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Fake tan has come a long way since the ‘orange era’. These days, good fake tans are easy to put on, smell great, and cover up imperfections too – lovely.
The fake tan market isn’t always lovely though – many companies still test on animals. But let’s not end on a bad note… There are plenty of companies that specialise in fake tan that don’t test on animals, and don’t use any animal derivatives in their products.
Table of Contents
The Best Overall Vegan & Cruelty-Free Fake Tan
Skinny Tan Self-Mousse
Our favourite cruelty-free fake tan is Skinny Tan’s most Self-Tan Mousse.
It is made with 95% naturally derived ingredients and gives a natural looking tan.
- £21.99
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
You can read more below.
The Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Fake Tans / Instant Tans
Coco & Eve: Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam
The coverage from Coco & Eve tans is great. Like most fake tans, it claims to cover and prevent cellulite – but it does really work (although my cellulite sadly hasn’t disappeared entirely).
Coco & Eve use a ‘cellushape’ formula, which is lightweight, hydrating and non-sticky. It also smells delicious – mango and guava, not biscuits.
- £25.95
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- 3 shades – medium, dark and ultra-dark
Skinny Tan: Self-Mousse
Skinny Tan’s most popular product is the Self-Tan Mousse. It is made with 95% naturally derived ingredients and gives a natural looking tan.
It needs around 6-8 hours to develop before showering off, and it is better applied with a mitt. This product is paraben and sulphate free.
- £21.99
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- 2 shades – original and dark
Tanologist: Express Tan Water
Tanologist’s Tan Water was the first ever tanning water I used. It smells refreshing, is quick and easy to apply (tip: stand on a towel while you spray, to avoid a sticky floor).
The colour develops as it sinks in, so you can shower any time from application up to four hours after.
- £13.99
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- 3 shades – light, medium and dark
The Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Gradual Tans
Skinny Tan: Body Glow
Body Glow is a lovely gradual tanner and moisturiser in one. You can put it on with your hands or a mitt – either way, it goes on smoothly and smells great (coconut/vanilla).
The tan it gives you is subtle and lasts for a few days. It’s a good one to use daily, as the tan builds, but never gets too far away from your natural skin colour.
- £9.98
- Certified cruelty-free
- Vegan
- 2 shades – light and medium
- Coconut and vanilla scented
Skinny Tan also has a lovely Complete Face Tanning Kit that pairs really well with Body Glow.
The Body Shop: Coconut Bronze Gradual Tan Lotion
Made with natural colourants, this gradual tanning lotion is gentle and can be used everywhere (including the face).
Packed with coconut oil and water, and natural DHA, this lotion is light, non-sticky and easy to put on. The colour is buildable, and it’s perfect for topping up an existing tan.
- £19
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- No shades – gradual build
The Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Tanning Tablets
utan: Tan Gummies
Utan have turned tablets into raspberry flavoured gummy sweets! Dubbed a ‘food supplement’ these gummies are full of ingredients to keep skin healthy (vitamins A, B, C and E) as well as amino acids and natural colour.
These gummies work best with sun exposure, although this isn’t necessary – think of this product as a tan enhancer. These gummies regularly sell out and have excellent customer reviews.
- £21.99
- Certified cruelty-free
- Vegan
- No shades – they’re tablets…
The Best Cruelty-Free (and Vegan) Facial Tans
Eco by Sonya Driver: Face Tan Water
This Face Tan Water uses organic and natural ingredients, and gives a lovely subtle colour/glow to the skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid, so it leaves your skin hydrated (but it’s not greasy).
The only thing to note is you shouldn’t use oil-based serums after application, but normal moisturisers are fine. Use a couple of times a week to build up and maintain your tan! Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive.
- £36.95
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- No shades – gradual build
Tropic: Sun Drops
Tropic’s gradual tanning facial serum is a winner. Add a few drops to your moisturiser (the colour of it looks a bit scary at first, but blends very well!) at night, and you’ll wake up with a nice glow in the morning. Its key ingredient is natural plant allo-melanin, which mimics your own skin’s melanin!
Use a couple of times a week to maintain tan. Bonus: coconut water and aloe vera add an extra moisture boost to your skin.
- £22
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- No shades – gradual tanner
Read our review of Tropic here to find out why it’s one of our favourite cruelty-free companies.
Bondi Sands: Pure self tanning face mist
Bondi Sands Tanning Face Mist is a light, refreshing spray which contains vitamins C and E, as well as hyaluronic acid. Oh, and it also tans you too.
This is a ‘one size fits all’ for all skin tones. Rub in with hands, or mitt.
- £14.99
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- 1 shade – suitable for all skin tones
Read our review of Bondi Sands here.
The Best Cruelty-Free Fake Tans – wrapping up
Whether you’re after a subtle glow or a full on tan, there are plenty of effective fake tan options out there. I’ve always loved Skinny Tan (since seeing them on Dragons’ Den), but each and every brand on this list is cruelty free, and offer vegan options.
The Body Shop, Coco & Eve, Skinny Tan, Tanologist, utan, Eco by Sonya Driver, Bondi Sands, Tropic, Superdrug (own brand). Garnier, Revolution, Tan Luxe.
Note – all of these brands have vegan products, but not all products are guaranteed to be vegan (always check yourself).
Estee Lauder, L’Oreal, St Tropez, Rimmel, Palmer’s.
All fake tans in this list had to be:
– Cruelty free, either certified by PETA or via a cruelty free guarantee
– Vegan. While not all the brands are vegan, all the products featured here are
– Good quality and readily available to buy (a true necessity)
– Tried and tested by me (Adelle)
