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Best tanning serums to revive dry skin and make you glow

03 May 2024 , 11:14
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The Charlotte Tilbury Tanning Drops are a dream
The Charlotte Tilbury Tanning Drops are a dream

There is nothing worse than realising in later life that sticking to your skincare routine is absolutely necessary for not looking overtired and shabby. When life gets a bit tricky or I just simply don't have the time, and I'm looking worn out and puffy-eyed I need to find a new product to make up for it - and a tanning formula with some essential skincare ingredients fits the bill.

I have used tanning serums on and off for years, but the ones I have tried previously just never gave that wow factor. My go to tanning spray for years was the Waterman Facial Tanning Spray with Aloe Vera which was one of the most subtle yet effective tans for a couple of spritzes every morning - but I'm at an age now where I know a serum will work better with my skin texture to really soak into my complexion with more active ingredients to give me a glow, too.

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I couldn't help but notice that tanning serums are popping up everywhere (I mean, we are all desperate for a sun-kissed look with all this rain). I have been religiously trialling different serums each week from different brands to see which is best suited to my skin tone and I have found I have favourites for different reasons - here's my findings.

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Best Tanning Serum: Charlotte Tilbury Island Glow Tan Drops

Best tanning serums to revive dry skin and make you glowCharlotte Tilbury Tanning Drops are a dream! They gave me the perfect pre- make up glow before I applied my everyday make up (Image: Stacey Dutton)

It says a lot when the first thing your partner says when he see's you is 'whoa that tan' as I'm walking towards him on my lunch break. I had applied five drops of the Charlotte Tilbury Island Glow Tan Drops in Fair/Medium the day before with my moisturiser and the gradual glow has been incredible.

I now have an everyday tan which works perfectly under my makeup.

Alternative brands...

Lottie London Hot Glaze Bronzing Serum Drops, £8.95

Best tanning serums to revive dry skin and make you glowLottie London Hot Glaze Drops were very pigmented (a great tanning boost for dull skin) (Image: Stacey Dutton)

I have trialled the Lottie London serum drops for a week now and I have come to the conclusion that I now don't like the look of my minimal makeup without them. I'm now used to a quick application in the morning after a full cleanse, which has given me a really healthy glow to start my day.

For £8.95, this is the ultimate hybrid skincare/makeup buy that has changed my normal skincare routine and I will never look back. I feel that, even after just a week, my complexion seems much brighter and clearer and I am definitely seeing more of a glow.

My favourite thing about the Lottie London drops is that they smell absolutely beautiful - I love anything coconut scented and these make me feel like I have just topped up my sunscreen for a day on the beach.

They are easily my faviorite scented serums I have tested, and they do an incredible job of keeping my skin feeling fresh, too. All great qualities for such a low price bracket.

I would gladly use these serum drops every day just for the scent - they blend really nicely into quite a pigmented glow which I don't mind at all, it just meant I didn't need to use as much cream bronzer.

Ciate London Brazilian Bronzing Serum, £25

Best tanning serums to revive dry skin and make you glowCiat London Bronzing Serum (Image: Stacey Dutton)

While this one is a bit of a spennier option, it's a great serum for building a darker looking tan. The formula is super- thin which at first I was quite unsure of - but, once added to my morning moisturiser I quickly fell in love.

The Ciate London Brazilian Glow Bronzing Serum is a must for those wanting quick results. I use these drops pretty much every morning as soon as I've washed my face in contouring areas to give a natural 'sun-kissed' glow ahead of doing my usual cream bronze and concealer. And let me tell you, the scent is absolutely gorgeous.

The product is buildable, works really well with or without makeup but, my only negative review would be that, if you have quite uneven, dry patches, it really clings to them and is quite hard to give even coverage over your whole face.

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Best tanning serums to revive dry skin and make you glowCiate London Bronzing Serum gives me an everyday glow and smells absolutely delicious (Image: Stacey Dutton)

Other than that, I would treat this tanning formula more like a general face tan - its' a good base for your usual everyday makeup.

And, at £25, I know that they will last me a long while as I only need to use them to really highlight and contour certain areas of my face with them.

Make Up Revolution Bright Light Bronzing Drops, £7.99 (Look Fantastic)

Best tanning serums to revive dry skin and make you glowRevolution Bronzing Drops have done my dull, wintery skin wonders heading into Spring (Image: Stacey Dutton)

The MakeUp Revolution bronzing drops are quite a revelation for me. The multi-use product really is great for all purposes. I have worn just after cleansing for a quick boost, with my moisturiser for a more pigmented look, and I have also buffed them into my skin around my neck and chest for a summery glow all over. I wore the lighter shade 'Bronze Scorched' and I really enjoyed how buildable they are.

They are a great addition to my beauty routine - and the price point is incredible for such a multi-use product. The formula is a little sheer, but I don't mind that. the pigment is really light with a lightweight texture to really use as heavily as you like. The only way I haven't used the drops is in a foundation, as I tend to only wear this for nights out or occasions like weddings, parties and so on. The skincare focus in the bronzing drops is impressive - with a skin-quenching blend of squalene, grapeseed oil and hyaluronic acid, working to deliver an intense hydration boost.

The customisable drops are designed to add instant warmth and radiance to the skin while also helping to nourish, soften and refresh. They arrive in two shades. ‘Spiced Tan’ is recommended for deeper skin tones, while ‘Scorched Light’ is designed for light to medium skin tones. Pair with the Bright Light Blush Drops and Glow Drops for envious sun-kissed luminosity. Overall, these are my favourite buildable drops which come in a very subtle scent, too.

Stacey Dutton

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