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Say goodbye to the burnt Cheeto days.

Flashback to summer 2015: there I was, lying outside whenever the UV index was above a three, covered in body oil sans sunscreen and frying my skin, all in pursuit of a golden tan. Because why worry about future consequences when you're glowy and tan, right? NOPE. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and my total disregard for sunscreen and the health of my skin quickly changed as soon as my mom developed skin cancer a few years later. These days? I'm sitting in the shade with a sun hat on—SPF on deck—while yelling at my friends to apply (and reapply) their sunscreen ritually. But just because I'm fair-skinned doesn't mean I can't ever be tan.

Heck, I am now a self-tan connoisseur, and I'm here today to bring you the 15 best self-tanners for pale skin that'll give ya that glow without the sun damage. And the best part? I've consulted self-tanning experts and a dermatologist to share which products are best and exactly how to apply 'em—hi, tanning experts Jordan Cook and Liz Agresta, and Karan Lal, MD. But first, here's a little sneak peek of the top products rn to get you excited for what's to come.

Now, pretty please keep reading for the rest of 'em and all the goods brought to you by a few fake tanning pros and yours truly, a pale skin gal.

I don't have enough good words to say about this self-tanner to do it justice. This is my favorite face tanner on the market, and it's the easiest thing in the world to apply. Start with a clean face, and spray the ultra-fine mist on your face and neck. It goes on clear and will develop throughout the day.

THE REVIEW: "So, I have tried ALL self-tanners," writes one reviewer. "I bought this on a whim as I wanted a facial tanner and I have not tried this line—to my amazement, this product is BEAUTIFUL not only for your face but for your body as well!"

The great thing about tanning drops is how easy it is to customize your look. Simply add two to six drops into your favorite body moisturizer and rub it on in. You'll be glowy, moisturized, and totally tan.

THE REVIEW: "I love this stuff," writes one reviewer with fair skin and red hair. "This gives me a beautiful glowing tan—I mix it in with the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, and once you figure out the lotion to tan ratio, you’re set!"

Ahhh, the OG gradual tanner on the market. This bb has stuck around for so long because it's that freakin' good—especially if you have fair or pale skin. The great part about the Jergens gradual tanner is that it develops over time, and each day you apply it, the darker you get, meaning your level of tan is totally up to you! Self-tanning beginners, this is a great start.

THE REVIEW: "Non-streaky and moisturizing," writes one tester. "I enjoyed using this as it felt like a risk-free self-tanner option—it gave me a nice glow!"

If you want to see the tanner as you apply it, opt for a bronzing mousse like this one from St. Moriz. Unlike clear formulations, you'll be able to tell exactly where this bb is (and isn't) to avoid streaks. And don't freak when the color is super dark as it develops—it'll wash off in the shower!

THE REVIEW: "I have natural porcelain skin and most of the time I'm okay with it, but for certain occasions, I feel like a tan is just necessary, and this is now my go-to self-tanner," reads one review.

Who needs to spend major moola on a spray tan when you can legit do it yourself?! This DIY kit by Isle of Paradise gives you everything you need to replicate a spray tan at home...ya know, without droppin' the $$$.

THE REVIEW: "From the spray mechanism to the actual color, I love everything about it," writes one reviewer adding, "but what I really think is most notable is that it fades far, far more SLOWLY than any other tanners I've used."

If you want to dip your toes in the self-tanning world but don't necessarily want to start super dark (esp if you have pale skin) or deal with a bronzing formula that may transfer, get yourself this bronzing water mousse by St. Tropez. It's a gorge, glowy and subtle color that gives you just the right amount of tan if you have fairer skin.

THE REVIEW: "After just one application of this product, I am hooked," writes one tester adding, "it is so beautiful and natural-looking—the product feels lightweight on my skin and doesn't smell nearly as strong as other tanners that I have used!"

So sometimes, there's not enough damn time in the day to go through the entire self-tanning process. And hey, that's absolutely okay, and why products like the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops exist. Forget to tan? No prob, just apply this to your face before foundation or mix it in with your foundation for a subtle, natural, glowy tan.

THE REVIEW: "This product is just gorgeous because it leaves your skin with an alive, glowy look," writes one reviewer, adding, "I love it as an alternative to self-tanning, which is too much of a commitment for me—I am extremely fair, and find it buildable, and not overwhelming for my complexion."

Calling all the lazy people out there—this bb is for you. All you do is apply the towelette to your clean, dry face in circular motions—just remember to wash your hands. The best part? These towelettes are packed with AHAs and BHAs (i.e., chemical exfoliants) that eliminate blackheads, clogged pores, and smooth out skin.

THE REVIEW: "The application is amazing (especially for lazy girls), there are no greasy, gross hands, you just swipe it on and you're done!" one review reads.

So you want to look like you just came back from a tropical, sun-filled vacay, huh? Well, get yourself the Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam. Not only is it an incredibly deep tan, but the color is just so damn natural and doesn't look orange whatsoever.

