Freckles are natural, caused by a combination of genetics and sun exposure (the freckle gene is hereditary!) Freckles are very common and are considered by many people to be cute and attractive.
However, for various reasons, some people prefer to hide their freckles and a self-tanner can be a safe, effective way to do this.
Freckles can sometimes fade in the winter and come back in the summer and some people find that their freckles start to fade as they age. However, if you want a solution right now, a high-quality self-tanner is the best way to hide your freckles and give you a healthy glow.
So let’s jump in and go over the best self-tanners for hiding freckles.
I have freckles that I sometimes want to cover up – these are the best self-tanners for the job!
Check the current price on Amazon.
The Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam is my favorite self-tanner for hiding freckles. It has a lightweight formula so it doesn’t sit heavy on your face or body.
Unlike some self-tanners which can leave you looking streaky, I always find that this self-tanner applies easily and evenly.
This self-tanner comes in three shades – light/medium, dark, and ultra-dark so it’s suited for most skin tones, and it’s enriched with aloe vera to help improve your skin’s texture.
If you’re worried about turning orange or smelling awful (you know that horrible fake-tan smell I’m referring to!) then you’ll love this self-tanner, because it smells like coconut and it won’t make you look like an orange.
✅ Lightweight formula
✅ Diminishes the appearance of freckles
✅ Won’t make your skin orange
✅ Comes in 3 different shades
I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive about trying this product, purely because of the name. Could a “water” really tan my face and help hide freckles?
But after using it for a week, I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, I actually really love this product now!
This self-tanner is actually a mist that you spray over your face to create a subtle, but buildable tan. The more you frequently you spray, the darker your tan will become.
It comes in four shades – light, medium, dark and extra dark which makes it easy to find a shade best suited to your skin tone and desired outcome.
I find this self-tanning mist to be super refreshing and hydrating on a hot day (and even moreso if you store it in the refrigerator.) On a recent trip to Mexico, it felt so good to spray this on my face every morning and then again in the evening, after spending the day in the heat!
This self-tanner won’t transfer color onto your pillow and it provides an even, streak free tan without that nasty “fake tan smell” that a lot of self-tanners have.
✅ Refreshing and hydrating
✅ Buildable color
✅ Four different shades
✅ Diminishes the appearance of freckles
If you want a customizable self-tanner specifically designed for the face, then you definitely need to check out the Tan-Luxe Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops.
I love this product because it gives you the ability to make your tan as deep or light as you want.
You simply mix anywhere from 1-12 drops into your moisturizer or skin serum and then smooth it over your face.
If you want to give yourself a subtle glow, then just add a couple of drops. If you want a deep, dark tan that really diminishes the appearance of freckles, then up the number of drops.
You can easily experiment with this product to discover the number of drops you need to hide your freckles and because we’re all different, this number will differ from person to person. Personally, about 5 drops is the sweet spot for me.
✅ Completely customizable
✅ Diminishes the appearance of freckles
✅ Non-toxic and cruelty-free
✅ Smooths the skin
If you’d like an all-in-one option, the Bali Body Gradual Face Tan Hydrating Cream is for you. While this product is less customizable than the drops, it’s more convenient as it’s a self-tanner and face cream in one.
This product is a daily moisturizer that is infused with self-tanner, so you’ll gradually build up your tan while moisturizing your face.
I find this cream to be very nourishing for the skin. It contains shea butter, sweet almond oil, and vitamin e, which all improve the appearance of the skin and help to protect against free radicals.
This cream doesn’t provide as much coverage as the first two options, so it’s best for people who have a small amount of light-colored freckles.
✅ Very hydrating
✅ Gradually builds up coverage
✅ Provides a subtle, sun-kissed glow
✅ Best for light-colored freckles
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that combines a face moisturizer with a self-tanner, then the Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer may be a good option for you.
The great thing about this moisturizer is that along with moisturizing the skin and building a gradual tan, it also contains SPF 20 which helps to protect your face from sun damage and stop more freckles from developing.
It comes in two different shades – fair/medium and medium/deep and has a lightweight formula specifically developed for the face.
✅ Moisturizer and self-tanner in one
✅ Contains SPF20
✅ Comes in 2 different shades
✅ Gradually builds up coverage
Using a self-tanner to hide freckles is actually a fairly simple process. Here’s what you need to do.
- Determine which self-tanner best matches your skin tone and the color/intensity of your freckles.
- Lightly exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells and avoid a flaky, patchy, uneven tan.
- Apply your self-tanner evenly on your face. Depending on the type of self-tanner you are using, you may get the best results if you use a tanning mitt (foam tanners work best with a tanning mitt.)
- Allow the self-tanner to set on your face for around 5 minutes before applying moisturizer, sunscreen, or makeup.
- Repeat this process daily until you reach your desired shade and coverage.
There are a wide variety of self-tanners that will help to hide freckles, including foams, drops, creams, and mists. Using products like this is safe and will help to improve your self-confidence and give you a beautiful, healthy glow. Remember to avoid spending too much time in the sun so you don’t further damage your skin.
You May Also Like: