10 Best Face Self Tanners for Acne Prone Skin

Self-tanners are a tricky business to begin with. You have to find the right products, and apply them the right way to avoid orangey disasters, streaks, over-tanning, and missed spots. It's daunting for anyone. Add on top of that the risk of causing a nasty acne breakout? Is it even worth it?

Well, yes—with the right face self tanners for acne prone skin, even the most sensitive faces can benefit from a healthy glow that stays healthy. By avoiding harsh chemicals and heavy formulas, and looking for light, clean products with soothing additions like aloe and Vitamin E, there's no reason you can't dive into the summer with a natural-looking, self-administered glow, or needing one of the best skin cleaners for acne prone skin after doing so.

Self-tan drops, like THE FACE from TAN-LUXE, are a great option for anyone with sensitive, acne-prone skin, because you don't have to apply a thick coat of anything to your face. In fact, all you have to do is incorporate a few tiny drops into your normal products, so you can guarantee it'll be easy on your face. Whatever moisturizer you already use, that you know works for your skin, can be turned into a self-tanner by making use of a concentrate like this. This is also one of the easiest ways to apply self-tanner, as you can mix it evenly into any moisturizer, then just massage it into your skin.

COOLA is a great brand for sensitive skin, and their Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum is a great option for face self tanners for acne-prone skin. It's not just for 'anti-aging' purposes either: The smoothing, brightening lotion works wonders on any face, at any age, and will leave your skin feeling brighter and smoother than ever. This is a great option for anyone with particularly dry or uneven skin as well, but not exclusively so. It's also Sephora certified eco-friendly, and contains argan oil, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and plant stem-cell cultures for a natural, skin-friendly, earth-friendly self tanner formula.

Sircuit Soleil Plus from SIRCUIT SKIN is one of my favorite face tanners for acne prone skin, especially during the summer. It not only provides a brightening (not-orangey) glow, but also contains mineral pigments to give your skin a natural-looking sparkle, helping the sun bring out all the best in your skin. It's lightweight, natural, and fragrance-free, so it really keeps the chemicals to a minimum and gives your skin room to breathe, without the kind of greasy residue that leads to breakouts. This tanning lotion also works just as well on the rest of the body, so don't worry about finding another tanner just for that; it's good for all kinds of sensitive skin and sensitive areas.

Self tanners are tricky, and not everyone is ready to commit to a long period of drastic skin change like that. For those hesitant people, and those who just don't want a long-lasting look, St. Tropez's One Night Only tanning lotion is perfect. It provides all the benefits of a face self tanner for acne prone skin, on a short-term basis. At the end of the day or night, you can just wash off the tint with soap and water. This also makes it low-stress to apply and fix, as mistakes like streaks and splotches are easily remedied. Until you decide to wash it off with soap and warm water, it will remain in place for up to 24 hours with its waterproof formula. Seems a lot easier than full body contouring, don't you think?

For ease of application, nothing beats James Read's Tan Pen. The simple design is incredibly easy to apply, and allows you to be accurate and careful, thus avoiding streaks and splotches. The formula is also nothing to balk at: By utilizing natural ingredients like algae extract and aloe vera, this self tanner will hydrate and refresh your face as it tans it, leaving you with bright, sun-kissed, soft skin. It also contains coenzyme Q10, which provides extra protection from harmful UV rays, so you can get your tan, and keep your skin safe from sun damage and long-term effects.

Self-tanning mists like the Sunless Tanning Mist from Hampton Sun are a great way to get easy, full-body tanning coverage without streaks. For use on just the face, this tanner is gentle on the skin, and won't feel greasy or congealed. It dries quickly, so you can get going in just a few minutes. There's plenty for use on your whole body if you like, and the spray is beautifully scented with lily of the valley, white hyacinth, dune grass, sea spray, and privet blossom, so you don't have to live with that gross chemical smell that so many self-tanners seem to have.

Another eco-friendly option from Sephora, Isle of Paradise's Self-Tanning Mousse uses a fluffy, light tanning formula to give your skin the sun-kissed look you want, without the damaging effects of the sun or the damaging effects of heavy, acne-inducing chemical formulas. They use natural, healthy oils from avocados, chia seeds, and coconuts to give all skin tones a way to help dry skin through the summer months, a healthy, moisturizing tanning lotion experience, and soft, glowing, and hydrated skin. They're also entirely vegan, and animal and environment-friendly, so your tan can be completely guilt-free. Isle of Paradise's commitment to natural ingredients and avoidance of harsh chemicals also makes it hypoallergenic, and great for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Another light spray that's kind to your whole body is South Seas Skincare's Tahitian Tan Mist. This tanning product comes as an easy-to-apply spray that dries instantly, and won't leave streaks or greasy residue, so you can get the perfect golden tan, without the breakouts and skin irritation. The formula is also rich with vitamins A, E, and C, as well as aloe vera, to keep your skin healthy, glowing, and hydrated as it tans. It's great for full-body coverage, just adding a bit of glow to your face, or even for fixing unsightly tan lines. An all-purpose home tanning spray, with no worries and no streaks.

St. Tropez's dry oil works wonders as a face self tanner for acne prone skin. It's often the most simple formulas that wreak the least havoc on sensitive skin, and so a simple dry oil is a great way to get that sun-kissed glow on your face without piling on layers of chemicals and grease. It only takes a couple of drops on the palms, then you can rub the oil into your skin evenly. Once it dries, it won't leave any stains or streaks. The formula also includes limonene for a natural citrus scent, and its natural oil formula is proven to provide moisturizing hydration to your skin without clogging up your pores and causing breakouts, zits, redness and irritation.

Dr. Dennis Gross may have an unfortunate name for the beauty and skincare world, but the formulas don't disappoint. These easy self-tanning pads make it incredibly simple to apply, wherever you are. The self-contained packets make these an especially great option for self-tanning when you travel, as they fit easily in any kind of bag, and can't spill or leak onto your things. The towelettes are also designed to help exfoliate your skin as you use them, so you get an even, glowing tan. It also contains active ingredients for acne-reduction, in order to diminish existing blackheads, prevent further breakouts, and even help heal acne scars and pigmentation, for the smoothest, healthiest skin you could want.