ELLE Editors Swear by These Tanning Oils for Glowy Summer Skin

• Quickly absorbs into the skin

• Pour spot can make a mess

You can always count on Vacation to make applying sunscreen fun. The Baby Oil has a nostalgic, powdery scent reminiscent of baby oil, which is not as greasy or slippery as traditional formulas, and melts into the skin without a trace.

Sun protection: SPF 30

Size: 3.4 oz

Vacation rating: 4.9/5 stars

Our expert says: “Made from naturally derived oils, including jojoba oil, this is reminiscent of traditional baby oil, but also offers SPF 30 sun protection.”—Dr. Garshick

• Watermelon seed extract locks in moisture

• Low SPF

The Bali Body Watermelon Tanning Oil smells just as good as it looks on the skin. The fruit-scented product is packed with SPF 15 and enriched with watermelon seed extract, which is known to naturally enhance melanin production, lock in moisture, and even skin complexion.

Sun protection: SPF 15

Size: 3.4 oz

Bali Body rating: 4.7/5

Our expert says: “While I generally recommend SPF 30 or higher, this formula hydrates the skin and gives a radiant glow. If someone chooses this, I advise still using other forms of sunscreen and sun protection.”—Dr. Garshick

• Spray cap makes for a mess-free application

• Low SPF protection

Generations of sunbathers have used this tanning oil for a reason—the formula is spiked with SPF 25. Plus, it’s packed with vitamins A, E, and C, to condition skin the moment you smooth it on. And the scent—coconut—is an absolute classic.

Sun protection: SPF 25

Size: 8 oz

CVS rating: 4.6/5

Our expert says: “It smells amazing and gives a nice glow, but importantly, this formula includes SPF 25 and hydrating botanicals. It’s an upgrade from traditional tanning oils with no sun protection.”—Dr. Garshick

• Imparts an instant tint

• Packaging leaks easily

This deep-bronze oil is a trifecta of perfection. Carmel gives you an instant tan (literally the moment you apply it!), while SPF and antioxidants from Kakadu plum and tea tree oil protect your skin from the sun and free radicals. It also helps your tan last longer by keeping your skin hydrated.

Sun protection: SPF 30

Size: 8 oz

Amazon star rating: 4.6/5

Our expert says: “This product gives you the bronzed look immediately, thanks to the tint, while still offering SPF 30 protection. It’s non-greasy and water-resistant, making it a great beach day option.”—Dr. Garshick

• Moisturizes the skin

• Low SPF

Sprays are the easiest way to ensure your entire body is evenly coated. This reef-safe formula contains aloe vera, green tea butter, and four types of oils (argan, marula, coconut, and avocado) to super-moisturize and nourish the skin.

Sun protection: SPF 15

Size: 8.5 oz

Ulta rating: 3.6/5

Our expert says: “This is a popular choice that offers some sun protection while also hydrating the skin with ingredients like coconut oil, aloe, and green tea extract. It's a good option for someone easing into safer sun habits—but I always encourage layering with higher SPF”—Dr. Garshick

• Continuous spray applicator gets in hard to reach places

• Cap can be faulty sometimes

Coopertone Tanning Dry Oil Sunscreen is quick-drying, so you don’t have to worry about it transferring onto your clothes or swimsuit.

Sun protection: SPF 15

Size: 5.5 oz

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I used this product at the beach and it might have worked a little too well. It’s easy to apply and you tan super quick. I would recommend it!”

• High SPF

• Some say it doesn’t offer adequate protection if not layered with another sunscreen

If you want to ensure your tanning oil still carries a maximum amount of sun protection, Supergoop!’s Glow Oil has SPF 50. It leaves skin glowy, never greasy, thanks to a hyper-nourishing blend of grapeseed, jojoba, and meadowfoam seed oil. It’s also waterproof for up to 80 minutes, so it’s the perfect option to throw in your beach bag.

Sun protection: SPF 50

Size: 5 oz

Sephora rating: 3.9/5 stars

Our expert says: “Containing a blend of meadowfoam seed oil and grapeseed oil, in addition to offering SPF 50 coverage, this oil nourishes the skin while also protecting it against UV damage. It is lightweight and rubs in easily, while still giving the skin a glow.”—Dr. Garshick

• Shimmer finish

• Some say the oil doesn’t sink in easily

This tanning oil imparts a shimmery glow as it helps shield skin from the sun. It comes in a gold shade, a rose gold shade, and an amber shade to suit every skin tone. Avocado, coconut, hibiscus, and macadamia oils moisturize while sustainably sourced mica leaves a pearlescent finish.

Sun protection: SPF 45

Size: 5 oz

Ulta rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “This gives the perfect glow—no cheap sparkles. Great texture and not sticky! I can tell this will be a summer staple.”

• Easy to mix into body lotions and oils for a natural-looking tan

• No SPF

If you want the benefits of a tan without any of the potential UV damage, mix some of these drops into your favorite SPF-laced oil. The lightweight, hydrating formula is easy to mix into any body oils, moisturizers, or serums, and the blend of natural keto sugars help give you the most even, golden glow.

Sun Protection: None

Size: 1 oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.8/5 stars

Our expert says: “I wore this in Jamaica and mixed it with my favorite sunscreen. It enhanced my dark skin with this natural glow that you wouldn’t know came from tanning drops!” —Danielle James, beauty expert

• Dry oil soaks in instantly and leaves skin glowy

• Scent may be a bit strong for some

Sol de Janeiro’s SPF body oil is a dry oil, so it soaks into skin immediately after rubbing it in. It also smells like Sol de Janeiro’s cult-favorite Cheirosa 87 scent, which has notes of solar tuberose and leite de coco. Golden mica gives skin a soft shimmer. “This nourishes and protects the skin while also offering SPF 50 coverage,” says Dr. Garshick. ”It also incorporates a golden mica to leave the skin with a shimmery, glowy finish.”

Sun protection: SPF 50

Size: 3 oz

Sephora rating: 4.9/5 starsAn ELLE editor says: “I’m extremely fair, so any tanning oil I use needs to have tons of sun protection. I love how this body oil has SPF 50. This one also smells so good, like a salted caramel sundae, and has just a whisper of shimmer, so it leaves you with a glow.” —Katie Berohn, beauty editor

Dr. Joshua Zeichner is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. He is an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and New Jersey. She's also a clinical assistant professor at Cornell University.

A tanning oil accelerates the tanning process by attracting the sun’s UV rays to give the skin a deeper tone. When applied to the skin, the oil activates the melanocytes in the skin, which are responsible for producing melanin. It’s best to evenly distribute the tanning oil to the desired area for maximum results, whether using a tanning mitt or your own hands. However, if you opt for your hands, ensure the tanning oil has a stain-free or transfer-proof formula. For adequate sun protection, you should always layer a tanning oil with a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE editors interviewed a dermatologists and tested different formulas to find the best tanning oils.