These are the 10 best tanning waters that won't transfer, stain sheets or ruin clothes - trust us, we've tested them all

As much as we love fake tan, we don't love the mess. Having to wash bedsheets, think about what you can sit on as it develops, and avoid lightly coloured clothes every time you apply fake tan is (almost) enough to put you off it for good. If you're an avid fake tanner, you'll know that these products can transfer onto just about anything, and we've lost count of the number of clothes and crisp white bedding that we've had to replace.

There's one solution that gives a faux glow without a single stain: tanning waters. Having taken the market by storm over the past couple of years, these clear formulas promise a perfect tan, just without the mess—and some of them really deliver.

While they don't have a guide colour (this is the instant pigment typically added to formulas to help you apply fake tan, which might put a few people off), most of the tanning waters out there are relatively streak-proof. The trick is knowing which ones to buy.

Being beauty editors, we test products like fake tan for a living (yes, really). We've rounded up the best tanning waters to help you shop and live your best faux glow.

How we tested the best tanning waters

What did we look for when testing the tans? As a group of experienced editors, it's safe to say we've tested a fair few fake tans in our time. Having said that, we are by no means expert tanners—simply expert shoppers with plenty of tips from the pros we've interviewed. We scored tans that are easy to apply, don't transfer and that gave us a gorgeous glow all year round high. Another key factor? That they don't have that dreaded fake tan smell or not.

For more information, make sure to check out our guide to how we test the products that make it into our edits.

When selecting the best tanning waters for this edit, we asked ourselves the below questions for every product:

• How easy is it to apply?
• Does it leave streaks?
• Does it transfer onto clothes or sheets?
• Does it smell good (i.e. not like biscuits)?
• Is it good value for money?
• Is it a better option than a traditional mousse or cream formula?

Best tannings waters 2024

1. Bondi Sands Pure Self Tan Foaming Water Dark

"The Bondi Sands self tan water is different to other clear tans thanks to its foamy formula. Like all clear alternatives, I found it took some getting used to, but I didn't notice any streaks or orange hands, despite the tan being—yep, you guessed it—clear. If anything, the foam texture made it slightly easier to apply since it's thicker, so I felt like I could feel where I was applying it more. I liked the colour—it gave me a soft, natural, sun-kissed look—and I didn't notice the standard biscuit-y after-smell when I used it, which was a big win for me. Plus, I didn't notice any orange residue or staining on my bedsheets or clothes.

"Fun fact: it's actually no-rinse, so you can go about your day without planning when you need to shower. And a top tip for you (I learnt the hard way): hold the bottle upside down when opening and applying, as I found that if I didn't, the foam came out as more watery, making the process more difficult.

I also really like that the Pure range is ethically packaged, fragrance-, dye- and sulphate-free, as well as vegan and cruelty-free." - Ally Head, Health & Sustainability Editor

2. Tan-Luxe The Water Hydrating Self-Tan Water 

"The Tan Luxe tanning water really is as simple as spray, buff, and go. Unlike other tanning products, this water smells surprisingly nice, and it dries instantly meaning you can put it on in the morning without worrying about your clothes. I tried the tan at night and woke up with no fake tan smell, no transfer onto the bed sheets and a healthy-looking glow.

"As there is no colour to the water, you have to be extra careful when applying to ensure it is buffed in everywhere as it can be easy to miss a few spots (as the back of my arms will show you). I stopped using fake tan because I couldn’t deal with the stress of stained sheets and the smell, but this has converted me back to the glow." - Dionne Brighton, Beauty Contributor

"The other bonus of this tan is this formula's hydrating ingredients. A number of fake tans can be drying on the skin meaning it can look a little patchy, adding moisturising elements to this tan means that it hydrates as it marinates." - Tori Crowther, Beauty Contributor

3. Isle of Paradise Dark Self-Tanning Water

"I love this tan as no skill is needed to apply it. It is available in three colour-correcting shades; light, medium and dark. The dark tanning water is powered by purple pigments, to counteract orange undertones.

"You can also buy refillable pouches and a tan mister to get that spray tan effect at home. It doesn't transfer and the scent isn't overpowering. What more could you want?" - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor

4. St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse

"I've been a fan of St. Tropez products for years, so I was excited to try out their bronzing water mousse. This tanning water came with a tropical scent that lingered on the skin in the best way possible. The application was a breeze and it dried in no time at all.

"I popped it on in the morning and by the afternoon I felt ready to hit the beach. I would say that this tan definitely gives more of a sun-kissed glow rather than a deep colour, but it's perfect if you are looking for a more natural finish." - Grace Lindsay, Beauty Writer

5. Bali Body Face Tan Water

"I was sceptical about trying a tanning water on my face, as my skin can often react to different tanning products. However, after trying this, I can't imagine my beauty routine without it. All you have to do is pop a bit on a cotton pad and rub it into the skin. The results? A healthy-looking glow and hydrated skin. No irritation in sight.

