Self-tanner is a staple my beauty routine. Being able to maintain a year-round glow without having to bake in the sun not only boots my confidence, it decreases my risk for skin cancer, premature aging, and skin damage. Because I’m all about low maintenance beauty, I gravitate towards a tanner that offers great color payoff quickly and efficiently; I hate it when your tanning routine requires a lot of time and planning, ultimately feeling like another chore on your to-do list. My skin is also extremely sensitive, which limits me further as so many sunless tanners have caused irritation and reactions. 

I first learned about Salty Face through an Instagram targeted ad. Salty Face is a sunless tanning brand that prioritizes clean, safe ingredients and sustainability. Their tanning products are packaged in amber glass bottles, which blocks UV light to help prolong the shelf life of their products. You can buy refills, which also limits your carbon footprint. I placed an order for their Tanning Foam, which retails for $62, in both shades offered (Light to Medium and Medium to Dark) in order to test the product and compare the color payoff of both shades. I’m also reviewing their Tanning Water, which is specifically formulated for tanning the face and is available for purchase for $44.

salty face tanning foam results

light to medium tanning foam before and after

medium to dark tanning foam before and after

salty face light to medium vs medium to dark tanning foam

salty face tanning foam review + application tips

Both shades of the Salty Face Tanning Foam produce a very subtle tan. Application is easy and straightforward; it’s a very lightweight foam that doesn’t smell, even as it develops. The foam is white and goes on clear; you might prefer a color guard if you are new to applying tanner, but it’s an unnecessary ingredient that can cause skin irritation, so it makes sense that it is omitted from Salty Face products. You also don’t have to worry about transfer since the product is clear. The foam does feel a little sticky once applied, but it dries down nicely.

As far as application time and results go:

• The website also says you can wash it after 60-90 minutes for a subtle tan, and the tan will develop for up to 24 hours after.

• The first time I applied this tanner, I washed it off after 90 minutes and did not notice any tan development, so I applied it the next day and left it on for four hours, and was met again with results that felt too subtle for the price I paid for the bottle and the amount of product used.

• I tested the product again, keeping it on for 7 hours, then showered before bed and let the color continue to develop for a full 24 hours and the result is what you see pictured. The photos were taken at the same time of day, in the same spot, 24 hours apart.

I’m pretty pale, but the Fair to Medium shade didn’t give me good enough results for the $62 price tag. I recommend getting Medium to Dark no matter how pale you are; you can always leave it on for less time if you want a more subtle tan, rather than keep the lighter option on for longer.

Both shades of the tanner fade nicely; I didn’t experience any patchiness and when I exfoliated my skin, it came off pretty easily.

tips for applying salty face tanning foam

• The website says to apply the foam directly to your skin, but I used my longtime favorite mitt for a streak-free application that didn’t stain my hands. If you apply it directly, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly.

• Salty Face sells a brush for application as well; I used it to buff the product into my elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. The brush is very light; I personally prefer a firmer brush for more concentrated application.

• I applied the product at 4pm, left it on for 7 hours, and then showered before bed. I didn’t notice a difference right away, but woke up noticeably tanner. I let the product continue to develop for 24 hours and took the photos at the same time the next day.

• You could probably sleep in this tanner; it’s clear so you don’t have to worry about color transfer and the “tanner smell” isn’t too strong. It felt a little sticky to me, so I preferred to tan earlier and wash it off before bed.

salty face tanning water before and after 

salty face tanning water review + application tips

The Tanning Water gives a great “no makeup” makeup glow, and is perfect if you have a hydrating morning skincare routine. It applied evenly, didn’t smell as it developed, and gave me a natural tan. While I liked the results, I went back to using my bronzing drops because my skincare routine includes chemical exfoliants, which essentially removes the tan each night.

tips for applying tanning water

• You can apply the tanning water directly, but I mixed it with my moisturizer because it was a sticky texture. Applying it to a clean face gets you a deeper tan, though.

