5 Best Self Tanners for Vitiligo

Having vitiligo can be frustrating for some, and everybody deserves to look and feel exactly how they want to.

Self tanners are a great way to go for those with vitiligo in order to feel more comfortable and confident, especially in summer.

It’s essential that only nourishing and moisturizing self tanners are used because they are more suitable and not irritable to your sensitive skin.

That’s why an allergy patch test is always recommended 24 hours before a full application.

Without further ado, let’s jump into our selection of the 5 best self tanners for vitiligo.   

#1 COOLA Organic Sunless Tanner Serum

Our top choice and the best self tanner for vitiligo is a non-GMO, paraben-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free, reef friendly, and vegan option by COOLA.

This organic sunless tanner serum contains skin-protecting agents, natural anti-agers, and vitamins. Free from pesticides and other bi-products, this is a great choice for vitiligo tanning.

It’s the added plant stem cell cultures that helps reduce signs of premature aging and the argan oil and hyaluronic acid nourish the skin, leaving you with a glowing tan that builds gradually over several days.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the skin and binds and attracts water to maintain hydration and softness. It can attract 50 times its weight in water and also minimizes free radical damage whilst providing antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins.

Added plankton, red algae, and red raspberry seed oil are all natural plant protectors that boost sun protection.

The algae also works towards hydrating, softening, and detoxifying your skin.

The scent is gorgeous, it has a natural piña colada smell, and the formula is transfer-resistant. Application is very easy because the formula is lightweight and doesn’t leave any sort of residue behind, greasy or otherwise. 

The only downside really is the cost for such a small bottle and it does require frequent re-applying.

#2 Miami Gorgeous Self Tanning Mousse

Our second favorite self tanner for vitiligo is the Miami Gorgeous self tanning mousse which gives off a natural medium to dark tone with a lightweight consistency that holds its texture well and doesn’t run when applied.

It is gluten free, paraben free, sulfate free, cruelty free, and DHA eco certified.

While this can be applied with your hands, using a mitt like our own blackout tanning mitt which makes it a breeze that doesn’t require any effort. Although, you do need to use quite a bit of the product for full body coverage.

Being a mousse, it is a bit sticky and can take up to 40 minutes to completely dry but once it is, the results are without streaks – as long as the application is not rushed.

Infused with argan oil, coconut oil, vitamin A, C, D, olive oil, jojoba oil, and elderflower extract. Having natural oils and vitamins included makes it a great option to use on sensitive skin and even on the face. They also contribute a lot when it comes to smooth, glowing results.

It does have your typical self tanner smell without any nice fragrance but this does go away once the tan has developed.  

#3 Oxyvita Skin Camouflage Gel

The Viticolor skin camouflage gel contains a combination of three approved coloring agents (CL19140 yellow, CL42090 blue, and CL14700 red) which immediately give DHA and Erythrulose pigment.

The color is not completely developed until about 8 hours after application though, so do keep this in mind.

Simply use the flat part of the brush provided to cover up depigmented areas with circular motions, working your way outwards. This may need to be reapplied after 8 hours if the pigment is not dark enough.

Applying this once or twice a week is usually enough, and a little goes a long way so even though it is a bit costly it’s good value for your money.

It does not always agree with all skin tones, such as olive skin, so it’s best to try a patch test first and see if you can get this product to match your skin tone after a few tries.

#4 Skinerals Sunless Tanning Mousse

The Skinerals sunless tanning mouse is another good example of an all-natural and organic formula that is safe for all types of skin.

The green-based solution counteracts any potentially ‘fake’ orange. Plus, it’s perfectly fine to use this one on the face as well, since it isn’t greasy at all there’s no chance of it worsening acne.

The formula contains antioxidants such as fig extracts and acai berry that help with evening out skin tone and reducing the appearance of blemishes. Moreover, it is cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and aerosol-free.

It’s recommended to apply this one in the evening to wake up to a glowing tan without blotches or streaks that can last up to 7 days.

Application is super easy since it’s lightweight, non-sticky, and dries in just a few minutes.

For those sensitive to smell, this one is ideal for you because the scent is extremely light.

One bottle should last about 4-8 full body applications and using a mitt like our special blackout tanning mitt does help with smooth application but is not an absolute must.

#5 Botanic Tree Self Tanner

Last but certainly not least is the Botanic Tree self tanner, which is natural, cruelty-free, paraben-free, organic, and plant-based.

This one does contain bronzer so it’s important to only apply a very thin layer to ensure streak-free results that stray away from any orange tones.

It absorbs very quickly, doesn’t take long at all to transfer, and won’t stain everything like your clothes or towels.

Rich in shea butter, aloe vera, and jojoba, your skin will feel hydrated and rejuvenated afterward. Added rosemary soothes and protects your skin, whilst moringa boosts collagen. The passionfruit and coconut work toward trapping the moisture in, keeping your skin hydrated and tanned for longer.

Apricot seed oil helps improve skin tone, and maintain softness and radiance whilst reducing blemishes and other skin imperfections. Avocado leaf oil boosts healing, hydration, protection, and soothes skin, linseed seed oil also hydrates and reduces the appearance of wrinkles, grape seed oil is great for treating acne and acne scars, protects your skin from free radicals, moisturizes, minimizes fine lines, evens skin tone, and is antimicrobial.

Moreover, vanilla is rich in antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and can reverse skin damage caused by them and thus slows down the appearance of aging.

Lastly, there is no odor to this one, which can be a blessing for many.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Use Self-tanner on Vitiligo?

Certain self tanners are effective at camouflaging white spots, such as that from vitiligo, nicely. Like with all sunless tanning, frequent reapplication is necessary no matter what product, brand, texture, etc., is used.

Will a Spray Tan Cover Vitiligo?

Just like self tanner, spray tan can also cover vitiligo. However, since spray tan is applied all over the body, the results are likely to be uneven. That’s why self tanner is best, as it can be applied only where necessary.

How Can I Hide Vitiligo on my Hands?

The hands can be a very tricky area to camouflage. The most popular method is by using concealer, although this is a bit of a pointless method for some, especially those who frequently wash their hands. Self tanner is the best option in this case, as it can last longer.