"My one tip would be to make sure to blend it down your neck and onto your chest for the perfect finish, as otherwise you might be left with a slight contrast." - Grace Lindsay, Beauty Writer

6. Sienna X Gradual Clear Self Tan Water Mousse

"Out of all of the tans I tried, this one definitely had the best scent, with notes of peach, pear and nectarine. It was so good that my flatmates even asked me what perfume I had used. When applying, the water turned into a mousse, which made it a lot easier to blend into the skin.

"I applied the tan at night and woke up to fresh white sheets and a healthy-looking glow. If you want a deeper colour, I recommend reapplying this the next day, too." - Grace Lindsay, Beauty Writer

7. Three Warriors Face Tan Aqua Mist

"Another face tanning water that I tried was the Three Warriors Face Tan Aqua Mist. This product is an ultra-fine face tan water that is super easy to spray all over the face and neck for a healthy glow.

"What I love most about this tan is that it is Australian made with locally sourced ingredients (some are even harvested by hand). Plus the tan can be used after cleansing or over makeup, to give you a natural glow. Pretty cool, right?" - Grace Lindsay, Beauty Writer

8. St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist

"I'm typically quite scared of facial tan. I've just had too many bad experiences with patching (particularly around the hairline). This stuff, however, is one of the few products I know I can rely on. I have blonde streaks in my hair that frame my face, and I've used so many tans before that turn my icy blonde brassy but this stuff doesn't seem to. I just mist it over my face and buff it into my hairline and hard-to-reach places with a clean foundation brush. It delivers the most healthy-looking glow without a hint of orange.

"Because it's so fast-absorbing, I never have to stress about it staining anything, either. To keep my white linen sheets safe, I tend to apply this first thing, as the last step in my skincare routine, before I apply my make-up. It keeps my skin looking glowing and dewy all day long." Shannon Lawlor, Acting Senior Beauty Editor

9. Bare By Vogue Clear Tan Water

"I'm new to Bare by Vogue, but let me start this review by telling you that I am seriously impressed. Not only has every one of the products smelt good, but they've also given me the most beautiful and natural-looking tan without any hideous mistakes. This tanning water was no different. Even though there isn't strictly a guide colour, there is a guide finish - it's slightly glowy when it goes onto the skin so you can see where you've applied it and where you need to buff it in.

As with all tans, I used a tanning mitt and a dense buffing brush to apply, which I think definitely helped me achieve the streak-free look.

I loved that I didn't have to wash it off too, which is something that normally annoys me as you have to really nail the timing. I will definitely be using this product again throughout the year. We're not awarding stars, but it gets five from me anyway." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor

"I agree with Katie on this one, I can't get enough of Bare By Vogue products, including this tan. I opt for the Dark shade, which I find gives more colour than the typical tanning water but is still incredibly natural for my fair skin tone. The mousse makes it far easier to apply than other tanning waters and I like that it has glycerin in the formula adding moisture and preventing dry patches." - Tori Crowther, Beauty Contributor

10. Self Glow By James Reed Sunblush Hydrating Tan Mist

"This tan is new for me but it's quickly become a staple in my tanning routine. Admittedly, a tan with a colour guide for the body is my first choice. However, the face is a different story. I like a lightweight formula (with hydrating ingredients) that won't clog my pores or irritate my rosacea and something that gives a natural-looking glow—and this ticks all the boxes.

To apply, I spritz directly onto my face and buff it in with a tanning buffing brush; making sure to get into the hairline and blend down my neck. This gives a super light colour finish so I tend to apply for a few days consecutively and then leave it for a few days and it's an ideal routine." - Tori Crowther, Beauty Contributor

What are tanning waters?

Tanning waters are a type of self-tan that can be applied to the face and body for an all-over glow. As the name suggests, unlike other tan formulas, tan waters come in a clear watery consistency that can be pumped out onto a mitt and applied or spritzed directly onto the skin.

They're ultra-lightweight, absorb fast (often so you can apply your clothes right away) and don't transfer onto clothes or bedsheets. Tanning water isn't instant so you'll need to wait a couple of hours for them to develop, but since they don't transfer this is easy. In fact, some don't even need to be washed off so you can apply in the morning before work and have your faux glow developed for after-work drinks.

They're easy, fuss-free and give that sun-kissed glow many of us hope for.

How to apply tanning waters

Each tanning water comes with its own instructions so be sure to read and follow these guidelines. For the face, many tanning mists are just spritzed directly onto the face (don't forget the neck) and blended out with a tanning brush. For the body, you can use the former technique, however, if it's a mousse formula, you'll need a tanning mitt. Regardless of the application method, we recommend using a mitt. This gives you a streak-free, natural-looking finish.

It also helps to prep the skin before. We recommend exfoliating your skin and applying moisturiser to any dry areas such as elbows and knees before applying.

If you are looking to try out more fake tan formulas, don't forget to check out our roundups of the best instant tan and best gradual tanners. We've also got a guide on how to remove fake tan, too.

Research by Georgia Rhodes