How do you use tanning wipes?

Follow the directions on the package of tanning wipes you’ve purchased. Most products say to exfoliate and moisturize beforehand for the best streak-free results. Apply the tanning wipes in broad strokes with some pressure. Avoid putting on any tight clothing for at least 10 minutes. Apply every three to four days to maintain your tan and every two days to build up your tan.

How long does it take for self-tanning wipes to work?

Self-tanning wipes typically work within two to four hours. Some wipes contain an initial tinting ingredient that leaves a glow, while the DHA takes time to interact with your skin to produce pigment.

How long do tanning wipes last?

Tanning wipes typically last about a week. However, this can be shortened if you exfoliate in the shower or shave. Some tints will wear off gradually. Staying moisturized can help your self-tan last longer. Maintain your tan by applying a fresh wipe every three to four days, and build up your tan to a darker shade by applying it every two days.

The 7 Best Tanning Wipes and Towelettes

Three types of selftanning wipes and towelettes displayed in a row — Byrdie

Self-tanning can be a messy, stinky, complicated undertaking. Cue: tanning wipes and towelettes. They’re simple, mess-free, and great for travel—all desirable attributes when it comes to DIY self-tanning. But what’s in them? The active ingredient that makes self-tanners work is DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a sugarcane-derived fatty acid that gives skin its color, explains beauty expert and owner of The Parlour Room tanning salon Natalie Ferrari. While this is the heavy-lifter, Ferrari explains that additional hydrators, like hyaluronic acid, are great inclusions as they will prolong results and prevent peeling.

We conducted hours of research on the best tanning wipes and towelettes, evaluating each on ease of application, effectiveness, and any extra features. We considered dozens of products and expert tips for achieving the most natural-looking finish every single time—the result: this list of the best products worth buying.

Top Picks

Best Overall:

TanTowel Self-Tanning Towelettes at Amazon $35

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Best for Sensitive Skin:

Comodynes Bronzing Towelettes at Amazon $17

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Best Gradual:

M-61 Gradual Tan at Amazon $40

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Best for Face:

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad Intense Glow at Amazon $48

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Best Splurge:

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad for Body at Lovelyskin.com

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Best Drugstore:

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes for Body at Amazon $12

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Best for Dry Skin:

Marée Self Tanning Facial Pads at Amazon $27

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Best Overall

TanTowel Self-Tanning Towelettes

Credit: Amazon

$35 at Amazon View on Tantowel.com

What We Like

Pleasant smell
Different shades
Contains cucumber and vitamin E

What to Consider

Some towels contain more formula than others

Key Ingredients: DHA | Size: 10 half-body wipes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

These Tan Towel Classic Towelettes were formulated in Australia, so you know they’re going to deliver a natural-looking glow. They contain DHA to add color, while cucumber and vitamin E help to mitigate dehydration. There are also Deep, Medium, and Light variations available, so you can tailor them to suit your skin tone. We love these half-body-sized towels to target exposed spots (if you want an all-over glow, opt for the full-body size). Simply swipe over clean skin before bed, let it develop, and rinse in the morning.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Comodynes Bronzing Towelettes

Comodynes Self-Tanning The Original Dark

Credit: Comodynes

$17

$17 at Amazon $19 at Comodynes.net View on Walmart

What We Like

Biodegradable fibers
Hydrating
Color develops in three hours

What to Consider

Wipe itself is quite small

Key Ingredients: DHA and erythrulose | Size: 8 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes

These biodegradable towels are free from oils, perfume, and colorants, so they’re a great choice for sensitive skin. They do contain an ingredient called butylene glycol, which is thought to help with moisture retention in the top layers of the skin. The wipes themselves are on the smaller side, so they work well if you want to tan smaller areas like the face, neck, and chest.

Best Gradual

M-61 Gradual Tan

Credit: Amazon

$40 at Amazon View on Bloomingdales $40 at Macy's

What We Like

Builds up color gradually
Exfoliates through hydroxy acids
Contains further antioxidants for skin benefit

What to Consider

Very subtle result
Small in size

Key Ingredients: DHA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid | Size: 30 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Prefer a more subtle hint of color with added skin benefits? These multipurpose wipes from M-16 are seriously impressive. They’re soaked in a blend of alpha and beta hydroxy acids, so they gently exfoliate and refine the skin while also leaving behind a layer of DHA for a natural glow. They’re designed for gradual use, so the results are cumulative.

