Cast aside your previous assumptions, because we have a bold statement to make: fake tan is (thankfully) no longer what it used to be. Both our attitudes to sun-kissed skin and our go-to hero products have wondrously improved since our teenage days. 

A healthy glow now starts from within, and those of us who choose to tan are opting for gradual products we can work holistically into our self-care routines. We’re shunning the sun to swerve skin damage, and team Stylist have found the wonder products that make it easier than ever before to get a golden, natural-looking glow.

If you’re still haunted by the orange-tinged ghouls of your teenage tanning nightmares, cast aside your fears: sunshine in a bottle is waiting for you. We spoke to the experts so you can officially master the art of radiant skin for summer 2023… 

Exfoliation is one of those things we’re told to do often and know will be worthwhile – but we probably don’t do enough. When it comes to getting a foolproof glow in 2023, though, exfoliation is your friend.

Nicole Currie, Dove’s Brand Manager, cautions that without exfoliation pre-self-tan, you could be risking an uneven finish. “Always exfoliate in the shower before tanning to remove any dry patches which could make your tan look uneven – a soft exfoliator like a sponge or shower loofah will work wonders.”

Regular exfoliation between tan top-ups might feel counterintuitive as you may feel like you’re at risk of scrubbing the tan off, but Miranda Holder, fashion and beauty coach and tanning devotee, tells Stylist there is a true science to it. “Sloughing off dead skin cells and particularly paying attention to stubborn areas such as heels, elbows and ankles provides an even base for the colour to ‘take’.

“And it’s even more important if you’re tanning frequently – a light, regular exfoliation will keep your skin primed for more applications and help the colour to fade evenly, too.”

Still need a little persuading? Bruce Green, founder of SOS Serum Skincare, likens exfoliation to the critical step of cleansing in your skincare routine. “Exfoliating between applications unclogs pores and makes it easier to re-apply your mousse or lotion.” 

Yes, really, it is now possible to tan without having to claim you’re purposefully wearing eau de digestive. The key is to pick a lightly fragranced wonder product – and, as for a natural-looking glow, you can swerve the orange tinge with the right gradual tan.

“The Summer Revived gradual tan range from Dove combines plant-derived glycerin with naturally-derived tanners that are pH-balanced to perfectly match your skin and ensure a streak-free, bronzed glow,” Currie tells Stylist. “These products have low levels of DHA, which reacts with amino acids and amino groups to create melanoids. This results in a browner or bronzed pigment instead of that dreaded orange colour.

“The range also combats that biscuit smell with a fresh fragrance of sun-ripened fruits.” Sunshine in a bottle? We’ll stockpile these for summer… 

Rather than slapping it on and hoping for the best, there are a few ways you can finesse your application to achieve the radiant glow you’re after.

For Miranda Holder, she opts for a couple of tools for a flawless application. “When it comes to applying product to your face, my secret is to use a brush, as you can literally use the colour to contour the face as you would with makeup,” she says. “I find a mitt works very well for the body, as it glides the product evenly over the skin whilst protecting the hands.”

When you get to your hands, which we all know can easily turn a shade darker than the rest of your body from excess product, the key is to start small, and moisturise.

“Apply a small amount of tan as you would a hand cream, followed by a rich moisturiser. This is key, as it really helps to even out the glow and stop it settling in any crevices such as your knuckles,” says Holder.

“Finally – and most importantly, you need to wipe off your palms – do this with a damp towel, then use a micellar water face wipe to clean around the base of your nails, in between fingers, over your palms and out to the base of your wrists for a natural fade.”

When applying product, the expert consensus is to rub with sweeping, circular motions to achieve a flawless, even glow. 

When figuring out which kind of glow to go for, the experts recommend a gradual self-tan. “Opting for gradual rather than instant allows you to build your tan to the level you specifically want it to be at,” Nicole Currie says. “It gives you the freedom to build a light glow, to a deep tan, depending on the number of applications.”

“Gradual tan is a great product for not just building a tan daily, but also for building upon an existing tan to slow the rate at which it will fade,” Bruce Green tells Stylist. 

The best thing about 2023’s gradual tan obsession? It’s less about your appearance, and more about how it makes you feel. Seeing self-tan as an essential part of your self-care routine, and actively choosing to focus in on the soothing qualities of regular application aligns a radiant glow with your wellbeing.

Nicole Currie says, “The Dove Summer Revived Gradual Self-Tan Lotion is perfect for a beginner, providing a fuss-free application that you can easily integrate into your self-care regime. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience that feels like a really intentional, indulgent act of self-care, the Dove Summer Revived Gradual Self-Tan Mousse will be perfect for you, as application feels really sumptuous.”

Miranda Holder also notes her shift in mindset when using self-tan, and how a gradual glow can do more than just bronze the skin. She says, “Giving the product as much time as possible to sink in before getting dressed creates a better glow, and gives me some much-needed R&R.

“My favourite time to do a full bronzing session is just before bed, the day before laundry day. That way, my loose sleepwear doesn’t interfere with my glow, everything goes straight into the laundry the next day and I get some intentional time back to just pause before a good night’s sleep.” 

A patchy tan is often the result of dehydration, so it’s important to keep your skin moisturised. “Tan can be drying to the skin as it acts as a skin barrier,” Bruce Green says. “If your skin is in dire need of hydration, your pores will clog the tan and you’ll have a patchier appearance.”

When it comes to the elite gradual tan products to shop ASAP, Dove’s self-tan range combines gradual tan with moisturisation, using some skincare science to work wonders on the skin.

“Our Summer Revived tanners and clever Cell-Moisturisers® deliver deep moisturisation, which contributes to a long-lasting, even-toned glow,” Nicole Currie says. “Providing deep nourishment, the range offers up to 72 hours of moisturisation.”

A healthy glow that prioritises hydration? Sign us up. 

The No 1 self-tan brand in the UK*, Dove’s gradual self-tan range makes it even easier to get a streak-free, healthy glow. Lightweight and deeply moisturising, opt for the Summer Revived Lotion or Mousse to easily build and control your tan. 

*Source 2022 NielsenIQ data, Value Sales, Unit Sales, Gradual Self Tan (client defined) w/e 01.01.2022