Editor’s Picks: 10 of the Best Wash-Off Body Bronzers for Sun-Kissed Skin in an Instant

As a beauty editor, I’ve tested and evaluated body bronzers from a range of brands. These are my top picks for every preference:

Best Coverage

• Tan-Luxe Instant Hero Skin Perfector Illuminating Wash Off Body Bronzer

Best Shade Range

• Fenty Beauty Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint

Best Matte

• St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer

Best Luminizing

• Tanologist Insta Glow Illuminating Body Bronzer
• Dolce Glow Mia Instant Body Glow

Best Customizable

• By Terry Tea to Tan Face & Body Hydra-Bronze Skincare Mist

Best Buildable

• James Read Enhance Body Foundation Wash Off Tan

Best Clean Beauty

• This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle

Best for Legs

• Legology Sun-Lite Sheer Lingerie for Legs

Best for All-Over

• Elaluz Liquid Bronzer with Camu Camu

For more details on each formula, read on.

Tan-Luxe Instant Hero Skin Perfector Illuminating Wash Off Body Bronzer gives you full-coverage colour—so it not only creates the look of tanned skin, it also helps to camouflage redness, spider veins and cellulite.

There’s just one shade, a medium tint with subtle shimmer, which will work on most skin tones. It’s transfer-resistant, long-lasting and has a built-in sponge applicator that makes it quick and easy to apply.

• Pros: Full coverage, blurs imperfections
• Cons: Need to apply a lot of product

Sephora reviewer: “Buy this. While it does give a decent tan effect, the gold is in the way it covers up flaws. It’s like a foundation for your body. All of these wash-off tans claim to be non-transfer but this one is the best at that (if you’re wearing pure white you might have a bit of rub off at the end of the day). This transfers way less than similar products. This is my 2nd bottle purchase and it’s a staple for me for events or days I just want to feel amazing!”

Unlike foundations, most body bronzers don’t have an extensive shade selection—except for Fenty Beauty Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint. There are seven tints to choose from, ranging from Pearl Swirl, a champagne for light skin, to Chocolate Reign, a rich bronze for deep tones. 

Each one is sheer but buildable, so you can easily achieve your perfect match and desired level of coverage. They’re all infused with subtle shimmer, and the formula is both sweat-proof and transfer-resistant.

• Pros: Extensive shade range, deep colour payoff
• Cons: Some may find the colour too intense

Sephora reviewer: “I’m a medium to medium-deep skin toned girl with blemishes and scars on my legs and uneven skin tone on my chest, and this stuff definitely blurred it and gave my skin a beautiful golden tint to it. I’m insecure about a few scars on my legs so I was really pleased with that. I’d recommend wearing dark coloured clothes unless your whites or lights aren’t directly touching areas you put the sauce on. It didn’t go on patchy for me but it does dry fast so be sure to rub it in immediately.”

If you’re all about a matte look, there’s St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer. This formula doesn’t contain any shimmer or light-reflecting particles—it just gives you a realistic-looking bronze tint in your choice of two shades (Light/Medium and Medium/Dark).

That makes it an ideal choice for daytime wear (when shimmer might feel over-the-top). It has a cream-to-powder texture and is transfer-proof and water-resistant. 

• Pros: Matte finish, realistic tan
• Cons: Can be hard to apply evenly

Ulta reviewer: “I have tried so many different lotions, but this one matched my skin perfectly. I do like more of the matte look that this had, it made my tan look real and not oily or fake and not orange. Highly recommended, even looked good on my face. It doesn’t transfer at all. I need to go and buy more!!”

Think of Tanologist Insta Glow Illuminating Body Bronzer as a luminizing, skin-perfecting filter in a tube. This is a full-coverage body bronzer infused with light-reflecting particles for a flawless, glowing skin finish.

The glycerin-based formula dries down in seconds, becoming water-resistant and transfer-proof for a full 24 hours. Besides bronzing, you can also use it to hide discolourations or to contour areas where you want a little extra definition (like the abs). It comes in one shade, a deep but natural-looking bronze that adapts to all skin tones.

• Pros: Luminizer and bronzer in one, full coverage
• Cons: Some may not like the smell

Revolve reviewer: “Seriously love this product. I use it as a highlighter when I’m really tan, as a bronzer, on my collarbones, arms, legs. This is a miracle product. I have gone through countless bottles.”

There’s nothing like a little shimmer to show off tanned skin—and you get get both with Dolce Glow Mia Instant Body Glow. This tinted lotion (which comes in one universal shade) is spiked with fine particles of mica for a luminous, light-reflecting effect. 

Meanwhile, the bronzing base gives colour and coverage along with hydration, thanks to aloe and tropical oils. But it’s fast-drying and non-greasy, with no transfer. You can either apply it straight or mix it with body lotion for a more subtle effect.

• Pros: Luminizer and bronzer in one
• Cons: Some may find it too shimmery

Nordstrom reviewer: “I’m a celebrity makeup artist in Los Angeles and this is the only topper I use on my clients and myself to complete any makeup look. This is one product I always have to have in my kit. Red carpet, photoshoot a night out, this is a must have for that glowing, tanned and perfectly bronzed skin look finish. All skin tones can also wear this one shade. Gorgeous! I definitely approve!”

With By Terry Tea to Tan Face & Body Hydra-Bronze Skincare Mist, you can customize both the finish and depth of your tan—from sheer and matte to deeper and shimmery.

This water-based liquid spray comes in one transfer-resistant “iced tea” shade, which is infused with tea extracts and flecks of fine shimmer. Let the particles settle at the bottom if you prefer a sheer, matte look. Or shake the bottle so that they disperse throughout the formula, giving your skin a deeper tan and subtle glow.

• Pros: Can customize the depth and finish
• Cons: Pricey

Space NK reviewer: “So easy to add to your moisturizer or apply after for an instant, healthy, streak-fee glow. I tried it on my legs first and was seriously amazed at the result. This is a product you can layer up if you need to, but just to give your skin a lift is really great. The shimmer is also a lovely feature, great for when you are out or to give your tan that instant boost. There is no harsh smell either.”

James Read Enhance Body Foundation Wash Off Tan only comes in one shade, but it’s totally buildable. So you can apply a second layer to deepen the colour, or mix it with your favourite body lotion for just a hint of tint.

This is a creamy but quick-drying formula that gives you sheer colour with a luminous finish. Besides creating a realistic tan, it also gives your skin a perfected, air-brushed look (hence the name “body foundation”). After it sets, which takes about four minutes, it becomes transfer-resistant.

• Pros: Buildable colour, natural-looking glow
• Cons: Not as good at covering imperfections

Lookfantastic reviewer: “Really handy for a last-minute tan. Very easy to apply and wears quite well. Nice colour with no Tango colour!”