14 Beauty and Skincare Products for Sun-Kissed Skin Year-Round

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Winter is on its way, and many of us are holding on to the sun-kissed glow we had over summer. A bronzed look is highly sought after, and although we can’t hit the beach year-round, there are safer ways to get it.

Key Takeaways

• Tanning beds aren’t a safe shortcut: indoor tanning can more than double your risk of melanoma.
• Self-tanners, bronzers, and shimmer oils give a sun-kissed look without UV exposure.
• Exfoliate before applying self-tanner for even, streak-free color.
• Self-tanners and bronzers don’t protect against sunburn, so keep using broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily.

Before you consider tanning beds, remember that ultraviolet rays carry real risks. Indoor tanning poses a serious skin cancer risk; the American Academy of Dermatology notes it can more than double your risk of melanoma, and there’s no such thing as a safe tanning bed. Instead of taking your chances, try these 14 products to get a sun-kissed look without UV exposure. Just remember that self-tanners and bronzers don’t protect against the sun, so you still need sunscreen.

Must-Have Products for Sun Kissed Skin

Coco&Eve’s Medium Bali Bronzing Foam

If you’re looking for that perfect glow without the hassle, Coco&Eve has you covered. The bronzing foam comes in a range of shades and is designed to be non-comedogenic, so it’s less likely to clog pores. It includes ingredients like lotus extract, raw virgin coconut, and cocoa.

JLo’s Beauty Limitless Glow Sheet Mask

This mask works for all skin types and is designed to leave skin looking radiant. It contains niacinamide, which can help with oil and redness, and fermented oil for hydration, which makes it one of our go-to products for a sun-kissed look.

Skin and Senses Irresistible Glow Shimmer Oil

Update (October 2026): We couldn’t find this shimmer oil at current retailers, so it may be discontinued. This shimmering oil is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. It contains avocado oil to soften skin and jojoba oil, which is rich in vitamin E, so it moisturizes while adding a subtle glow.

Loving Tan 2 Hr Express Self Tanner

When you’re going for sun-kissed, you want a formula that’s easy on your skin. Loving Tan’s Express Self-Tanning Mousse is free of parabens and alcohol and contains aloe vera and black walnut extract. It develops a tan in about two hours and dries in sixty seconds. It’s a bit of a spend, but we think it’s worth it.

Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer

This one isn’t a self-tanner, but it gives your face a warm, bronzed look. It has a pressed powder formula and a matte finish, and it’s one of the most popular bronzers on Sephora. It works with almost any makeup style.

Sol De Janeiro’s Glow Motion Copacabana Bronze

If you’re looking for something that adds a touch of glow and shimmer to your body, this is a great option. Copacabana Bronze contains cupuaçu butter and açaí oil, so it leaves skin shimmery and moisturized. It also comes in a travel size.

Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint 

We all know and love Rihanna’s brand Fenty Beauty, but have you tried its Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint? It adds just the right amount of glow to your body and comes in several shades.

JLo Beauty’s That Star Filter Highlighting Complexion Booster

JLo Beauty has plenty of sun-kissed products, including this Complexion Booster. It comes in multiple shades, and warm bronze is our favorite. It’s cruelty-free, has a radiant finish, and offers light coverage for a natural look. It also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant, plus fermented oil and leaf extract for hydration.

NARS Bronzing Powder

NARS Bronzing Powder is a longtime favorite. It’s a pressed powder formula with a radiant finish, and NARS says it’s long-wearing. It creates a healthy glow with a warm tone and is free of parabens, formaldehyde, and mineral oil. It’s an easy way to get a sun-kissed look without UV exposure.

Tom Ford’s Shimmering Body Oil

This body oil leaves a long-lasting glow and has a warm, spicy scent. It’s on the pricey side, but the shimmer is beautiful. If your skin is sensitive to fragrance, patch-test it first.

Alba Botanica’s Sunless Tanner

This self-tanner is easy to find, and the company says it leaves a streak-free finish and absorbs quickly. According to the brand, the formula uses 100% vegetarian ingredients and no synthetic fragrance. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly picks on our list.

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

This bronzer has a reputation for being silky, smooth, and great for dry skin. It’s made with butters sourced from the Amazon, which help it glide on and leave a tropical glow. The brand describes it as hypoallergenic and oil-free. You can find it at Ulta.

Tan Luxe’s Illuminating Self-Tanning Drops

These drops mix into your usual moisturizer to turn it into a gradual self-tanner. They come in two shades, and the brand claims there are “No streaks. No smell. No drama.” Tan Luxe’s Tanning Drops are a popular pick.

Iconic London’s Sheer Liquid Bronzer

Update (October 2026): Iconic London now sells this as Sheer Bronze Liquid Bronzer. This oil-free liquid bronzer has a sheer finish that makes you look like you just came back from a beach vacation. It’s free of parabens, contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance, and is vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.

Conclusion

There’s no reason your sun-kissed glow has to disappear with summer, and with these 14 products, it doesn’t have to. For best results, exfoliate your skin before applying self-tanner so the color goes on evenly. These options let you skip UV tanning entirely, but they don’t protect your skin, so keep wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every day.

Sources

• American Academy of Dermatology – 10 surprising facts about indoor tanning
• American Academy of Dermatology – How to apply self-tanner
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Sunless Tanners & Bronzers
• American Academy of Dermatology – How to apply sunscreen