Find the best tanning mousse for you: 8 fast-drying top picks
Want the glow without the hassle? Tanning mousses are your effortless option for a streak-free finish that dries fast, making them a favourite for flawless self-tanning.
Looking for the best option on the market right now ? We’ve narrowed it down to 8 top picks, so you can easily find the best self-tanning mousse for you.
Light, fast, flawless: the perks of tanning mousses
Tanning mousses are loved for their lightweight feel and effortless application. From fast drying times to a more even finish, here’s why they’ve become a go-to for a flawless glow:
Faster drying time: Mousse formulas are typically lightweight and quick to dry, so you can dress sooner without transfer.
Easier to blend: The airy texture makes it easier to spread evenly, reducing the risk of streaks or patchiness.
Buildable colour: Mousses often allow for more control over the depth of your tan—apply more layers for a deeper result.
Better for oily or acne-prone skin: The lighter consistency is less likely to clog pores compared to heavier lotions.
Great for beginners: The foam texture makes application more foolproof and visible, especially when it includes a tint or guide colour.
Non-greasy feel: Mousses absorb quickly without leaving a sticky or greasy residue on the skin.
What are the best tanning mousses right now?
Here are our 8 vegan and cruelty-free favourites for an effortless and flawless glow.
Filter by Molly Mae Tanning Mousse
This lightweight mousse is your shortcut to smooth, glowing skin with zero streaks.
Enriched with hydrating Aloe and antioxidant-packed Green tea, the buildable formula blurs uneven tone and enhances your natural complexion with a warm, golden glow.
Available in three shades, it’s designed to suit a range of skin tones for a tailored, just-back-from-holiday look. Finished with a fresh, skin-friendly scent, this mousse makes bronzing feel as good as it looks.
RRP: £22 - Find it on Filter or Selfridges
ICONIC London Prep Set Tan Mousse
Year-round glow made easy: this no rinse mousse effortlessly builds a natural, even tan that lasts, giving you a sun-kissed finish without any fuss.
The formula features shimmering pearl pigments that instantly brighten your skin while your tan develops, delivering seamless, streak-free results even for tanning newbies!
RRP: £24 - Find it on Cult Beauty or ICONIC London
Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse
This professional-grade formula is here to level up your tan game and is perfect if you need to start glowing up right now. That’s right, the mousse delivers instant colour that develops into a deeper, richer bronze as time goes on.
With a high concentration of active tanning ingredients, it provides a darker, natural-looking tan in just one layer, no matter your skin tone. Plus, with its rapid-drying formula, you’ll be dressed and glowing in just 60 seconds.
RRP: £31.95 - Find it on Sephora or Cult Beauty
Coco & Eve Antioxidant Express Tanning Mousse
Turn up the glow with this ultra-lightweight, fast-absorbing mousse that boasts a triple-tanning blend for a rich, long-lasting bronze that looks completely natural.
It also features Hyaluronic acid to maintain skin’s hydration while a potent dose of antioxidants works to protect and nourish, leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth.
Simply apply, wait an hour and rinse off to reveal a luminous, beach-ready tan. No wonder it’s an absolute best-seller right now!
RRP: £32 - Find it on Cult Beauty
St. Tropez Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse
This luxurious whipped mousse is designed to deliver a long-lasting, golden bronze while keeping your skin velvety soft.
With its quick-drying, non-sticky texture, this mousse is easy to apply, perfect for those new to self-tanning.
Plus, the formula is enriched with Hyaluronic acid to keep dehydration at bay as well as Niacinamide for an even tone and more radiant finish.
RRP: £33 - Find it on Cult Beauty
Kopari Beauty Gradual Self-Tanning Mousse
Why settle for streaky, uneven tans when you can achieve a flawless all-over bronze with this lightweight, buildable formula?
It is enriched with soothing Aloe vera to calm and enhance skin’s overall texture, while Hyaluronic acid ensures long-lasting hydration for a supple, soft feel.
The result? A natural, sun-kissed tan that is free from any patches or creases. Oh and you’ll love the delicious guava scent.
RRP: £34 - Find it on Cult Beauty or Sephora
TAN-LUXE Hydra Mousse Hydrating Self Tan Mousse
This mousse has such a luxurious feel that it transforms self-tanning into self-care ritual.
Let the clear, airy foam absorb quickly into the skin, leaving no streaks or mess behind, just a radiant, sun-kissed glow that develops in as little as 4-6 hours.
Infused with vitamins B5, C, and E alongside nourishing Raspberry seed oil, it hydrates and conditions the skin while building a natural-looking tan.
RRP: £36 - Find it on Cult Beauty or Sephora
COOLA Sunless Tan Express Sculpting Mousse
Get glowing in record time with this express tanning mousse, formulated with over 70% organic ingredients and a naturally derived tanning agent from Sugar beet.
The lightweight texture absorbs quickly and dries fast, delivering a radiant, streak-free tan that develops within hours.
With a tropical piña colada scent and results that last up to three days, this mousse makes sunless tanning feel like a mini getaway.
RRP: £44 - Find it on Sephora or Harvey Nichols
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