Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Review

This past year I’ve seen Isle of Paradise self tanning products promoted by beauty bloggers and beauty editors. I couldn’t help but be drawn to their gorgeous pastel packaging and interesting formulas.

Since the summer season in the Northeast US is on its way, I wanted my pasty skin to be gone, so I figured it was time to give their products a try.

I’ve used so many self tanners over the years, and the ones I always return to provide an even tan and a relatively easy tanning process.

Isle of Paradise products looked like they could provide both of these benefits, so I purchased several Isle of Paradise self tanning products for the face and body.

I will discuss my experience with the self-tanning products I purchased in this Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Review.

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Isle of Paradise Review

When I came across Isle of Paradise products, I was immediately attracted to the cute packaging but wondered what set them apart from every other self tanner out there.

Turns out quite a bit. Not only do they have innovative formulas (tanning water!), but they also use color-correcting actives in all of their products.

Isle of Paradise products are made from certified organic ingredients, actives formulated at ideal pH levels, hypoallergenic ingredients, and pure oils.

In the MEDIUM products, green color-correcting actives cancel out red tones to produce a medium golden tan. Unsurprisingly, the medium shade is Isle of Paradise’s best-selling shade that enhances all skin tones.

Mix with Moisturizer

The instructions on the bottle say that you can mix 1-12 drops with your favorite moisturizer. The more drops you use, the deeper your tan.

The formula is somewhat of a running gel that incorporates well with moisturizers.

Their website notes that you can also mix it with oils, serums, or foundations, but I stick to mixing it with my moisturizer, which works well for my skin.

For my light skin tone, 2-3 drops are added to the last step of my skincare routine (moisturizer) at night. This gives me a beautiful natural golden tan that lasts a few days.

I only need to use these drops 2-3 times per week, depending on how much I am exfoliating my skin.

This is a nice break from self-tanning every evening with Clarins Liquid Bronze Self-Tanning lotion that I’ve been using for several years.

The Isle of Paradise drops are definitely more potent, as the Clarins self-tanner tends to fade faster.

Isle of Paradise equates the shade desired to the number of drops used:
3 drops = radiance
6 drops = sun-kissed
9 drops = golden
12 drops = bronze

How many drops you’ll need depends on your skin tone. Color should develop within 4-6 hours.

With these Isle of Paradise drops and all self-tanning products, be sure to wash your hands after application to avoid unwanted stains on your palms and in between your fingers!

I love the natural-looking golden color that I get from the drops.

My skin looks so much healthier, and imperfections like dark circles are minimized. It fades evenly and lasts longer than other facial self-tanners that I’ve used. I love these drops!

I purchased Self Tanning Water in Medium, which is scented with Isle of Paradise’s signature cucumber and eucalyptus scent. I use it on my arms, legs, chest, and abdomen after moisturizing really well.

That’s the trick to avoid streakiness or splotches on particularly tricky areas like knees, ankles, elbows, hands, and feet.

While Isle of Paradise notes that you can use this self-tanning water to set makeup, I prefer to tan my face using the drops mixed with moisturizer at night on my face.

I use several sprays of the tanning water over large areas to ensure my skin is saturated. I’ll blend either with my hands if I am in a hurry or their tanning applicator mitt with sweeping circular motions for an even application.

I can’t get over how natural this color looks, especially on my pale untanned arms and legs. This is really giving my recent favorite, St Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse, a run for its money.

The tanning water is effortless to use as well. I’ll use it a few times a week to touch up my color and just make sure to wash my hands well after application.

NOTE: If it’s summer or the weather is particularly hot, you can store the tanning water in the fridge and enjoy a cool mist when you spray it on your skin.

Formulated for all skin types, this self tan serum contains good-for-your-skin ingredients plus self tanner for a golden glow.

It contains hyaluronic acid for hydration and plumping, grapefruit oil to brighten and calm the skin, and avocado oil, rich in vitamins A and C, to support skin elasticity.

Directions say to use between 4 to 12 drops on your face. I apply this self-tanning serum to my clean face in the evening.

I decided to start with 4 drops on my face and 2 drops on my neck to see the effects on my light complexion.

