5 Best Instant Bronzers For A Streak-Free Sun-Kissed Glow

Put all your tanning worries to rest with these products for a natural-looking golden glow.

Reviewed by Hillary Clark, Esthetician Hillary Clark Hillary ClarkEsthetician facebook_iconlinkedin_iconinsta_icon
Written by Baishali Bhattacharya, MA (English) Baishali Bhattacharya MA (English) linkedin_icon
Edited by Srijani Roy Chowdhury, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant Srijani Roy Chowdhury MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Fact-checked by Srijita De, MA (English & Literature), Certified Style & Image Consultant Srijita De MA (English & Literature), Certified Style & Image Consultant linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Last Updated on

Did a last-minute party invitation leave you no time to hit the tanning parlor? If yes, we have you covered. The best instant bronzer can do the job and get you that statement-making party-ready look within minutes. You can now achieve the perfect sun-kissed glow without having to sit out in the sun or use a self-tanner at home. Not only are these instant bronzers super affordable and easy to use, but they also deliver exceptional results and do not stain your clothes or bed sheet. In addition, they are skin-friendly and do not cause any breakout or irritation. Check out our list of the best instant bronzers to get a natural-looking glow. Keep scrolling!

Top Picks
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Best Bronzer With SPF: Australian Gold Instant Bronzer Spray Gel Sunscreen
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Best For Instant HD Finish:Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish
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Best Natural-Looking Glow:Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Bundle – Dark
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Best Dermatologically Tested:St. Moriz Instant Wash Off Body Bronzer – Medium
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Best Wash-Off Bronzer: Isle of Paradise Disco Tan Instant Wash-Off Body Bronzer
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5 Best Instant Bronzers In 2024

1. Best Bronzer With SPF: Australian Gold Instant Bronzer Spray Gel Sunscreen

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Australian Gold Instant Bronzer Spray Gel Sunscreen Image: Australian Gold

This body bronzer from Australian Gold gives an excellent temporary tan, while its SPF15 protects your skin from sun damage. It gives you an incredible caramel glow instantly. The golden bronze formula is infused with a cocoa seed butter, sunflower seed oil, and olive oil that intensely hydrate the skin and impart a flawless tinted glow. This self-tanning spray gel is also enriched with antioxidant-rich tea tree oil, vitamin C, and kakadu plum extracts that fight free radical damage. Plus, this brand prioritizes the planet and does not make products that are tested on animals.

Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 2.5 x 1 x 7.5 inches | Weight : 8 Ounces

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Pros
  • Creamy texture
  • Quick absorbing
  • Provides a radiant complexion
  • Creates an instant glow
  • Works as a bug repellent
  • Cruelty-free
  • Non-greasy
  • Water-resistant
  • Oxybenzone-free
  • Chocolaty fragrance

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Cons
  • Can trigger allergies

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Do not use the product on chapped or cracked skin, it might damage the skin more. Rather, apply a little bit of moisturizer before the spray for a safe and better finish.

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Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It has received 21,633 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.

2. Best For Instant HD Finish: Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish

Get this light-reflecting tinted lotion from Vita Liberata, which doubles up as a BB cream. This luxury skin tanner is formulated with natural ingredients that provide incredible sunless tan. This natural tan accelerator blurs imperfection, softens blemishes, and evens out the skin tone. The organic extract of shea butter, aloe vera, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin work together to nourish skin, deliver natural radiance, and give a streak-free flawless look instantly. Aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin are powerful humectants that prevent moisture loss. Moreover, they protect the skin from free radical damage, fight signs of aging, and naturally plump skin for a brighter look. You can also check this YouTube video to learn about the reviewer’s experience of using this glow booster.