• The more drops you use, the deeper results you get. The website says 1-2 drops, but I found it was too subtle, especially since I mixed it with moisturizer. For reference, I used 4 in the photo above, left it on for 4 hours, showered before bed (and used just moisturizer as my skincare routine), then let the color continue to develop for 24 hours. The photos were taken at the same time of day, in the same spot, 24 hours apart.

• Make sure you blend this into your neck, ears, back of your neck, and behind your ears to avoid a “line” where the tanner starts and stops.

• Wash your hands thoroughly after, making a point to get your fingertips, under your nails, palms, and in between fingers.

are salty face tanning products worth the money?

Salty Face products are expensive – the Tanning Foam is $62 and the Tanning Water is $44. You can save by purchasing a set or purchasing refills later on, but it’s still a big investment up-front.

If you’re someone who prioritizes clean ingredients, has sensitive skin, and wants a very natural, gradual tanner, then Salty Face is the perfect tanner for you. The color develops over 24 hours, and is subtle enough that you won’t end up with noticeable streaks or spots, even if you’re still practicing the application process.

I do not recommend Salty Face products for special events, unless you have a lot of prep time leading up to it, since you may have to reapply the next day to get your desired result. I’d also opt for a more dramatic tanner for vacations, especially since I don’t have a base tan to work with, but Salty Face would be a great option for prolonging your tan while traveling.

Salty Face products did not irritate my skin and faded nicely; knowing you’re getting a product with clean, safe ingredients makes the premium price understandable. The brand thoughtfully packages their products using amber bottles, which helps extend their shelf life, too.

where to buy salty face tanning water and tanning foam 

Salty Face is available to purchase on their website or through Goop.com. I recommend shopping directly from their website, as you can apply discounts.  

FAQs about salty face tanning foam

what shade salty face tanning foam should i get?

Get the Medium to Dark shade even if you have fair skin; you can always keep the product on for less time for a subtler shade, whereas there’s a limit to how dark you’ll get with Fair to Medium. It’s a pricey product, and the darker shade gives you greater flexibility to help increase the value you get out of it.

is salty face tanning foam suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, I have extremely sensitive skin and didn’t have a reaction to this. I would recommend doing a test patch or starting with a shorter application period to make sure you don’t have a reaction, though. Tanning products can dry out your skin, and that’s what usually amplifies the reaction for me, so in the winter months, I try to prioritize moisturizing over intense color payoff.

does salty face tanning water break you out?

No, Salty Face Tanning Water doesn’t break you out. If your breakouts are slightly drier, the tan may “stick” to them and darken them slightly, but you could always apply moisturizer to your spots prior as a little bit of a barrier.

how long does it take for the tan to develop?

The website says the tan develops for up to 24 hours and you can shower 30-60 minutes after application for a subtler tan. I left the tanner on for seven hours in the photos shown above. I’ve also tested leaving the tanner on for two- and four-hour increments and I saw the best color payoff leaving it on for at least hours; anything less resulted in a tan too subtle for my liking.

how long does the tan last?

The tan lasts for about a week, depending on how hot your shower is and how often you exfoliate your skin. It faded nicely - no patchiness or flakes.

is salty face easy to remove?

Yes, I used an exfoliating mitt and found this was a lot easier to remove than some of the other self-tanners I’ve tried.

FAQs about salty face tanning water

can you use the tanning water with your morning skincare routine?

You can, but I would avoid it if you use exfoliators or acids.

is it suitable for sensitive or acne prone skin?

Yes, the ingredients are clean and the formula is made with skincare in mind, so it won’t irritate skin. I didn’t have a bad reaction to this. Salty Face products are safe to use for acne-prone skin as well but the tan may be “erased” by the acids/ acne-specific skincare products you use, so I would refer to your dermatologist or do a patch test. 

how long does the tan last?

This depends on what skincare products you use. I use an exfoliating face wash as well as Vitamin C and acids, so the tan was essentially removed by those products. If you avoid those products, I can see the tan lasting for up to a week.