager to find an alternative and believe I may have discovered it: tanning milks.

      It might sound unusual, but milk has become a notable beauty trend this season. From milky nails to milky toners, I’m quite a fan, but tanning milks are by far my favorite innovation. As the name indicates, these products have light, milky textures, and unlike tanning foams, they lack a guide color. Normally, that would concern me, but you can apply these as you would a body lotion and achieve a stunning, natural-looking glow without any streaks. I am such an admirer that I took it upon myself to test some of the most popular tanning milks available and have compiled my top recommendations below. Keep reading if you're looking to achieve a radiant 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**

      **Key ingredients:** Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin C

      **Pros:** Easy to apply, doesn't transfer, filled with skin-nourishing ingredients, buildable color

      **Cons:** Has a relatively strong self-tan scent

      This is my current favorite tanning milk. Since discovering it, I’ve been applying it non-stop. It features a lightweight, hydrating texture (loaded with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C) and is simple to use. The brand suggests using a tanning mitt, but I prefer applying it directly with my hands and then thoroughly washing them afterwards. The product absorbs quickly into the skin, doesn’t transfer, and when I use it at night, I wake up to a beautiful golden glow. One application delivers a more natural result, but it’s very easy to layer the color. I typically apply it two to three nights in a row for the best effect. Incorporating this into my body care routine has made self-tanning incredibly easy.

      2. **Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk**

      **Best natural-looking tan**

      **Key ingredients:** Aloe vera, vitamin E

      **Pros:** Usable daily for a natural glow, hydrating texture

      **Cons:** Strong self-tan scent

      If you want a tan that looks like you’ve spent time in the South of France, this Bondi Sands tanning milk is perfect for you. Its consistency is slightly richer than the previous one, but it still absorbs quickly and feels hydrating. It offers a very natural-looking tan that can be used daily to maintain that golden hue throughout the year. The pump bottle makes it user-friendly. I must mention that it has the strongest self-tan scent among all the products I tested, but the results make it worth it.

      3. **Boots Glow Tanning Milk**

      **Best scented tan**

      **Key ingredients:** Glycerin

      **Pros:** Very affordable, feels like body lotion, mild coconut scent

      **Cons:** Exfoliating the skin before applying is recommended

      Boots has released an incredibly budget-friendly option that, unlike others in this list, has a light, coconut aroma rather than an overpowering self-tan scent. It has a lightweight texture and feels just like a body lotion. I recommend exfoliating your skin in the shower prior to application, but I was quite impressed with how evenly it applied and the golden finish it produced. For under £10, this product is a fantastic choice for summer.

      4. **Bali Body Face Tan Milk**

      **Best face tan**

      **Key ingredients:** Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin C

      **Pros:** Contains beneficial skin ingredients, easy to apply

      **Cons:** More subtle finish, which may not appeal to everyone, slightly pricier

      After trying and loving the tanning milks mentioned above, I was thrilled to find a facial option as well. Typically, I mix a few tanning drops with my moisturizer, but this milky lotion is much simpler to use. Similar to Bali Body's tanning milk, it includes skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C, and is meant to be the final step in your skincare routine (right before applying SPF). I found the instructions a bit confusing as they suggest

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

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

A radiant shine without the hassle.