This amount of product every other night or a few nights a week (4 drops on my face and 2 drops on my neck) hydrates well, provides a lovely golden glow, and fades really evenly.

It sinks in quickly and doesn’t interfere with other skincare products.

You may have to try a few different dropper amounts to get the optimal results for your skin tone.

It contains coconut oil, rich in fatty acids, to smooth and hydrate the skin. Avocado oil is rich in vitamin E and helps to improve skin elasticity.

Chia seed oil is rich in fatty acids and helps to support a healthy skin barrier. Eucalyptus leaf oil has antibacterial properties, while peppermint oil refreshes the skin.

This self-tanning butter is a little thicker than a body lotion and has a subtle shimmer. Like any other self-tanner, you need to make sure that it is blended well to avoid any streaks or discoloration.

After one use, it provided a lovely golden tan to my pale skin. It does have that fake tan smell, but that goes away after your next shower.

This is a great choice if you want a 2-in-1 body product. You get an excellent body moisturizer thanks to the rich body butter formula and a sunless tan, too!

Related Post: The Best Drugstore Mineral Sunscreens

This means it is separated into two layers: a hyaluronic acid and glycerin base to hydrate and moisturize and a jasmine oil phase to brighten and soothe the skin.

When you shake the bottle, you mix the layers and achieve a potency that otherwise couldn’t be achieved.

Like the other Isle of Paradise products, the mist is formulated with DHA, an active ingredient that tans your skin.

The DHA in the formula will give you a natural-looking tan and glowing complexion by morning. It’s suitable for normal, combination, oily, and acne prone skin types.

The natural oils, including ylang-ylang, jasmine, and lavender oils, have a relaxing and soothing scent to support a good night’s sleep.

Like the rest of Isle of Paradise products, this self-tanning night mist is clean, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Key Ingredients

• Dihydroxyacetone (DHA): DHA is a sugar-derived compound that interacts with the amino acids on the skin’s surface to produce a browning reaction. DHA is considered safe for topical use by the FDA.
• Glycerin: Glycerin is a humectant that helps the skin retain moisture and supports a healthy skin barrier. It is non-irritating and helps to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
• Sodium Hyaluronate: A natural substance in the body, sodium hyaluronate (the salt form of hyaluronic acid) is a powerful moisture-binding ingredient that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It plumps the skin, smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and helps to reduce inflammation.
• Jasmine Oil: Jasmine oil is an emollient that helps soothe and soften the skin and has antiseptic properties.
• Grapeseed Oil: Grapeseed oil is a light, non-greasy oil rich in Vitamin E and linoleic acid. It also has skin-protective antioxidant benefits.
• Argan Oil: Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. It helps to moisturize, protect and improve the elasticity of the skin.
• Organic Chia Seed Oil: Chia seed oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. It helps to reduce inflammation, hydrate the skin and protect it from environmental damage.
• Organic Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, D, and E and moisturizing fatty acids. It even has antioxidant benefits, thanks to its vitamin E content. These nutrients work together to soothe, protect and repair the skin.
• Organic Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a rich, natural emollient that helps to hydrate and protect the skin. It helps to hydrate and nourish the skin and is a rich oil, ideal for dry skin types.
• Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract: Aloe vera is a natural plant extract with anti-inflammatory and cooling properties. It helps to soothe the skin and reduce redness.
• Ascorbic Acid: Ascorbic acid, otherwise known as pure vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from environmental damage. It also helps to brighten the skin and even out skin tone.
• Panthenol: Panthenol is a form of vitamin B5 used to soothe and moisturize the skin.

As you can see, the ingredient list reads like a skincare product with many soothing and moisturizing actives.

There are several essential oils and added fragrance in this self tanning mist, so be sure to patch test before using it on your face for the first time.

Isle of Paradise Night Glow Self-Tan Face Mist Review

I’ve had great luck with Isle of Paradise tanning products and couldn’t wait to try this night tanning mist, especially since my holy grail face self-tanner is no longer available (Clarin Liquid Bronze).

I’m not a huge fan of face mists, so I wasn’t sure how much I would like this. I have to say, it is so incredibly easy to use.

