10 hydrating gradual tanners for a subtle golden glow

Able to deliver anything from a lightly honey-dipped glow to a deeply bronzed tan depending on how often you apply it, this natural tanning product will give you the hue you want no matter the season.

$29.95 at Adore Beauty

A lotion and oil hybrid, you can use this formula as a face tanner, as well as a self-tanner for the body. While it is a gradual tanner, you’ll start to see signs of your subtle golden tan in as little as an hour after application; a definite win.

$41 at Sephora

Want the subtlety of a gradual tan but miss the colour guide of a tanning foam? This medium to dark tan utilises advanced colour-guide technology to ensure a streak-free finish after every application. It develops gradually and can be built up to your desired intensity for a sun-kissed look or to prolong your tan. The olive-undertoned formula is enriched with acai berry, coffee seed extract and shea butter to help revitalise, protect and nourish skin.

$29.95 at Adore Beauty

After a gradual tan formula that doesn’t cling to dry patches? This pick is infused with hemp which helps to simultaneously moisturise your skin and encourage a buildable, streak-free finish. The formula also contains aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, cocoa butter, and vitamin E to nourish dry skin.  And if you’re one to suffer from ingrowns or body acne, green tea leaf extract, Lakadu plum and witch hazel are included to help brighten skin, prevent clogged pores and regulate oil production. 

$19.99 at Priceline

This oil-infused lotion makes getting a tan as easy as can be. The streak-free formula gives skin a subtle golden glow and contains a cocktail of skin-loving ingredients. Marula, argan, macadamia, coconut, jojoba, rosehip, grape, and avocado oils are combined with vitamin E, cucumber extract and vitamin C for a more nourished, moisturised, and radiant complexion.

$12.99 at Oz Hair & Beauty

According to one reviewer, this is their go-to gradual tan because it “helps to extend tan and assists with it fading evenly.” The other benefits? It’s packed full of smoothing, circulation-stimulating caffeine, skin-replenishing oils like coconut, rosehip and jojoba oil, and a slew of antioxidants — vitamins A, B and E. 

$32.95 at MECCA

Vita Liberata is the fake tan of choice for celebs such as Hailey Bieber, and Bella and Gigi Hadid. The buildable, untinted tan is applied like a daily lotion and develops over eight hours. The result? A natural-looking sun-kissed shade that leaves skin hydrated and glowing. 

$30 at ASOS

If the smell of fake tan stresses you out, then this coconut scented pick should be right up your alley. Enriched with a blend of coconut water, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, aloe and grape seed oil, you’ll notice an improvement in hydration as well as adopting an enviable summer glow in a mere few hours post-application. 

$10.99 at Chemist Warehouse

If you love the benefits of Kora Organics skin care, then this noni extract-inclusive formula is for you. The intensely moisturising cream is packed full of the brand’s signature ingredient, as well as rosehip and sea buckthorn oils. Enjoy soft, smooth sun-kissed skin minus the fake tan smell — lavender essential oil is the fragrance of choice for this formula. 

$65 at Adore Beauty

If 'natural' is the name of your tanning game, this gradual glow-boosting moisturiser will be your best friend. Boosted by a mix of antioxidants and calming, nourishing vitamin E, it'll do as much for your skin's softness as it will for your gorgeous (and legitimately believable) golden tan. Plus, it actually has a pleasant scent; a big win, we know. It's natural enough for daily use, but also lasts a good few days after just one application.

$5.49 at Chemist Warehouse