One thing it’s possible you’ll be stunned to find out about me (as a veteran magnificence editor with honest pores and skin) is that I used to be a self-tanner skeptic for years. I examined dozens of formulation and wrote a number of tales on the subject, looking for the proper one for my pores and skin. However alas, I used to be left trying streaky and unnatural. I used to be envious of my mother’s olive pores and skin tone and the way easy self-tanner utility was for her—she achieves the “just got back from vacation glow” each time. Nonetheless, after I thought I’d misplaced all hope final 12 months, my colleague raved about Saltyface Tanning Water ($42) and urged me to strive it. Shocker: I beloved it! (I additionally tried the Tanning Foam from the neck down, and was equally impressed.) Right here’s my trustworthy assessment.
The Advantages of This Self-Tanner
Seems, the 2 of us weren’t the one Beauty editors who beloved this product, which ended up profitable a 2025 Beauty Award. Let’s discuss why. First, the method is available in two common, buildable shades: Gentle to Medium (the one I exploit) and Medium to Darkish. This explicit shade works very effectively with my pores and skin tone—it appears to be like SO pure. I look refreshed, rested and alive. For those who peruse the product’s 1,000-plus evaluations, you’ll see comparable sentiments from a whole lot of comfortable prospects.
The DHA (the important thing ingredient in all self-tanners) comes from natural sugar beets and lends a really even, gradual bronze. The method can also be oil-free and doesn’t make me escape, which I recognize. And Saltyface additionally added a hydrating profit courtesy of aloe leaf and cucumber flower extracts, which is noticeable on my pores and skin in comparison with different facial self-tanners I’ve tried that make my pores and skin really feel drier. One other factor I like concerning the Tanning Water is that it doesn’t comprise artificial perfume, but it surely additionally doesn’t have that typical pungent self-tanner scent.
Saltyface’s Tanning Water Improve
Now on to the improve. For those who’ve used the Tanning Water earlier than, you understand it initially got here in a dropper bottle, like many conventional facial serums. Nonetheless, after listening to buyer suggestions (the model deployed greater than 800 surveys), an enormous change was made. (It’s additionally $2 much less.) Although the method wasn’t touched, it now is available in a extra sturdy glass bottle with a fine-mist sprayer included, which nearly all of prospects agreed was their most well-liked methodology of utility. One factor I appreciated concerning the dropper was the flexibility to dispense a number of drops into my moisturizer and apply it as an evening cream of types earlier than mattress.
Nonetheless, the face mist is straightforward to make use of and sprays on evenly, and you may mix it in along with your fingers or the model’s Brush No. 1. Don’t overlook to mix it effectively round your hairline and ears, and at all times spray your neck as effectively so it matches your face. One other tip: Don’t apply this self-tanner after which use an exfoliator of any type (bodily/chemical) in your pores and skin as a result of it is going to take away the tan, or on the very least, make it blotchy.

BUY NOW – $42
The Tanning Water wasn’t the one product to get a glow up both—contemplate this a broader rebrand. The beloved Tanning Foam has been repackaged from glass to a lighter, PCR, mono-material bottle that’s 68-percent lighter (and no extra leaking points!), and Freckle Paint additionally now is available in PCR packaging. Saltyface says “this rebrand is about effortless, natural glow with fewer steps and less waste.”