What is DHA and how does it work?

DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is a natural sugar with documented effect that works quickly and produces the brown colour. It is used in concentrations between 3 and 10 per cent, where lower concentrations give a lighter colour and higher concentrations a deeper brown.

Why do many self-tanners combine DHA with erythrulose?

Erythrulose is a natural sugar similar to DHA but with a slower effect, giving a deeper and more natural colour that takes longer to develop. Combined with DHA it gives a more even result and extends the duration of the tan.

Which ingredients should you avoid in a self-tanner?

Fragrance, which can irritate the skin and especially sensitive skin; alcohol, which can dry out the skin and give a more uneven tan; and synthetic dyes, which can stain clothing and irritate the skin.

How should you prepare the skin before self-tanning?

Exfoliate with an oil-free body scrub the night before, shave at least 12 hours in advance so the skin can calm down, and moisturise dry areas such as hands, knees, elbows and ankles.

How long should you wait before showering after applying self-tan?

Avoid sweating and water for at least 6-8 hours after application so the colour can develop properly, then shower lightly with lukewarm water and pat the skin dry.

Should you choose a mousse or a cream?

If you are short on time, a mousse is the better choice because it dries faster than a cream. Creams without a guide colour can also be harder to apply evenly.

Self-Tanning – Best in Test 2026 – Top 10 Self-Tanning! | Hardworkout Magazine

Key takeaways

- DHA in self-tanners typically ranges from 3 to 10 per cent, with lower concentrations giving a lighter colour and higher concentrations a deeper brown.

- Erythrulose develops more slowly than DHA and is usually combined with it to give a more even result and extend how long the tan lasts.

- Mousse formulas dry faster than creams, which makes them the better choice when you are short on time.

- Self-tanners without a guide colour are harder to apply evenly, because you cannot see where the product has already been applied.

- Avoiding water and sweat for six to eight hours after application gives the self-tanner time to develop properly.

Self-tanning has become a regular part of many people's skincare routines, and it's not just about the color, but also about the content of nourishing, moisturizing, and natural ingredients.

We provide you with an overview of the best and most popular cream and mousse-based self-tanning products on the market in 2026!

Read more about the criteria for the test further down in the article.

How do we test and rank the self-tanners?

Hardworkout.no is committed to ensuring that the tests are independent and credible. We have focused on criteria such as (ingredients/active substances, claimed effect, documented effect, as well as studies and other documentation) to compile our top lists.

The products have been tested by evaluating color quality, durability, moisture, skincare, ingredient quality, application, drying time, color adaptation, scent, and user-friendliness.

PS: Prices and selection may vary from day to day. The prices we provide are recommended prices. Online stores often have good offers, and the products may be on promotion at a lower price than what is stated here.

We always strive to keep the list updated with products that are in stock. Where there are multiple alternative prices, we link to several stores.

By shopping through the links in the test, you contribute to our ability to continue publishing quality-conscious tests and articles, and we greatly appreciate it if you do so. Prices are updated regularly and reflect the best prices on the market.

Best in test: [PerfectTan Self-Tan Mousse from Virena](https://hardworkout.no/perfecttan-virena)

Criteria for the Test

Color Quality – How natural, deep, and even the tan becomes, focusing on the content of DHA/erythrulose.

Color Adaptation – How well does the product adapt to different skin tones and provide a nuanced result?

Durability – How long the tan lasts and how it fades away.

Moisture – Does the self-tanner contain moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera, panthenol, or glycerin?

Skin Care – Content of vitamins and other ingredients that nourish and strengthen the skin.

Quality of Ingredients – Content of natural, vegan, and alcohol-free ingredients.

Drying Time – How quickly does it absorb into the skin without feeling sticky?

Application – Is the self-tanner easy to apply and how evenly does the result turn out?

Scent – Does the self-tanner have a discreet and pleasant scent?

User-Friendliness – Overall impression of instructions, packaging, experience of application, result, and fading.

Important Ingredients in a Self-Tanner

The ingredients in the self-tanner are crucial for how the product affects the skin and how good the result will be.

These are the most important ingredients:

What does DHA actually do to the skin?

DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) Is a natural sugar that has documented effects for working quickly and providing the brown color one is looking for.

DHA varies in concentration between 3-10%, with lower concentrations giving a lighter color and higher concentrations providing a deeper brown color.

Erythrulose Is a natural sugar that resembles DHA but has a slower effect.

Erythrulose gives a deeper and more natural color that takes longer to develop. It is often used together with DHA to provide a more even result and to extend the duration.

Moisturizing Ingredients These make the skin softer and prevent it from drying out, as well as contributing to a more even color that lasts longer.

Common moisturizing ingredients include aloe vera, sorbitol, coconut oil, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.

Plant Extracts and Natural Oils Ingredients such as jojoba oil, green tea, shea butter, and castor oil help soothe the skin and provide nourishment and glow.

Vitamins and Antioxidants The most common are vitamin E (tocopherol), vitamin C, and vitamin B5 (panthenol). The antioxidant effect protects the skin from free radicals and strengthens the barrier in the skin. Additionally, they also help to add glow and improve the texture of the skin over time.

Ingredients to Consider Avoiding

- Fragrance – can be irritating to the skin, especially sensitive skin.

- Alcohol – can both dry out the skin and give a more uneven tan.

- Synthetic Dyes – can leave stains on clothing and irritate the skin.

![self-tanning](https://hardworkout.no/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/selvbruner.png)

What You Should Look For

Before you shop for a self-tanner, it is wise to look at more than just how dark the color is and whether it provides a gradual or quick tan.

These are the most important things to look for:

- Natural Color – Choose products with DHA combined with erythrulose for the best result.

- Moisture and Skin Care – Ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, coconut water, and panthenol make the color more even and improve the glow.

- Skin Type – If you have sensitive skin, you should choose a self-tanner without alcohol that contains natural oils.

- Drying Time – If you are short on time, it may be wise to choose a mousse over a cream, as mousse dries faster.

- Application – A product that provides a colored guide (gives some color upon application) makes it easier to see where you have applied the self-tanner.

- Long Lasting – Products with erythrulose last longer and fade more evenly.

How to Get the Best Results with Self-Tanning

Good preparations and proper application yield the best results with self-tanning.

Follow these steps for the best and most durable results:

- Exfoliate the skin the night before – Use an oil-free body scrub to remove dead skin.

- Shave at least 12 hours before – This allows the skin to calm down and helps you avoid bumps and pores, resulting in a better outcome.

- Moisturize dry areas – Apply moisturizer especially on hands, knees, elbows, and ankles.

- Use a mitt or application glove – This provides the most even result and protects your hands from discoloration.