Color: Latte Dark | Product Dimensions: 2.75 x 1.57 x 6.3 inches | Weight: 4.3 Ounces

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Pros
  • Cruelty-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Alcohol-free
  • Perfume-free
  • Allergen-free
  • Streak-free

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Cons
  • Not transfer-proof
  • Not water-resistant

3. Best Natural-Looking Glow: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Bundle – Dark

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Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Bundle – Dark Image: Coco & Eve

The cutting-edge formula of Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing uses Cellushape technology for a non-sticky coverage. The tan enhancer gives you a natural sunless glow in 2 hours without nasty streaks or blotches. Also, reviewers on Amazon were seriously impressed with this product’s ability to blend in naturally, quickly, and effectively. Its toxin-free, natural formula infused with virgin coconut oil, amino acids, antioxidants, and other botanical extract, provides anti-aging benefits while blurring pigmentation and stretch marks. Moreover, its transfer-proof formula does not stain your clothes and gives an incredible beach babe glow. With this pack, you also get a kabuki brush and mitt for even and easy application. Besides a flawless look, this vegan bronzer gives a fruitilicious smell of tropical Balinese mango and guava.If you want to know more about the results, take a look at this review on YouTube to learn about the tester’s experience of using it.

Prodcut Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.31 x 9.09 x 3.78 inches | Weight : 15.87 Ounces

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Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Transfer-proof
  • Streak-free
  • Non-sticky
  • Fast-drying
  • Washable
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Pleasant smell
  • Summer glow
  • Toxin-free
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free

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Cons
  • Gives an orange tint

protip_icon Caution
This product contains DHA. DHA may cause rashes, cough, dizziness, and fainting.

4. Best Dermatologically Tested: St. Moriz Instant Wash Off Body Bronzer – Medium

Achieve a natural-looking healthy tan anytime of the year with this instant body bronzer from St. Moriz. This dermatologist-tested medium-toned sunless tanning lotion dries fast to give immediate results with a streak-free finish. The tan enhancer lotion retains the healthy complexion all day long by being waterproof and transfer-resistant. It also does not stain your clothes. You can wash off this natural-looking tan at the end of the day during a shower. Several reviews on Amazon indicate that this product helps to add a nice warmth and glow to the skin

Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.75 x 23.62 x 7.48 inches | Weight : 5.29 Ounces

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Pros
  • Dermatologically tested
  • Salon-tested
  • Streak-free
  • Waterproof
  • Fast drying
  • Lasts all day

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Cons

None

5. Best Wash-Off Bronzer: Isle of Paradise Disco Tan Instant Wash-Off Body Bronzer

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Isle of Paradise Disco Tan Instant Wash-Off Body Bronzer Image: Isle Of Paradise

The Isle of Paradise gives you a disco-ready glow in just no time. The fast-acting bronzer helps you get a fake tan look with a luminous finish in just a couple of minutes and lasts for 24 hours. This natural-looking bronzer has a sheer formula that dries into a matte finish. The shade suits light to medium tone the best. Its oxy-glow complex aided with avocado, chia seed, and grapefruit oil give deep moisturization with fine shimmery brightness. Though this tan extender does not claim to be transfer-proof or water-resistant, it stays put quite well for a long duration. Plus, this brand is committed to animal welfare and does not encourage any sort of testing on furries.

Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.75 x 23.62 x 7.48 inches | Weight : 5.29 Ounces

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Pros
  • 24-hours coverage
  • Luminous finish
  • Transfer-proof
  • Easy to wash off
  • Streak-free
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free

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Cons
  • Expensive

protip_icon Did You Know?
Jules Von Hep, the founder of Isle of Paradise, used to customize spray tans by using color correctors according to the color and complexion of every individual in the shoots. That’s how his idea for spray for everybody came into being.

Body bronzers are a great way of getting that sun-kissed tan effortlessly and commitment-free. These are perfect to give you that celebrity-inspired look. All these products are selected after careful consideration of their unbiased reviews.

