I never knew tanning lotions and oils were for Black skin. Probably because my knowledge of “tanning” started and stopped with Jersey Shore. Thankfully, my fave TikTok creator Clarke set me right. She used Sol de Janeiro’s glowy body oil in a vid, and omg, I’ve never seen such shimmery and even skin. I’ve been on the hunt for tanning oil ever since. And like most color-based beauty products, there are many options for deep and dark skin. But that’s where TikTok comes in.
[SEE ALSO: The Best Self Tanners For Black and Brown Skin]
Instead of splurging on tanning lotions and color matching, I took to Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok to find the lotions that are worth your coin and the ones that aren’t. A summary report for Black girl tanning lies below.
Add these tanning lotions to your body care routine stat!
Sol de Janeiro Glowy Body Oil
Of course, I could not include SoL de Janeiro on this list. They’re the go-to brand for all things body care, including body bronzers. So many Black TikTok creators love this bronzer for its shimmery effect and lightweight feel. While it only comes in three colors, the bronzer is more shimmery than pigmented, so it’s guaranteed to work on any deep skin tone. Sure, the oil is more expensive than other products, but totally worth the splurge.
Jergens Natural Glow
If you search #blackgirltanning on TikTok, chances are you’ll see Jergen Natural Glow. Because it’s smooth to apply and looks so damn good on ya skin. Plus, it’s less than $15 and you (!!) get more bang for your buck because it’s double the size of the Sol de Janeiro oil.
Fenty Beauty Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint
Anything Fenty is an automatic buy. Okay, not really, but considering Fenty was one of the first higher-end brands to have an inclusive foundation line, I trust the their shade ranges wholeheartedly. The girlies love Fenty Beauty’s body tint because it’s not super heavy and pigmented but more luminous. If you’re looking for a lotion to completely even out your skin tone, then this Fenty Beauty pick isn’t for you. However, if you want a subtle body glow, then buy this stat!
St Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse
I was scrolling on Twitter like one does when I saw this tweet about St. Tropez bronzing mousse and its effect on deep skin. And when I tell you I gasped out loud, I am not exaggerating. The girls on Twitter say it’s super easy to apply and leaves no ashy patches. It lasts up to ten days and leaves you lookin’ like a bronzed goddess. Only downside is that it does not travel well and leaks everywhere, but that can be easily fixed with an empty container from Walgreens.
Bondi Sands Liquid Glow
This tweet about Black girl tanning went viral a couple of years ago, but the topic remains relevant today. If you want to look like Kerry Washington on the red carpet, buy the Bondi Sands liquid glow. It has little green and olive undertones, so you won’t get that orange-y shadow (which is *the* absolute worst for us Black girls). It has a light coconut scent that can be irritating to some, but it is cruelty-free and vegan. Plus, it’s super easy to wear—just apply two to three pumps and wait for it to dry. No wash-off required!
