With summer holidays fading into memory, many are turning to self-tan drops as a convenient alternative to traditional fake tan. These concentrated drops are mixed with daily moisturiser, making them a seamless addition to skincare routines. Social media has fuelled their popularity, with Drunk Elephant's D-Bronzi drops amassing over 133 million TikTok views.
Claire Coleman tested five popular brands to see if they deliver. St Tropez Luxe Tan Tonic Drops (£30 for 30ml) scored 4/5 for a natural, subtle brown shade, though pricey. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops (£33 for 30ml) disappointed with barely visible results on olive skin, earning 2/5.
Bondi Sands Self Tan Drops (£15.99 for 30ml) impressed as the cheapest option at 53p per ml, offering excellent coverage with a noticeably dark result from four drops, scoring 4/5. Rose & Caramel Unity Tanning Drops (£24.99 for 30ml) provided deep bronze with just two drops but had a synthetic scent, rating 3/5.
St Moriz Advanced Tan Boosting Face Drops (£9.99 for 15ml) proved less purse-friendly at 67p per ml, with a strong alcohol smell but a natural colour wash, also scoring 3/5. Overall, Bondi Sands emerged as the best value, while St Tropez offered quality for those willing to spend more.