How To Choose The Best Instant Bronzer

  • Color: You have to find just the right shade. Too dark or too light may look artificial. The ideal shade is one or two shades darker than your natural skin color.
    Ingredients: Avoid ingredients like paraben, phthalate, sulfate, mineral oil, silicones, erythrulose, and PUFAs. These chemicals can cause free-radical damage or acne.
  • Hydration: Bronzers should contain moisturizing and nourishing ingredients that provide skin care benefits. Look for ingredients like vitamin C, olive oil, almond oil, aloe vera, etc.
  • DHA-free: Dihydroxyacetone or DHA is the active ingredient in most body tanners that gives that brown tint by reacting with your skin’s natural amino acid. But DHA enhances the damage caused by free radicals, causes skin irritation, and gives off an overpowering smell.
  • Fragrance and alcohol content: Avoid formulae with alcohol and fragrance if you have dry and sensitive skin. It’s best suggested to opt for a dermatologist-tested formula if you have allergy-prone skin.
  • Streaks and stains: Look for a quick-absorbing, transfer-proof, and easy to blend formula that does not stain or streak.

A sun-kissed glow makes you look charming. And self-tanners help you to achieve it from the comfort of your home without having to expose yourself to the UV rays of the Sun. These instant bronzers absorb quickly on the skin, offering the desired shade. The Australian Gold Instant Bronzer Spray Gel Sunscreen is a versatile choice offering sun protection and an instant caramel glow. And if you are looking for a long-lasting tan, then the Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Bundle – Dark offers deep tanning combined with exfoliation, toning, and moisturization. And if you want a temporary tan, then the Isle of Paradise Disco Tan Instant Wash-Off Body Bronzer is an easy, temporary solution for instant bronzing, perfect for events and experimentation. Unlike regular instant bronzers, the self-tanning products listed in our article can also effectively hydrate your skin. Invest in instant bronzers that are packed with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients to give you an even tan. And steer clear of bronzers with alcohol and other strong fragrances that irritate your skin.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Baishali Bhattacharya is our in-house certified expert in makeup techniques who is always on the lookout for the leading bronzers that will leave you with perfect sun-kissed skin. She tried out multiple bronzers and curated this list of premium quality bronzers that are skin-friendly and affordable and provide a quick tan. These bronzers are made with natural ingredients such as cocoa seed butter, sunflower seed oil, and olive oil that hydrate your skin and leave you with a flawless, caramel glow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does instant bronzer tan faster?

Yes, instant bronzers tan faster than self-tanners. They develop completely almost instantly. However, it also fades fast and stays on for one or two days.

Is Instant bronzer the same as self-tanner?

No. Even though an instant bronzer gives a sun-kissed glow just like a self-tanner, the color from a bronzer is only temporary.

Does instant bronzer turn you orange?

No, instant bronzer will give a slight tan but will not turn you orange. It will give you a nice instant color that looks natural and shiny.

How long does an instant bronzer take to work?

An instant bronzer takes 2 to12 hours to show the right tanned color on your skin.

How long does an instant bronzer last?

The tan of these instant bronzers leaves the glow for 1-2 days and then can be washed off with water.

How long after using an instant bronzer can I shower?

Wait for at least 2-3 hours after using instant bronzer before you shower. You might see some golden glow wash down the drain, but don’t worry the process will give you a fantastic glow. However, some instant bronzers wash away completely when you shower. So, do read the label of your product before you wash yourself.

Do instant bronzers wash off?

Yes, instant bronzers are just like makeup so they wash off; they wash off easily and give back your natural skin color.

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Hillary Clark
Hillary ClarkMedical Esthetician
Hillary Clark is a third-generation beauty entrepreneur, celebrity makeup artist, and medical esthetician with 21 years of experience. Her stints as the youngest Beauty Director for Nordstrom and West Coast Beauty Editor for Sephora provided ample opportunities for her to collaborate with some of the most popular names in the beauty industry, such as Dr.

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Baishali Bhattacharya
Baishali BhattacharyaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior to this, she was a part of a digital marketing company in Kolkata where she wrote stories on travel, beauty, and home décor.

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Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Srijani Roy Chowdhury Associate Commerce Editor
Srijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.

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Srijita DeCommerce Writer
Srijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.

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