This is an independent review from by our editor. Northern Luxury has not been compensated for this review, nor have we been gifted any products from the brand. All opinions are entirely our own. Please consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist first for personalised skincare advice.
With summer approaching and holidays on the horizon, now is the time that most of us look to top up our tan. However, with the dangers of sun beds and a history of products causing poor results or irritation, it can be difficult to find a product that works.
After being recommended the product, I was intrigued about the concept of adding product to my existing trusty moisturiser and wanted to try it for myself. In this hands-on review, we break down everything you need to know about the Tan Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops Light/Medium. We cover exactly how to use it for the best results, safety tips, ingredients, and whether it’s truly worth the money.
Keep reading to see if these drops are the go-to product for sun-kissed skin.
Product Overview:
Who is it for: Individuals with fair or light skin with pink undertones.
Benefits to skin: Hydrating and offers an even, natural tan
Price: £44 (50ml) and £18 (15ml), but some retailers may have offers on.
My rating: 8.7/10
Tan-Luxe Drops Ingredients
What sets the Tan-Luxe Body Drops apart from traditional self-tanners on the market is that the solution contains no cosmetic dyes. The brand puts skincare first, including a mix of Raspberry Seed Oil, Vitamin E, and Aloe Vera to condition and soothe the skin and prevent dryness.
The serum has a pH of 4.5, which prevents that long-lasting fake tan smell, and contains a high-grade Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This is what causes that sun-kissed glow without any orange undertones. The formula also features a Cellutone Complex to stimulate circulation and smooth the skin as the tan develops.
Safety Information About Using the Product
The product is designed only to provide a natural sun-free tan; it does not contain SPF, so it will not protect you from damage or ageing when outside. Always layer an SPF 30 or SPF 50 sun cream before going out into the sun.
Like with most products you’re applying to large or sensitive areas of skin, you should first perform a patch test. This will ensure you don’t have a major allergic reaction or severe irritation before applying to the rest of the body.
Step-by-Step Patch Test Method
- Choose a small and hidden area of skin, such as behind the ear or your inner elbow.
- Mix one drop of the product with a pea-sized amount of moisturiser in your palm and apply to the area.
- Allow it to dry completely and avoid washing or touching for a minimum of 24 hours.
- If you have no bad reaction, continue using the product. If you experience any discomfort, you must wash the area immediately with mild warm water and a neutral soap and discontinue use.
Top Tip: Avoid spa trips or long baths after application, since this can erase or fade the tan, especially if chlorine or massage oils are used. Try to keep bathing limited to a maximum of 15 minutes and pat your skin dry gently with a towel.
How to Use Tan Luxe Body Drops for the Best Finish
1. Prep Your Skin (24 Hours Prior)
Around 24 hours before you intend to use the tanning drops, exfoliate the areas of the body you’ll be applying to. We found an exfoliating mitt to be the easiest and best method (£2, Boots), or you can use an oil-free scrub. Pay special attention to rougher areas like the knees and elbows or dry patches.
2. Proportion Your Moisturiser
Dispense your body lotion into the centre of your palm – we used Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula. The brand advises at least half a teaspoon, but we’d suggest more for larger areas of the body (usually a full pump or grape-sized amount).
3. Mix Your Tan Drops
Add your drops on top of the body lotion and massage into your hands thoroughly until combined (we’d recommend using rubber gloves to avoid staining your fingers and nails). 2-4 drops will result in a subtle tan, with 8 drops leading to a more golden tan. 12 drops are the maximum you should use and will lead to a deep bronze tan.
4. Apply to the Skin
Completely rub in the lotion in large circular motions and scrub your hands immediately (unless wearing gloves). If you intend to do your full body, you should scrub your hands and nails after each or every other application, since it can stain your hands quickly.
Results From the Product: Before and After
We started with only two drops for our first few applications, and did see results overnight, although they were subtle, with noticeable results only in the evening. After increasing this to 5/6 drops, this was much deeper while still appearing natural.
The colour lasted for around four days before re-application was required, but it’s easy enough to do this on an evening in just 10 minutes. There was also no fake tan scent, and the tan was virtually streak-free, except for the odd patch where maybe the skin was still damp, or the moisturiser hadn’t been rubbed in properly.
For men who don’t want a ‘fake tan’ look, this is ideal as it produces results similar to that of a two-week beach holiday. If you’re someone who prefers a bronze and deep tan, you may find yourself getting through the product quite quickly, and so the darker shade alternative will be a better choice.
FAQs
Do Tan-Luxe Body Drops Stain Clothing or Bed Sheets?
The product initially looks a light-to-dark brown but almost instantly blends into moisturiser, providing no tint. Since it doesn’t contain instant bronzers like a lot of fake tans, it shouldn’t leave dark marks on clothing.
However, avoid activities that could cause sweating 4-6 hours after application and wear loose-fitting clothing to prevent the developing tan from rubbing off. This is why we recommend applying before sleep, along with old clothes.
If any marks do appear on clothing, they can be washed out easily on a cool cycle with standard washing detergent and left to air dry (no hot cycles or driers, as it can cause the stain to set).
Are Tan-Luxe Body Drops Suitable for Eczema?
Tanning with eczema can be a struggle since ingredients can dry skin, cause flare ups, and result in dark spots. As someone with eczema, the product hasn’t caused me any irritation – if anything, it’s made me keep up with applying body moisturiser, which has improved my skin (and caused no unnatural spots).
The only thing I would say is that mixing the product in your hands and washing them thoroughly after each application can cause dryness. I’d recommend wearing a pair of latex gloves when applying the product first and foremost, or an emollient immediately afterwards.
It’s important to always check with a certified health professional if you have any skin worries, since this can differ between people. Avoid the product if you suspect you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
How Long Do Tan-Luxe Body Drops Last?
So far, I have used the products four times across the whole body (around 4 drops per body part), and I’d say I’ve only used 5 ml of the total 50ml. I prefer a more natural, subtle tan, so the product will likely last me a good few months, since the tan lasts around 4 days before reapplication is needed.
If you prefer a darker or golden tan, you will likely go through the product much faster. You may choose to go for the medium/dark version instead in this case.
Is Tan-Luxe Worth the Money?
While the price is high for a full-body tan product, it is definitely something I would continue to use going forward. It doesn’t cause that typical fake tan smell (other than the smell of your moisturiser), the tan looks more natural and streak-free, and it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin.
If you prefer a much more obvious and instant tan, it is likely not the product for you, particularly the light-medium drops. There is a smaller 15ml travel size bottle (around £18 at Space NK and John Lewis) if you want to test the waters first before fully committing to the product.
Can I Use Tan-Luxe Body Drops on My Face?
While technically you can use the drops on your face, it is highly advised that you instead use their specially formulated face drops. This is because the body drops are heavier and can clog the pores, and lack the anti-ageing benefits.
We tried this out just to see what the effects would be and found that, while it did cause a nice and even tan, it resulted in breakouts on the face. For this reason, we’d recommend that you don’t use the body drops on the face and go for the Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops instead (though we have not tested these yet).