Just shake the bottle to mix the two layers: the top 1/3 or so of the bottle is a lavender shade, and the bottom 2/3 is a sea blue shade. Once mixed, the formula turns all blue.

The color builds gradually, so if you only use a few sprays as directed, it’s very difficult to get wrong, especially as it is the last step of your skincare routine.

Just massage it into your moisturized skin, wash your hands, and you’re done.

I can see myself using this nightly (like I did with Liquid Bronze) because the color takes time to deepen, and I regularly exfoliate my skin, which works to slough away dead skin cells and any self-tanner on my skin.

The tanning mist has a relaxing herbal scent which is perfect in the evening when you want to wind down. I think this would be an ideal facial self-tanner for those with normal to dry skin.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, I would be sure to patch test before using, as it contains some oils like avocado and coconut oil, which are considered comedogenic and could clog your pores. (So far, I have had no breakouts while using this on my slightly oily skin.)

Overall, I’m very pleased with the Isle of Paradise NightGlow Self-Tan Face Mist and will continue to use it as part of my regular skincare routine.

It’s easy to use, has a nice scent, and gives my light skin a natural-looking bronze glow.

How To Use Isle of Paradise Night Glow Self-Tan Face Mist

Complete your usual evening skincare routine and use this self-tanning mist as the last step of your routine. Shake well to mix the two layers of the self tanner.

Close your eyes and mist 2-3 spritzes onto your face. Gently massage into your skin, and be sure to wash your hands after you finish applying the self-tanner.

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Firming Body Drops are customizable self-tanning drops formulated with nourishing skin-loving actives for firmer-looking skin.

Skin firming? Sign me up!!

These actives smooth, hydrate, tighten, and brighten your skin while providing you with that long-lasting Isle of Paradise natural-looking glow:

• Caffeine: Helps reduce the look of uneven skin tone
• Baobab: Soothes irritation and contains nourishing vitamins, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants
• Aloe and Oat Extracts: Gentle plant-derived ingredients that soothe your skin and replenish your moisture barrier

You can mix the drops with your body moisturizer for a tan that develops in 4 to 6 hours and lasts up to five days.

Remember to exfoliate before self-tanning to ensure that your tan fades evenly without any patchiness.

NOTE: While you can use Self Tanning Natural Glow Face Drops on your body, since it comes in a smaller 1 oz bottle, I save those drops for my face.

How To Use Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Firming Body Drops

• Add 6+ drops to a minimum of 2 ml (½ teaspoon) of your favorite body moisturizer. Mix, and apply to your skin.
• Apply evenly to each area of your body and wash your hands after applying to avoid staining your palms.
• Remember that the formula is concentrated and should always be mixed with your moisturizer as directed.
• These Isle of Paradise tanning drops have no guide color, so there won’t be any transfer, but be sure to wait until your moisturizer has fully absorbed into your skin before putting your clothes on.

Just like the face self-tanning drops, the body drops are super easy to use. I add a few drops to whichever moisturizer I use, whether lightweight or richer in consistency.

The drops provide the same natural-looking golden glow that really does fade evenly. If I want a deeper tan, I add a few more drops. If I want a lighter tan, I only add a few drops. So easy!

Yes, these body self tanning drops are pricier than other body self-tanners, and you also need to use a moisturizer with them, but for a customizable tan, this is one of the best self-tanners that I’ve tried.

About Isle of Paradise

Isle of Paradise was launched by Jules Von Hep, a celebrity tanning expert who has worked in the tanning industry for over 10 years. You can’t help but be drawn in by Jules’s focus on self-love, inclusivity, and body positivity. It’s uplifting and like a breath of fresh air.

After working with clients and applying color corrective makeup like powders and concealers after applying spray tans, he decided to combine color corrective technology with self tanning into one product that could be used at home.

The products are scented with eucalyptus and peppermint, inspired by Jules’ time spent in Australia.

In addition, the products are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and organic.

When they say their products are organic, they mean that the products are formulated with plant-derived and naturally occurring ingredients, including the purest non-toxic synthetic ingredients that are necessary for the formulas. Isle of Paradise products are made WITHOUT parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, petrolatum, sulfates, gluten, GMOs, and toxins.