THE REVIEW: "I've been asked repeatedly if I went on vacation or laid out in the sun—the color is the most natural I've ever seen and lasts for a good four to five days."

Sometimes we fair peeps only want to be tan for a short period of time with the ability to wash it off at the end of the day. Enter: The Lux Unfiltered Blurring Body Glow. Basically like makeup for your skin, this body glow adds the slightest bit of bronzed tint and alllll the luminizer.

THE REVIEW: "Gives you a great glow and blurring effect," writes one tester, adding that it gives a little bit of color if you’ve forgotten to apply tanning lotion. "The product I didn’t know I need, but I don’t want to live without again!"

So the point of self-tanning is to get you a glow without all of the sun damage, right? Right. That's why this sunless tan by Supergoop! with SPF 40 checks all of the boxes.

THE REVIEW: "This is one of the best self-tanners out there and the color deposit works on any skin shade (I'm English pale—yeah, not wonderful), and the tan is completely natural looking!" writes one tester.

Got somewhere to be, but only have a few hours before you have to be there? Forgot to tan? We all know those days. That's why you need to get yourself an express tanner that develops in one to four hours, so you're ready to go no matter how last minute you pushed it.

THE REVIEW: "LOVE this stuff!" writes one reviewer adding, "it leaves a natural, non-orange glow, is easy to apply, and is sans the typical self-tanner smell."

Let's be real, those with super-duper fair skin may not be able to find a self-tanner they're comfortable in. That's why sometimes it's a smart idea to instead opt for a luminizing cream bronzer like this one from Tower 28 Beauty. Add it to your face where the sun would naturally hit, and follow it with a shimmery blush for extra warmth.

THE REVIEW: "If you REALLY like to glow, this is the product for you—this makes you look very glow and tan," reads one review.

Having a glow for me means l-a-y-e-r-i-n-g myself in body oils and shimmer in the summer. (Hey, I love a bronzed goddess look, kk?!) This Josie Maran Self-Tanning Body Oil gives you all that glow andddd all that bronzey color we all know and love.

THE REVIEW: "This tanner helps me feel and look great for the day—my skin drinks up the nourishment, and it's by far the best I've used!" writes one tester.

Soooo face tan can double as face contour! (Yes, rlly.) Tantouring is, IMO, the best tanning hack there is and it's exactly what it sounds like—contouring with tanner. Like you would any 'ol regular contour, apply the fake tanner with a kabuki brush. (If you really want to amp it up, use the fake tanner around your lips for a semi-permanent lip liner.) I swear this little makeup hack is about to revolutionize your freakin' face.

THE REVIEW: "This is a great body and face kabuki brush," says one tester, adding "it is rounded which is very comfortable in your hand and large enough to use for spreading a shimmery body oil or tanner."

There's not necessarily a specific color or type of fake tan that's best for pale or fair skin. "It's a bit of a myth in the tanning world that if you have a certain skin tone, you should use a certain type of product," says Agresta. If you are fair and want a tan that mimics a post-vacay glow, reach for a darker formulation, Agresta explains. However, according to Cook, if you want a softer, natural glow to the skin, stick to the gradual developers and lighter self-tanners.

"Self-tanning is like makeup—there is so much room to be creative and switch up your tan to suit the event, time of year, your mood, or really anything," says Agresta.

Self-tanners work on all skin colors, tones, and types. That being said, a darker tanner shade will show up more on a lighter skin tone. "Self-tanners are made with dihydroxyacetone which reacts with amino acids in dead skin cells to produce pigment," says Dr. Lal. In fact, an uneven, patchy, streaky tan isn't caused by using too much self-tanner, it's actually caused by using too little, surprise! The level of the DHA in the self-tanner is what makes you tan, not the amount you put on.

For an even tan on every skin tone, preparation is key. "Exfoliating the skin is essential before applying a self-tanner because our skin continuously sheds in different areas—exfoliating ensures the area to be treated is on a level playing field so the self-tanner goes on evenly and produces an even color," says Dr. Lal. More on this, and the process, below.

"Don't get too overwhelmed with the choice of products on the market," says Agresta, adding to consider what you want from your self-tan and what best suits your lifestyle. If you're on the go and don't have a ton of time, a multi-use product can be a lifesaver. Some options include a gradual tanner that doubles as a moisturizer, a serum with a bronze tint, or even an easy spray solution that develops throughout the day. "If you love to sleep overnight in your tan, a clear tanner without a color guide is your best friend—waking up in the morning with a deep tan and crisp white sheets and no transfer of color? What a great start to the day!" says Agresta.

Choosing the best self-tanner is only the first step, applying it correctly is what makes all the difference. Here is my tried-and-true process with tips from Cook:

Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, and has two years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing skincare stories, like the best face tanners and the best drugstore self-tanners, and feels especially knowledgable in self-tanners for pale skin, thanks to being, well, pale, and always sporting a fake tan. She regularly tests and analyzes self-tanners on her own skin for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top cosmetic chemists and tanning experts to assess new formulas and products.