Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
No synthetic fragrance
Money-back guarantee
Drops
For Face & body
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Best Non-Toxic Self Tans
We vetted self tanners against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.
Cofounder & Product Curator
Medical Reviewer, PhD
Here's what we look for:
- Thoughtful formulas made with natural or safe synthetic ingredients
- Free from parabens, PEGs, phthalates, harsh sulfates, BHA/BHT, artificial dyes, formaldehyde-releasing ingredients, and undisclosed synthetic fragrance (unless certified safe)
- Minimal, well-chosen preservatives
- Trusted third-party certifications when available
- Transparent sourcing, ingredient lists, and manufacturing practices
Best Non-Toxic Self Tans
On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.
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Welpr Blueprint: Go Non-Toxic Mini-Course
The 80/20 guide to going non-toxic the easy way.
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Pregnancy safe
Breastfeeding safe
Money-back guarantee
Spray
Gradual tan
For Face & body
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Fragrance-free
Money-back guarantee
Mousse
Gradual tan
For Face & body
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Made in USA
Pregnancy safe
Breastfeeding safe
Money-back guarantee
Lotion
Gradual tan
For Face & body
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Pregnancy safe
No synthetic fragrance
Money-back guarantee
Lotion
Gradual tan
For Face only
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
No synthetic fragrance
Cream
Medium tan
For Face & body
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in EU
Hypoallergenic
No synthetic fragrance
Recyclable packaging
Lotion
Gradual tan
For Face & body
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Cream
Dark tan
For Face & body
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Made in EU
Fragrance-free
Recyclable packaging
Serum
Gradual tan
For Face & body
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Made in EU
Fragrance-free
Recyclable packaging
Recycled materials
Gel
Gradual tan
For Body only
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Pregnancy safe
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
Recyclable packaging
Money-back guarantee
Drops
For Face only
How to Swap to Non-Toxic self tanners:
Here's how to swap to non-toxic self tanners:
What to know about self tan
Self tanners sit on your skin for hours while they develop color, giving ingredients extended contact time with your body. That makes the formulation especially important — what's in the product matters more when it's left on large areas of skin for long periods.
- Self tanners often contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and unnecessary additives that stay on your skin as the color develops.
- Products applied to large areas like legs, arms, and torso deserve extra attention since they cover so much skin at once.
Review the self tan you already use
Check your current self tanner using the Welpr Personal Care and Cosmetic Scanner. It reads your ingredient label and flags anything that doesn't meet Welpr's standards.
- Look for "fragrance" or "parfum" on the ingredient list — these often indicate undisclosed synthetic fragrance blends.
- Check mousse cans and spray bottles too, since aerosol and spray formats can contain extra propellants and additives beyond the tanning formula itself.
Use your current self tan more safely
If you're not ready to switch products right away, a few small changes can reduce what your skin absorbs. This is especially worth doing if you self tan frequently or over large areas of your body.
- Apply in a well-ventilated room or outdoors, especially with spray or aerosol formulas, to limit what you breathe in.
- Rinse off the product as soon as the minimum development time is up rather than leaving it on longer than needed.
Choose a cleaner self tan
Look for self tanners with simple, intentional formulas. The best options skip synthetic fragrance, harsh preservatives, and unnecessary additives while still delivering natural-looking color.
- Choose products that are fragrance-free or scented only with essential oils, and look for trusted certifications like EWG VERIFIED™ or MADE SAFE® as a helpful starting point.
- Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved self tan.
Camille May
Cofounder & Product Curator
Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....
Olushola M. Awoyemi
Medical Reviewer, PhD
Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...