Color Correction

What is color correction? Color correcting occurs when colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel cancel each other out. In the beauty world, this would happen when orange-hued concealer cancels blue-toned under-eye circles.

Color-correcting actives are used at a base level in all Isle of Paradise products to brighten skin, reduce redness, and even out hyperpigmentation and other discolorations. In the MEDIUM products I purchased, green color-correcting actives cancel out red tones to provide a gorgeous medium golden tan.

How Isle of Paradise Addresses Common Self-Tanning Issues

Streaky Color

We’ve all been there. Streaky tan lines and blotches show up in the wrong places hours after applying self-tanner. If you happen to be lucky, you can cover them with clothing! Isle of Paradise’s solution to this is their Triple Glow Technology.

Tanning actives derived from avocado and coconut oil are formulated at a low pH. This formula reacts with amino acids on our skin to support melanin without staining the skin or creating unnatural shades.

Dryness & Uneven Fading

Isle of Paradise’s Super Sponge Moisture Complex addresses dryness and uneven fading with superstar skincare ingredients: avocado seed oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera (all organically sourced) work their magic and improve skin elasticity.

They also prevent photodamage and dryness and moisturize the skin. Vitamin C and E bring antioxidant protection to the formulas to hydrate and improve skin firmness.

Unpleasant Self-Tanning Scent

The unpleasant self-tanning smell that unfortunately comes with most self-tanners is minimized in Isle of Paradise products.

They formulate their products at a low pH and blend their formulas with Eucalyptus Oil to impart a gentle light natural fragrance on the skin.

Key Ingredients in Isle of Paradise Products

Coconut Oil is high in essential fatty acids, making it a very healthy oil that hydrates and smoothes the skin.

Avocado Oil is rich in vitamins A and C. Excellent hydration and improvement of skin elasticity are achieved with avocado oil since it penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin.

Chia Seed Oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids and helps support the skin barrier, and helps the skin retain moisture leading to hydrated and more radiant-looking skin.

More Than Just Pretty Packaging

One of the things that jumps out at you is the pretty pastel colors of the products. I can’t help but smile when I look at the soft pretty pastels. But there is more to it than just cute colors. Isle of Paradise products are color-coded, or shall I say pastel color-coded, based on your desired shade of tan.

Peach – Light

The lightest shade of the self-tanners, PEACH, will provide a LIGHT sun-kissed glow. PEACH products contain Isle of Paradise’s OXY-glow Technology. This technology is derived from amino acids and will deliver oxygen to the skin’s surface for a brighter complexion.

Choose PEACH for brightening and illuminating the skin and for anti-inflammatory benefits.

Green – Medium

GREEN Isle of Paradise products will provide a MEDIUM golden tan. These products contain Isle of Paradise’s SuperBalance Complex. This complex will reduce redness and inflammation and even out your skin tone. Extracts of the Agastache Mexicana flower will soothe stressed skin.

Violet – Dark

Use Isle of Paradise VIOLET products to get a deep bronze tan. Their proprietary HyperViolet Complex will neutralize orange, yellow, and ash skin tones while improving clarity and radiance in the skin.

NOTE: While I would consider my complexion light, I self-tan my face year-round and self-tan my body in the warmer months. Whenever tanners come in Light, Medium, or Dark options, I usually choose Medium and have success. In my experience, the same holds true for Isle of Paradise products.

I chose Medium (Green), and I am happy to say that the color payoff is just what I want in both the drops and tanning water. Plus, I don’t need to use a lot of the product. The nice part is that you can control the color of these two products. Just choose how many sprays or drops you apply.

Related: Best Face Self-Tanners For Acne Prone Skin, 4 Steps to a Natural Looking Self Tan

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Review – Final Thoughts

From the packaging to performance, Isle of Paradise really hit it out of the park with these products. On top of the fantastic performance of the products, I love that these are clean products with a very body-positive message.

Please keep in mind that these products, like other self-tanners, do not contain sunscreen. It is important to protect the skin on your face and body from the sun’s harmful rays by using sunscreen after your skincare – every single day!

Have you tried Isle of Paradise products? I’d love to hear your results. Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for reading!