Best for Face

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad Intense Glow

Credit: Dr. Dennis Gross

$48 at Amazon $39 at Nordstrom $48 at Drdennisgross.com

What We Like

Smoothing and refining
Skincare benefits
Natural results

What to Consider

Can take time for results to fully develop

Key Ingredients: DHA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid | Size: 20 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes

These facial tanning towels from Dr. Dennis Gross are like a one-stop shop for glow. Not only do they work to smooth skin texture and decongest pores (thanks to the inclusion of exfoliating acids), but they also build up gradual color. The DHA is even microencapsulated, which is supposed to ensure a longer-lasting result.

Best Splurge

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad for Body

Credit: Amazon

View on Lovelyskin.com View on Drdennisgross.com

What We Like

Fights irritation and scarring
Claim to minimize hair growth and thickness
Great size

What to Consider

Color can be too orange for some

Key Ingredients: DHA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid | Size: 20 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dr. Dennis Gross also does an iteration of the above for the body in a bigger towel format and enriched with vitamin D. It dries quickly and doesn’t have a sticky finish, so can be easily worked into your beauty routine to maintain smooth, glowing body skin. Try it underneath your moisturizer once or twice a week.

Best Drugstore

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes for Body

L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Towelettes, Streak-Free, Natural Looking Tan, 6 ct

Credit: Amazon

$12 at Amazon $18 at CVS $16 at Walgreens

What We Like

Affordable
Contains alpha hydroxy acids
Vitamin E for additional nourishment

What to Consider

Strong scent

Key Ingredients: DHA | Size: 6 towels | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Leave it to L’Oréal to create a simple, easy tanning towel that ensures a natural-looking level of color. They contain an amount of DHA for visible results, as well as vitamin E for additional nourishment. According to reviews, these do have a slight fake tan smell, but it should disappear after a shower.

Best for Dry Skin

Marée Self Tanning Facial Pads

Credit: Amazon

$27 at Amazon

What We Like

Exfoliates while you tan
Comes with a lot of pads
Provides a buildable glow

What to Consider

Pads can lose their potency after container is opened

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, DHA, hyaluronic acid | Size: 60 pads | Cruelty-Free: Yes

These wipes from Marée are formulated with glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid to exfoliate and moisturize as you glow. They only take four to six hours to develop and can be used twice a week for gradual bronzing. Although they’re formulated for your face, you can use them on your whole body for a hydrating allover tan—trust us, your skin will thank you.

What to Look for in Tanning Towels

Topical DHA: Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is almost synonymous with sunless self-tanners. This FDA-approved plant compound is a sugar molecule that reacts chemically with the amino acids in the outermost layer of the skin, producing pigmentation.
Exfoliants: Exfoliants may help prevent streaking by sloughing off dead skin cells. Look for acids like AHAs and BHAs such as salicylic acid. If your sunless tanning wipes do not contain exfoliants, simply add this step with another exfoliating product in the shower before application.
Moisturizers: To keep your complexion looking smooth and hydrated, look for ingredients that add or protect moisture and calm the skin, such as vitamin E, chamomile, aloe, and glycerin.

FAQ

How do you use tanning wipes?

Follow the directions on the package of tanning wipes you’ve purchased. Most products say to exfoliate and moisturize beforehand for the best streak-free results. Apply the tanning wipes in broad strokes with some pressure. Avoid putting on any tight clothing for at least 10 minutes. Apply every three to four days to maintain your tan and every two days to build up your tan.
How long does it take for self-tanning wipes to work?

Self-tanning wipes typically work within two to four hours. Some wipes contain an initial tinting ingredient that leaves a glow, while the DHA takes time to interact with your skin to produce pigment.
How long do tanning wipes last?

Tanning wipes typically last about a week. However, this can be shortened if you exfoliate in the shower or shave. Some tints will wear off gradually. Staying moisturized can help your self-tan last longer. Maintain your tan by applying a fresh wipe every three to four days, and build up your tan to a darker shade by applying it every two days.

Meet Our Expert

Team Byrdie worked with an expert to inform this article:

Natalie Ferrari is a leading beauty expert in Sydney, Australia, whose salon, The Parlour Room, is unofficially known for giving the best spray tans this side of the equator.

Why Trust Byrdie

For this roundup, Jennifer Hussein, an NYC-based journalist with over five years of experience in digital writing who covers beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content, conducted hours of research and sifted through stacks of internet reviews to ensure we included only the best in this roundup.

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Ciriminna R, Fidalgo A, Ilharco LM, Pagliaro M. Dihydroxyacetone: An Updated Insight into an Important Bioproduct. ChemistryOpen. 2018;7(3):233-236. Published 2018 Mar 6. doi:10.1002/open.201700201
Ciriminna R, Fidalgo A, Ilharco LM, Pagliaro M. Dihydroxyacetone: An Updated Insight into an Important Bioproduct. ChemistryOpen. 2018;7(3):233-236. doi:10.1002/open.201700201