
/ Beauty
14 Jan 2025 | | By Cordelia Aspinall
Fake it ‘til you make it with a natural-looking tan
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
The temperature might currently be in the minus figures outside, but who’s to say we can’t pretend we’ve been retreating to tropical climes, coming back beautifully sunkissed and believably bronzed? But, before you reach for your usual hardcore summer self-tanner, think again. A natural-looking winter glow requires a subtler touch – and tanning drops offer the perfect solution to topping up your fading summer tan and bringing a radiant glow back to your skin, whatever the weather.
Simple to use – just add a couple of drops to your normal moisturiser, mix well and massage into the skin – this effortless step will give you that year-round golden goddess look that you’ve been craving. The more drops you add, the deeper the colour, so you can adapt your glow from a subtle gleam to a deep Ibiza-style bronze with the seasons. All of the beauty benefits with none of the travel stress? We’re sold.
We’ve picked some of our favourite tanning drops from the likes of Tan-Luxe, Charlotte Tilbury and St. Tropez to bring you the ultimate edit to cheat your tan and brighten the room. Ready, set, glow.

Get the ‘I’ve just got back from the Maldives look with Tan-Luxe’s miracle-working tanning drops. Simply mix into your usual body lotion or oil and watch for glowing results. The formula is enriched with raspberry seed oil and vitamin E for added hydration and moisture, while Tan-Luxe’s Cellutone Complex tones and firms the skin for an overall bronze, boosted appearance.
£44
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St. Tropez’s glow drops will work wonders on your skin, providing a natural-looking tan in just four to eight hours, as well as plumping, protecting, smoothing and reducing redness. The multi-tasking formula contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, echinacea and acerola cherry, which is rich in vitamins C and E, for a formula that is suitable for all skin tones and non-comedogenic (so no clogged pores). Apply directly to the skin or dilute into moisturiser for streak-free, radiant skin.
£27.86
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Take your body to paradise with these self-tanning drops, infused with natural tanning actives to give you a year-round summer glow. Other ingredients include caffeine, baobab and oat extracts to smooth and brighten the skin for a healthy, energised look. Apply as little or often as desired by mixing up to 12 drops into your moisturiser, and flaunt a flawless tan that will last up to five days.
£26.95
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Looking for sunshine in a bottle? Charlotte Tilbury’s tanning drops will provide just what you’re looking for, creating a plumped, sun-kissed look, whatever the season. A non-sticky, streak-free, lightweight formula featuring tan-enhancing molecules alongside hydrating hyaluronic acid, your skin will be left deeply nourished and beautifully bronzed. For a buildable tan, apply before, during or after moisturising and watch your glow develop in six to eight hours and last up to four days.
£38
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A skincare-makeup hybrid, Ultra Violette’s 2-in-1 Queen Screen will protect and bronze the skin simultaneously. The lightweight formula is best added to suncream or worn under makeup to shield skin effectively from UV rays (it’s SPF50) while also providing a natural-looking bronzed glow. A tan without the damage, use for a safe sunkissed look.
£33
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Fed up of dull, pale winter skin? Add Lancaster’s tanning drops to your daily beauty routine for a believable bronze in no time. Apply the drops via your moisturiser and within one hour you’ll see an even, all-over radiant tan that will last for up to one week. Packed with polyglutamic and hyaluronic acids, these drops are as hydrating as they are illuminating.
£28
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Craving a summery just-back-from-the-beach look? Make Votary’s easy-to-use tanning drops your go-to. Drop into your moisturiser, massage into your skin and achieve a dewy bronze that no one will know is fake. Packed with a super trio of hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and glycerin, the drops will boost hydration and condition the skin at the same time, promising picture-perfect skin from the inside out.
£40
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Dial up the summer vibes with Beauty Pie’s tanning drops and transport your skin to an island paradise. A multi-beneficial formula, packed with natural DHA, hyaluronic acid, prebiotic banana flower extract, red seaweed and amino acids, these drops will provide a streak-free, hydrating, and smoothing bronze finish to your skin for a convincingly real-looking tan. Apply a couple of drops straight to the skin and reap the rewards.
£40
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Gradually build an even faux tan with Dr Sebagh’s tanning drops. Streak-free, scent-free and with no need for dangerous sun exposure, the formula will provide a natural-looking glowing complexion minus any damage. It also protects against HEV (High Energy Visible) light from the sun’s rays and digital devices to keep skin youthful, smooth and radiant. Mix into your cream, serums or moisturisers and witness your golden glow develop.
£35
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